Psalms 14.
IT is important to notice that when the “King’s” wife is spoken of in Scripture, it is the earthly Jerusalem; when the “Lamb’s” wife, the heavenly Jerusalem.
In this Psalm it is Israel’s admiration of her King that is before us, and the praise she counts Him worthy of. But this is none the less grateful to us today. Do we not value what others have to say, though only from their own standpoint, in praise of the One we love? An officer’s courageous conduct on the battlefield is not what makes him so dear to the loving hearts in his own home. But they are none the less glad to hear his praises in the lips of others, though of an entirely different character to their own.
In such a spirit we enter on the enjoyment of a psalm like this. We listen to the bubbling up and boiling over of a heart that delights in Him, till ours overflow also. “My heart,” the psalm begins, “is the bubbling up of a good matter” (margin). Its theme is “the King.”
Then follows a detailed description of Him:
What He is to look upon― “Fairer than the children of men” (vs. 2).
What He is to listen to― “Grace is poured into Thy lips” (vs. 2).
What God thinks of Him― “God hath blessed Thee forever” (vs. 2).
What He is as a Warrior-King―“Meek” but “mighty” (compare Zechariah 9:9; Matt. 21:5). There is glory in His majesty. He rides, on to certain victory. His “sword” and “arrows” are sharp and terrible for those who oppose Him. [Here contrast the praises in the heart of His friends (vs. 1) and the “arrows” in the heart of His foes (vs. 5).]
The character of the King; His throne and His kingdom. ―He is “anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows.” His throne is “forever,” and His scepter a “right scepter.” He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Therefore has He been “anointed with the oil of gladness above. His fellows” (vs. 7). Compare the anointing of David, “in the midst of his brethren” (1 Sam. 16:6-13).
His personal graces― “All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia” (vs. 8).
His associates― “King’s daughters” are among His “honorable women.” “The queen,” in vesture of gold, stands at His right hand. The daughter of Tyre is there with a gift, and the rich among the people intreat His favor―they take the beggar’s place, and, wealthy as they may be, own their dependence on Him. “In His favor is life” (Psa. 30:5).
Last, we have a description of the “daughter.” She cannot count on her natural standing as of the stock of Israel after the flesh. She is to “forget” her “own people” and her “father’s house”; and an inward work of grace can alone bring this about. But this is just what characterizes her; she is “all glorious within,” and this is clearly witnessed by what is without. “Her clothing is of wrought gold,” and with it there is practical suitability for the King’s presence. She stands in His presence in “raiment of needlework,” the outcome of a patient stitch after stitch “endeavor to be agreeable to Him” (2 Cor. 5:9.) By no mere self-assumption does she come there. She is “brought unto the King,” and He who “brought” her counts her worthy. He who once brought her from Egypt’s cruel bondage, to see in due time “Great David” as her King, and sing the praises of God’s anointed Deliverer, shall bring her once more from still more terrible “tribulation” into the gladness, and rejoicing, and overflowing blessing of Zion’s hill, there to see the “King in His beauty,” and to praise His name “forever and ever.”
And it would be all of grace. The “daughter” could not look back on the “fathers” for any valid claim to kingdom gladness and blessing, nor rest in the fact that the “Messiah” sprang from her. She was only “the King’s daughter.” She owed her all to Him, and knows no other ground of blessing save as entirely on the ground of grace through Him (Matt. 3:9).
This principle of blessing is just the same for us. The old Adam-generation would never do for God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (John 3:6; Rom. 8:8). There must be an entirely new generation, such as could be associated with Him in resurrection—“His fellows” (verse 7 of Psalms 45 and Heb. 1:9). “Sanctifier and sanctified all of one” (Heb. 2:11). All must be new creation, where “old things are passed away,” where “all things are become new, and all things are of God” (2 Cor. 5:17, 18).
Oh, what must the Kingdom be when such a King reigns supreme, and such a people are His happy subjects―a people that shall praise Him forever and ever! But what will it be for the bride the Lamb’s wife, to see Him, who “loved the Church and gave Himself for it,” so honored, and honored in the very place where both Israel and the Church so shamefully dishonored Him! What will it be to share the same glory with Him and be the admired expression of His beauty to a wondering world! (2 Thess. 1:10).
“Lord, haste that day,” may well be our prayer; and well may all that love Him say, AMEN.
“A ransomed earth breaks forth in song,
Her sin-stained ages overpast,
Her yearning, “Lord, how long, how long!”
Exchanged for joy at last, at last!
Angels carry the royal commands,
Peace beams forth throughout all lands,
The trees of the fields shall clap their hands,
Thus will it be when the King comes.”
“Now Zion’s Hill, with glory crowned,
Uplifts her head with joy once more;
And Zion’s King, once scorned, disowned,
Extends His rule from shore to shore.
Sing, for the land her Lord regains!
Sing, for the Son of David reigns!
And living streams o’erflow her plains.
Thus will it be when the King comes!”
“His Name shall endure forever: His Name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed.... Let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen” (Psa. 72:17,19). GEO. C.