The header says David wrote this for use in the Temple worship. Scholars tell us this psalm was used in various thanksgiving services.
English translations are all over the place on the first line, and it is difficult to bring the nuance across the vast difference. Perhaps we should see it as: “For You, waiting as a servant silent in the shadows, is glorious enough, Elohim.” David returns often to the theme that he is ecstatic just to be a mere attendant in the Court of God. He continues noting that he has vowed to offer his very life for this. And who among humans, when fully aware of it, would hesitate to pray to Him? David is the first to confess that his fallen nature gets the best of him at times, but Our Lord is a God of mercy and forgiveness. Not just looking past our failures, but reducing the power of sin over us.
Words cannot bear the load of joy at being chosen by God to hear His call and to serve Him. Mankind could not pile up enough wealth to buy off someone who has experienced this divine appointment. Even the lowest of servants in God’s Courts is better off than the wealthiest of kings.
God’s eminence in any nation is marked by earthshaking miracles that reflect His holy character. In this Israel is not alone, because God could do this for all people throughout the earth. This is the Creator of the whole universe and it is simply consistent with His moral character to offer this to all humanity. His power alone made whole mountain ranges, and He could still every raging sea on the earth at His whim. Just the same, He could bring peace to the people who live on the other side of those mountains and seas. His divine character is present in all of Creation, so that all people everywhere could touch it if they just open their hearts to the revelation of truth. At the very least they can sense His power in all kinds of omens and signs. The very sunrise itself sings His praise, and the stars of evening twinkle merrily of His peace.
David uses the lyrical image of watering and fertilizing the earth to portray the way God works with people who so much as desire His truth. Just as He makes food available to all people on the earth, so He puts His revelation in reach of their hearts. He mentions the River of God’s Spirit at work in the world. Everyone could know Him and His justice should they want it.
The final verses of this hymn show how Creation itself rejoices in God’s character. Let anyone anywhere turn to Him and the ground under his feet will sing. Along with this is the very literal promise that He would clothe their land with the blessings of plenty. The pastures would be clothed with the living wool of sheep herds, the valleys shrouded in grain, as if all dressed up in their finest for meeting in the Temple.
