Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. Ver. 1. _Praise ye the Lord_] Though scattered among the heathen, and in a sorrowful condition, Psalms 106:47. In prosperity praise the Lord, saith Austin, and it shall increase upon thee. In adver... [ Continue Reading ]
Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise? Ver. 2. _Who can utter, &c._] _i.e._ To the just worth of them; none can: they are fitter to be admired than possible to be uttered. It is enough that we do what we can toward the work. God accepteth according to that a... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed [are] they that keep judgment, [and] he that doeth righteousness at all times. Ver. 3. _Blessed are they that keep judgment, &c._] That are of right principles and upright practices; this is real and substantial praising of God. Thanks doing is the proof of thanksgiving; and the good life o... [ Continue Reading ]
Remember me, O LORD, with the favour [that thou bearest unto] thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; Ver. 4. _Remember me, O Lord, with the favour, &c._] The psalmist would have favour, and special favour, mercies, and sure mercies, proper to God's peculiar, and with these he would be remembere... [ Continue Reading ]
That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. Ver. 5. _That I may see the good of thy chosen_] _Ut videam in bonum,_ that I may see it, and partake of it, have both the vision and fruition of thy great goodness, whi... [ Continue Reading ]
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Ver. 6. _We have sinned with our fathers_] Adding to their heap, and making up their measure, Matthew 23:32. People think the example of their fathers a sufficient excuse. Jerome once (but not well) desired leave of... [ Continue Reading ]
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked [him] at the sea, [even] at the Red sea. Ver. 7. _Our fathers understood not_] _i.e._ They weighed them not, improved them not, but as the dull earth is surrounded by the heavens, yet per... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. Ver. 8. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake] Here he comes, in with a _Non-obstante._ So Isaiah 57:17. Now, if God will save for his name's sake, what people is there whom he may not save? _... [ Continue Reading ]
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. Ver. 9. _He rebuked the Red Sea also_] _Ingentia beneficia, flagitia, supplicia,_ as appeareth in the subsequent verses. _ So he led them through the depths_] _Inter duas aquarum congeri... [ Continue Reading ]
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated [them], and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. Ver. 10. _And he saved them, &c._] From Pharaoh, that perfect enemy of theirs, that pursued them with a deadly design, but was happily prevented.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Ver. 11. _And the waters covered their enemies_] The preservation of the Church is ever accompanied with the destruction of its enemies, that the mercy may appear the greater. _ Not one of them left_] Left alive to carry the new... [ Continue Reading ]
Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. Ver. 12. _Then believed they his words_] Then for a flash, while the memory of the mercy was fresh and warm; but ere they were three days older they murmured again; it proved not so much as a nine days' wonderment; they were soon at oldward. _ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: Ver. 13. _They soon forgat his works_] Heb. They made haste, they forgat. This is an aggravating circumstance. See Gal 1:6 Exo 32:8 Deuteronomy 9:16 . _ They waited not for his counsel_] For the performance of what he had purposed and pr... [ Continue Reading ]
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. Ver. 14. _But lusted exceedingly_] Heb. lusted a lust. See Numbers 11:1,35, they had a sufficiency, but must have superfluities, as belly-gods; not want, but wantonness, set them a lusting, and that in the wilderness, where th... [ Continue Reading ]
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Ver. 15. _And he gave them their request_] _Deus saepe dat iratus quod negat propitius_ (Aug.). _ Munera magna quidem misit, sed misit in hamo_ (Martial). Quails they had, but to choke them; as afterwards a king, but to vex them,... [ Continue Reading ]
They envied Moses also in the camp, [and] Aaron the saint of the LORD. Ver. 16. _They envied Moses also_] Korah and his complices did; and because the people punished them not, they are all accused as guilty of that conspiracy, and looked upon as a rabble of rebels against heaven. _ And Aaron the... [ Continue Reading ]
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. Ver. 17. _The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, &c._] Korah is not here mentioned, haply for his sons' sakes, who were famous prophets and music masters in David's days. As for On the son of Peleth (one of the chief co... [ Continue Reading ]
And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. Ver. 18. _And a fire was kindled in their company_] It is both a just presage and desert of ruin not to be warned. Let seditious persons and schismatics take heed; for even our God also is a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29 . _ T... [ Continue Reading ]
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. Ver. 19. _They made a calf in Horeb_] _i.e._ In the country near to that mountain, where they at same time saw visible tokens of God's dreadful presence. Well might Aaron say of this people, that they were wholly set upon wickedness, Exodu... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. Ver. 20. _Thus they changed their glory_] _i.e._ Their God, Romans 1:23, the Creator for a contemptible creature. _ Of an ox that eateth grass_] _Tunc stercora egerit, et multum inquinatur,_ as R. Solomon here glosseth. T... [ Continue Reading ]
They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; Ver. 21. _They forgat God their saviour_] This is often mentioned as the mother of all the misrule among them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, [and] terrible things by the Red sea. Ver. 22. _Wondrous works in the land of Ham_] _i.e._ Among the Egyptians, Ham's posterity. _ And terrible things by the Red Sea_] All which were buried, together with the remembrance of God, the doer.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them]. Ver. 23. _Therefore he said that he would destroy them_] Idolatry is a people desolating sin. God was once in a mind to have destroyed this p... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: Ver. 24. _Yea, they despised the pleasant land_] Heb. The land of desire, flowing with milk and honey, _sumen totius terrae,_ as one calleth it; Egypt they preferred before it, though it were a gage of heaven; as Cardinal Bourbon did... [ Continue Reading ]
