Page images
PDF
EPUB

We read, in 1 Chronicles ix, 33, that the Levitical singers lodged in the chambers of the temple, and "were employed in their work day and night;""to the end, doubtless," says Bishop Horne, "that the earthly sanctuary might bear some resemblance to that above, where the redeemed are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple." Revelation vii, 15. Psalm cxxxiv is responsive; verses 1 and 2 being an address to those Levites who kept the nightly watches in the temple, to spend their hours worthily in praising God; and verse 3 their answer, or responsive benediction. Bishop Horne considers the Psalm to have been written on the completion of the temple, when the Lord had given the Jews rest from their enemies. Calmet and Dr. Gray, also place it after the captivity.

Hengstenberg says: "It is impossible to avoid perceiving that Psalm cxxxv stands in immediate connexion with the preceding one. In regard to the subject, it is related to that as the execution to the plan." Compare Psalms cxxxiv, 1, 2, and cxxxv, 1, 2; also cxxxiv, 3, and cxxxv, 21. He dates them both at the building of the second temple, and from the strong internal evidence of the two Psalms we place them both together in this connexion.

The close connexion between Psalms cxxxv and cxxxvi, clearly indicates that they also must be referred to the same author and occasion. Verses 23 and 24 of the latter Psalm obviously refer to the deliverance from Babylonian captivity, as many of the best commentators understand it. We shall therefore place Psalm cxxxvi with the others which have been judged to belong to the dedication of the second temple. Psalm cxlvi we place here on the authorities cited in the Index, and ascribe it to Zechariah and Haggai on the authority of the ancient versions also there cited. Read Ezra vi, 13-18.

34

PSALM CXXXIV.

ON THE DEDICATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE.

An exhortation to the Levites to praise God in the temple during the night watches, 1,2; their responsive benediction, 3.

TA Song of Degrees.

1 Behold, bless ye the LORD,

All ye servants of the LORD,

Which by night stand in the house of the LORD!

b

2 Lift up your hands 'in the sanctuary,

And bless the LORD!

3 The LORD that made heaven and earth

Bless thee out of Zion!

a 1 Chron. 9. 33.

b 1 Tim. 2. 8.

1 Or, in holiness.

PSALM CXXXV.

ON THE DEDICATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE.

An exhortation to the Levites who kept the temple to praise God, 1-3, for his electing love to Israel, 4, for his power and greatness, 5–7, for his judgments, 8–13, for his forgiving mercies to his people, 14; the vanity of idols, 15–18; an exhortation to bless God, 15-21.

1 1 Praise ye the LORD.

Praise ye the name of the LORD;

Praise him, O ye servants of the LORD!

2 Yea that stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of the house of our God,

3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good:

Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

a Luke 2. 37.

4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself,

And Israel for his peculiar treasure.

5 For I know that the LORD is great,

And that our LORD is above all gods.

6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he

In heaven, and in earth,

In the seas, and all deep places.

7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of

the earth;

He maketh lightnings for the rain;

He bringeth the wind out of his treasuries:

8 Who fsmote the firstborn of Egypt,

'Both of man and beast:

9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt!

Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants:

10 Who smote great nations,

And slew mighty kings;

11 Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan,

And all the kingdoms of Canaan : 12 And gave their land for a heritage,

A heritage unto Israel his people. 13 Thy iname, O LORD! endureth forever;

And thy memorial, O LORD! 'throughout all genera

tions.

14 For the LORD will judge his people,

And he will repent himself concerning his servants. 15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths-but they speak not; Eyes have they-but they see not;

[blocks in formation]

17 They have ears-but they hear not;

Neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 They that make them are like unto them: So is every one that trusteth in them.

19

Bless the LORD, O house of Israel!
Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron!
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi!

Ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion,
Which dwelleth at Jerusalem!
Praise ye the LORD!

PSALM CXXXVI.

ON THE DEDICATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE.

An exhortation to give thanks to God for his mercies, and for his special providences toward Israel.

1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:

For his mercy endureth forever!

20 give thanks unto the God of gods;

For his mercy endureth forever!

3 O give thanks to the LORD of lords; For his mercy endureth forever!

4 To Him who alone doeth great wonders;

For his mercy endureth forever.

5 To a Him that by wisdom made the heavens;

For his mercy endureth forever.

b

6 To Him that stretched out the earth above the

[blocks in formation]

8 The sun 'to rule by day;

For his mercy endureth forever:

9 The moon and stars to rule by night; For his mercy endureth forever.

10 To Him that smote Egypt in their firstborn; For his mercy endureth forever.

e

11 And brought out Israel from among them;

For his mercy endureth forever:

12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm; For his mercy endureth forever.

13 To Him which divided the Red Sea into parts; For his mercy endureth forever:

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; For his mercy endureth forever:

15 But 'overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; For his mercy endureth forever.

16 To Him which led his people through the wilderness; For his mercy endureth forever.

17

To Him which smote great kings; For his mercy endureth forever. 18 And slew famous kings;

For his mercy endureth forever. 19 Sihon 'king of the Amorites; For his mercy endureth forever. 20 And Og the king of Bashan; For his mercy endureth forever. 21 And k gave their land for a heritage; For his mercy endureth forever.

22 Even a heritage unto Israel his servant; For his mercy endureth forever.

23

Who remembered us in our low estate; For his mercy endureth forever.

1 Heb. for the rulings by day. Gen. 1. 16.

d Exod. 12. 29.

e Exod. 12. 51. and 18. 8, 17.

f Exod. 14. 21, 22.

2 Heb. shaked off. Exod. 14. 27.
Exod. 18. 18. and 15. 22.
Deut. 8. 15.

h Deut. 29. 7.
Num. 21. 21, 33.

k Josh. 12. 1, &c.

Gen. 8. 1. Deut. 82. 86.

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »