Psalms 89:1 «Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. » I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. _Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite_] Who having out lived Solomon, and seen both the defection of the ten tribes from the house of David, a... [ Continue Reading ]
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. Ver. 2. _For I have said_] I believed, therefore have I spoken it; I dare say it shall be so, because thou hast said it (so the Greek here hath it). What God saith we may write upon it, bec... [ Continue Reading ]
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Ver. 3. _I have made a covenant with my chosen_] _i.e._ With Christ (who is God's elect one, Isa 42:1), and in him with all his people, Ephesians 1:4 . _ I have sworn unto David_] The father and figure of Christ, who is fre... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. Ver. 4. _Thy seed will I establish for ever_] David's for a long time, but Christ's for ever and aye. _ And build up thy throne to all generations_] Christ's kingdom hath no end, Isa 9:7 Luke 1:33. This is very... [ Continue Reading ]
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. Ver. 5. _And the heavens shall praise thy wonders_] Heb. thy miracle, viz. in their circumgyration (which showeth a first mover), in their embroidery, influences, &c., yielding matter and occa... [ Continue Reading ]
For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? [who] among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? Ver. 6. _For who in the heaven can be compared? &c_] Thou far transcendest the brightest cherub, all Whose excellence is but derivative, a drop of thine ocean, a spark of thy flame.... [ Continue Reading ]
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all [them that are] about him. Ver. 7. _God is greatly to be feared in the assembly, &c._] Heb. Daunting terrible in the secret of the saints very much. The holy angels make their addresses unto him with greate... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD God of hosts, who [is] a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Ver. 8. _Who is a strong Lord, like unto thee_] Heb. Who is like thee, mighty Jah? This is to magnify God, when we get above all creatures, in our conceptions of him. _ Or to thy faithfulness round... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Ver. 9. _Thou rulest the raging of the sea_] That it overwhelm not the earth: this work of God's power is often celebrated, as well it may, all things considered.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. Ver. 10. _Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces_] _i.e._ Egypt, which is called Rahab for its strength and pride. _ As one that is slain_] Or, as one deadly wounded; as such a one is soon desp... [ Continue Reading ]
The heavens [are] thine, the earth also [is] thine: [as for] the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. Ver. 11. _The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine_] Thou madest them by thy power, and thou maintainest them by thy providence; thou doest whatsoever thou wilt in both, Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. Ver. 12. _Tabor and Hermon_] That is, the west and east of Judaea, but put here for the west and east of the world. Judaea was the world of the world, as Athens the Greece of Greece, as Solon the epitome of... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, [and] high is thy right hand. Ver. 13. _Thou hast a mighty arm_] Men should, therefore, both tremble before God, and trust in him, 1 Peter 2:6 . _ Strong is thy hand_] Even thy left hand, _q.d._ _tu polles utraque manu,_ thou hast both hands alike powerf... [ Continue Reading ]
Justice and judgment [are] the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Ver. 14. Justice and judgment are the habitation (or basis) of thy throne] These are the supporters and pillars. _ Mercy and truth, &c._] These are the forerunners, or satellites; I should much fear... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed [is] the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. Ver. 15. _Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound_] _Iubilationem,_ the sound of thy word, the free use of thine ordinances; serving thee with cheerfulness, and giving thee thanks... [ Continue Reading ]
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Ver. 16. _In thy name shall they rejoice all the day_] Or, every day. _Bonis semper feriae_, Aνηρ αγαθος πασαν ημεραν εορτην ηγειται, saith Diogenes in Plutarch. God crowneth the calendar of good men's lives... [ Continue Reading ]
