This is the language of Christ, the Son and heir of David, anticipating His kingdom or Sabbath. But in this coming Sabbath, God’s thoughts will be celebrated as well as His works (Psa. 92:5). This will give the joy and praise of the final sabbath a higher character than the first had, when the works alone were celebrated. For counsels of grace, which are God’s deep thoughts, have produced this. The first sabbath came in simply upon creation, the last sabbath will come in upon the destruction of the enemy, as Christ here also anticipates, so that it will not be exposed to danger and disturbance, as the first was, but the righteous will still flourish and be fruitful, as is here also declared.
Zacharias spoke of Jesus as this “horn of salvation,” under whom Israel was to be delivered and flourish. Here the speaker takes that character to himself. (See Luke 1:67-79.)
But Messiah, son and heir of David, takes the kingdom from God. (Dan. 7; Luke 19.) It is called the kingdom of the Father. God the Father is glorified though it be the day of the Lordship of Jesus. (Phil. 2.)
Jesus was anointed for the ministry of grace (Isa. 61; Luke 4); He is to be anointed for the ministry of the kingdom. (Isa. 11:2-10.) This is the “fresh oil.” Faith in a poor but happy pardoned sinner brought its oil to greet this anointed one. (Luke 7; John 12.) The nations will also after this manner gladden and honor Him. (Psa. 45:8; Matt. 2:11.) And here Jesus owns the fragrancy of this costly anointing which was on Him.
This is, indeed, “a Psalm or song for the Sabbath day.” For this exaltation of the anointed One will be the kingdom, of which the Sabbath is the type and pledge. And then, the teil tree and the oak, which have long been withered, shall flourish again—revive as in the time of old age. Israel shall then, after so long a time, flourish and bud and fill the face of the earth with fruit (Psa. 102:14; Isa. 6:13; Isa. 17:6). And all this will be to God’s praise. “Every tongue shall confess Jesus Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”