Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 93:5
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, forever.
5. Thy testimonies ] Many commentators explain testimonies to mean the promises and threatenings which have now been proved true, comparing the use of the cognate verb in Psa 50:7; Psa 81:8; Deu 8:19; &c. But this sense of the word is unsupported, and it is best to take it in its usual sense of the ‘law,’ regarded as bearing witness to Jehovah’s will and man’s duty. Cp. Psa 19:7; Psa 111:7. The transition seems somewhat abrupt; yet it is not inappropriate that the Psalm should close with a reference to the revelation which was the distinctive mark of Jehovah’s kingdom (Deu 4:7-8).
holiness &c.] God’s house may be either the Temple or the land. The Psalmist is confident that now the ideal will be realised. Jehovah has returned to dwell there, and it shall no more be defiled by Israel itself (Jer 7:30), no more be desecrated by heathen invaders (Joe 3:17; Isa 52:1).
for ever ] R.V. for evermore; lit. for length of days (Psa 91:16).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thy testimonies are very sure – All that thou hast borne witness to; all that thou hast affirmed or declared to be true. This would embrace all that God has spoken, whether his law, his promises, his commands, his prophecies, or his statements of what has occurred and of what will occur. See the notes at Psa 19:7.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord – The psalm seems to have been intended to be used in the sanctuary, as a part of public worship, and the word holiness here would seem to mean a proper respect for God; confidence in him; a state of mind free from all doubt, and from all that is impure. Perhaps there may be here, also, the idea that in all the convulsions of the world; in all that threatens to overthrow truth and righteousness; in all the attacks which are made on the divine government; in all the efforts of the defenders of error, and in the midst of abounding iniquity, the church should maintain a firm adherence to the principles of holiness, to that which is right and true. There should be one place – the church – where there would be no wavering in regard to truth and holiness; one place, where the truth would be defended whatever commotions might be abroad. The main idea, therefore, in the psalm is, that, in view of the fact that God reigns, and that nothing can frustrate his plans, or disturb his throne, we should approach him with reverence, with humble trust, with sincere and pure hearts.
In a larger sense, also, in the largest sense conceivable – it is true that holiness, purity, freedom from evil thoughts, from a wanton eye and a wanton imagination, from unholy plans and purposes, should prevail in the house of God, and should be regarded as indispensable to proper worship. As heaven is pure, and as there shall enter there nothing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie Rev 21:27, so in the place where we seek to prepare for that holy world – the sanctuary of God – nothing should be allowed to enter that is impure and polluting; nothing that tends to corrupt or defile the soul. It may be added, that attendance in a place of public worship is calculated to make the heart pure, and to banish unholy thoughts and purposes from the soul. A man who feels that he is in the presence of a holy God, will not be likely to welcome into his soul polluted images and unholy desires.
Forever – Margin, as in Hebrew, to length of days. The idea is, that it is always appropriate. See the notes at Psa 23:6.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 93:5
Thy testimonies are very sure.
Things that are sure
Men love things that are sure. Uncertainty is painful, and often maketh the heart sick. We cannot live upon shadows and clouds. It is no use building a house upon the sand.
I. The protection of God (Psa 18:2; Psa 125:2). God is our strength, our shelter, our shield, our sun, and for ever. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Fathers love shall be my portion, my joy, my immortal life. This is enough; I ask no more.
II. The fulfilment of Holy Scripture. The ruins of Tyre, Babylon, and Nineveh attest that there was in ancient years a sure word of prophecy, and, as time passes on, the Word of the Lord continueth to be its own witness. It needs no defence. The Bible, in the march of daily events, is fulfilled to the letter. Sooner shall the Nile cease to flow, to rise and fall, than the word of prophecy fail. So with the promises of the Bible. They are renewed every morning.
III. The confusion of slanderers. Let loose talkers remember (Pro 19:5). And if the liar and gossip should have annoyed you, let your soul find hope in this gracious promise (Pro 16:7). Go on your way, then, with a light step and a brave heart, and the Lord in whom you trust will deliver and comfort you.
