This is a two-part hymn typically taking place before the altar in the Temple. In the first five verses, the congregation sings over the offering as the priests perform their ritual duties. It’s not simply the worshipers singing to someone in particular, but it’s a prophetic song to anyone who hears. In the rest of the verses, the priest answers the congregation after the sacrifice has been completed.
First, the people call on God to be present and attentive to this sacrifice. Each verse is an example of parallelism, either an equivalent statement or an extension of the first line. May God be with you in difficult times and keep track of your life from His royal throne in Zion. May He eagerly welcome your tribute, because to turn it away meant you have lost His divine favor. The business of heart’s desire is not the same as just having a wish or sense of need, but a matter of faith calling to the mind what God has already said He would do in His Word. Any such prayer includes an expectation that they will surely rejoice when things turn out well. It’s much the same as reminding themselves to pull up the celebration sheet music for the next performance.
Starting in verse 6, either the priest or the king responds with an affirmation. There is no doubt that God, according to His own revealed nature, will support His mission of truth in this world. The whole point of Israel’s existence as a nation and people was to demonstrate and manifest the moral truth of God, to be a living revelation. They would hardly be Israel the kingdom without Israel the mission. And while Israel eventually did use chariots and horses, they never forgot that it was God who gave the victory. That is, when they did forget, they were no longer Israel the People of Jehovah because they were no longer Israel the mission of revelation. People who trust in mere military might would eventually fall, but the mission of God never fails. It is God’s own nature to promote His revelation through those who obey it.
