"What  the  external  gates  would  have  done  if  they  had  been  en-
dued with  reason,  will  in  reality  be  performed  by  hearts  which
are  capable  of  comprehending  the  majesty  and  the  glory  of  the
approaching  King.     Here  the  dooi-s  and  gates  will  in  reality
open.     Tliey  will  give  to  the  King  that  wide  and  ready  entrance,
whicli  formerly  they  gave  to  the  world  and  to  sin.     This  appli-
cation, which  indeed  is  more  than  an  application, — is  really  an
exposition, — becomes  evident  as  soon  as  we  refer  back  the  com-
mand to  open  to  the  why  given  by  the  Psalmist  himself. — Along
with  the  ark  of  the  covenant,  the  Lord  also  came  in  all  the  ful-
ness of  His  glory,  and  with  all  the  riches  of  His  grace  and  justice  :
compare,  in  reference  to  the  import  of  the  ark  of  the  covenant,
Num.  X.  35,  36  ;  Christology,  P.  3,  p.  523,  etc.     It  was  not  the
mere  change  of  place  of  a  symbol  that  was  then  celebrated  :  it
was  the  bringing  in  of  a  new  era  in  the  relationship  of  God  to
His  people  ;  "and  the  Psalmist  took  occasion  to  exhort  the  people
to  know  the  time  of  their  visitation.     Long  had  the  ark  of  the
covenant  been,  as  it  were,  resting  in  the  grave  :  compare  the
Beitr.  P.  3,  p.  48.     And  now  tliat  it  rose  out  of  it,  now  that  the
Lord  intended  to  make  His  habitation  among  His  people,  it  was
of  great  consequence  for  them  to  receive  Him  in  a  worthy  man-
ner, that  so  His  arrival  might  bring  upon  them,  not  a  curse,  but
a  blessing.
