Psalms 118:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever. Ver. 1. _O give thanks, &c._] See Psalms 106:1 .... [ Continue Reading ]
O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever. Ver. 1. _O give thanks, &c._] See Psalms 106:1 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Let Israel now say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever. Ver. 2. _Let Israel now say_] All the Israel of God, for only such are fit to praise God: excellent words become not a fool; the leper's lips are to be covered.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever. Ver. 3. _Let the house of Aaron now say_] Ministers are chieftains, Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17, and should be as the chief chanters in God's praises.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever. Ver. 4. _Let them now that fear the Lord say_] See Psalms 115:11, and observe that the psalmist beateth upon the το νυν (as doth also the apostle, 2Co 6:2), Now, now, now, saith he; because, for aught we know, it is now or nev... [ Continue Reading ]
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place. Ver. 5. _I called upon the Lord in distress_] Heb. out of distress, _q.d._ I celebrate not God's mercy of course, but out of experience. _ The Lord answered me_] Heb. Yah answered me with a large roomth. See P... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Ver. 6. _I will not fear, &c._] See Psalms 56:4; Psalms 56:11 .... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see [my desire] upon them that hate me. Ver. 7. _The Lord taketh my part with them that help me_] Not only as one of my helpers, but instead of all, and more than all. How many reckon ye me at? said that general to his soldiers, who... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Ver. 8. _It is better to trust in the Lord, &c._] Luther on this text calleth it, _Artem artium, et mirificam, ac suam artem, non fidere hominibus,_ that is, the art of arts, and that which he had well studied, not to p... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 118:9 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Ver. 9. _Than to put confidence in princes_] _In ingenuis._ Great men's words, saith one, are like dead men's shoes; he may go barefoot that waiteth for them. "Surely men of high degree are a lie," Psalms 52:9 .... [ Continue Reading ]
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. Ver. 10. _All nations compassed me about_] This is still the condition of Christ's Church in this evil world, to be hated of all, and set against with utmost might and malice. _Haud perinde crimine incendiiquam odio hu... [ Continue Reading ]
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. Ver. 11. _They compassed me about; yea, &c._] They thought to make sure work of me indeed; as Saul and his men, when they hemmed him in at Maon, 1 Samuel 23:26; as the Church's enemies, when they... [ Continue Reading ]
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. Ver. 12. _They compassed me about like bees_] Like so many swarms of bees, which, being angered, - Venenum Morsibus inspirant, et spicula caeca relinquunt Affixae venis, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. Ver. 13. _Thou hast thrust sore at me_] Thou, O Saul, or thou, Ishbibenob, 2 Samuel 21:16, or thou, O Satan, setting such a work. _ But the Lord helped me_] He sent from heaven and saved me; he came in the nick of time, as it w... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD [is] my strength and song, and is become my salvation. Ver. 14. _The Lord is my strength and song_] _i.e._ The matter of my song, and mean of my joy. Trust in God shall once triumph.... [ Continue Reading ]
The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. Ver. 15. _The voice of rejoicing, &c._] _q.d._ Though themselves are but travellers, and their habitatious tabernacles or tents; yet are they not without the joy of their salva... [ Continue Reading ]
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. Ver. 16. _The right hand of the Lord is exalted_] By right hand here some understand the humanity of Christ, God's hand and our handle, whereby we come to take hold of God. _ The right hand of the Lord doeth valiant... [ Continue Reading ]
_I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD._ Ver. 17. _I shall not die, but live_] This he was well assured of by faith; as was also the Church in Habakkuk, Habakkuk 1:12, "Art not thou from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die." Learned Keckerman, lying on... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Ver. 18. _The Lord hath chastened me sore_] _Corripuit me seria et severa castigatione; _ and yet David was his darling. _ But he hath not given me over unto death_] It might have been worse, may the afflicted saint say; an... [ Continue Reading ]
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD: Ver. 19. _Open to me the gates of righteousness_] So the gates of the sanctuary are called, because holiness becometh God's house for ever; to keep out the profane, porters were appointed, see 2 Chronicles 23:... [ Continue Reading ]
This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. Ver. 20. _This gate of the Lord_] Some make the former verse the request of the people, and this to be God's answer thereunto. Others make that to be David's speech to the Levites, and this their answer: _q.d._ This beautiful gate is fit... [ Continue Reading ]
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. Ver. 21. _I will praise thee, for thou hast heard me_] Luther rendereth it, because thou hast humbled and afflicted me; but with thou art become my salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner. Ver. 22. _The stone which the builders refused_] David, and the Son of David were by those, who seemed to be somewhat laid aside, and slighted as abjects and refuse ones; but wisdom was ever justified of her children.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes. Ver. 23. This is the Lord's doing] That David should ever come to the kingdom, that Christ should so be raised from the lowest ebb of humiliation to the highest tide of exaltation, this is a wonder of wonders, a matchless miracle. _ And it... [ Continue Reading ]
This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Ver. 24. _This is the day which the Lord hath made_] The queen of days, as the Jews call the sabbath. Arnobius interpreteth this text of the Christian sabbath; others, of the day of salvation by Christ exalted to be th... [ Continue Reading ]
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Ver. 25. _Save now, I beseech thee_] Hosanna, as Matthew 21:9, a usual acclamation of the people to their new kings. _ Send now prosperity_] God will send it, but his people must pray for it; I came for thy prayers, Dan... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. Ver. 26. _Blessed be he that cometh_] Blessed be Christ. _Vivat Christus eiusque insignia,_ said John Clark of Melda, when, for declaring against the Pope's indulgencies, he was burnt in the foreh... [ Continue Reading ]
God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar. Ver. 27. _God is the Lord who hath showed us light_] By giving us "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," 2 Corinthians 4:6, he "hath brought us ou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou [art] my God, and I will praise thee: [thou art] my God, I will exalt thee._ Ver. 28. _Thou art my God, and I will praise thee_] The people are taught to say thus; and the Greek, Arabic, and Latin translations repeat here, Psalms 118:21, "I will praise thee, for thou hast heard me; and art be... [ Continue Reading ]
O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. Ver. 29. _O give thanks unto the Lord, &c._] _Repetit proaemium pro epilogo._ See Psalms 118:1 .... [ Continue Reading ]