IV. The harvest time. Science teaches you that the earths fertility is boundless. Cultivate it wisely, and it will blossom as the rose. And what saith the Scripture of God, and the earth which He made (Gen 8:22; Psa 145:15; Psa 23:1)? Fear not, then, to ask God for your daily bread. He hath promised it; He will give it.
V. The reward of true service. God is a good paymaster. He will not be debtor to any man. His reward will be abundant. Be brave and true, then, in the service of God.
VI. The remission of sins. This salvation is free. You need bring no silver, gold, or precious stones. This salvation is full. It is for every soul and for every sin. This salvation is everlasting. It begins on earth, and is continued in heaven.
VII. The resurrection of the just. (G. W. McCree.)
Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, for ever.—
The house of the Lord
I. The necessity of holiness.
1. The ministers of Gods house must be holy in manner, motive, life, doctrine.
2. They must preach holiness.
3. All in the Lords house are called to holiness. It is profitable to meditate beforehand on the glorious majesty and might of the Eternal Sovereign to whose palace we are going. It is dangerous to engage in worldly conversation, or irrelevant thoughts, up to the sacred porch.
II. The method of holiness. They do not show an intelligent appreciation of the holiness of the house of the Lord who are indifferent to the order and symmetry of its services. One step in public and united worship rests on another. If the first be missed it is not easy to reach the second. Be in time! There is a calm preliminary exercise indispensable to those who would be in time for the entire service. Looking round to know what people are coming in and going out is not the business of everybody. Let your thoughts be directed continually to the Lord. (E. J. Robinson.)
The beauty of holiness
Beauty is a strong and deep word, capable of the fullest possible meanings. There is nothing which appeals to the finer side of our emotional nature which may not be included in the word beautiful. Well, we find that God has added to His wisdom and power that great adornment which we call beauty; in all our natural relations with Him we are constantly meeting with it and being uplifted by it. It is the allurement which is ever seeking to draw us to better and noble ideals; it seems to give us glimpses into worlds of enjoyment which are in the nature of God Himself; it is the music which accompanies the march of knowledge, the glow and enthusiasm which dignifies the colder toils of mere science. Beauty! it is Gods mark upon the world. Well, but the inquirer asks, in my other relationship to God, the moral relationship, is there any adornment or accompaniment which may be said to be parallel to this? if God has adorned the work of His hands with this wonderful beauty, is there anything in the moral world corresponding, and the answer is, Yes. You have it again and again in the Hebrew phrase, the beauty of holiness. Holiness becometh thine house. The real beauty of religion gathers about the personal character; the adornment of a house of prayer is in the lives of the people who worship in it. Men and women who during the week have lived beautiful lives–just and honest, merciful and kind, intelligent and refined–if they gathered in the plainest meeting-house ever erected, and their worship was devoid of all ritual, would there not be a beauty in it which nothing sensuous could ever create, a spirit in it which would be an inspiration to all who were present? But for this worship they must come together. Solitary worship is impossible to most men; we must feel the common pulse of sympathy, and so coming together we make the reality of the worship. Holiness becometh thine house. They who bring into it the earnest desire to find the inspiration for the best and noblest life will bring with them the secrets of a beautiful worship. We shall utterly fail to accomplish this unless we seek to grow familiar with the beautiful aspects of Gods own will and character. It is an unfailing law that you grow like that with which you are most familiar. We carry about with us the manners of the place which commands most of our time and affection. Let our religion be the mere letter, the lifeless creed, the rigid formalism, and whatever fidelity and strength there may be about us, our life and our worship, there will have no beauty. We shall repel where we ought to attract. We shall wonder why others are so joyous and why to us there is so much constraint in religion. But we have to cultivate the other side, and it is the earnest endeavour of some of us to seek in our teaching always to discover that side–the side which allures, attracts by the noblest means. And we can hardly do that without striving to show the dangers and imperfections of the merely formal side of religion. To preach against a dead creed is not to say a word against a living, a beautiful belief. To denounce the orthodox uncharitable is not to say a word against the loving, vital theology of one whose beliefs are all warm with the love of God and of men. To point out the dangers of mere artistic performance in worship is not to deny to any man the right to express the sense of adoration in the way which seems to be most suitable. But we must stand by the living belief and the sincere worship, and they are inseparable from character, and character is fed by the living truths of God. Let us be quite frank with ourselves. Are we earnestly striving to be better men and women? Do we come to this act of worship with the honest desire to gain strength to conquer all our evil, and to become truthful, right-doing, brave, compassionate men and women? If that is our aim we bring the best adornment–a beauty greater than any of art or music–the holiness which becomes the house of God. (W. H. Harwood.)
