This psalm, with the foregoing from Ps 90:1 is ascribed to Moses by Jarchi and others; but cannot be his, since mention is made of Samuel in it, who lived many years after him. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, more rightly attribute it to David; the inscription of the Syriac version, after saying it is David's, subjoins,"concerning the destruction of the Midianites, whom Moses and the people of Israel led captive;''of which there is not the least mention in it; but it more truly adds,"and a prophecy concerning the glory of the kingdom of the Messiah;''as it undoubtedly is.
Ver. 1. The Lord reigneth,.... The King Messiah, he is made and declared Lord and Christ; he has reigned, does reign, and ever will; see Ps 93:1,let the people tremble: with awe of his majesty, and reverence of his word and ordinances; rejoicing before him with trembling, as his own people and subjects do, Ps 2:11, and so it agrees with Ps 97:1, or it may be understood of the people that are enemies to Christ, who would not have him to reign, though he shall whether they will or not; and who will sooner or later tremble for fear of him, and his righteous judgment.
Jarchi refers this to the war of Gog and Magog.