Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. Clouds and darkness are round about him ] It is granted that this is a subject which cannot be comprehended. And why? Because God is infinite; he acts from his own counsels, which are infinite; in reference to ends which are also infinite: therefore, the reasons of his government cannot be comprehended by the feeble, limited powers of man. There must be clouds and darkness-an impenetrable obscurity, round about him; and we can no more comprehend him in what is called aeternitas a parte ante-the eternity that passed before time commenced, than we can in the aeternitas a parte post-the eternity that is to come, when time shall be no more. Yet such a Being cannot but see all things clearly, and do all things well; therefore the psalmist properly asserts: - Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. - Righteousness, qdx tsedek, the principle that acts according to justice and equity; that gives to all their due, and ever holds in all things an even balance. And judgment, fpm mishpat, the principle that discerns, orders, directs, and determines every thing according to truth and justice: these form the habitation of his throne; that is, his government and management of the world are according to these; and though we cannot see the springs, the secret counsels, and the times, which this omniscient and almighty FATHER must ever have in his own power, yet we may rest assured that all his administration is wise, just, holy, good, and kind. For, although his counsels be inscrutable, and the dispensations of his providence be sometimes apparently unequal, yet righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
In this most sublime description,the psalmist, by the figure termed prosopopoeia, or personification, gives vitality and thought to all the subjects he employs; here, the very throne of God is animated; righteousness and judgment are two intellectual beings who support it.
The fire, the lightnings, the earth, the heavens themselves, are all intellectual beings, which either accompany, go before him, or proclaim his majesty.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. An all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but stil righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Christ' government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matte of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The mos resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to ido worship of every kind.
Original Hebrew ענן6051 וערפל6205 סביביו5439 צדק6664 ומשׁפט4941 מכון4349 כסאו׃3678
