7. God hath spoken in his holiness.
Aforetime the Lord had made large promises to David, and these his holiness had
guaranteed. The divine attributes were pledged to give the son of Jesse great
blessings; there was no fear that the covenant God would run back from his
plighted word. I will rejoice. If God has spoken we may well be glad:
the very fact of a divine revelation is a joy. If the Lord had meant to destroy
us he would not have spoken to us as he has done. But what God has spoken is a
still further reason for gladness, for he has declared “the sure mercies of David,” and
promised to establish his descendants upon his throne, and to subdue all his
enemies. David greatly rejoiced after the Lord had spoken to him by the mouth
of Nathan. He sat before the Lord in a wonder of joy. See 1 Chronicles 17, and note that in the next chapter David began to act
vigorously against his enemies, just as in this psalm he vows to do. I will divide Shechem. Home conquests come first. Foes must be dislodged from
Israel’s territory, and lands properly settled and managed. And mete out the valley of Succoth. On the other side of Jordan as well as on this the land
must be put in order, and secured against all wandering marauders. Some
rejoicing leads to inaction, but not that which is grounded upon a lively faith
in the promise of God. See how David prays, as if he had the blessing already,
and could share it among his men: this comes of having sung so heartily unto
the Lord his helper. See how he resolves on action, like a man whose prayers
are only a part of his life and vital portions of his action.
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