Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Ver. 4. The adoption] For Israel was God's firstborn, and so "higher than the kings of the earth," Psalms 89:27 .
And the glory] The ark of the covenant, 1 Samuel 4:21, whence Judea is called "the glorious land," Daniel 11:41. As for the ark, it is elsewhere called God's face, Psalms 105:4. Yea, God himself, Psalms 132:5 .
The covenants] The moral law in two tables.
The giving of the law] The judicial law.
The service] The ceremonial law.
The promises] Of the gospel made to Abraham, and his seed for ever. These promises are a precious book, every leaf whereof drops myrrh and mercy.