The preceding Psalm was an utterance of the captives, just approaching Jerusalem or the house of God. This comes in order, and suits them on their being about to enter that house. For it was the center of the tribes, the place of the common joy of Israel, where, accordingly, the precious ointment of brotherly unity, as here declared, was shed, so as to make the place good and pleasant and fruitful under the dew of the divine blessing. I can suppose that it was recalled to mind by some of the first gatherings of New Testament saints in Jerusalem in the day of Acts 2. It may also be the breathing of the saint in the joy of his heart on beholding the concord of brethren. And it may do for the Israel of God in the latter days, when their desire for peace and restoration shall be satisfied; for the coming days of the kingdom have been thus anticipated—“In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig-tree” (Zech. 3:1010In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree. (Zechariah 3:10)). “Home,” when reached by the returning brethren, shall witness and secure their “unity.”
Blessed prospect! It should arm us with a spirit of forbearance and long-suffering while on the road; for all will be right by and by. We are on our way to “that which is perfect.” “Every Christian is treading the ascent of wisdom and goodness, and an era in his course shall arrive, when surpernal beings, ancient proficients in virtue, shall count him their worthy companion, and delight in his converse.”