Zechariah 9:17

“For how great [is] his goodness? etc.] Not of the land of Judea, as Kimchi; nor of the doctrine of the law, as the Targum; nor of the people of the Jews; but of the Messiah: and designs not his essential nor his providential goodness; but his goodness as Mediator, which he has in his heart, and has shown unto his people, in being their surety, and becoming their Saviour; in assuming their nature; bearing their sins, and obeying and suffering in their room and stead: and also that which he has in his hands for them, and communicates to them; his fulness of grace; all those spiritual blessings that are in him; the large measures of grace given at conversion; and the numerous instances of his…”

“his goodness . . . his beauty--the goodness and beauty which Jehovah-Messiah bestows on His people. Not as MAURER thinks, the goodness, &c., of His land or His people (Psa 31:19; Jer 31:12). make . . . cheerful--literally, "make it grow." new wine the maids--supply, "shall make . . . to grow." Corn and wine abundant indicate peace and plenty. The new wine gladdening the maids is peculiar to this passage. It confutes those who interdict the use of wine as food. The Jews, heretofore straitened in provisions through pressure of the foe, shall now have abundance to cheer, not merely the old, but even the youths and maidens [CALVIN]. Call to prayer to Jehovah, as contrasted with the idol-worship…”

“For how great is His goodness - For it is unutterable! As the Psalmist said, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth!” Psalms 8:1, and Jacob, “How awful is this place!” Genesis 28:17, and the Psalmist, “How awful are Thy doings!” The goodness and the beauty are the goodness and beauty of God, whose great doings had been his theme throughout before. Of the goodness the sacred writers often speak , since of this we have extremest need. And this He showed to Moses, “I will cause all My goodness to pass before thy face” Exodus 33:19. Of this we know somewhat personally in this life; for beside the surpassing. amazingness of it in the work of our redemption, we are…”

“His goodness - Infinite goodness is the fountain of all the good done for this people. His beauty - How wonderful the beauty of Divine Providence in Israel's deliverance and salvation? Corn - Plentiful harvests shall make the young men chearful in sowing, reaping, and eating the fruits thereof. New wine - There shall be such plenty of wine, that all, young and old, shall be cheared with it. Next: Zechariah Chapter 10”

“9:17 abundant grain . . . new wine: Agricultural prosperity was a tangible sign of God’s blessing (see Joel 2:19; Amos 9:13; cp. Hag 1:11).”

“how great is his goodness: Psa 31:19, Psa 36:7, Psa 86:5, Psa 86:15, Psa 145:7; Isa 63:7, Isa 63:15; Joh 3:16; Rom 5:8, Rom 5:20; Eph 1:7, Eph 1:8, Eph 2:4, Eph 2:5, Eph 3:18, Eph 3:19; Tit 3:4-7; Jo1 4:8-11 how great is his beauty: Exo 15:11; Psa 45:2, Psa 50:2, Psa 90:17; Sol 5:10; Isa 33:17; Joh 1:14; Co2 4:4-6; Rev 5:12-14 corn: Isa 62:8, Isa 62:9, Isa 65:13, Isa 65:14; Hos 2:21, Hos 2:22; Joe 2:26, Joe 3:18; Amo 8:11-14; Amo 9:13, Amo 9:14; Eph 5:18, Eph 5:19 cheerful: or, grow, or, speak, Sol 7:9 Next: Zechariah Chapter 10”