Thou hast multiplied the nation, [and] not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, [and] as [men] rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Ver. 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation.] Or, "Never since thou multipliedst this people, didst thou give them such joy" - i.e., such matter of joy as now thou intendest to do. Or thus, "Thou wilt multiply this nation, thou wilt increase their joy"; especially by sending thy Son, who is called "the gift," Joh 4:10 "the benefit," 1Ti 6:2 such as wherein all discontents are soon swallowed up. Everlasting joy shall be upon the heads of the Lord's ransomed ones, they "shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isa 35:10
They joy before thee.] Pleasure there must be in the ways of God, because therein men let out their souls into God, the fountain of all good. Christ's chariot is paved with love. Son 3:9-10
According to the joy in harvest.] And a great deal more. Psa 4:7 They do "over abound exceedingly with joy." 2Co 7:4 Joys they have "unspeakable, and full of glory." 1Pe 1:8
And as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.] Wherein the pleasure is usually more than the profit, Psa 119:162 and yet the profit oft very great too, as 2Ch 20:25 and as at the sack of Constantinople, at the wealth whereof the Turks themselves wondered, and derided their folly that possessing so much they would bestow so little in the defence of themselves and their country. a
a Turkish History, fol. 345.