Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in
Zion
The psalmist having determined in the strength of grace to praise
the Lord himself, and show forth all his marvellous works, and
given his reasons for it, both with respect to himself in
particular, and with respect to the people of God in general,
here calls upon others to engage in the same work; the Lord is
not only to be praised, which may be done by celebrating the
perfections of his nature, and the works of his hands; by giving
him thanks for mercies temporal and spiritual, and by living to
his glory; but his praises are to be sung by a modulation of the
voice in musical notes, as the word used signifies; see (
Song of Solomon
2:12 ) ; where the same word is used of the singing of birds;
and this is to be done by the saints jointly, in concert
together, as Paul and Silas in prison sang the praises of God;
and there is great reason why they should join together in this
work, since they share the blessings of divine grace in common
together; and it is their duty to stir up one another to this
service, as well as to other parts of worship: and this perfectly
agrees with the exhortation to the saints, and the work they
shall be employed in at the fall of Babylon, or destruction of
antichrist, (
Revelation 14:1-3 ) ( 18:20 ) (
Revelation 19:1
Revelation 19:2 ) .
Jehovah, to whom praises are to be sung, is described as the
inhabitant of Zion, the ark and tabernacle being there before the
temple was built, which were symbols of the divine Presence. The
Targum paraphrases it, "who causeth his Shechinah to dwell in
Zion"; as many of the Jewish writers interpret this psalm of
Goliath, a doubt arises here about it, since in the days of Saul,
and at the time of Goliath's death, Zion was in the hands of the
Jebusites, and the ark of God was not there till many years
afterwards; to this it is replied, that David might compose this
psalm upon that occasion not immediately at that time, but after
he was king of Israel, and when the ark was brought to Zion; or
that he said this by a prophetic spirit, foreseeing that, God
would dwell there; and Kimchi observes, that it was everywhere a
received tradition among the people of Israel that the sanctuary
would be built there; but however this be, certain it is that the
church of God goes by the name of Zion frequently; see ( Psalms 2:6 ) ( 50:2 ) ( Hebrews
12:22 ) ( Revelation
14:1 ) . God by his essence and power is everywhere, he fills
heaven and earth, and cannot be contained in either; his glorious
presence is in heaven; his gracious presence is in his church and
among his people; where they dwell he dwells, and where he dwells
they dwell: hence the church is called by the same name as the
Lord is here, the inhabitant of Zion, ( Isaiah 12:6 ) ; and
this description of him points out the place where his praises
are to be sung, in Zion; who are to sing them, the members of the
church; and the reason why, because the Lord dwells in Zion; and
is there a refuge for his people, and protects them;
declare among the people his doings;
what God does for the souls of men is not only to be declared
among the people of God, ( Psalms 66:16
) ; but also among the people of the world, when a suitable
opportunity offers; and especially in the public ministry of the
word; partly that the name of God may be exalted, his grace,
goodness, and mercy be displayed; and partly that it might be the
means of the conversion of God's chosen ones among them, (
Psalms 96:2
Psalms 96:3 )
( Isaiah
12:2-4 ) ; though it may be here his doings in providence are
meant, his special providential care of his church and people,
and his vengeance on their enemies, on Babylon; for upon the ruin
of antichrist, the judgments of God, his providential
dispensations towards his church and people, will be made
manifest, and all nations will be called upon to fear and worship
him; see ( Jeremiah
50:28 ) ( Revelation
15:3 Revelation
15:4 ) ; the word F11 which is here used signifies such
deeds and actions as are the effects of thought and counsel, and
which are purposely and industriously done; and whatsoever is
done by the Lord, whether in a way of grace or providence, is
done after the counsel of his own will; as he thought so it is,
as he purposes so it comes to pass, and all things are done well
and wisely, and answer the ends and designs of them.