THE ZEAL OF THINE HOUSE

This psalm, often quoted in the N.T., prophetically and quietly guides us into some of the thoughts of the Lord Jesus as He suffered on the tree. Much is in metaphorical language, though some statements are direct, such as “I was the song of the drinkers of strong drink”, v. 12 marg. The song of the Lord in the house of the Lord had given way to the mocking song of the Jewish and Roman onlookers, whose lives were often characterized as being drinkers of strong drink. Today, the song of praise of the Lord’s people is completely distinct from the blasphemous songs and utterances of many in the pleasure and entertainment industries.

Another direct statement concerns the Lord’s zeal for the house of God, v. 9. In verses 7-9, He speaks of reproach that He sustained for God’s sake. Men were reproaching God by their evil deeds and talk; He intervened, taking a stand for His God, and thus their reproach fell upon Him as well.

Such an episode occurred at the beginning of His ministry in John 2. 13-22. Men were reproaching God by using the temple courts for profiteering. When the Lord drove them out, the disciples associated “the zeal of thine house” with the motive governing His act of judgment. But the Lord then went beyond the immediate present, to the destroying of the temple of His body which would be raised again. On the cross, the Lord’s zeal would be centred upon His spiritual house that was about to be built on resurrection ground, consisting of Himself as the living Stone and believers as living stones.

Divine zeal is important in Scripture. In 2 Kings 19. 31, a remnant would escape from Judah to be reestablished: “the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this”. Regarding the child born to be “Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God”, we have the promise, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”, Isa. 9. 6, 7. Regarding divine judgment on Jerusalem, God said, “I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal”, Ezek. 5. 13.

And the divine zeal inspires that of others. When Phinehas the priest intervened to save Israel in a time of judgment, God said, “he was zealous with my zeal”, Num. 25. 11 marg. We too should be “zealous of good works”, Titus 2. 14.

“Epaphras … hath a great zeal for you”, Col. 4. 12, 13.