For thou [art] the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. Ver. 17. _For thou art the glory of their strength_] And hence it is that they are filled top full with comfort, and do over abound exceedingly with joy in all their tribulation, 2 Corinthians 7:4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For the LORD [is] our defence; and the Holy One of Israel [is] our king. Ver. 18. _For the Lord is our defence_] Heb. our shield; the body cannot be wounded, but through the shield. _ And the Holy One of Israel is our king_] How, then, can any one cry aloud? Micah 4:9 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon [one that is] mighty; I have exalted [one] chosen out of the people. Ver. 19. _Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one_] i.e. To Samuel, thy priest and prophet, 1 Samuel 16:12, one of those few that lived and died wi... [ Continue Reading ]
I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: Ver. 20. _I have found David_] The Father seeketh such as worship him in spirit and in truth, John 4:23. The whole Trinity agreed upon Christ for a mediator. _ With my holy oil have I anointed him_] How Christ was appointed and a... [ Continue Reading ]
With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him. Ver. 21. _With whom my hand shall be established_] I will conduct and carry him through all conditions with comfort. See Ezra 8:22, _See Trapp on "_ Ezr 8:22 _"_ Mine arm also shall strengthen him] i.e. _Omnipotentia mea e... [ Continue Reading ]
The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him. Ver. 22. _The enemy shall not exact upon him_] Or, shall profit nothing, not prosper at all, as the Chaldee and Greek have it. _ Nor the son of wickedness_] Heb. of injurious evil, one that is set upon mischief, as Aaron sa... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. Ver. 23. _And I will beat down his foes, &c._] Victory over enemies is of the Lord; he may better say than any mortal monarch, _Cui adhaereo, praeest,_ He whom I take part with is sure to prevail. _ That hate hint_] That... [ Continue Reading ]
But my faithfulness and my mercy [shall be] with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted. Ver. 24. _But my faithfulness and my mercy_] My power without him according to promise, and my peace within him that passeth all understanding, shall guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus, Philippians... [ Continue Reading ]
I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. Ver. 25. _I will set his hand also in the sea_] He shall be a vice-god, Dan 12:7 Revelation 10:1. Herodotus saith that the Aeginetae gave the Persians earth and water, in token of subjection to Darius, their king. Christ is the... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall cry unto me, Thou [art] my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation._ Ver. 26. _He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father_] This was a royalty above all the rest, John 1:12 1 John 3:1, and applied to Christ, the only begotten Son of God; it sets him above all the angels, Hebrews 1:4,8... [ Continue Reading ]
Also I will make him [my] firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. Ver. 27. _Also I will make him my firstborn_] Christ is the firstborn of every creature, and in all things hath the pre-eminence. David also shall be the highest prince on earth, blessed aud accepted far beyond any of them: _O... [ Continue Reading ]
My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. Ver. 28. _My mercy will I keep for hint_] It shall be ready at all times for his relief, even the sure mercies of David, neither will I utterly take it from him, as I did from Saul. _ And my covenant shall stand... [ Continue Reading ]
His seed also will I make [to endure] for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. Ver. 29. _His seed also, &c._] This is chiefly meant of Christ and his kingdom. _ And his throne as the days of heaven_] i.e. As the kingdom of heaven, eternal; for the aspectible heaven is corruptible.... [ Continue Reading ]
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; Ver. 30. _If his children forsake my law, &c._] If they fall into sins of commission; if they shoot beyond the mark. _ And walk not in my judgments_] If they fall into sins of omission, and shoot short. Where note, that every transgress... [ Continue Reading ]
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Ver. 31. _If they break my statutes_] Heb. If they profane or make void; q. d. be their sins never so heinous, I will forgive them; though I take vengeance (temporal) of their inventions, Psalms 99:8 . _ And keep not my commandments_] Not-se... [ Continue Reading ]
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Ver. 32. _Then will I visit their transgression with the rod_] The sins of the saints are transgressions, yea, they are treacheries, and shall be visited with the rod; yea, with the rod of men, 2 Samuel 7:14, of we... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. Ver. 33. _Nevertheless my lovingkindness, &c._] For that were to break covenant: I will correct him in mercy, and in measure. _Sinite virgam corrigentem, ne sentiatis malleum conterentem,_ saith Ber... [ Continue Reading ]
