1<To the chief music-maker; put to Neginoth. A Psalm. Of Asaph. A Song.> In Judah is the knowledge of God; his name is great in Israel, 2In Salem is his tent, his resting-place in Zion. 3There were the arrows of the bow broken, there he put an end to body-cover, sword, and fight. (Selah.) 4You are shining and full of glory, more than the eternal mountains. 5Gone is the wealth of the strong, their last sleep has overcome them; the men of war have become feeble. 6At the voice of your wrath, O God of Jacob, deep sleep has overcome carriage and horse. 7You, you are to be feared; who may keep his place before you in the time of your wrath? 8From heaven you gave your decision; the earth, in its fear, gave no sound, 9When God took his place as judge, for the salvation of the poor on the earth. (Selah.) 10The ... will give you praise; the rest of ... 11Give to the Lord your God what is his by right; let all who are round him give offerings to him who is to be feared. 12He puts an end to the wrath of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The psalmist speaks of God's power. (1-6) All have to fear and to trust in him. (7-12) 1-6 Happy people are those who have their land filled with the knowledge of God! happy persons that have their hearts filled with that knowledge! It is the glory and happiness of a people to have God among them by his ordinances. Wherein the enemies of the church deal proudly, it will appear that God is above them. See the power of God's rebukes. With pleasure may Christians apply this to the advantages bestowed by the Redeemer. 7-12 God's people are the meek of the earth, the quiet in the land, that suffer wrong, but do none. The righteous God seems to keep silence long, yet, sooner or later, he will make judgment to be heard. We live in an angry, provoking world; we often feel much, and are apt to fear more, from the wrath of man. What will not turn to his praise, shall not be suffered to break out. He can set bounds to the wrath of man, as he does to the raging sea; hitherto it shall come, and no further. Let all submit to God. Our prayers and praises, and especially our hearts, are the presents we should bring to the Lord. His name is glorious, and he is the proper object of our fear. He shall cut off the spirit of princes; he shall slip it off easily, as we slip off a flower from the stalk, or a bunch of grapes from the vine; so the word signifies. He can dispirit the most daring: since there is no contending with God, it is our wisdom, as it is our duty, to submit to him. Let us seek his favour as our portion, and commit all our concerns to him.