Holiness becomes the worship and service of God
In the temple, every little ornament even of the mighty structure that crowned the cliffs of Zion was holy to the Lord. Not the great courts and inner shrines and pillared halls merely, but all. Not a carved pomegranate, not a bell, silver or golden, but was holy. The table and its lamps, with flowers of silver light, tent and staves, fluttering curtain and ascending incense, altar and sacrifice, breastplate and ephod, mitre and gem-clasped girdle, wreathen chains and jewelled hangings–over all was inscribed Holy, while within, in the innermost shrine, where God manifested Himself above the mercy-seat, was the Holiest. Thus the utter holiness of that God with whom they had to do was by every detail impressed upon the heart and conscience of ancient Israel. (A. B. Grosart.)
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Psa 94:1-23
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 5. Thy testimonies are very sure] Thou wilt as surely fulfil thy word as thou wilt keep possession of thy throne.
Holiness becometh thine house] Thy nature is holy, all thy works are holy, and thy word is holy; therefore, thy house – thy Church, should be holy. The building itself should be sanctified – should be so consecrated to thy worship alone, that it shall never be employed in any other service. The ministers of this Church should be holy, the members holy, the ordinances holy; its faith, its discipline, and its practice holy. And this at all times, and in all circumstances; for holiness becometh thine house – for ever,” le-orech yamin, for length of days. During the whole lapse of time; till the sun and moon shall be no more. The old Psalter says the house of God is man’s saule; and of this house holiness is naavah, “the ornament;” it produces that meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price. No decoration of person nor simplicity of dress can supply the place of this heavenly clothing.
ANALYSIS OF THE NINETY-THIRD PSALM
In this Psalm it is the purpose of the prophet to comfort the Church, oppressed by tyrants and persecutors; and yet she shall not utterly fail. The gates of hell shall not prevail against her; because Christ sits in his Church as King. The sum of it is, –
I. The magnificence and power of Christ our eternal King, Ps 93:1-2.
II. That he defends his Church in the day of a storm, Ps 93:3-4.
III. That his laws are holy, and his Church also, Ps 93:5.
I. The prophet in the first verse describes our King:
First. From his office: –
1. “He reigns.” He is the great and chief Monarch; he is no idle spectator of things below; but wisely, and justly, and powerfully administers all things.
2. He is a glorious King: “He is clothed with majesty.”
3. He is a potent King: “The Lord is clothed with strength.”
4. He is a warlike King: “He hath girded himself,” buckled his sword upon his armour; for offence towards his enemies, for defence of his kingdom.
Secondly. From his kingdom: –
1. It is universal: “The world.”
2. It is fixed, firm, and stable: “The world is also established, and cannot be moved.”
3. It is an everlasting kingdom: “From everlasting to everlasting; thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.”
II. But in this his kingdom there are those who raise tumults, commotions, and rebellions. These he compares to swelling waters and foaming waves.
1. “The floods,” that is, tyrants, persecutors, c., “have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice the floods lift up their waves.” The Church dwells in the sea; and the waves of tyranny, ambition, and malice, beat furiously upon it.
