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| 1 In that day sung is this song in the land of Judah: 'We have a strong city, Salvation He doth make walls and bulwark. |
In that day – In the dawn of the Millennial age. R1352:6
Verses 1 to 9 are a prophetic description of the Millennial day. R1951:1, R2338:3
Land of Judah – Israel will be the first to recognize the Kingdom established. R1352:6, R1693:4
A strong city – A city that is securely established, the Millennial Kingdom of God. R1352:5
The City of God, the Kingdom of God. A296; C229
Walls and bulwarks – A strong city of refuge which all desiring salvation may enter. R1353:1
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| 2 Open ye the gates, that enter may a righteous nation, Preserving stedfastness. |
Open ye the gates – The Ancient Worthies, through whose instrumentality all may enter into the Kingdom. R1353:1
Which keepeth – Observeth, or regardeth. R1353:1
May enter in – The nations of the earth will be walking in the light of the glorified Church, the New Jerusalem. R2338:3
"They shall bring the glory of the nations into it." (Rev. 21:26) R1951:1
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| 3 An imagination supported Thou fortifiest peace peace! For in Thee it is confident. |
Him – A class who has gone further than the condition of peace with God and have the peace of God. R5432:1
In perfect peace – "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding." (Phil. 4:7) R5432:1, R5879:1
"When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?" (Job 34:29) R5878:2
In the midst of the time of trouble of verses 5, 6 & 21, God would have his people at rest and peace in him. R1787:3
No matter what the outward conditions may be, even amid turmoil and trouble. R5879:2, R5432:1,4
Not in an outward sense, but an inward tranquility. R5432:2, 1
Which comes through strong, unwavering faith. R5432:6,4,3
In proportion as we receive the holy Spirit. R5432:3
Dependent on full obedience and giving unreservedly to God of time, talents, influence, life and all. R5432:6, 1
To enjoy this we must have unswerving trust in our Father's love and abiding faithfulness. R5432:5
We are not to be at peace with the flesh, but always at warfare with it. R5432:3
Stayed on thee – No one can retain this peace whose mind is not stayed, fixed, on God; and our peace is in proportion to our staying qualities. R5432:6
Nothing can, in any wise, hurt these. R5432:4
When we take the proper view of our experiences we can sing: "No storm can shake our inmost calm while to that refuge clinging." R5879:2
Like an iceberg towed by a powerful undercurrent, the Christian is upheld and borne onward by the strong undercurrent of peaceful communion with God. R1070:4*
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| 4 Trust ye in Jehovah for ever, For in Jah Jehovah [is] a rock of ages, |
The LORD JEHOVAH – This title belongs only to the Father. E65
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| 5 For He bowed down the dwellers on high, A city set on high He maketh low, He maketh it low unto the earth, He causeth it to come unto the dust, |
Bringeth down – In the time of trouble. B138; R1787:3
The humbling of the proud. R1951:1, R2338:3
The lofty city – Mystic Babylon. R2338:3, R1353:1, R1951:1, R1357:3, R5917:4
The city formerly exalted and powerful in the earth. R1353:1
Even to the dust – Utterly destroyed. R1352:5
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| 6 Tread it down doth a foot, Feet of the poor steps of the weak. |
Tread it down – A reference to the great social troubles now at hand. R1353:1
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| 7 The path for the righteous [is] uprightness, O upright One, The path of the righteous Thou dost ponder. |
The way of the just – In the Millennium the path of the just will be made level and they shall delight therein. R1219:6
Is uprightness – Is plain (Leeser). R1353:4
Dost weigh – Dost make exactly plain (Leeser). R1353:4
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| 8 Also, [in] the path of Thy judgments, O Jehovah, we have waited [for] Thee, To Thy name and to Thy remembrance [Is] the desire of the soul. |
Remembrance of thee – Israel still remembered the Lord and desired his favor and blessing. R1353:4
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| 9 [With] my soul I desired Thee in the night, Also, [with] my spirit within me I seek Thee earnestly, For when Thy judgments [are] on the earth, The inhabitants of the world have learned righteousness. |
With my soul have I – The Body of Christ. R2338:3, R1951:1
Desired thee – Praying "Thy kingdom come." R2338:3, R1951:1
In the night – The night of the Gospel age. R2338:3, R1951:1
A night of weeping, sighing, pain, sickness and death. A9 It is what their souls longed for, even in the night of sin. R1219:6
Seek thee early – Early in the Millennial morning. R1219:6
When thy judgments – The swift and unerring justice of the Millennial age, side by side with mercy and peace. D619; SM16:1, SM56:2, SM423:2; R4758:5, R350:6*; Q438:3
Rewards and punishments--a "resurrection by judgment." (John 5:29, Revised Version) R3066:4, R4559:6
Our Lord's righteous dealings. SM56:2; R4730:5
Corrective in nature. SM423:2; R1715:1
A spiritual police force will have humanity under absolute control. R5760:4
Exposing the evildoers. R5317:3
Punishments for every wrong course, rewards for every right deed. R5780:3, R5781:1
Perhaps including some form of instant paralysis for those who wish to do or speak wrong. R5023:6; Q621:T
