THOU ART MY GOD; I WILL EXALT THEE

This is a prayer of godly Israelites who have experienced God’s deliverance. The destruction of Babylon is in view in verse 2 with the consequent awe of other nations as they see the power of God in judgement, v. 3. In verses 1 to 5 there is a direct address to Jehovah, whereas in verses 6 to 8 things are said about Jehovah, and finally verses 9 to 12 speak of Jehovah’s people and their attitude to Him.

Divine deliverance, vv. 1-5 They rejoice in the One who is ever faithful and true in His purposes, v. 1. Babylon was so magnificent that the city as a whole was viewed as a palace. The phrase ‘it shall never be built’ refers to a day yet future after her final destruction during the Great Tribulation, v. 2. Even in the time of her fierce persecution; described graphically as ‘the noise of strangers’, ‘heat in a dry place’, ‘the blast of the terrible ones’, and ‘a storm’; the Lord delivered the poor, vv. 4, 5. The ‘branch’ (lit. ‘song’) of their enemies is no longer one of victory but defeat, v. 5.

Divine protection, vv. 6-8. ‘This mountain’ refers again to Zion, and probably refers to a great inaugural feast at the beginning of the Millennium. There will be the enjoyment of well-flavoured wine; spiritually, that which brings joy to God and man, Ps. 104. 15; Matt. 26. 29, and fat which speaks of full satisfaction. The veil of verse 7 probably refers to the blindness; both of the nation of Israel and the nations right up to the point of Christ’s return in glory, 2 Cor. 3. 15. Death is going to be ‘swallow[ed] up’ (lit. ‘devoured’) at the first resurrection, referring to the Old Testament and Tribulation saints. (The saints of the present church age will be raptured prior to the first resurrection which will take place after the Great Tribulation, Rev. 20. 6). Everything that resulted in sorrow will be removed, v. 8.

Divine judgement, vv. 9-12. Here we have a confession of the saved of the nation concerning Jehovah, the One for whom they have waited for centuries up to and including the Great Tribulation period. ‘Lo, this is our God’, cp. John 20. 6. ‘He hath saved us’ is the correct reading here, v. 9. In blessing, His hand rests on Zion. With the sweep of His hand, as it were, Jehovah will destroy all those characterized by pride.