4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;



Ver. 4. The adoption] For Israel was God’s firstborn, and so "higher than the kings of the earth," Psa_89:27.



And the glory] The ark of the covenant, 1Sa_4:21, whence Judea is called "the glorious land," Dan_11:41. As for the ark, it is elsewhere called God’s face, Psa_105:4. Yea, God himself, Psa_132:5.



The covenants] The moral law in two tables.



The giving of the law] The judicial law.



The service] The ceremonial law.



The promises] Of the gospel made to Abraham, and his seed for ever. These promises are a precious book, every leaf whereof drops myrrh and mercy.