Psalms 71. In this psalm there is a feeling of being almost in the power of the wicked and cruel enemies, and so there is the cry, “To cause me to escape.” It may be that it refers to some of David’s exercises when he realized that the conspiracy of Absalom was strong. It shows also how the Lord felt that which was revealed in the heart of His people, when they “received Him not” — the One for whom they were professedly looking. It also shows how the Jewish remnant will feel, how they will cry out in much the same way, and desire to be delivered from the wicked, unrighteous and cruel man, who is called the Antichrist, the false prophet, and the willful king. The desire not to be cast off in the time of old age refers no doubt to Israel. They were not the young nation that they were in the time of Joshua, when he led them into the land. So they cry, “When I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not.” The Lord has passed them through a great deal, but would quicken them, or restore them to life, vigor, and strength, They realize, but for His great mercies, they would have been cast off.
Psalm 72. This introduces the King and the King’s son, who will reign in righteousness. It no doubt refers to David and his son, Solomon, who prefigure, in a feeble sense, the coming of the reign of the Messiah. In David we see Him putting down His enemies, and in Solomon, His reign of peace.
So this King’s Son will judge the poor and save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor, The righteous shall flourish and the abundance of peace shall continue, All kings shall fall down before Him, and shall bring gifts, All nations shall serve Him. There shall be an abundance of the produce of the earth, ever, upon the tops of the mountains. This psalm looks on to the kingdom which the Lord shall establish in Zion. His name shall endure forever and all nations shall call Him, Blessed.
Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him;
His praise all people sing,
Outstretched His wide dominion
O’er river, sea, and shore,
Far as the eagle’s pinion,
Or dove’s light wine can soar.
This psalm closes the second book of the Psalms, giving the exercises and experiences of the faithful when driven out of Jerusalem by the Antichrist, but the close of the book ends with faith seeing the Lord taking the kingdom, and their being lifted out of their persecutions to share the glory of His coming kingdom.
Book Three, Psalms 73-89
This third book of the Psalms takes up the exercises of the nation of Israel as a whole, not simply the Jewish remnant as seen in the first two books. It is no doubt the awakening of a faithful remnant in the nation as distinct from the Jewish remnant, from whom we have these exercises. It appears that they are in the land, but not yet able to go on with their former privileges. No doubt the Antichrist is still in power for the most part of this period.
ML 01/15/1961