And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
After calling the King to gird His sword (v.3), the psalm now shows the purpose and success of His going forth (vv.4-5). His warfare is not for ambition or earthly gain, but for the cause of truth, meekness, and righteousness. This King is the Son, whose throne is for ever (Hebrews 1:8-9; vv.6-7), and here His reign is described as both victorious and just.
“And in thy majesty ride prosperously.” To ride is the action of a conquering king going forth to victory. His riding is “prosperous,” meaning successful and effectual. None can resist His advance, for “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law” (Isaiah 42:4). His kingdom advances according to God’s purpose, whether in gathering His people or subduing His enemies. This success is certain, for “the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:10).
This prosperous advance is seen most clearly in the spread of His kingdom by the gospel. What begins in weakness appears small, yet cannot be hindered, for it is upheld by divine power. As it is written, “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground… and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how” (Mark 4:26-27). Thus Christ rides forth in majesty even now, not with visible armies, but by the powerful working of God, gathering His people and establishing His rule in their hearts.
“Because of truth and meekness and righteousness.” These are the causes for which He goes forth. Truth is the word and faithfulness of God, which He declares and establishes: “To this end was I born… that I should bear witness unto the truth” (John 18:37). Meekness is His lowliness and gentleness, not weakness, but strength under rule, as He said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Righteousness is His perfect justice, for He loves righteousness and hates iniquity (v.7). His kingdom is not built on force, but on these holy qualities, which mark both His person and His rule. Even in His victories, He remains the righteous King, for “a King shall reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1).
These three, truth, meekness, and righteousness, also show the manner of His rule among His people. He does not subdue them as enemies, but draws them by truth, governs them with gentleness, and establishes them in righteousness. As it is written, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power” (Psalm 110:3). Thus His conquest is unlike that of earthly kings, for He wins the heart and forms a people who serve Him willingly and gladly.
“And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.” The right hand speaks of power and action. “Terrible things” are acts that inspire fear and awe, especially in judgment. As He goes forth, He will perform works that display His power against His enemies. This is seen in His judgments, for “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). His right hand teaches Him these things, not by learning as men learn, but by executing what is appointed, showing the certainty and severity of His judgments. His works will cause men to fear, for “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).
This also shows that His victories include both salvation and judgment. The same King who rides prosperously to save His people will also bring down His enemies. As it is written, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God” (Romans 11:22). His right hand reveals both, for He is merciful to those who trust in Him, yet terrible to those who resist His rule.
This verse sets forth Christ as the King who advances His kingdom in truth, meekness, and righteousness, yet with power that brings fear upon His enemies. Therefore let men not resist His rule, but submit to Him whose victories cannot fail. For “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre” (v.6), and then, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11).
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
After calling the King to gird His sword (v.3), the psalm now shows the purpose and success of His going forth (vv.4-5). His warfare is not for ambition or earthly gain, but for the cause of truth, meekness, and righteousness. This King is the Son, whose throne is for ever (Hebrews 1:8-9; vv.6-7), and here His reign is described as both victorious and just.
“And in thy majesty ride prosperously.” To ride is the action of a conquering king going forth to victory. His riding is “prosperous,” meaning successful and effectual. None can resist His advance, for “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law” (Isaiah 42:4). His kingdom advances according to God’s purpose, whether in gathering His people or subduing His enemies. This success is certain, for “the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:10).
This prosperous advance is seen most clearly in the spread of His kingdom by the gospel. What begins in weakness appears small, yet cannot be hindered, for it is upheld by divine power. As it is written, “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground… and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how” (Mark 4:26-27). Thus Christ rides forth in majesty even now, not with visible armies, but by the powerful working of God, gathering His people and establishing His rule in their hearts.
“Because of truth and meekness and righteousness.” These are the causes for which He goes forth. Truth is the word and faithfulness of God, which He declares and establishes: “To this end was I born… that I should bear witness unto the truth” (John 18:37). Meekness is His lowliness and gentleness, not weakness, but strength under rule, as He said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Righteousness is His perfect justice, for He loves righteousness and hates iniquity (v.7). His kingdom is not built on force, but on these holy qualities, which mark both His person and His rule. Even in His victories, He remains the righteous King, for “a King shall reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1).
These three, truth, meekness, and righteousness, also show the manner of His rule among His people. He does not subdue them as enemies, but draws them by truth, governs them with gentleness, and establishes them in righteousness. As it is written, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power” (Psalm 110:3). Thus His conquest is unlike that of earthly kings, for He wins the heart and forms a people who serve Him willingly and gladly.
“And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.” The right hand speaks of power and action. “Terrible things” are acts that inspire fear and awe, especially in judgment. As He goes forth, He will perform works that display His power against His enemies. This is seen in His judgments, for “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). His right hand teaches Him these things, not by learning as men learn, but by executing what is appointed, showing the certainty and severity of His judgments. His works will cause men to fear, for “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).
This also shows that His victories include both salvation and judgment. The same King who rides prosperously to save His people will also bring down His enemies. As it is written, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God” (Romans 11:22). His right hand reveals both, for He is merciful to those who trust in Him, yet terrible to those who resist His rule.
This verse sets forth Christ as the King who advances His kingdom in truth, meekness, and righteousness, yet with power that brings fear upon His enemies. Therefore let men not resist His rule, but submit to Him whose victories cannot fail. For “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre” (v.6), and then, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11).