Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise [him], O ye servants of the LORD. Ver. 1. _Praise ye the Lord, Praise ye_] Praise, praise, praise. When duties are thus inculcated it noteth the necessity and excellence thereof; together with our dulness and backwardness thereunto. _ O ye... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Ver. 2. _Ye that stand in the house_] See Psalms 134:1 . _ In the courts_] Where the people also had a place, 2 Chronicles 4:9, and are required to bear a part in this heavenly Hallelujah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Praise the LORD; for the LORD [is] good: sing praises unto his name; for [it is] pleasant. Ver. 3. _Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good_] _sc._ Originally, transcendently, effectively; he is good and doeth good, Psalms 119:68, and is therefore to be praised with mind, mouth, and practice. _ For... [ Continue Reading ]
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure. Ver. 4. _For the Lord hath chosen_] God's distinguishing grace should make his elect lift up many a humble, joyful, and thankful heart to him. _ And Israel for his peculiar treasure_] Such as he maketh more reckon... [ Continue Reading ]
For I know that the LORD [is] great, and [that] our Lord [is] above all gods. Ver. 5. _For I know that the Lord is great_] As well as good, Psalms 135:3. This I believe and know, Joh 6:69 saith the psalmist; and do therefore make it my practice to praise him. _ And that our Lord is above all gods_... [ Continue Reading ]
Whatsoever the LORD pleased, [that] did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. Ver. 6. _Whatsoever the Lord pleased_] This the heathens did never seriously affirm of any their dunghill deities; sure it is that none of them could say, I know it to be so. _De diis utrum sint, n... [ Continue Reading ]
He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Ver. 7. _He causeth the vapours_] Not Jupiter, but Jehovah. _See _ Jer 10:13 He is the right _Nubicoga,_ maker of the meteors, whether fiery, airy, or watery,... [ Continue Reading ]
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. Ver. 8. _Who smote the firstborn of Egypt_] And thereby roused up that sturdy rebel Pharaoh, who began now to open his eyes, as they say the blind mole doth when the pangs of death are upon him; and to stretch out himself, as the crooked serp... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 135:9 [Who] sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. Ver. 9. _Who sent tokens and wonders_] Vocal wonders, Exodus 4:8, to be as so many warning pieces.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Ver. 10. _Who smote great nations_] Who, by their great sins, had greatly polluted their land; and filled it with filth from one end to another, Ezra 9:11 . _ And slew mighty kings_] Heb. bony, big, massive fellows, _quasi ossatos, sive torosos,_ as... [ Continue Reading ]
Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: Ver. 11. _Sihon king of the Amorites_] A giant like Cyclops. _ And Og king of Bashan_] Of whom the Jews fable, that, being one of the antediluvian giants, he escaped the flood, by riding astride upon the ark.... [ Continue Reading ]
And gave their land [for] an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. Ver. 12. _And gave their land for an heritage_] Which he might well do, as being the true proprietary and paramount.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy name, O LORD, [endureth] for ever; [and] thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. Ver. 13. _Thy name, O Lord, &c._] Else, _O nos ingratos!_... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants._ Ver. 14. _For the Lord will judge his people_] _Iudicabit, id est vindicabit,_ he will preserve them, and provide for their welfare. _ And he will repent himself_] This is _mutatio rei non Dei, effectus non a... [ Continue Reading ]
The idols of the heathen [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Ver. 15. _The idols of the heathen_] See Psalms 115:4,6, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; Ver. 16. _The idols of the heathen_] See Psalms 115:4,6, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there [any] breath in their mouths. Ver. 17. _Neither is there any breath in their mouths_] If they utter oracles, it was the devil in them, and by them. As for those statues of Daedalus which are said to have moved, spoken, and run away if they were no... [ Continue Reading ]
They that make them are like unto them: [so is] every one that trusteth in them. Ver. 18. _They that make them, &c._] See Psalms 115:8 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Ver. 19. _Bless the Lord_] And not an idol, Isaiah 66:3, as the Philistines did their Dagon; and as Papists still do their male and female saints.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Ver. 20. _Ye that fear the Lord_] Ye devout Proselytes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. Ver. 21. _Blessed be the Lord out of Zion_] Therehence he blesseth, Psalms 134:3, and there he is to be blessed. _ Which dwelleth at Jerusalem_] That was the seat of his royal residence, _per inhabitationis gratiam,_... [ Continue Reading ]