And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
The exiles back from Babylon have laid the foundation of a second temple. Their first response is a song — the same words Israel had sung in its greatest days. (Where these writers quote "mercy," the ESV reads "steadfast love.")
Praise Arranged by the Book
The celebration was not spontaneous noise. It followed a pattern already given, and each group had its own part.
Edward DennettThis joyful celebration marks out three groups. There were the priests in their robes with trumpets, and the sons of Asaph with cymbals. Outside of these were the people. They answered the praise they heard with a great shout, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Only priests could blow the sacred trumpets (see Num. 10). To discern when to sound the notes of testimony and praise, you have to be in the holy place, in the presence of God, in communion with His mind. So, in this arrangement, they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord.
The same care that shaped the altar and the sacrifices shaped the singing on Mount Moriah, the temple hill.
Edward DennettThe children of Israel who gathered that day on Mount Moriah were few and feeble. Even so, they were exact in their obedience to the Word. They were engaged on the Lord's work, and they saw clearly that human thoughts and human wisdom had no place in it. The Lord and the Lord alone must prescribe the method of His house.
Mercy, Not Merit
They could have sung about their own journey and sacrifice. They sang about God's mercy instead.
F. B. HolePsalm 136 says of God twenty-six times that "His mercy endures for ever." They now acknowledged this about themselves, as those who stood for Israel. It was the confession that no merit on their side had led to the revival in which they had part. It was all on the ground of God's mercy. Every revival God has granted in the sad history of Christendom has rested on the mercy of God, with no merit on our side. Let us never forget this.
One Song Through Every Generation
These words were not new. They form a thread running from the height of the kingdom, through this day of weakness, and on to a day still ahead.
C. E. StuartDavid in his day, and the whole congregation with him, proclaimed it. Solomon, with the people in unison, years later echoed it again. The returned remnant, in all their weakness, gave expression to it when the foundations of the Temple were laid once more. One day, in full chorus, the people of Israel, returned and delivered at last, will confirm it. Language that suited them nearly three thousand years ago will suit Israel for ever.
The Reach of "Toward Israel"
A handful of returned exiles could have sung of mercy toward themselves. Instead they named the whole nation.
The Christian's FriendTheir inward joy rises up toward its blessed source as they sing, "For His mercy endures for ever" (Ezra 3:11). Then unselfish faith adds, "toward Israel." Such faith does not limit God in His gracious dealings. It loves to count on His faithfulness toward everyone inside the relationship He has revealed.
Two Things That Survive the Ruin
Earlier in the chapter they set up the altar; now the foundation is laid. One writer sees Christ in both.
H. L. RossierIn the midst of the most complete ruin, two things remain unchanged: the work of Christ and His person. Christ is the altar and Christ is the foundation. Christ is our salvation, and Christ is the One on whom we are built forever. Christ is the object of worship and of the unceasing praise of His own. We pass through dark times. Humiliation and deserved reproach are our lot. Even so, we can sing the hymn of the future, for He has not changed. Here we see a small returned group singing the song of the glory still to come, in the midst of the desolation of their history and among the ruins of Jerusalem.
Faithfulness Answering Failure
Their own failure had brought the first house down.
J. T. MawsonNow they had come to a time of reviving. They discovered that God was faithful though they had failed. In a mighty song of triumph they celebrated that "the Lord is good and His mercy endures for ever." What a consolation this was to them; what a comfort and joy it is to us.
Summary
- Cause — mercy. The song credits nothing to the builders. Commentators read it as their confession: no merit of theirs produced the revival. Every recovery God grants rests on the same ground.
- Gift — a pattern. Praise followed David's ordinance, with priests, Levites and people each in place. A feeble company still held that the Lord alone prescribes the method of His house.
- Anchor — what never changed. Altar and foundation stood while everything else lay in ruins. One writer sees in them Christ's work and Christ's person. Praise survives the wreckage.
- Reach — "toward Israel." A small returned group sang not for itself but for the whole nation. It counted on God's faithfulness to everyone inside the relationship He has revealed.
- Result — one unbroken song. The same words ran from David to Solomon to these exiles. Writers look for Israel to sing them again in full chorus. Mercy that endures forever needs no new song.