Page images
PDF
EPUB

10 The Lord thy God, O Sion, shall be King Ex. 15. 18. for evermore, and throughout all generations.

Evening Prayer.

PSALM CXLVII.

Rev. 11. 15.

THE second and thirteenth verses afford good ground for imagining, that this Psalm was written, when, after the return of the two tribes from captivity, the neighbouring nations had ceased from annoying them, and the walls, equally with the gates, of Jerusalem had been, at length, rebuilt. Thus it will bear a peculiar reference to the gracious providence of God, as manifested by the complete deliverance of his people; and to his attributes of power, wisdom, mercy, and justice, of which he then gave such illustrious proofs. But, whether the Psalm owes its origin to those circumstances or not, it contains an earnest exhortation to praise the Lord for the evident signs of his benevolent disposition, which, by amply providing for their wants, he has displayed towards all his creatures; though, more especially, for the abundant marks of his favorable kindness afforded to the Israelites.

OPRAISE the Lord, for it is a good thing | Ps. 92. 1, &c. to sing praises unto our God; yea, a joyful

and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.

2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem, and gather together the outcasts of Israel.

3 He healeth those, that are broken in heart, and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.

4 He telleth the number of the stars, and calleth them all by their names.

Deut. 30. 1, &c.

Ezra 6. 14.

Isai. 57. 15.

John 6. 67, 68.

Isai. 40. 26.

5 Great is our Lord, and great is his power; Nah. 1. 3. yea, and his wisdom is infinite.

John 2. 24, 25.

least, by making them have a very different end from that, which they themselves anticipated. Job v. 13.

2 The outcasts of Israel. The Israelites, who had been banished from their homes, and from their native country.

4 He telleth, &c. The verse is introduced for the express purpose of pointing out, how natural it was, that the omniscient Being, who, without difficulty, can number the stars and assign to each its peculiar name, should be able to assemble together the Israelites, dispersed over the various provinces of the Babylonian empire, however obscurely or remotely situated. It may be inferred from the present, and from some other passages of scripture (Gen. xv. 5: xxii. 17), that to count the stars was anciently esteemed a task, which Almighty wisdom alone could perform. This notion, probably, gave occasion to a portion, at least, of the praises bestowed upon the Deity in the next verse.

1 Sam. 2. 7, 8. Matt. 5. 5.

Ex. 15. 20, 21.
Ps. 47.6, 7.

Job 38. 26, &c.

Luke 12. 24.

Eccles. 9. 11.
Hos. 1. 7.

Zeph. 3. 14, &c. 1 Pet. 3. 4.

Isai. 52. 7.

Joel 2. 23. &c.

Zech. 8. 3, &c.

Lev. 26. 6.

Isai. 60. 17, 18.

6 The Lord setteth [lifteth] up the meek, and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground. 7 O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises upon the harp unto our God:

8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds; and prepareth rain for the earth; and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men ;

9 Who giveth fodder unto the cattle, and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him. 10 He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse; neither delighteth he in any man's legs. 11 But the Lord's delight is in them, that fear Him, and put their trust in His 12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion.

mercy.

13 For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, and hath blessed thy children within thee. 14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.

8 Upon the mountains, &c. Mountains, generally speaking, are dry and barren, nor is it possible for any natural streams to water and fertilize them: "the river of God" can alone accomplish this. Psalm LXV. 10: civ. 13, &c.

9 The young ravens. Though God, in his providential care for all the animal creation, answers their cries for food, by affording them the appropriate means of appeasing their hunger, the greatness of that care is still more remarkable, when he does this even for the young, which their parents have cast off, since these, as not yet having arrived at the full vigor of their strength, are less able to search after, and to procure, proper nourishment for themselves. There may be, too, an allusion to the raven, as an unclean bird (Lev. xi. 15), and, consequently, in the eyes of the Jews, an additional reason for admiring the extent of the provision made by the Almighty to satisfy the wants of nature.

