LESSON I.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1899
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet are standing
Within thy gates, O Jerusalem;
3 Jerusalem, that art builded
As a city that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord,
For a testimony unto Israel,
To give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set thrones for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
They shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions' sakes,
I will now say, Peace be within you.
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek thy good. Golden Text: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Verse 1. (1) By whom was this song written? Note 1. (2) By whom were the Psalms inspired? Note 2. (3) Of what was the psalmist glad? V. 1. Note 3. (4) What hope did he express? V. 2. (5) What does he say of the holy city? V. 3. (6) Of what is it the meeting-place? and for what purpose? V. 4. Note 4. (7) What are set there? V. 5. Note 5. (8) What is the duty of God's people? V. 6. (9) What is said of those who love Jerusalem? (10) What benediction is pronounced upon the city? V. 7. (11) For what purpose is this benediction given? V. 8. (12) Why is the city's good sought? V. 9. Note 6. 1. Of David.—So state our English versions, tho it is not in the original. It may well be written by David for the temple which Solomon was about to build. It seems more reasonable to apply it before the captivity than after. 2. The Spirit of Christ inspired the prophets of the past, and the Psalms of the Lord. See 1 Peter 1:11; Acts 1:16; Heb. 3:7; 2 Sam. 23:2. David not only wrote his own experiences, but the experiences of Christ in human flesh, and in glory, and the experience of all who are Christ's. 3. When they said unto me.—Judging from the regular congregations of Christians, the feeling among them is not that of David, or Christ. The service and worship meant something to them. God was in His sanctuary and met with every heart which realized its need. He does the same to-day. Where two or three meet in His name, He is there in their midst. 4. Her tribes go up.—So they came to Jerusalem three times a year when the people of God were faithful. So are the true Israel of God appearing in faith before our great High Priest in heaven now. And when sin shall have passed away forever, and the New Jerusalem shall be established on the earth made new, then from month to month and from week to week will the Israel of God present themselves before the Lord to worship. Rev. 22:14; Isa. 66:22, 23. For a testimony unto Israel.—They are a testimony of God's power to redeem and save. That is true here. It will be true to all eternity. They will praise forever the name of the Lord. 5. Set thrones.—This doubtless was in a measure true in David's day, in the officers and princes who ruled under him. In Christ's work as priest (Rev. 4:4), in the work of judgment (Rev. 20:4; Dan. 7:9), and in His own glorious kingdom (Rev. 3:21), all of which are in the Holy City on high, there are the thrones of those whom Christ associates with Himself. 6. Thy good.—Jesus Christ ever seeks His people's good; nay, more, He seeks the good. It is His work to build up the church, and each one in the church; to establish His kingdom, and gather for His kingdom. He who seeks to tear down the church and work and kingdom of God is not of God; for "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."