But murmured in their tents, [and] hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Ver. 25. _But murmured in their tents_] Where they sat discontented (after the report of the spies), and, as we say, sick of the sullens; they would not attempt a conquest, but bewailed their hard fortune, and let fly on a... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness: Ver. 26. _Therefore he lifted up his hand_] _i.e._ He solemnly swore, as Numbers 14:30, or he was fetching his full blow at them. _ To overthrow them in the wilderness_] Which also befell them according to their own... [ Continue Reading ]
To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands. Ver. 27. _To overthrow their seed also among the nations_] This clause of God's oath is not expressed in Numbers, but drawn there hence as a fearful consequence, both here by the psalmist, and also by the prophet Ezek... [ Continue Reading ]
They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Ver. 28. _They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor_] Heb. they were unequally yoked, as 2 Corinthians 6:14 . _ Quam male inaequales veniunt ad aratra iuvenci._ They separated themselves to that shame, Priapus, Hosea 9... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus they provoked [him] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. Ver. 29. _Thus they provoked him_] God cannot brook men's devices in matters of religion; he will have no other worship than what himself hath appointed. _ And the plague brake in upon them_] As a deluge, o... [ Continue Reading ]
Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and [so] the plague was stayed. Ver. 30. _Then stood up Phinehas_] _Animose surrexit_ (Vatab.). By a secret, heroical, and extraordinary motion of God's Spirit, such as may not be drawn into example. All things reported and commended in Scripture may n... [ Continue Reading ]
And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. Ver. 31. _And that was counted unto him for righteousness_] God not only condemned him not of rash zeal, but looked upon what he had done as a piece of singular service, and rewarded it accordingly.... [ Continue Reading ]
They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Ver. 32. _They angered him also at the waters of strife_] Yet he made not the least semblance of it to Moses, but only bade him smite the rock, which, if he had then done, and no more, he had done right... [ Continue Reading ]
Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. Ver. 33. _Because they provoked his spirit_] So that he was in a pelt to the grieving of God's good Spirit within him, Ephesians 4:30,31. _O tantaene animis coelestibus irae?_ So that he spake unadvisedly] Some render it... [ Continue Reading ]
They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: Ver. 34. _They did not destroy the nations_] For which neglect of theirs pity would be pleaded. But there is a cruel mercy, saith one; there is a pious cruelty, saith another. Cursed is he that doeth the Lord's work deceitfu... [ Continue Reading ]
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. Ver. 35. _But were mingled among the heathen_] With whom they made leagues and marriages, Judges 1:3, and so were soon corrupted by them. It is dangerous to converse with graceless people, their very example is a compulsion; see Galatians... [ Continue Reading ]
And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Ver. 36. _And they served their idols_] The devil is ειδωλοχαρης, saith Synesius, a lover of idolatry, and he speaks through idolaters as through his trunks, persuading people to like practice, as did Julian, whom an ancient, therefore, cal... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, Ver. 37. _Yea, they sacrificed their sons, &c._] The devils are here called Shedim, destroyers (in opposition to Shaddai, the Almighty), and worthily; for they make it their work to waste and spoil people of their dearest children, as... [ Continue Reading ]
And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Ver. 38. _And shed innocent blood, &c._] This was _furor Diabolicus; _ but what may not the devil do with his drudges, when God's word... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. Ver. 39. _Thus were they defiled_] Great sins do greatly pollute; neither are men by anything more disadvantaged than by doting upon their own devices. _ And went a whoring_] They followed it earnestly, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. Ver. 40. _Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled_] Sin doth as naturally draw and suck judgments to it as the loadstone doth iron, or turpentine fire. _ Insomuch that he abhorred his... [ Continue Reading ]
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Ver. 41. _And he gave them into the hand of the heathen_] That they might suffer by them with whom they had sinned, and with whom, by compliance, they hoped to have ingratiated.... [ Continue Reading ]
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. Ver. 42. _And they were brought into subjection_] Heb. they were bowed down, or humbled, who would not humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that he might exalt them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked [him] with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Ver. 43. _Many times did he deliver them_] And as many times told them, _Servati estis ut mihi servatis,_ I have, therefore, saved you that ye might serve me the better; _Sed surdo f... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: Ver. 44. _Nevertheless he regarded their affliction_] See for proof hereof the whole Book of Judges, and take notice of God's philanthropy, who heareth men's afflictions, as he did Hagar's, Genesis 16:11, and is oft found of them t... [ Continue Reading ]
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. Ver. 45. _And he remembered for them his covenant_] Which could not be vacated or abolished by the wickedness of men, but stood firm and inviolable, inasmuch as God is faithful and merciful. _ And repe... [ Continue Reading ]
_He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives._ Ver. 46. _He made them also to be pitied_] God can soon turn the hearts of tyrants, and make them of lions lambs, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, [and] to triumph in thy praise. Ver. 47. _Save us, O Lord our God_] This is the main request of the psalm, and the chief thing intended; for for this cause prefaced the prophet, as Psalms 106:1,2, &c.,... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD. Ver. 48. _Blessed be the Lord_] viz. For our return out of captivity, which we foresee, believe, and give thanks for beforehand. _ Praise ye the Lord_] Thus they speak one to... [ Continue Reading ]