Verse 1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. People — Such as are enemies to God and his people. Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people. Earth — The people of the earth. Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. Them — All people.
Verse 4 The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king’s strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king. Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2 . Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God’s presence.
Verse 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6 . That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24 ; Exodus 33:9-11 ; 1 Samuel 7:9 , etc.
Verse 8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. Them — The intercessors before mentioned. Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;