So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
So shall the congregation of the people (Hebrew, tribes) compass thee about. In the East the king, in pronouncing judgment, sits surrounded by the peoples interested in the decision. Here "the peoples" congregated, in the ultimate design of the Spirit, include both Israel (peculiarly called the "tribes") and the Gentile nations (Hebrew, Goyim); which shall constitute "the gathering of the peoples" to the "Shiloh" at His second coming (Genesis 49:10; Psalms 2:6-8). The anti-Christian enemies shall then be judically punished, Israel shall be once more Yahweh's own people, and the nations shall be converted to Christ reigning in Zion (Isa. 2:24; Psalms 50:1-5; Psalms 102:13-16). Israel shall then occupy the place originally designed for her, but never yet realized, as center of the nations, religiously (Deuteronomy 32:8; Deuteronomy 33:19).
For their sakes. Translate, 'for its (the congregation's) sake.'
Return thou on high. In order that the congregation of the people may compass thee about, return thou on high [or to the high place, lamaarowm (H4791)]'. The high place is "height of Zion" (Jeremiah 31:10-12), "the mountain of the height of Israel" (Esek. 20:40). It hardly means 'God's lofty dwelling in heaven.' Metaphorically it they mean, Reassume they throne of judgment, which thy long-suffering toward the wicked heretofore may seem to show thou hast abdicated. Judge between me and Saul (2 Samuel 24:12; 2 Samuel 24:15). But the literal meaning also holds good, and accords with the general voice of prophecy. God cannot be said to have left His throne in heaven, though He has, forsaken temporarily "the place of His throne" at Jerusalem (Ezekiel 43:7; Jeremiah 3:17; Psalms 68:16); it is this to which he will return in greater glory than ever; His return shall be accompanied with judgment on the Christ-opposed enemy, of whom David's foes, about to be judged by God, were the type. The adjudication of the throne finally to David, and the rejection of Saul, which was the result of Yahweh's return to the high seat of judicature, is the type of Christ-Yahweh's resumption of the throne of the Israelite theocracy, whence He shall reign over the whole earth, and of the final rejection of the world-kings, who have abused the trust delegated by Him,' having reigned for self and against Him, instead of as under Him and, for His glory.