his psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to
him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a
King ruling in it, and for it.
Verses 1-5: The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as
the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching
the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that
this good matter is not more the subject of our discourse. There
is more in Christ to engage our love, than there is or can be in
any creature. This world and its charms are ready to draw away
our hearts from Christ; therefore we are concerned to understand
how much more worthy he is of our love. By his word, his
promise, his gospel, the good will of God is made known to us,
and the good work of God is begun and carried on in us. The
psalmist, ver. (3-5), joyfully foretells the progress and
success of the Messiah. The arrows of conviction are very
terrible in the hearts of sinners, till they are humbled and
reconciled; but the arrows of vengeance will be more so to his
enemies who refuse to submit. All who have seen his glory and
tasted his grace, rejoice to see him, by his word and Spirit,
bring enemies and strangers under his dominion.
Verses 6-9: The throne of this almighty King is established for ever.
While the Holy Spirit leads Christ's people to look to his
cross, he teaches them to see the evil of sin and the beauty of
holiness; so that none of them can feel encouragement to
continue in sin. The Mediator is God, else he had been neither
able to do the Mediator's work, nor fit to wear the Mediator's
crown. God the Father, as his God in respect to his human nature
and mediatorial offices, has given to him the Holy Spirit
without measure. Thus anointed to be a Prophet, Priest, and
King, Christ has pre-eminence in the gladdening gifts and graces
of the spirit, and from his fulness communicates them to his
brethren in human nature. The Spirit is called the oil of
gladness, because of the delight wherewith Christ was filled, in
carrying on his undertakings. The salvation of sinners is the
joy of angels, much more of the Son. And in proportion as we are
conformed to his holy image, we may expect the gladdening gifts
influences of the Comforter. The excellences of the Messiah, the
suitableness of his offices, and the sufficiency of his grace,
seem to be intended by the fragrance of his garments. The church
formed of true believers, is here compared to the queen, whom,
by an everlasting covenant, the Lord Jesus has betrothed to
himself. This is the bride, the Lamb's wife, whose graces are
compared to fine linen, for their purity; to gold, for their
costliness: for as we owe our redemption, so we owe our
adorning, to the precious blood of the Son of God.
Verses 10-17: If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to
Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments
and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all
idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart.
And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former
alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on
particular believers, is, in the sight of Christ, of great
price, and very amiable. The work of grace is the workmanship of
the Spirit, it is the image of Christ upon the soul, a partaking
of the Divine nature. It is clear of all sin, there is none in
it, nor any comes from it. There is nothing glorious in the old
man or corrupt nature; but in the new man, or work of grace upon
the soul, every thing is glorious. The robe of Christ's
righteousness, which he has wrought out for his church, the
Father imputes unto her, and bestows upon her. None are brought
to Christ, but those whom the Father brings. This notes the
conversion of souls to him. The robe of righteousness, and
garments of salvation, the change of raiment Christ has put upon
her. Such as strictly cleave to Christ, loving him in singleness
of heart, are companions of the bride, who partake of the very
same grace, enjoy the same privileges, and share in one common
salvation. These, every one, shall be brought to the King; not
one lost or left behind. Instead of the Old Testament church,
there shall be a New Testament church, a Gentile church. In the
believing hope of our everlasting happiness in the other world,
let us always keep up the remembrance of Christ, as our only way
thither; and transmit the remembrance of him to succeeding
generations, that his name may endure for ever.
his psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to
him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a
King ruling in it, and for it.