10 He hath no pleasure, &c. The Psalmist appears in this manner to console and animate his brethren :--let us not be afraid, unable, as we are, to protect ourselves by earthly power (Neh. iv. 3, 4: vii. 4), inasmuch as Jehovah, who has hitherto fought for us, will not take part with our enemies, (should they once more rise up against us,) because of the strength of their cavalry or the swiftness of their infantry (see on Psalm xviii. 33): rather, he delights to assist those, who flee to Him for refuge, and depend with stedfast faith on His mercy.

13 He hath made fast, &c. Jerusalem, which had long continued unwalled and defenceless, was, at last, rendered a place of security (Neh. iii. 1, &c.: iv. 7); besides, its children or inhabitants, who, until lately, were very few and helpless, had now, by divine assistance, increased in number, and become comparatively prosperous.

14 In thy borders. Within the borders of thy land; both by keep

15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon | Matt. 8. 8, 13. earth, and his word runneth very swiftly.

16 He giveth snow like wool, and scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who is able to abide [stand before] his frost?

18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.

2 Thess. 3. 1.

Job 37. 6, &c.

Josh. 10. 11.

2 Sam. 23. 20.

Job. 6. 16, 17.

19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his sta-Gen. 32. 28. tutes and ordinances unto Israel.

20 He hath not dealt so with any nation; neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws,

PSALM CXLVIII.

Mal. 4. 4.

Deut. 4. 7, 8.
Rom. 3. 1, 2.

THE Psalmist now calls upon all creatures, both of the visible and invisible world, animate as well as inanimate, to unite together in a grand chorus of praise and thanksgiving to God, the maker and governor of the universe, for the considerate exercise of his ing every foreign enemy far from them, and by inclining the hearts of thine own countrymen to unanimity and concord.—The flour of wheat. It may allowably be doubted, whether, in the expressions "the finest wheat-flour" (Psalm Lxxxi. 17), and "the flour of wheat," the word "flour," though of long standing, has not been printed by mistake instead of flower. For not only does "the finest of the wheat," which the Bible version has in both places, exactly accord with the original, but some editions, at least, of the Psalms, exhibit the word spelt in the manner just suggested. The error, if it be one, is attributable to the ancient mode of spelling both words alike. See on Psalm cxxxii. 16.

15 And his word, &c. A fresh cause for praising God is derived from the circumstance, that, whatever decrees he utters for any alteration in the atmosphere, they instantly take effect. See on

Psalm cv. 28.

16 Like wool. The force of the present comparison has been conjectured to rest on the use of wool, because the snow keeps the ground warm, and, therefore, assists vegetation. Isai. Lv. 10. But it seems far better, as the next two sentences will prove, to suppose, that the Psalmist only alluded to the appearance of wool. It may be deemed surprising, that a writer, living in the warm climate of the East, should be so well acquainted with the phenomena of a northern winter. The cold, however, is sometimes extremely severe in Palestine and the neighbouring countries.

17 His ice. The word "morsels," which follows, makes it quite evident, that hail-stones are here meant. What we call "sleet" scarcely seems to answer the description of the Psalmist.

18 He bloweth, &c. The weather by his appointment changes: the soft breezes blow: the frozen waters are thawed, and run in their accustomed channels with the same freedom as before.

sovereign power and majesty, but, especially, for his unbounded kindness to his chosen people. This Psalm is conjectured to have been designed as a dissuasive from idolatry, (which offence against Jehovah the Jews never committed after their return from the Babylonish captivity,) and was, perhaps, written, when Jerusalem and the temple had been rebuilt; though, it must be added, there is nothing in it, which can give any countenance to the latter notion.

Isai. 49. 13.

Isai. 6. 3.

Luke 2. 13, 14.

Gen. 8. 22.

Gen. 7. 11.

Amos 9. 6.
Rev. 4. 11.

Jer. 33. 25, 26.

Isai. 43. 20.

Amos 4. 13:

7.4, &c.

PRAISE the Lord of heaven: praise him, in the height.

