This psalm also has no title to indicate the author, or to explain the occasion on which it was composed. It is a psalm of very special construction, and stands alone in the form of its poetry. The peculiarity consists in repeating at the close of each verse the language “for his mercy endureth fore... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD - This whole verse is the same as Psalms 106:1, except that that is introduced by a Hallelujah. See the notes at that verse. FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER - See also Psalms 106:1, note; Psalms 107:1, note. Literally, “For unto eternity his mercy.” That... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE GOD OF GODS - See Deuteronomy 10:17. The supreme God; the God superior to all that is called God, or that is adored by the nations of the earth; above all to whom the name God is ever applied. FOR HIS MERCY... - The ground of praise here is, that it is a characteristic of the... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OF LORDS - The Lord or Ruler of all in authority - all kings, princes, rulers. He is supreme over all. This is an attribute of Divinity; yet this is ascribed to the Lord Jesus, thus proving that he is divine. See the notes at Revelation 19:16. FOR HIS MERCY ... - The groun... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHO ALONE DOETH GREAT WONDERS - Miracles; marvelous things; things which spring from his direct and absolute power; things lying beyond the range of natural laws. See the notes at Psalms 72:18. FOR HIS MERCY ... - For all these mighty wonders are performed in carrying out purposes of mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT BY WISDOM MADE THE HEAVENS - Made them in so wise a manner; where so much wisdom was manifested. See Proverbs 3:19; Proverbs 8:24. FOR HIS MERCY ... - The making of the heavens was a manifestation of mercy and goodness as furnishing an abode for unfallen and holy beings; as a dwelling-p... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT STRETCHED OUT THE EARTH ABOVE THE WATERS - Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:9; see the notes at Psalms 24:2. FOR HIS MERCY ... - As an illustration of his benignity and kindness in preparing an abode for man, and for other creatures in the world. Whatever there is of life or happiness, on the con... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT MADE GREAT LIGHTS - Genesis 1:14. The sun and the moon are here particularly referred to. FOR HIS MERCY ... - As manifested in all that has followed from the creation and diffusion of light - (all the beauty in the universe as seen; all the life, beauty, and vigor in the vegetable and a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SUN TO RULE BY DAY - Genesis 1:16. Margin, as in Hebrew, for the ruling of the day. That is, to control, as it were, the day; to determine its length - its beginning - its ending - to make it what it is. FOR HIS MERCY ... - By all the blessings of day as distinguished from night and darkness -... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOON AND STARS TO RULE BY NIGHT - Genesis 1:16. FOR HIS MERCY ... - As a proof also of his benignity and mercy. By all the beauty of the moon and stars in their course through the heavens - by all that there is in the harmony and order of their movements - by all that there is to make night less... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT SMOTE EGYPT IN THEIR FIRST-BORN - Exodus 12:29. That is, he struck them down, or destroyed them, by his own direct power. FOR HIS MERCY ... - It was in mercy to his people. It was the means of their deliverance from bondage, for the Egyptians would not otherwise have suffered them to de... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BROUGHT ISRAEL OUT FROM AMONG THEM - From the land of Egypt. By all the wonders manifested in their deliverance, and in conducting them out of the land so that they should escape from their pursuers. FOR HIS MERCY ... - His mercy in this respect was to be measured by all that there was of power... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH A STRONG HAND - A powerful hand; as by a hand that could grasp and subdue all that opposed. AND WITH A STRETCHED-OUT ARM - As if the arm were stretched out to strike with the utmost force, or to exert its utmost power. See Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 7:19; Deute... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHICH DIVIDED THE RED SEA INTO PARTS - More literally, “Parted it into parts;” made parts of that which before was unbroken and a whole. It was actually divided into two parts, so that the Hebrews passed between them: Exodus 14:21. FOR HIS MERCY ... - This, too, was an exercise of mercy, or... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MADE ISRAEL TO PASS THROUGH THE MIDST OF IT - Exodus 14:29. FOR HIS MERCY ... - The mercy manifested in keeping the waves from returning on them and overwhelming them.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT OVERTHREW PHARAOH AND HIS HOST IN THE RED SEA - Margin, as in Hebrew, shaked off. The word is applicable to a tree shaking off its foliage. Isaiah 33:9. The same word is used in Exodus 14:27 : “And the Lord overthrew (Margin, shook off) the Egyptians in the midst of the sea,” He shook them off a... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHICH LED HIS PEOPLE THROUGH THE WILDERNESS - For all the manifestations of his care during a period of forty years. FOR HIS MERCY ... - That is, his mercy was to be measured by all the protection extended over them; by all the provision made for their needs; by all that God did to defend th... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM WHICH SMOTE GREAT KINGS - On this passage see the notes at Psalms 135:10. There is little difference in the two places, except that here the statement is divided by the refrain, “For his mercy endureth forever.” The idea in the whole passage, in view of the divine interposition in slaying the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO REMEMBERED US IN OUR LOW ESTATE - When we were few in number; when we were a feeble people; when we were a people unable to contend with such mighty foes. FOR HIS MERCY ... - By all that he did for us when thus feeble; by all his power put forth to defend us from our enemies, he has showed his... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HATH REDEEMED US FROM OUR ENEMIES - Has rescued or delivered us from all our foes; has given to us freedom and peace. FOR HIS MERCY ... - By all that he has done in order to redeem us; and by all the prosperity, happiness, and peace which have followed as the result of that, he has showed his m... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO GIVETH FOOD TO ALL FLESH - To all living things: all in the air, on the earth, in the waters. See the notes at Psalms 104:27; compare Psalms 115:16. FOR HIS MERCY ... - All this is a proof of his benignity and kindness. To see this, it would be necessary to have a view of what is done every day... [ Continue Reading ]
O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE GOD OF HEAVEN - The God who reigns in heaven; whose home is heaven. FOR HIS MERCY ... - In view of all this - of all that he does in heaven and on earth - let praise be ascribed to him. To know the measure of the praise due to him; to see how great is his “mercy,” it would be... [ Continue Reading ]