Bringing blessings to every well-doer and punishments to every intentional evildoer. Q438:3; R4730:5, R5286:6; OV47:1; B138; SM16:1, SM56:2
These corrective judgments of the Lord will mean blessings in disguise. R3790:5
The will will not be taken as instead of the deed, as it is under the covenant of Grace. R4729:2
The troubles of the "Day of Jehovah" will give opportunities of preaching the good tidings of coming good such as are seldom afforded. A342
Even the dashing in pieces in judgment is so that man may learn righteousness. R31:1*
The judgments of the day of trouble which introduce the Millennial reign are necessary to teach the world righteousness. R2338:3, R1951:1, R5443:3, R5493:4, R269:3; D627, SM701:1
Babylon will fall as a result of Kingdom judgments. D623; R2763:4
They will be so markedly before the attention of the people that all will know that a change has taken place. R5218:5
The symbolic burning and breaking of Zeph. 3:8, 9 and Rev. 2:27 will be the missionary method by which the Church glorified will bring in "everlasting righteousness." R2462:6
Are in the earth – Bringing the great time of trouble. R2314:1
The inhabitants – Wearied and discouraged at their own efforts. R686:6
Of the world – The blessed opportunities of that time will belong to all mankind except the Church, who have a special blessing. R4730:5
Will – God's original plan cannot fail in any particular. R99:1*
Learn righteousness – In the vengeance upon the nations the Lord will reveal to the world the fact of the change of dispensations and the change of rulers. B138
The world will see and recognize him when his judgments make his presence manifest to all. R714:5*
Under the righteous administration of the glorified followers of Christ, united with the Lord as the governing body, the Kings and Priests. Q852:2
The Church shall rule as Kings with a rod of iron, but the object will be to humble the nations and so fit them for the reception of the truth. R404:6*
The overthrow of the kingdoms by the strong hand of judgment is what will break the proud spirit of the nations. R60:5*, R256:4
Gradually, under the Kingdom's restraints, corrections, rewards and punishments. R5781:1, R4559:6, R5639:5, R5780:3, R5286:6, R5023:6; SM734:T, SM16:1; OV47:1
All good intentions and endeavors will bring uplift--mentally, morally and physically. R5771:4, R5760:4
The plowshare of trouble must first prepare human hearts for the sowing of the good seed of the next dispensation. R5521:1, R2627:5, R3414:5; HG417:3
Allowing man to realize the evil effects of his own course. R1712:3
While the symbolic fire will destroy the institutions and arrangements peculiar to that time; it will not destroy the people, but prepare them for the reception of the Lord's message. R2844:6
The uplifting influences will begin at once following the great time of trouble. OV128:4
It will not take them long to learn. They will not need to have calamity overtake them many times before they will learn that it would be better for them not to do wrong. Q118:3
As soon as one finds that to slander his neighbor will bring upon him a temporary paralysis of the tongue, he will be careful respecting his words. HG234:5
Learning the inexpediency of sin and selfishness and that thereafter no other rules than the Golden Rule shall be permitted. R2314:1
All the inhabitants of the earth will learn perfectly what righteousness is and what are its rewards. R1219:6
By the end of the Millennial age, even the entertaining of a thought disloyal to the Almighty will lead to the Second Death. SM57:T
Illustrated in the case of a young Atheist, who dared God to strike him deaf and dumb, and was so stricken. R3388:6
The Lord's people have the opportunity to comfort and cheer the world with these good tidings. A342
Those who will not fall into line with God's law will have tribulations that they may learn righteousness. R4729:2
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| 10 The wicked findeth favour, He hath not learned righteousness, In a land of straightforwardness he dealeth perversely, And seeth not the excellency of Jehovah. |
Yet will he not – Some, even in the Millennium. R1951:1
Even with fullest knowledge, some will not learn to love righteousness. R1219:6, R2338:3
Land of uprightness – The Millennial or "new earth" state. R1951:1, R2338:3, R1219:6
The majesty – Will not recognize the majesty of the Lord's law. R1219:6
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| 11 O Jehovah, high [is] Thy hand they see not, They see the zeal of the people, and are ashamed, Also, the fire Thine adversaries, consumeth them. |
They will not see – The remainder of the world who have not yet recognized the new Kingdom under the Ancient Worthies. R1353:4, 2
They shall see – "Oh, that they might see." R1219:6
They shall yet see and be ashamed of their past course. R1353:4
Shall devour them – All who persistently remain enemies of the Lord shall be destroyed. R2338:3, R1353:4
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| 12 O Jehovah, Thou appointest peace to us, For, all our works also Thou hast wrought for us. |
Thou also hast – Verses 12 to 15 represent the faithful taking a glance backward and acknowledging that the deliverance has been wholly God's work. R2338:3
Wrought...works in us – Expresses confidence in God who has cared for them in the past. R1353:4, R1951:2
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| 13 O Jehovah our God, lords have ruled us besides Thee, Only, by Thee we make mention of Thy name. |
Other lords – The various nations and systems that have oppressed Israel. R3725:6*
The trusts and other giants of vice and selfishness. D370
