Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 50:2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
2. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty ] This rendering is certainly preferable to that of P.B.V., ‘Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beauty.” Cp. Psa 48:2; and Lam 2:15, which unites phrases taken from both Psalms. In 1Ma 2:12 the Temple is called “our beauty and our glory.” Zion is now the abode of Jehovah, where He sits enthroned upon the cherubim (Psa 80:1). From thence, as of old from Sinai, He hath shined forth (R.V.): a word specially used of that dazzling blaze of light which is the symbol of God’s Presence. Cp. Deu 33:2; Psa 80:1; Psa 94:1.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Out of Zion – The place where God was worshipped, and where he dwelt. Compare the notes at Isa 2:3.
The perfection of beauty – See the notes at Psa 48:2.
God hath shined – Has shined forth, or has caused light and splendor to appear. Compare Deu 33:2; Psa 80:2; Psa 94:1 (see the margin) The meaning here is, that the great principles which are to determine the destiny of mankind in the final judgment are those which proceed from Zion; or, those which are taught in the religion of Zion; they are those which are inculcated through the church of God. God has there made known his law; he has stated the principles on which he governs, and on which he will judge the world.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 50:2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Zion the abode of God
I. That God dwells in the church.
1. In the congregation of the righteous.
2. In the hearts of His people.
II. That the church is the perfection of beauty only when God dwells in it. Otherwise the Church is as the world without the sun; an army in battle without its general; a ship in distress without the pilot.
III. That the church is Gods most beautiful dwelling-place.
1. Here His love is most of all shown, and–
2. His praises most celebrated. (W. Nicholson.)
The beauty and lustre of the Church
I. Justify and illustrate this designation of Zion.
1. Its nature, not alone natural, but yet more spiritual. And so in regard to any Church to-day. Its beauty is not in that which worldly men admire–riches, rank, etc., but in the deep spirituality of its members.
2. Its source–Divine grace.
3. Its medium–Christ.
4. How wrought–by the Holy Spirit.
5. Its contrast to the deformity all around.
II. In what sense God hath shined out of Zion.
1. There His nature and character are revealed.
2. Thence the blessings of salvation flow down to men.
3. In her midst Christ will judge the world.
III. Conclusion.
1. Value spiritual beauty beyond all else.
2. Such beauty is the glory of every Church.
3. Be concerned that God may shine out of the midst of the Church with which we are connected.
4. You unsaved ones, if God shines in the midst of the Church, what is to become of you who will not come to Him? (Joseph Davis.)
The perfection and beauty of Zion
I. The internal perfection and beauty of Zion.
1. It is because of the indwelling of the Divine presence that we have a Church.
2. Only as God dwells in us individually is it possible for Him to dwell in His Church as a body.
3. The Church of Christ is the aggregate of holy living; the aggregate of simple faith; the aggregate of personal consecration; the aggregate of personal devotion to God and to our fellow-men.
II. The external beauty and perfection of Zion, the Church of the redeemed, depends upon the shining forth or manifestation of this indwelling presence of God. Christs Church is not a dark lantern, but a chandelier with its lights trimmed and burning–a lighthouse. And what a responsibility this wonderful bequest to believers, this marvellous endowment of the Church, carries with it! (F. M. Ellis, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
The place where he was supposed to reside, and where he would now sit in judgment; or from whence he would come to a more public and conspicuous place, where all the world might see and hear the transactions.
The perfection of beauty; the most beautiful and amiable place of the whole world, because of the presence, and worship, and blessing of God, which was there, and there only. God hath shined, i.e. hath appeared or manifested himself in a glorious manner, as judges do when they come to the judgment-seat.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Or “shall shine” p; the past for the future, as Kimchi observes; or “the perfection of the beauty of God hath shined out of Zion” q; that is, Christ; he is the perfection of beauty; he is fairer than the children of men; he is more glorious than the angels in heaven: as Mediator, he is full of grace and truth, which makes him very lovely and amiable to his people: he is the express image of his Father’s person; and the glory of all the divine perfections is conspicuous in his work of salvation, as well as in himself: now as he was to come out of Zion,
Ps 14:7; that is, not from the fort of Zion, or city of Jerusalem; for he was to be born at Bethlehem; only he was to be of the Jews, and spring from them; so he shone out, or his appearance and manifestation in Israel was like the rising sun; see Mal 4:2; and the love and kindness of God in the mission and gift of him appeared and shone out in like manner, Tit 3:4; or else the Gospel may be meant, which has a beauty in it: it is a glorious Gospel, and holds forth the beauty and glory of Christ. All truth is lovely and amiable, especially evangelical truth: it has a divine beauty on it; it comes from God, and bears his impress; yea, it is a perfection of beauty: it contains a perfect plan of truth, and is able to make the man of God perfect; and this was to come out of Zion, Isa 2:3; and which great light first arose in Judea, and from thence shone out in the Gentile world, like the sun in all its lustre and glory, Tit 2:11; or, according to our version, “God hath shined out of Zion”; which, as Ben Melech on the text observes, is the perfection of beauty; see La 2:15; by which is meant the church under the Gospel dispensation, Heb 12:22; which, as in Gospel order, is exceeding beautiful; and as its members are adorned with the graces of the Spirit, by which they are all glorious within; and especially as they are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and so are perfectly comely through the comeliness he hath put upon them and here it is that Christ, who is the great God, and our Saviour, shines forth upon his people, grants his gracious presence, and manifests himself in his ordinances, to their great joy and pleasure.
