Jehovah, the King, having come to reign, is presented as great in Zion and dwelling between the cherubim in the midst of a worshipping people (vv. 1-5); God’s ways in grace and government through which His purposes have been brought to pass (vv. 6-9).
(vss. 1-3) In the previous psalm the King is presented as coming; in this psalm He has come and taken His place between the cherubim, and is great in Zion, His rule extending over all peoples. The only right response from all nations is to praise His great and terrible name, for it is holy.
(vv. 4-5) These verses present the character of His rule. His name is great and holy; His reign, in accord with His name, will be marked by power exercised in righteous judgment. Might and right, so often divorced by man, are at last brought together under the rule of Christ, the King. The glory of the One who rules calls not only for submission, but for worship at the footstool of His throne, and again we are reminded He is holy.
(vv. 6-8) In these verses we are reminded that the ways of God, in bringing the nation into blessing, are similar to, and therefore illustrated by, His dealings with the nation in the past. Israel’s history had been one long story of sin and failure; nevertheless there had ever been a godly remnant in the midst of this failing people. Moses and Aaron among the priests, and Samuel among the prophets, are outstanding examples of this godly remnant who, in the midst of the greatest failure, has interceded for the people (Ex. 17:11-1211And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (Exodus 17:11‑12); Num. 12:1313And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. (Numbers 12:13); 1 Sam. 7:5-95And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. 6And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. 7And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. 9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. (1 Samuel 7:5‑9)). These leaders of the people called upon God in the day of trial, and God answered and spoke to them in the cloudy pillar, and they obeyed His word.
Because of this godly remnant, who walked in dependence and obedience, God acted in grace and government towards those who were under them, and for whom they interceded. God forgave Israel’s sins in grace; but God took “vengeance of their doings” in government. In grace they were forgiven; in government they had to suffer for their sins.
(vs. 9) The final result of all God’s dealings in grace and government will be to surround Himself with a people who “worship at the hill of his holiness.” For the third time in the psalm we are reminded that “God is holy” (vv. 3, 5, 9). In heaven there will be a redeemed people “holy and without blame before him in love”; on earth there will be a company worshipping at His holy hill, made suited to His holy name.