This is the resurrection song of Messiah. It beautifully follows the preceding one, as though Messiah would join this joy and praise, or rather, let His voice rise and swell above that of Israel, so that He might be the leader of the congregation. We know from 2 Corinthians 4:13,13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; (2 Corinthians 4:13) that it is Jesus who is heard in this Psalm; but we there also learn that any with “like spirit of faith” may, in their measure, use it.
He, to whom Jesus called as able to save Him from death, had heard Him; and this Psalm is, so to express it, His “I thank thee, Father, that thou hast heard me” (John 11). The true Hezekiah, the head and representative of Israel, is heard here. “The living, the living,” he praises God. (See Isa. 38.) He pays those vows which in His distress He had made (Psa. 22; 61; 66). Jacob had somewhat failed in doing this, or been tardy to do it (Gen. 28; 35).
The “land of the living,” or the land of the glory (Isa. 4:5,5And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. (Isaiah 4:5) Ezek. 26:2020When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living; (Ezekiel 26:20)), is Canaan. The Jews so interpreted it. But that of course.
The Lord’s cups are two—that of sorrow, and that of praise; in other words, that of Gethsemane or Calvary (Luke 22), and that of the kingdom. (See Psa. 75.)
The Lord’s “haste” (Psa. 116:1111I said in my haste, All men are liars. (Psalm 116:11)) would seem to express the paschal character of His soul. Critics tell us, that the original word, does not imply “moral defect.” It is the same word as in Exodus 12:1111And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover. (Exodus 12:11). For His whole life was in the stranger-character of Israel in the Passover of Egypt, and was the great sure witness that all men were liars—apostates from God. But from mere “men,” He separates the elect, appearing to give them close identity with Himself, as being also precious to the Lord in their death, as He had been.
His song in the kingdom is again suggested here (Psa. 22; Heb. 2). And if Jesus sang with His disciples in the days of His flesh (as we know He did—Matt. 26:3030And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:30)), how much more will He be prepared to do so in the days of the kingdom!
But beside the Lord thus singing in company with His saints, may we not suggest that at times He will be heard alone? For it is here witnessed concerning Him, “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people” (Psa. 116:14,1814I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. (Psalm 116:14)
18I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, (Psalm 116:18)). It is a tender thought, and the soul will touch it softly. But it does appear that He will be heard alone at times. For if His sorrows were once peculiar, so may we say His joys will be. And this may lead us to allow the thought, that Jesus will, at times, have a solitary or peculiar song, the congregation then giving audience; as at times we know they will be heard themselves; and at times He will lead them (Psa. 34:33O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:3)).