HIS GLORY ABOVE THE HEAVENS

This delightful psalm, the first three verses of which are often sung today as a chorus, was “originally the first part of the ‘Hallel’ or hymn of praise, which according to Jewish liturgical usage is sung at the three great festivals of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. At the domestic celebration of Passover, Psalms 113 and 114 are sung before the meal, before the second festal cup; 115-118 are sung at the close of the meal when the fourth cup has been filled. These psalms were probably sung by the Lord and His disciples at the Last Supper, Matt. 26. 30 and Mark 14. 26.” Therefore our use of these words in praise follows a long tradition, and is but the precursor of the universal praise in a future day.

Although God’s throne is in heaven, He nevertheless “humbleth himself to behold the things that are … in the earth”, v. 6. God came down in Genesis (“I will go down … I will know”, Gen. 18. 21) at the time of Sodom, and He saw that this present world was evil. The Lord Jesus Christ, “who, being in the form of God” came down, humbling “himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”, Phil. 2. 6-8, to save us “from this present evil world”, Gal. 1. 4. He came from glory to this world to do the Father’s will then returned to glory. Through Him, the Father is now bringing many sons to glory, Heb. 2. 10. They will then have bodies of glory, “like unto his body of glory”, Phil 3. 21 Newberry marg., and will afterwards return with Him in glory to this earth, Rom. 8. 19.

As verses 7 and 8 of this psalm say, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people”. The spiritual equivalent for us today is evident: “the Father … hath made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light”, Col. 1. 12.

Lastly we note in verse 9 that God is able to make fruitful those who are naturally unfruitful, “He maketh the barren woman … to be a joyful mother of children”. This has been true literally (e.g., Sarah), but how much more has it happened spiritually! As Paul wrote, “the gospel… bringeth forth fruit”, even for those who “were sometime (once) alienated and enemies” in their mind by wicked works, Col. 1. 5, 6, 21.