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, 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, Ezek. 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. 116:11) 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 12:11. 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. 26:30), 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. 116:14,18). 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. 34:3).