2. Well, be it so; yet “the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters; yea than the mighty waves of the sea.” He wonderfully and strangely hath showed his might in getting himself the victory over all persecutors, and propagating and enlarging his kingdom over all the earth in despite of his enemies.
III. 1. And as his kingdom is immovable, so are the laws by which it is governed fixed and unalterable also: “Thy testimonies are very sure.” The Gospel is an eternal Gospel; the doctrine thereof is holy and inviolable; by which God hath declared his good will to man, and what he requires of all his loving subjects; which is, that they be a holy people. For,
2. “Holiness becomes thy house for ever.” The temple, the priests, the people, must be a holy nation; for ever correspondent to the holiness of his law and testimonies: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” “Holiness becomes thy house, O Lord, for ever.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thy testimonies, i.e. thy words; either,
1. Thy precepts, which are commonly called Gods testimonies. And so having spoken of Gods kingdom, he now showeth that the laws of that kingdom are just, and true, and holy; which is a singular commendation of it. Or,
2. Thy promises, as may be gathered from the following words,
are sure, or true, or faithful; which attribute properly belongs, and every where in Scripture is ascribed, to promises rather than to precepts. And the promises no less than the precepts are Gods testimonies, or the witnesses or declarations of his mind and will to mankind. And he seems here to speak of those great and precious promises concerning the erection and establishment of his kingdom in the world by the Messias; which, saith he, are infallibly true, and shall certainly be accomplished in thy time.
Holiness becometh thine house: this is to be understood, either,
1. Of Gods church or people, who are sometimes called Gods house, and whose business and delight is in Gods house and service there performed. So the sense is, It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approaches to thee, and worshippings of thee. Or rather,
2. Of God himself who dwelt in his house, from whence he gave forth his oracles, and where all his testimonies were kept upon record. This seems better to suit with the context, the business of this Psalm being rather to describe the dominion of God than the duty of his people. And so the sense seems to be this, Holiness is the constant ornament and glory of thy house. Or it becometh thee who dwellest in thy house to be holy in all thy words and actions; and therefore thy testimonies are very sure, and thou wilt undoubtedly fulfil all thy promises. For holiness seems to be here taken for Gods faithfulness, as it is Psa 60:6; 89:35; or, which comes to the same thing, for his justice or righteousness, whereby he is obliged to make good all his promises, as that word is very commonly used.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. While His power inspiresdread, His revealed will should secure our confidence (comparePsa 19:7; Psa 25:10),and thus fear and love combined, producing all holy emotions, shoulddistinguish the worship we offer in His house, both earthly andheavenly.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thy testimonies are very sure,…. Meaning not the works of God, of nature, and providence, which testify of his power and Godhead, and other perfections of it; rather the word of God, the Scriptures of truth, the law and Gospel; the one being a testimony of his will to be done by men, the other a testimony of his good will to men; which are sure and true, and to be believed; though it seems best of all to understand them of the promises of God, which testify what he will do, or shall be done hereafter, and which are all yea and amen in Christ; and especially those that respect his kingdom and interest, the glory, stability, and eternity of it, things which are the principal subjects of this psalm; all which promises are sure and certain, true and faithful, firm, and to be believed; see Ge 19:9,
holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever; or “unto length of days” d: holiness is a dress or clothing; though it is not the robe of a justifying righteousness, yet it is an inner garment, which makes the saints all glorious within; it is a very beautiful and becoming dress; it is called “the beauty of holiness”, and it is always becoming; it becomes the church and people of God, all that are of the household of God, both now and for evermore; it will never be out of use; it will be more and more in use, both in the spiritual reign of Christ, and in the New Jerusalem church state, and in heaven to all eternity; see Zec 14:20.
