| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 To the Overseer with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. |
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| In Judah [is] God known, in Israel His name [is] great. |
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| 2 And His tabernacle is in Salem, And His habitation in Zion. |
Salem – The most ancient name of Jerusalem. R1296:3*
In Zion – The spiritual phase of the Kingdom of God. A295; T33
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| 3 There he hath shivered arrows of a bow, Shield, and sword, and battle. Selah. |
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| 4 Bright [art] Thou, honourable above hills of prey. |
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| 5 Spoiled themselves have the mighty of heart, They have slept their sleep, And none of the men of might found their hands. |
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| 6 From Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both rider and horse have been fast asleep. |
Both the chariot – Symbol of worldly organizations. C316
And horse – Symbol of doctrine. C316
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| 7 Thou, fearful [art] Thou, And who doth stand before Thee, Since Thou hast been angry! |
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| 8 From heaven Thou hast sounded judgment, Earth hath feared, and hath been still,
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From heaven – From the new powers of spiritual control. A318; D618
The earth – The present organizations of society. C229; D46
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| 9 In the rising of God to judgment, To save all the humble of earth. Selah. |
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| 10 For the fierceness of man praiseth Thee, The remnant of fierceness Thou girdest on. |
The wrath of man – The Lord has even used the devil as his agent. R5527:1
In far-seeing wisdom, God has permitted all present disorders. R1408:5
The Adversary may have had to do with the movement toward communism, socialism and anarchism. Q579:4
Shall praise thee – Unintentionally, by working out thy plans. E448; Q23:6; R5205:4, R799:1
This would imply that the affairs of the world may be safely left with the world, under the Lord's supervision. R3853:3
Some agencies, not in themselves good, will be made use of in destroying present evil governments, thus accomplishing the Lord's purpose. R592:5, R5061:4
The wrath of men and devils, while not in any sense of God, shall be operated or controlled by God's providence. R1778:4
The remainder of wrath – That which would work no good, serve no purpose, or teach no lesson, but which would be subversive to the divine arrangements. R3179:5; A250; R5257:5, R4843:1*, R2973:6
Shalt thou restrain – Not permit to interfere with his plan. R1270:1
God's actions, where he has interfered at all, have been toward the restraining of sin. R1779:1, R1270:4
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| 11 Vow and complete to Jehovah your God, All ye surrounding him. They bring presents to the Fearful One. |
Vow and pay – Taking a vow, let us keep it in letter and spirit. R4267:4
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| 12 He doth gather the spirit of leaders, Fearful to the kings of earth! |
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