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I. THE IMPORT OF THE WORDS — "This is the day," etc. The everlasting mercies of God which are celebrated in the four first verses by way of repetition; Christ's being set in a large place (ver. 5), which the prophet elsewhere explains by God's delivering him (Psalm 18:19); his exultation, because he shall see his desire upon them that hate him (ver. 7); his declaring that it is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in man (ver. 8); the power given him to destroy all nations in the name of the Lord (ver. 10). All these expressions, I say, import some effects of his royal dignity, more permanent and extensive, and more evident tokens of the Divine interposition, than can be attributed to the former event; though that was not ejected without the direction of a particular providence. But all these effects, as all other effects of Christ's mediatorial Office, being fully accounted for from the truth of His resurrection, and such facts as were consequential to it; it is most reasonable to consider the text as respecting His resurrection.

II. UPON WHAT REASONS SO EMINENT AND PECULIAR A DISTINCTION OF THIS DAY IS MADE.

1. The resurrection of Christ did evidence the Divine authority of our Saviour, as it could not, upon the principles of the Jews themselves, have been ejected, but only by a Divine power.

2. But the proof, indeed of the Divine mission of Christ from His resurrection does not only affect the Jews, but all other persons indifferently; for granting a power to man of doing very strange and surprising things by means of the union of his soul and body, according to the laws of which they here act upon one another, or upon other bodies; yet, when this union is dissolved, when the soul is incapable of acting either upon its own former body, or any body whatever, how is it possible to conceive that it should be able to restore the bodily organs, which it before informed, either to their proper offices or order again? This can only be the act of God, who made us and fashioned us; by whom, as the psalmist celebrates His wisdom and power, we are so fearfully and wonderfully made; in whose hand is the soul of every living thing; of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things.

III. WHAT ARE THOSE PROPER ACTS OF JOY AND GLADNESS WHEREWITH IT OUGHT TO BE CELEBRATED.

1. The first and highest expression of our joy on occasion of so extraordinary an act of the Divine power and goodness, ought to consist in those inward and spiritual sentiments which the soul of a good man naturally feels when he reflects on any special mercy of God, or any spiritual good which it is the means of conveying to him; especially in so ample a manner that it is fruitful and diffusive of many other spiritual goods. Such is the Divine mercy which we now commemorate; and therefore, if we commemorate it as we ought, we shall inwardly rejoice in the Lord, according to the joy in harvest, or as men rejoice when they divide the spoil on occasion of so great a flow of Divine blessings upon us all at once.

2. This internal joy ought also to be expressed by some outward and proper significations of it. Acts of religious praise and thanksgiving to God; and. acts of innocent festivity in other external respects.

(R. Fiddes.)

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KJV: This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

WEB: This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!