2 Praise him, all ye angels of his praise him, all his host.

3 Praise him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars and light.

4 Praise him, all ye heavens, and ye waters that are above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord; for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath made them fast for ever and ever: he hath given them a law, which shall not be broken.

7 Praise the Lord, upon earth: ye dragons, and all deeps.

8 Fire and hail, snow and vapors, wind and storm, fulfilling his word;

1 In the height. The phrase would seem to point at the abode of God, but is commonly applied to the angels, who dwell in the highest heavens. Ye" in the height." Ver. 7.

2 All his host. See on Psalm xxiv. 10. Three things appear to be predicated respecting those spiritual beings, who are permitted to approach the divine presence; that they live in the uppermost regions of space; that they are employed by God, as his messengers (Psalm ciii. 20); and that they constitute his attendants. 1 Kings xxii. 19. 4 Ye heavens. The visible heavens, in which are the planets and fixed stars.- -And ye waters, &c. The clouds are said to bound the lowest of the three regions, which, in the Hebrew language, go under the name of heaven. See on Psalm viii. 1.

7 Upon earth. Ye beings, endowed with life, which inhabit the surface of the earth. Ver. 1.—Dragons. The word properly signifies some kind of serpent (see on Psalm xci. 13), but here it can only be taken for any species of sea-monster. To render the intent of the passage more obvious, "praise the Lord" must be understood before "ye dragons."- -All deeps. The secret places of the sea, in which the "dragons" have their abode. Creatures belonging to the sea and land are in this verse joined together, because the earth, and the water which surrounds it, equally form parts of the same globe. Ver. 8. 8 Fire. Thunder-bolts and lightning.-Vapors. The light clouds,

9 Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and Isai. 44. 23: all cedars;

10 Beasts and all cattle; worms [creeping things] and feathered fowls;

11 Kings of the earth and all people; princes and all judges of the world;

12 Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the name of the Lord; for His name only [alone] is excellent, and His praise above heaven and earth.

55. 12.

Gen. 1. 26.

Isai. 60. 3.

Rev. 21. 24.

Ps. 113. 4.

Isai. 12. 4.

13 He shall exalt the horn of his people: all 1 Sam. 2. 1. his saints shall praise him, even the children of Luke 1. 52. Israel, even the people that serveth him.

PSALM CXLIX.

THIS Psalm was, perhaps, occasioned by a signal deliverance or victory, which had been recently vouchsafed to the Israelitish people. Them, therefore, the author exhorts to praise the Lord with the greatest signs of joy and gratitude, in expectation of their future complete triumph over every opponent and persecutor. There appears to be here a mystical sense also, celebrated with much animation and energy, and denoting the spiritual successes of the Church of God. We do not discover in the Psalm any distinguishing marks, by which the period of its composition can be at all defined; though it seems not unlikely, that it may relate to the times of David, when the Israelites acquired the greatest renown, and gained the most considerable victories.

SING unto the Lord a new song: let the Isai. 42. 10.
congregation of saints praise him:

which, though floating in the air, still arise from the exhalations of the earth, and may be said to belong to it.

9 And all cedars. And all trees of the forest. For every tree, not bearing fruit, is comprehended under the noblest of their kind, and put in opposition to "fruitful trees." See on Psalm civ. 11.

11 Judges. See on Psalm ii. 10.

Inferior rulers. Dan. iii. 2.

12 For His name, &c. See on Psalm v. 12. For none of the false gods of the heathen can compete with Jehovah in wisdom, goodness, or power.- -And His praise, &c. And His glory, on which account praise is due to him, is so widely spread abroad, and so conspicuous, that it is manifest not only to the angelic natures, who dwell above the visible heavens, but likewise to every mortal being, who lives upon the earth. Ver. 4.

13 The horn, &c. See on Psalm Lxxxix. 18.—His saints. See on Psalm xxx. 4.

1 A new song. For this additional instance of his favor and mercy.

« PreviousContinue »