Psalms 102:13-17
13, 14. Hence it is here adduced.
for—or, "when." the set time, &c.—the time promised, the indication of which is the interest felt for Zion by the people of God.15-17. God's favor to the Church will affect her persecutors with fear.
16. When the Lord shall build—or better, "Because the Lord hath built," &c., as a reason for the effect on others; for in thus acting and hearing the humble, He is most glorious.
15-17. God's favor to the Church will affect her persecutors with fear.
Psalms 102:19-21
19-22. For—or, "That," as introducing the statement of God's condescension. A summary of what shall be written.
to loose . . . appointed—or, "deliver" them (Ps 79:11).21. To declare, &c.—or, that God's name may be celebrated in the assemblies of His Church, gathered from all nations (Zec 8:20-23), and devoted to His service.
Isaiah 62:6-10
6. I—Isaiah speaking in the person of the Messiah.
watchmen upon . . . walls—image from the watches set upon a city's wall to look out for the approach of a messenger with good tidings (Isa 52:7, 8); the good tidings of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, prefiguring the return from the present dispersion (compare Isa 21:6-11; 56:10; Eze 3:17; 33:7). The watches in the East are announced by a loud cry to mark the vigilance of the watchmen. ye that . . . mention . . . Lord—Hebrew, "ye that are the Lord's remembrancers"; God's servants who by their prayers "put God in remembrance" of His promises (Isa 43:26); we are required to remind God, as if God could, which He cannot, forget His promises (Ps 119:49; Jer 14:21).7. no rest—Hebrew, "silence"; keep not silence yourselves, nor let Him rest in silence. Compare as to Messiah Himself, "I will not hold . . . peace . . . not rest" (Isa 62:1); Messiah's watchmen (Isa 62:6, 7) imitate Him (Isa 62:1) in intercessory "prayer without ceasing" for Jerusalem (Ps 122:6; 51:18); also for the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church (Lu 18:1, 7; Ro 1:9).
a praise—(See on Isa 61:11; Zep 3:20).8. sworn by . . . right hand—His mighty instrument of accomplishing His will (compare Isa 45:23; Heb 6:13).
sons of . . . stranger—Foreigners shall no more rob thee of the fruit of thy labors (compare Isa 65:21, 22).9. eat . . . and praise—not consume it on their own lusts, and without thanksgiving.
drink it in . . . courts—They who have gathered the vintage shall drink it at the feasts held in the courts surrounding the temple (De 12:17, 18; 14:23, &c.).10. What Isaiah in the person of Messiah had engaged in (Isa 62:1) unrestingly to seek, and what the watchmen were unrestingly to pray for (Isa 62:7), and what Jehovah solemnly promised (Isa 62:8, 9), is now to be fulfilled; the Gentile nations are commanded to "go through the gates" (either of their own cities [ROSENMULLER] or of Jerusalem [MAURER]), in order to remove all obstacles out of "the way of the people (Israel)" (see on Isa 7:14; Isa 40:3; 52:10-12).
standard—for the dispersed Jews to rally round, with a view to their return (Isa 49:22; 11:12).