| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. |
The earth – The joint care of which, with its fulness, was committed to mankind by God as a stewardship. D310
The symbolic earth, the new social order. R3113:3
Is the LORD'S – From the time that "the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ." (Rev. 11:15) R3113:3
The fulness thereof – Every good and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father through the Son. R5680:5
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| 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. |
Upon the seas – After God had said "Be still" to the restless sea-element of society. R3113:6
The new earth will be established upon the ruins of the old. R3113:6
God is founding his new order of things in the midst of seas of discontent. R5680:5
The new earth will be stablished where the sea now is; the class symbolized by "the sea" shall be no more--"There shall be no more sea." (Rev 21:1) R1814:2
Upon the floods – Replacing anarchy. R3113:6
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| 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? |
Who shall ascend – Go as true subjects, loyal citizens, no longer aliens and strangers. R3114:1
Hill of the LORD – Jerusalem was built on a double-top mountain, symbolizing the unity of the kingly and priestly qualities in the glorified Church, and also the heavenly and earthly phases of the Kingdom. A301
After the time of trouble there will be only one mountain, or hill, left--the Kingdom of God. R3114:1
Who shall stand – Be counted worthy to remain. R3114:1
In his holy place – The spiritual phase of the Kingdom of God. A301; D582; R5680:5
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| 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. |
He – Whether as an heir or as a subject of the Kingdom. R3114:2
Hath clean hands – An honest life. D582
Clean actions, clean conduct, determined opposition and resistance to sin in all its forms. R3114:2
Righteous living to the best of one's ability. R5680:5
The one ultimate standard of admission to blessedness in the future is character. R800:5*
A character which is the outcome of true faith exercised unto godliness. R3114:2
Free from self-emulation and human glorying. R2275:1
Among whom the delusions of error can make no headway. R2275:1
The best provision which parents can make for their children for the time of trouble is to give them faithful instruction in righteousness. R1963:5
And a pure heart – An honest heart. R5680:5
Void of offense towards God and man. D582
A will, intention or purpose that always, like the needle to the pole, turns toward righteousness, truth, purity, cleanliness of person, clothing, language, habits, and companionship. R3114:4
A single-hearted purpose to glorify God and bless fellow men. R2275:1
Lifted up his soul – Aspired to be great, or good, or wise in the eyes of men. R2275:2
Unto vanity – But is humble, meek, modest, candid and sincere. R3114:4
Cultivating no earthly ambition or pride, but patiently waiting for the glory to follow the course of present self-sacrifice. R3826:5
Nor sworn deceitfully – Ignoring or despising his covenant with God. R3114:5, R3826:5, R5680:6, R2275:2
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| 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. |
He shall receive – Those who have done all they have covenanted to do. R5680:5
The blessing – The promised share in the Kingdom. R3826:6
And righteousness – Perfection, full deliverance from present imperfections. R3826:6
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| 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. |
That seek thy face – None can obtain God's blessings without seeking them through Christ. R3114:5
O Jacob – O God of Jacob. (Margin) R3114:5
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| 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. |
The King of glory – Jehovah. E44
We are still waiting for the entrance of this King of Glory in the full sense of the word. R5680:6
The Pope is the imitation "king of glory." R1002:3
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| 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. |
Mighty in battle – In the time of trouble. D549
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| 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. |
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| 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. |
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