(14) Habitation.--Rather, foundation, or pillars. Righteousness and judgment support God's throne, and mercy and truth ("those genii of sacred history") precede (present tense, not future) Him as forerunners precede a king.
Verse 14 - Justice and judgment; or, righteousness and justice (Cheyne). The psalmist here rises to a higher level - from that of might to that of right. God is not merely strong to do whatever he wills; but all that he wills is consonant with right and justice. Are the habitation of thy throne; rather, the basis, or "foundation." (So Kay, Cheyne, and the Revised Version.) Mercy and truth shall go before thy face;i.e. shall stand ever in front of thee; be thy inseparable companions. Whatever thou doest shall be done "in truth and equity."
89:5-14 The more God's works are known, the more they are admired. And to praise the Lord, is to acknowledge him to be such a one that there is none like him. Surely then we should feel and express reverence when we worship God. But how little of this appears in our congregations, and how much cause have we to humble ourselves on this account! That almighty power which smote Egypt, will scatter the enemies of the church, while all who trust in God's mercy will rejoice in his name; for mercy and truth direct all he does. His counsels from eternity, and their consequences to eternity, are all justice and judgment.
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne,.... The seat and throne on which he sits; all the administrations of his kingly power in the government of the world, in the salvation of his people, and in the punishment of his enemies, being according to the strict rules of justice and judgment: or "the preparation of thy throne" (d); all that the Lord does according to the counsel of his will; and these counsels were of old, and were formed in strict justice and judgment, and were a preparation for his future government in providence and grace: or "the establishment of thy throne" (e); the throne of an earthly king is established by righteousness; and so the throne of God, and of Christ, is ordered and established with justice and judgment in the exercise of righteousness for evermore, Proverbs 16:12.
mercy and truth shall go before thy face; be and appear wherever he is; all his ways are mercy and truth, Psalm 25:10, "mercy" in pardoning and saving sinners that come unto him by Christ; and "truth" in performing all his purposes and promises; and these make the joyful sound next mentioned.
(d) "praeparatio sedis tuae". V. L. so the Sept. (e) Basis, "fulchrum et stabilimentum", Michaelis.
mercy and truth shall go before thy face; be and appear wherever he is; all his ways are mercy and truth, Psalm 25:10, "mercy" in pardoning and saving sinners that come unto him by Christ; and "truth" in performing all his purposes and promises; and these make the joyful sound next mentioned.
(d) "praeparatio sedis tuae". V. L. so the Sept. (e) Basis, "fulchrum et stabilimentum", Michaelis.