This Psalm is the glory of the righteous judgment of God against the Gentile oppressors. It is the righteous, most righteous appeal, in judgment, to the wicked—to men themselves. A sense of righteousness of situation rising over the manifest character of the wicked—character distinctly manifested by that situation; rather, in the approach to God therein, the righteous judgment manifests itself to his spirit. The Jews are the expression of righteousness on the earth. Hence this, and righteousness, is a right thing, “So that," in a word, “men shall say," etc. (v. 11). This position is one of great importance—the Jewish manifestation of righteousness. The earth is the place of the manifestation of righteousness, i.e., judicially, though the heavens shall declare it, heaven is the place for grace, “That in the ages to come," etc. (Eph. 2:77That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)). But God judges in the earth, and the Jews are the people whom He hath known for this; and, in the connection of Christ with the Jews, this can be accomplished, and fully brought out, as seen here. Righteous in His promise to Abraham and his seed, and Christ in grace associating (in righteousness) a Remnant herein to Himself, but here describing the position, as in Himself as perfect in all ways in it from God and in man, and wickedness being therefore fully manifested, and then, after all the grace to them, judgment—a righteous desire! It proves, in the union with hostile Gentiles, to be a deeper principle—man—"He knew what was in man." Long His patience and grace! Wonderful the salvation of the Church! How it all came fully out! Then judgment—but it is from a place of destitution and righteous faith that it is thus set forth.
Till Christ took perfect humiliation, in perfect righteousness accomplished it—there, in the midst of them (rejected) in perfect grace towards them—justice had not its way; “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin, but now they have no cloak," etc. God could simply, in righteousness, have punished iniquity, but He would not have displayed Himself; but now then, in Christ, He could in uttermost grace—manifesting a Head of righteousness! On this being despised, and spitefully entreated, even after all (and the enemies of God pierced, verse 7) the righteous will rejoice when they see the vengeance, sent suitably to not being come in judgment. Christ could feel, as to the Pharisees, " My soul loathed them " (Zech. 11), but in the humiliation of Christ with the Remnant, in the latter day, when wickedness is then accomplished, it is brought out into yet much greater relief. He shall stand up yet for the people (all written in the Book)—a time, such as never was, of trouble. This these Psalms describe, by the Spirit of Christ entering actually, as He alone could, into all their estate.