Evil governments and systems, rulers, powers. R1353:4, R1951:2, R2338:3
Sin, the great task--master, and every evil system which oppresses men at the present time, some of which are highly esteemed among the oppressed. R2338:3
Have had dominion – Contrasting their condition under the Kingdom of God with the bitterness and woes of the past. R1353:4
But by thee only – But of thee only, as our ruler. R1951:2
Mention of thy name – Mention only the Lord as their King and forget the bitterness and woes of the past. R1353:4, R2338:4
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| 14 Dead they live not, Rephaim, they rise not, Therefore Thou hast inspected and dost destroy them, Yea, thou destroyest all their memory. |
They shall not rise – Every power of evil and oppression shall be destroyed forever, never to rise again. R1951:2, R1353:4; Q211:T, D370
Does not refer to mankind, but to the perishing of giant and powerful trusts and corporations. Q210:2; R3725:6*; D370
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| 15 Thou hast added to the nation, O Jehovah, Thou hast added to the nation, Thou hast been honoured, Thou hast put far off all the ends of earth. |
Hast increased – Israel regathered under divine protection and favor. R1353:5
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| 16 O Jehovah, in distress they missed Thee, They have poured out a whisper, Thy chastisement [is] on them. |
In trouble – This trouble (of verses 16 to 19) is unlike all others of the past 1,800 years upon the Jewish people. It is not a mark of divine disfavor, but, contrariwise, of favor. R1324:3
Poured out a prayer – Nominal Christians, when they awake to a knowledge of their situation and realize the presence of the Lord. R5993:6
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| 17 When a pregnant woman cometh near to the birth, She is pained she crieth in her pangs, So we have been from Thy face, O Jehovah. |
So have we – The nominal church. R505:3, R5993:6
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| 18 We have conceived, we have been pained. We have brought forth as it were wind, Salvation we do not work in the earth, Nor do the inhabitants of the world fall. |
Been with child – Nominal church claims to convert sinners, to bring forth spiritual children. R5993:6, R505:3
This is said after they have realized the presence of the Lord. R5993:6
Have been in pain – She has had much zeal, but not according to knowledge. R5993:6, R505:3
Not wrought any deliverance – She has organized her armies, developed her machinery and multiplied her stores; yet the enemy does not fall before her. R505:3, R5993:6
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| 19 'Thy dead live My dead body they rise. Awake and sing, ye dwellers in the dust, For the dew of herbs [is] thy dew, And the land of Rephaim thou causest to fall. |
Thy dead – God's dead now are those who are members of the Body of Christ. R4667:2; Q582:2, Q583:5, Q587:1
Men – Omit this word, which was added by translators. R4667:2, Q582:2, Q587:1
Shall live – Referring to the resurrection of the Church. R4667:2; Q582:2, Q583:5, Q587:1
Not that the dead are not dead. CR349:6
Trouble, a mark of God's favor, awakens the Jews from lethargy to cause their hearts to long for the promised land. R1324:3,5
Together with – Omit these words, which were added by translators. R4667:2; Q582:2, Q583:5, Q587:1
My dead body shall they arise – The resurrection of the Church, the Body of Christ. Thus, properly translated, this passage should read: "Thy dead shall live; my dead Body, they shall arise." R4667:2; Q582:2, Q583:5, Q587:1
Awake and sing – In the resurrection morning when the sleepers shall come forth from the tomb. E345
"Joy cometh in the morning." (Psa. 30:5) E345
Come forth to learn the goodness of God. R4667:2
Ye that dwell in dust – Of the earth. E345; R4687:2
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| 20 Come, My people, enter into thy inner chambers, And shut thy doors behind thee, Hide thyself shortly a moment till the indignation pass over. |
Come – "Come out of her, my people." (Rev. 18:4) R1788:2
My people – Saints of the past and present. R2020:6, R1787:6
"Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." (Psa. 50:5) R1787:6
Into thy chambers – "The secret place of the Most High." (Psa. 91:1) R1788:2
The place of intimate communion and fellowship with God. R1788:2
Passing unto the Lord. R5255:3
And shut thy doors – Of faith. R1788:3
Hide thyself – Withdraw from the world and nominal church to walk alone with God; heeding not the reproaches of men. R1788:3
A little moment – As this shall be the sharpest, so shall it be the shortest persecution of them all, but true believers shall be preserved till the calamity be overpast. R1275:6*, R1789:1
The indignation – The storm of trouble; the alarm, fear and trembling that will take hold upon all other classes. R1788:6
Not the severity of the coming catastrophe because the saints will be gone before that time. R2020:6
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| 21 For, lo, Jehovah is coming out of His place, To charge the iniquity of the inhabitant of the earth upon him, And revealed hath the earth her blood, Nor doth she cover any more her slain!' |
For, behold – In the time of trouble. R1357:2, R1787:3
Punish the inhabitants – God's just judgments upon the world. R5255:3
In the close of this age, the judgment of the Lord will be upon Christendom. R5256:2
Disclose her blood – From this generation God will require all the righteous blood shed during this age. R5256:2
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