As the previous Psalm was uttered under the sense of some recent deliverance, this is the expression of being consciously more distant from all that grieved or threatened. The Israel of God here enjoy calm after storm. The hearts of the returning captives are now at ease; and their rescue from Babylon has taught them, that though the Lord may for a season use the wicked as a rod of anger upon His people, He will not let that rod rest or abide on them. He will debate with His rod, give it a measured duration as well as a measured severity, graciously remembering that the spirit might fail under too long an oppression. (See Eccl. 7:7.) Indeed He will end His indignation on Israel by the destruction of that rod (Isa. 10:5-25).
Israel then desires further good from the Lord, and they assure themselves that He will deal righteously with hypocrites and evil doers. And so the nation will be cleared in the latter day of all that are not the refined Israel of God, the part brought through the fire.
But on this Psalm we may say how strikingly the thoughts of the Spirit in the prophets express the Lord’s varied provision for His people! He will plant mountains round Zion when she wants security; He will spread a plain around her when she wants to bask in the light of glory. (See Psa. 125:2, and Zech. 14:10.)