d “in longitudinem dierum”, Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
5 Thy testimonies (9) are singularly true As yet the Psalmist has insisted upon the excellency of God in the work of creation, and the providential government of the world. Now he speaks of his distinguishing goodness to his chosen people, in making known to them the doctrine which bringeth salvation. He begins by commending the absolute trust-worthiness and truthfulness of the law of God. This being a treasure which was not extended to all nations promiscuously, he adds immediately that the house of God would be adorned with a glory which should last for ever. The Divine goodness is displayed in every part of the world, but the Psalmist justly considers it as of all others the most inestimable blessing, that God should have deposited in his Church the covenant of eternal life, and made his glory principally to shine out of it. Some translate the Hebrew word נאוה , naävah, desirable, (10) as if the Psalmist had said that the adorning of the temple was precious; but the grammatical construction will not admit of this. By length of days is meant perpetual succession, (11) and to this we find Isaiah referring in striking terms, that the Divine truth might be preserved in faithful custody through successive ages.
“
Behold, I have put my word in thy mouth, in the mouth of thy seed, and of thy seed’s seed,” (Isa 59:21.)
(9) “The testimonies of God, when taken generally, are the truths which he has testified or declared, inclusive not only of moral precepts, but of gracious and unchangeable promises. The combined result of which is, to impress on the minds of men the weighty consideration, that those who trust in the mercy of God must not, in a lower degree, venerate and adore his sanctity in all their converse with him.” — Walford.
(10) “ Quidam, נאוה, pro desiderabili accipiunt: acsi dixisset propheta, Templi decus esse pretiosum,” etc. — Lat. The French version follows this exactly. But the sentence is unsatisfactory; and there would seem to be some mistake, or omission, in the original text. If the Hebrew word referred to be rendered desirable, then when joined to קדש, the clause would read, holiness is desirable, or becoming, to thy house, etc. — and not the adorning of thy house is desirable, or precious
(11) “‘Holiness becometh thine house — for ever,’ לארך ימים, le-orec yamim, ‘for length of days:’ during the whole lapse of time; till the sun and moon shall be no more.” — Dr Adam Clarke
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) Thy testimonies.This statement must be taken in close connection with that of the preceding verse. The permanence of the covenant, and of the outward signs that attest it, is to the Israelite proof of the superiority of the Divine power over the forces of nature. We may extend the thought, and say that the moral law is a truer evidence of the existence of God than the uniformity of natural laws.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Thy testimonies The words apply to the charges and declarations delivered to Moses for the people, constituting the entire torah, or system of the law, (Psa 19:7,) but is here specially used of the annexed promises of divine protection and favour to such as keep the law. Psa 94:12.
Are sure Literally, Have been amen. Compare 2Co 1:20; Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:6. They have proved faithful and true through all this terrible ordeal of danger and suffering by the uproar and tumult of the nations.
Holiness becometh thine house And therefore God will defend it against the daring assaults of wicked men, and purge his own people from corruptions by the terrible ordeal of judgments, like a summer threshing floor. The psalmist recognises the preserved sanctity of the house of God as the moral reason for the divine interference, and as the crowning glory of deliverance. Also, this recognition of the standing of the temple at the time offers a clew to the date of writing.
For ever Hebrew, To length of days; and the duration of this term being determined by the nature of the subject, makes it “for ever.” Compare the same form in Psa 23:6. But when God’s own people forget that holiness is the chief adornment of them and the sanctuary where they worship, he will sweep them from the earth. See in 2Ch 36:15-19.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 93:5. Thy testimonies are very sure Here, as in Psalms 19 the laws of nature and God’s word are considered as laws of the same hand, and having the same promises; eidotheka, comprehends both. He adds, Holiness becometh thine house: i.e. “Thou canst as soon renounce thy holiness, as thy faithfulness in performing thy promises. It is the ornament and glory of thy house for ever.”
REFLECTIONS.The sovereign dominion, the glorious and eternal kingdom of Jesus, Jehovah, God over all, blessed for ever, is a subject of pleasing meditation to the believing soul.
