Verse 1. - Make a joyful noise unto the Lord (comp. Psalm 95:1, 2, and the comment ad loc.). All ye lands; literally, all the earth.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Verse 2. - Serve the Lord with gladness. "Gladness" is the emphatic word. Almost every clause of the psalm contains some such call. Come before his presence with singing; or, with a cry of joy.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Verse 3. - Know ye that the Lord he is God; or, be sure - "recognize the fact as a certainty" (see the Prayer book Version). It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; or, according to another reading, and his are we. This latter reading is preferred by De Wette, Kay, Cheyne, and the Revised Version. But the other, which was the reading of the LXX., and is supported by the Vulgate and the old commentators generally, should, however, be retained, as yielding a better sense (see the arguments of Hengstenberg, 'Commentary on the Psalms,' vol. 3. p. 201, Engl. trans.). We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (comp. Psalm 74:1; Psalm 79:13; Psalm 95:7).
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Verse 4. - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. The mention of" gates" and" courts" points primarily to the temple worship, but the reference may be, as Professor Alexander suggests, "typical or metaphorical" rather than literal, and may extend to all the faithful and to all places of worship. Be thankful unto him; or, give thanks unto him (Revised Version). And bless his Name (comp. Psalm 96:2; Psalm 145:21).
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Verse 5. - For the Lord is good (comp. 1 Chronicles 16:34; 2 Chronicles 5:13; 2 Chronicles 7:3; Ezra 3:11; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 107:1; Psalm 118:1, 29; Psalm 125:3; Psalm 136:1; Psalm 145:9, etc.). His mercy is everlasting; literally, his mercy is forever. Compare the frequent refrain, "His mercy endureth forever" (Psalm 118:1-4, 29; Psalm 136:1-26, etc.). And his truth (or, his faithfulness) endureth to all generations; literally, to generation and generation. All men's hope is in God's "faithfulness," that he will keep his promises to them - pardon them, deliver them, cleanse them, and give them rest in his kingdom forever. |
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