p “emicabit”, Tigurine version; “vel effulgebit”, Vatablus; “illucescet”, Amama, Grotius. q So De Dieu.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) Perfection of beautyi.e., Zion, because the Temple, the residence of Jehovah, was there. (Comp. Psa. 48:2; Lam. 2:15; 1Ma. 2:12.)
Hath shined.Comp. Psa. 80:1; Deu. 33:2. A natural figure of the Divine manifestation, whether taken from the dawn or from lighting.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Out of Zion The seat and source of supreme authority.
Perfection of beauty Not to be taken physically, but morally, as the abode of God. Psa 48:2
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 50:2. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty “Here,” says Dr. Delaney, “the Almighty kept his court; and from hence he sent out his ambassadors, the prophets, to publish his decrees to the whole world around him, with more ease and speedier conveyance than could possibly have been done from any other region of the habitable world. That this was the seat and fountain-head of true religion, is evidenced beyond all doubt from the history of the Jewish nation. This was the seat of Melchisedeck, the king and high-priest of the living God in the days of Abraham. What the state of Jerusalem was from his time to the days of David, nowhere appears; but this is certain, that from David to Jesus Christ God was known in her palaces as a sure refuge. Jerusalem was the chief, is now the sole source of true religion to the whole habitable world around it; from hence, as from a central point, the light of the law first, and of the gospel afterwards, shone out to the surrounding nations: and to this end this city was chosen; was eminently and emphatically the chosen city of God; beautiful for situation, and the joy of the whole earth; more especially when the sun of righteousness rose up in it, the glory of his people Israel, and a light to lighten the Gentiles, till all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” book 2: chap. 8.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Here is evidently the gospel church. The law was given on mount Sinai: the gospel on mount Zion; Heb 12:18-22 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Ver. 2. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty ] Heb. the whole perfection, or the universality of beauty, Perfectissimae pulchritudinis locus (Trem.); because there especially was God’s glory set forth in his holy ordinances, and more clearly manifested than in all his handiwork besides. See Psa 48:2 .
God hath shined
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Zion. See App-68.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Out: Psa 68:24, Isa 12:6, Isa 26:21, Hos 5:15, Hab 2:20, Heb 12:22-26
perfection: Psa 48:2, Psa 87:2, Psa 87:3, Psa 80:17, Son 5:16, Zec 9:17
God: Psa 80:1, Deu 33:2, Hab 3:3, Hab 3:4, Rev 1:16, Rev 21:23
Reciprocal: 1Ch 16:29 – the beauty 2Ch 20:21 – the beauty Job 40:10 – glory Psa 2:6 – my Psa 27:4 – behold Psa 53:6 – out Psa 90:17 – And let Psa 96:6 – strength Psa 99:2 – great Isa 35:2 – they shall Isa 42:14 – long time Lam 1:6 – all Lam 2:15 – Is this Eze 7:20 – the beauty Eze 16:13 – and thou wast Eze 24:25 – their strength Eze 27:3 – I am Zec 11:10 – Beauty 2Co 4:4 – shine 2Th 1:8 – flaming
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 50:2. Out of Zion The place where he was supposed to reside, and where he would now sit in judgment; the perfection of beauty The most amiable place of the whole world, because of the presence, and worship, and blessing of God; God hath shined Hath manifested himself in a glorious manner; hath illustriously displayed his infinite and glorious perfections. Some versions read it, Out of Zion, with perfection of beauty, God hath shined, or will shine.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
50:2 Out of Zion, the {c} perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
(c) Because God had chosen it to have his Name there called on and also his image shines there in the doctrine of the law.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
God came out of His holy habitation on Mt. Zion to judge. Fire and storms frequently accompanied God in theophanies, and they symbolize irresistible judgment and awesome power.
"His appearance (theophany) is attended by phenomena designed to inspire ’fear’ in man: fire and a tempest. God is like ’a consuming fire’ (cf. Deu 4:24; Deu 9:3; Isa 66:16; Heb 12:29) when he comes in judgment. In his anger he may storm like a ’tempest’ (cf. Isa 66:15)." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 374.]