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Ver. 34. _My covenant will I not break_] Heb. I will not profane my covenant, though they have profaned my statutes, Psalms 89:31 . _ Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips_] But will pardon their failings, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. Ver. 35. _Once have I sworn by mine holiness_] Which is as deep an oath as I know how to take; for my holiness is myself, who am most holy, and the fountain of all holiness. By this I have sworn once, that is, once for all, _immobilit... [ Continue Reading ]
_His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me._ Ver. 36. _His seed shall endure for ever_] Christ "shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days; and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands," Isaiah 53:10 _filiabitur nomine eius,_ Psalms 72:17. See there.... [ Continue Reading ]
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and [as] a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. Ver. 37. _It shall be established for ever as the moon_] If his sons be good they shall shine as the sun in his strength, saith Kimchi; as, if they be not, yet they shall be as the moon that shineth, though... [ Continue Reading ]
But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed. Ver. 38. _But thou hast cast off and abhorred_] So it seemed to the psalmist through infirmity of the flesh (though his faith did _ubique micare,_ appear ever and anon amidst his complaints), and so the enemies reported... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground._ Ver. 39. _Thou hast made void the covenant_] This passage a certain Spanish Rabbi stumbled at (as hath been noted on the title of this psalm), but without cause; for all these things are s... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin. Ver. 40. _Thou hast broken down all his hedges_] Or, walls. The walls of Sparta were their militia, of England are their ships, of all lands their laws, Ecclesiastes 10:8 . _ Thou hast brought his strong holds to rui... [ Continue Reading ]
All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours. Ver. 41. _All that pass by the way spoil him_] They rob and rifle him: such havoc was made by Shisbak, and is still by the Church's enemies, Hebrews 10:34 . _ He is a reproach to his neighbours_] Who now look upon him as a kin... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice. Ver. 42. _Thou hast set up_] Thou seemest to be on their side. _ Thou hast made all his enemies_] To revel in his ruins.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle. Ver. 43. _Thou hast also turned the edge_] Disarmed and disabled him. _ And hast not made him, &c._] But turned his courage into cowardice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground. Ver. 44. _Thou hast made his glory to cease_] Heb. his brightness, the splendent glory and dignity of the kingdom. Some understand it of the priesthood, and the following words of the kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah. Ver. 45. _The days of his youth hast thou shortened_] Thou hast nipped him in the bud, snatched him away by an untimely end, as a young man is sometimes in his prime and pride. _ Thou hast covered him with shame. S... [ Continue Reading ]
How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire? Ver. 46. _How long, Lord? &c._] Here faith prevaileth against flesh, and falleth a praying, and at length a praising God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? Ver. 47. _Remember how short_] See Psalms 39:5 . _ Wherefore hast thou, &c._] As thou mayest seem to have done, unless they may cheerfully serve thee and enjoy thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
What man [is he that] liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah. Ver. 48. _What man is he that liveth, &c._] _q.d._ Since die we must, let us live while we may, to some good purpose. _ Selah_] _q.d._ Mark it, and meditate well and oft on this savo... [ Continue Reading ]
Lord, where [are] thy former lovingkindnesses, [which] thou swarest unto David in thy truth? Ver. 49. _Lord, where are, &c._] _q.d._ Thou seemest to have lost them, and we would fain find them again for thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; [how] I do bear in my bosom [the reproach of] all the mighty people; Ver. 50. _Remember, Lord_] Thou seemest to have forgotten us and our sufferings, and we would fain remind thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed. Ver. 51. _The footsteps of thine anointed_] Heb. The heels or soles of the foot, that is, his doings and sufferings. The Chaldee and others render it, _tarditares, moras Christi tui,_ th... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed [be] the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen. Ver. 52. _Blessed be the Lord, &c._] _sc._ For a Christ; or for adversity as well as for prosperity; and this not formally and slightly, but earnestly, and with utmost affection, Amen, and Amen.... [ Continue Reading ]