1For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A song. God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel. 2His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion. 3There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war. Selah 4You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains filled with game. 5The valiant lie plundered; they sleep their last sleep. No men of might could lift a hand. 6At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and rider lie stunned. 7You alone are to be feared. When You are angry, who can stand before You? 8From heaven You pronounced judgment, and the earth feared and was still 9when God rose up to judge, to save all the lowly of the earth. Selah 10Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself. 11Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared. 12He breaks the spirits of princes; 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.