THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE

After the second advent of Christ in glory there will be rejoicing in Israel. Their confidence will be in Jehovah who will restore all things according to His righteous values. This song is sung in the land of Judah, v. 1. In chapter 25 Babylon is destroyed, but here the city of Zion is surrounded by divinely appointed ‘walls’, each individual experiencing perfect peace, v. 3.

Perfect peace, vv. 1-6. No one will be able to touch the nation of Israel in that day. There will be no need for physical walls!, v. 1. Only the righteous will be allowed to enter the city, a reminder of the heavenly Jerusalem, Rev. 21. 27. It is good to have the ‘mind stayed’ (lit. ‘leaning upon’) Jehovah. Nothing can shake this confidence! The title ‘Jah Jehovah’ is again used here, emphasizing His absolute supremacy and stability. Israel in that day will know complete victory over her enemies, vv. 5, 6. God will take those who were insignificant and give them victory, v. 6.

Pathway of the just, vv. 7, 8. In patience His people wait for Jehovah to manifest His power and vindicate His character, v. 8. How they longed for that day when He would be manifested and rule in perfect righteousness, v. 9. So today we look forward to the time when Christ will be manifested in glory. What a privilege is ours in this present day to be associated with Him, and be occupied in His service in this time of His rejection.

Pre-eminence of Israel over the nations, vv. 9-18. There is yet a glorious future for Israel. ‘And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer’, Rom. 11. 26. However, unbelieving Jews will have no part in the redemption of the nation, v. 10. At the end of it all they will acknowledge that all their works were of God and nothing of themselves. This is true of each believer today, Phil. 2. 13. The false gods in whom the nations trusted will all be destroyed, v. 14. The terrible anguish of the time of Jacob’s trouble is referred to in verses 16 to 18. They could not deliver themselves, v. 18; however, God’s answer to this prayer follows. There will be a national resurrection in that day of His glory and power. Even those not regathered to the land who are faithful and believing will be included. ‘Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel‘, Ezek. 37. 11.