Psalms 14.
IT is important to notice that when the “King’s” wife is spoken of in Scripture, it is the earthly Jerusalem; when the “Lamb’s” wife, the heavenly Jerusalem.
In this Psalm it is Israel’s admiration of her King that is before us, and the praise she counts Him worthy of. But this is none the less grateful to us today. Do we not value what others have to say, though only from their own standpoint, in praise of the One we love? An officer’s courageous conduct on the battlefield is not what makes him so dear to the loving hearts in his own home. But they are none the less glad to hear his praises in the lips of others, though of an entirely different character to their own.
In such a spirit we enter on the enjoyment of a psalm like this. We listen to the bubbling up and boiling over of a heart that delights in Him, till ours overflow also. “My heart,” the psalm begins, “is the bubbling up of a good matter” (margin). Its theme is “the King.”
Then follows a detailed description of Him:
What He is to look upon― “Fairer than the children of men” (vs. 2).
What He is to listen to― “Grace is poured into Thy lips” (vs. 2).
What God thinks of Him― “God hath blessed Thee forever” (vs. 2).
What He is as a Warrior-King―“Meek” but “mighty” (compare Zechariah 9:99Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9); Matt. 21:55Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. (Matthew 21:5)). There is glory in His majesty. He rides, on to certain victory. His “sword” and “arrows” are sharp and terrible for those who oppose Him. [Here contrast the praises in the heart of His friends (vs. 1) and the “arrows” in the heart of His foes (vs. 5).]
The character of the King; His throne and His kingdom. ―He is “anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows.” His throne is “forever,” and His scepter a “right scepter.” He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Therefore has He been “anointed with the oil of gladness above. His fellows” (vs. 7). Compare the anointing of David, “in the midst of his brethren” (1 Sam. 16:6-136And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. 7But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 10Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. 11And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:6‑13)).
His personal graces― “All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia” (vs. 8).
His associates― “King’s daughters” are among His “honorable women.” “The queen,” in vesture of gold, stands at His right hand. The daughter of Tyre is there with a gift, and the rich among the people intreat His favor―they take the beggar’s place, and, wealthy as they may be, own their dependence on Him. “In His favor is life” (Psa. 30:55For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)).
Last, we have a description of the “daughter.” She cannot count on her natural standing as of the stock of Israel after the flesh. She is to “forget” her “own people” and her “father’s house”; and an inward work of grace can alone bring this about. But this is just what characterizes her; she is “all glorious within,” and this is clearly witnessed by what is without. “Her clothing is of wrought gold,” and with it there is practical suitability for the King’s presence. She stands in His presence in “raiment of needlework,” the outcome of a patient stitch after stitch “endeavor to be agreeable to Him” (2 Cor. 5:99Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9).) By no mere self-assumption does she come there. She is “brought unto the King,” and He who “brought” her counts her worthy. He who once brought her from Egypt’s cruel bondage, to see in due time “Great David” as her King, and sing the praises of God’s anointed Deliverer, shall bring her once more from still more terrible “tribulation” into the gladness, and rejoicing, and overflowing blessing of Zion’s hill, there to see the “King in His beauty,” and to praise His name “forever and ever.”
And it would be all of grace. The “daughter” could not look back on the “fathers” for any valid claim to kingdom gladness and blessing, nor rest in the fact that the “Messiah” sprang from her. She was only “the King’s daughter.” She owed her all to Him, and knows no other ground of blessing save as entirely on the ground of grace through Him (Matt. 3:99And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3:9)).
This principle of blessing is just the same for us. The old Adam-generation would never do for God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (John 3:66That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6); Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)). There must be an entirely new generation, such as could be associated with Him in resurrection—“His fellows” (verse 7 of Psalms 45 and Heb. 1:99Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Hebrews 1:9)). “Sanctifier and sanctified all of one” (Heb. 2:1111For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (Hebrews 2:11)). All must be new creation, where “old things are passed away,” where “all things are become new, and all things are of God” (2 Cor. 5:17, 1817Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Corinthians 5:17‑18)).
Oh, what must the Kingdom be when such a King reigns supreme, and such a people are His happy subjects―a people that shall praise Him forever and ever! But what will it be for the bride the Lamb’s wife, to see Him, who “loved the Church and gave Himself for it,” so honored, and honored in the very place where both Israel and the Church so shamefully dishonored Him! What will it be to share the same glory with Him and be the admired expression of His beauty to a wondering world! (2 Thess. 1:1010When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:10)).
“Lord, haste that day,” may well be our prayer; and well may all that love Him say, AMEN.
“A ransomed earth breaks forth in song,
Her sin-stained ages overpast,
Her yearning, “Lord, how long, how long!”
Exchanged for joy at last, at last!
Angels carry the royal commands,
Peace beams forth throughout all lands,
The trees of the fields shall clap their hands,
Thus will it be when the King comes.”
“Now Zion’s Hill, with glory crowned,
Uplifts her head with joy once more;
And Zion’s King, once scorned, disowned,
Extends His rule from shore to shore.
Sing, for the land her Lord regains!
Sing, for the Son of David reigns!
And living streams o’erflow her plains.
Thus will it be when the King comes!”