Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Psalms 26:8
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, etc.] Meaning the tabernacle, for as yet the temple was not built; which was an habitation for the saints, where they chose to dwell, and reckoned it their happiness, and was the habitation of the Lord himself: the sanctuary was built for that purpose; and between the cherubim, over the mercy seat, he took up his residence; hence it follows, and the place where thine honour dwelleth: or “glory” f419: when the tabernacle was set up, the glory of the Lord filled it, as it did the temple, when it was dedicated, (<024035>Exodus 40:35). The psalmist expresses his love to this place, in opposition to the, congregation of evildoers, which he hated, (<192605>Psalm 26:5); and to remove a calumny from him, that being among the Philistines, and at a distance from the house of God, his affections were alienated from it; whereas it was his greatest concern that he was debarred the privileges of it; (see <194201>Psalm 42:1,2 63:1) (<092619>1 Samuel 26:19); besides, he had showed his great regard to it by his constant attendance before his exile, as he did after it, (<194203>Psalm 42:3 55:14); and it was out of pure love to the worship of God, and with real pleasure and delight, that he did attend; and not through custom, and in mere form, (<19C201>Psalm 122:1 84:1,2,10). The Lord’s house is loved by his people, because of his word and ordinances, which are ministered there, and because of his presence in it: or else what was typified by the tabernacle in here designed; either the tabernacle of Christ’s human nature, called the true tabernacle, (<580802>Hebrews 8:2); in which the fulness of the Godhead dwells; which the Son of God, the brightness of his Father’s glory, inhabits; and in the redemption and salvation wrought out in it the glory of all the divine attributes is displayed; and Christ incarnate is the mercy seat from which God communes with his people, and is their way of access unto him, and whereby they have fellowship with him; and who is loved by the saints sincerely, above all creatures and things, and in the most ardent and affectionate manner: or heaven itself, of which the tabernacle was a figure, (<580924>Hebrews 9:24); which is the habitation of the holiness and glory of God, and in which are many mansions or dwelling places for his people; and is the continuing city they seek, the heavenly and better country they are desirous of, and where their hearts and affections are; because there their God, their Saviour, and their treasure be; which sense seems to be confirmed by what follows.
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