1. He reigns in majesty and power. The Lord reigneth; all power in heaven and earth is given to the Lord Christ; his kingdom of grace is set up in the hearts of his believing people, and his throne in glory is prepared, where he shall reign over his faithful ones for ever and ever; he is clothed with majesty; compared with which, all the glory of earthly monarchs vanishes as the light of the glow-worm before the meridian sun; the Lord is clothed with strength wherewith he hath girded himself, needing no support but from his own almighty arm, doing whatsoever pleaseth him among the hosts of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth, and able to bear down all opposition which can be raised against his kingdom and people in an instant: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved; he upholdeth all things which he created, and especially his church and faithful people. Note; The more we look to the Lord Jesus Christ, clothed with majesty and power, the less shall we fear worms of the earth.
2. He reigns from everlasting to everlasting. Of old, even from eternity, his throne is established: thou art from everlasting, the eternal God, and therefore the everlasting King; of whose government there will be no end.
3. He reigns unmoved by all the opposition of his enemies. Though angels in heaven dared to rebel, and men and devils join on earth to destroy his kingdom, and, like roaring waves of the sea, lift up themselves to overwhelm his people, their rage is impotent and vain. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters; and as of old he cast from their shining thrones the angels which sinned, so will he destroy all the principalities and powers of earth leagued against his people, will silence their tumult, and keep his faithful ones in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on him. Note; In all our frights and fears, if we look up with an eye of faith, our tempestuous souls will soon be calmed, and Jesus will say to every storm, “Peace, be still.”
4. He reigns in righteousness. Thy testimonies are very sure; all his promises inviolably faithful, and we may confidently trust him for support and salvation; only let it be our care to walk agreeable to our glorious hope, since, holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. This is the great ornament of the church of Christ on earth; and while every faithful member of Jesus seeks to grow in grace below, it is his joy and happiness, that a never-fading crown and the full enjoyment of God for ever form the glorious prospect before him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Here is a blessed conclusion to this triumphant Psalm. God’s testimonies and faithfulness are ever sure: and the Lord’s holiness is pledged for the full performance of all covenant promises. I have sworn once by my holiness, saith Jehovah, that I will not lie unto David. Psa 89:35 .
REFLECTIONS
SWEET thought, in the perusal of this Psalm! The right of Jesus to government as the Son of God, one with the Father, is a natural right, for he is Lord of all. And sweet to the believer also is the thought that, as King in Zion, as the Mediator of his church and people, he hath a donative right, a purchased right, and a right by conquest and by power. Rejoice then, my soul! Thy God, thy King, thy Jesus reigneth. Yes! blessed Lord, do thou reign, and rule, and govern, in thy Zion. Do thou manifest to my soul, that thou hast subdued my stubborn heart, and brought me under thy gracious sceptre. And, Lord, do thou reign, in me, and rule in me and for me, against all the host of foes and floods of the ungodly, whether of sin or Satan, or my lusts or the world. And oh Lord, give me desires to know thee, and to obey thee, and to live to thee and to thy glory. I would be led a willing captive by my Lord, and know no will but thine. And, Lord, subdue the world to the sceptre of thy grace! Let the earth rejoice that thou art king, and let every knee bow before thee, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
Ver. 5. Thy testimonies are very sure ] Thy promises infallible; and therefore rage the world never so, thou shalt still have a holy catholic Church, such as whose principles, practices, and aims are divine and supernatural; such as walk worthy of God in all well pleasing, and inasmuch as they have these rich promises, do cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2Co 7:1 .
Holiness becometh thine house
– Procul, hinc procul, este profani.
testimonies. Compare Psa 19:7.
Holiness. Compare Psa 97:12; Psa 99:9; and see note on Psa 93:1, above.
Psa 93:5
Psa 93:5
“Thy testimonies are very sure:
Holiness becometh thy house,
O Jehovah forevermore.”
Here the psalm moves from the turbulent and rebellious nations of mankind and the absolute control over them by the reigning Jehovah to the calm security of eternal truth. Two tremendous lessons appear in this verse.
