John Calvin Commentary Psalms 102:21

"That men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem;" — Psalms 102:21 (ASV)

That the name of Jehovah may be declared in Zion. Here, a still more ample and richer fruit of this deliverance than has been previously mentioned is celebrated; namely, that the Jews would not only be united into one body to give thanks to God, but that, when brought back to their own country, they would also gather kings and nations into the same unity of faith and into the same divine worship with themselves.

At that time, it was something altogether incredible, not only that the praises of God would resound within a short period, as in former days, in that temple which was burned and completely overthrown, but also that the nations would resort there from all quarters and be united in the service of God with the Jews, who were then like a decaying carcass.

The prophet, to inspire the people with the hope of returning to their own land, argues that it was impossible for the place God had chosen for Himself to be left in perpetual desolation. He declares that, far from this being the case, there would be new cause for praising God, since His name would be worshipped by all nations, and the Church would consist not of one nation only, but of the whole world. This we know has been fulfilled under the administration of Christ, as was announced in prophecy by the holy patriarch,

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the Gentiles be,” (Genesis 49:10).

But as the prophets are accustomed, in celebrating the deliverance from the Babylonian captivity, to extend it to the coming of Christ, the inspired bard in this place does not merely take up a part of the subject, but carries forward the grace of God, even to its consummation.

And although it was not necessary that all who were converted to Christ should go up to Jerusalem, yet following the manner of expression common to the prophets, he has presented the observance of the divine worship appointed under the law as a mark of true godliness.

Furthermore, we may learn from this passage that the name of God is never better celebrated than when true religion is extensively propagated and when the Church increases, which on that account is called,

“The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified,” (Isaiah 61:3).

The lions roar after their prey; although lions, if hunger compels them, go out from their dens and roar even at noon, yet the prophet describes what is usually the case. He therefore says that lions do not venture to go out during the daytime but, trusting to the darkness of the night, they then venture out in search of their prey.

Here the wonderful providence of God is manifested, in that such a dreadful beast confines itself within its den, so that people may walk about with greater freedom. And if lions sometimes roam with greater liberty, this is to be attributed to the fall of Adam, which has deprived humanity of its dominion over the wild beasts.

There are, however, still some remnants of the original blessing God conferred on humanity, since He restrains so many wild beasts by the light of day, as if by iron cages or chains. The expression, They seek their food from God, does not mean that they cast themselves upon God's care, as if they acknowledged Him as their foster-father; rather, it points to the fact that God, in a wonderful way, provides food for such ravenous beasts.