The Chaldee entitles it, a prophetic psalm. The LXX and the Vulgate, a psalm of David. The occasion on which it was composed is not known; but it is universally admitted to be prophetic of Christ and his kingdom. The subject is the same as in Psalms 96.
REFLECTIONS.
There is no principle with which the church of Christ should be more impressed, than that the ancient Hebrews referred all their joys and sorrows to God, looking for ultimate hope and ultimate glory in the Messiah's kingdom. This psalm was composed on some occasion of great national joy, as when David had vanquished the nine nations who leagued against Zion. Psalms 83. But so much of the celestial spirit broke in upon the soul of the writer as to diminish his joys for a small object, in comparison of the later-day glory. Hence with a majestic boldness peculiar to the Hebrew poetry, he carries away the consentaneous hearts of the people with a new song unto the Lord.
The objects of the song were the recent victories, and the future wonders of the Lord. He had made known his salvation when the enemy boasted; he had declared his righteousness by vengeance on the wicked, and exemplified fidelity to his promises. But in the evangelical times, the righteousness of God without the law is made manifest in the justification of every one that believeth, whether jew or gentile. He hath remembered his mercy and truth towards Israel, and showed his salvation to the ends of the earth.
This salvation and righteousness being for the heathen world, he calls upon all the earth to make a joyful noise unto God with harp, voice, and trumpet. Indifference here is a crime, and mere negligence the highest provocation. How could heaven give greater displays of love; and what returns should not man make to the Lord?
Inanimate nature is called to the chorus of gratitude for the promised salvation. When man is gloomy, the heavens seem dark; but when he is happy, all nature looks gay. This is more than semblance when applied to prophecy, for the earth, filled with the knowledge of God and all righteousness, shall have little affliction from war, sickness, and death; and the encrease of the earth shall correspond with its population. Hence the floods may clap their hands, and the hills rejoice in the times of the restitution of all things, when Christ shall come to judge the earth. May the Lord animate all our hearts with this blessed spirit to prepare us for that happy age.