(1) First, is the absolute trustworthiness and truth of the Word of God. No matter what considerations may seem to point in another direction, God’s Word is always right. As an apostle stated it, “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” he “testimonies” here mentioned are of many kinds. There are warnings, instructions, commandments, promises, ordinances, prohibitions, prophecies and axioms of eternal truth; and all of them are to be trusted implicitly.
(2) The second great lesson here is that “holiness” or sanctity is alone appropriate for the house of God. The sacred fellowship of the family of God must not be defiled by wanton, lustful behavior. No person whomsoever can remain within the periphery of the grace of God who does not strive continually “to walk worthily of the saints.” Holiness is that quality, “without which no man shall see God.” The “cheap grace” featured in modern pulpits today seems to contradict this, but God’s Word can be trusted.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 93:5. The testimonies are the declarations of the Lord that have been tried and have stood the test. Becometh is from NAAH and Strong defines it, “to be at home.” The thought is that holiness is fitting and perfectly at home in the house of the Lord. This is very significant, for it would be out of place to see a profession of holiness in a place not belonging to the Lord. It would be like “a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout.” (Pro 11:22.)
Thy: Psa 19:7, Psa 19:8, Psa 119:111, Psa 119:129, Psa 119:138, Psa 119:144, Isa 8:20, Mat 24:35, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18, 1Jo 5:9-13
holiness: Psa 5:4-7, Psa 99:5, Psa 99:9, Lev 10:3, Lev 19:2, Isa 52:11, Zec 14:20, Zec 14:21, Joh 4:24, 1Co 3:16, 1Co 3:17, Heb 12:14, Rev 21:27
for ever: Heb. to length of days
Reciprocal: Gen 34:7 – wrought Exo 28:36 – HOLINESS Exo 39:1 – holy place Ezr 6:21 – did eat Psa 33:9 – and it stood Eze 43:12 – Upon Eze 44:9 – General Mat 21:13 – My Luk 19:46 – General Eph 2:21 – an
Psa 93:5. Thy testimonies Thy words: either, 1st, Thy precepts, which are commonly called Gods testimonies. And so, having spoken of Gods kingdom, he now showeth that the laws of that kingdom are just, and true, and holy, which is a singular commendation of it. Or, rather, 2d, Thy promises, as may be gathered from the following words, are sure, or true, or faithful; which attribute properly belongs, and everywhere in Scripture is ascribed to, promises rather than to precepts. And the promises, no less than the precepts, are Gods testimonies, or the witnesses or declarations of his mind and will to mankind. And he seems here to speak of those great and precious promises concerning the erection and establishment of his kingdom in the world by the Messiah. Which promises, saith he, are infallibly true, and shall certainly be accomplished in thy time. Holiness becometh thy house This is to be understood, either, 1st, Of Gods church or people, who are sometimes called his house, and whose business and delight are in Gods house and in his service there performed. So the sense is, It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approaches to thee, and worshipping of thee. Or, rather, 2d, Of God himself, who dwelt in his house, from whence he gave forth his oracles, and where all his testimonies were kept upon record. And so the sense is, Holiness is the constant ornament and glory of thy house. Or, it becometh thee, who dwellest in thy house, to be holy in all thy words and actions, and therefore thy testimonies are very sure, and thou wilt undoubtedly fulfil all thy promises, for thou canst as soon renounce thy holiness as thy faithfulness in performing them.
93:5 Thy {d} testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
(d) Besides God’s power and wisdom in creating and governing his great mercy also appears in that he has given his people his word and covenant.
3. The holiness of Yahweh 93:5
In contrast to Baal’s morally corrupt sanctuaries, the Lord’s house was holy. What transpired in the temple contrasted strongly with what took place where the Canaanites worshipped their god. This behavior reflected the character of the two deities. God’s holiness guarantees the trustworthy nature of His words. Unblemished holiness manifests itself in unlimited power. [Note: See Allen, Rediscovering Prophecy, pp. 55-68.]
This psalm teaches the reader that God’s power demonstrates that He is alive and active. Consequently, everyone should submit to Him and obey His commands.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)