_A.M. 2987. B.C. 1017._
In this Psalm, the author of which is uncertain, all the creatures in
the invisible and visible world are called upon by the psalmist to
unite in the grand chorus of praise and thanksgiving. The various
parts are to be performed as follows: By the angelic hosts, 1, 2; by
the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise ye the Lord_ Bishop Lowth, speaking of the origin of this
divine ode, observes, “that it had its birth from the most pleasing
affections of the human soul, joy, love, admiration.” “If we
contemplate man,” says he, “newly created, such as the sacred
Scriptures exhibit him to us, endued with t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise him, sun and moon_, &c. You were adored by the blind heathen
for gods; you are but his creatures, and therefore would be obliged,
if you were capable of it, to worship and praise him for your glorious
light and powerful influences. “The material heavens, through their
various regions,” says... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let them praise the name of the Lord_ “Who hath set forth his most
transcendent wisdom, power, and magnificence in such a variety of
stupendous works, that there is not the smallest of them, but
ministers such matter of praise and admiration to those who
attentively consider them, that they cannot... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps_ “From
heaven above the psalmist descends to the deep beneath, which, while
it proclaims the power, observes the laws and decrees of him who made
it, and poured it abroad. And the same may be said of its enormous
inhabitants, which are under... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fire_ Lightning, thunderbolts, fiery meteors, in which God shows his
wonderful power, lighting up those powerful flames, even in cold
regions, which are far removed from subterraneous fires. And the noise
and stupendous effects of these fires, and especially of thunder and
lightning, are such, that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mountains, and all hills_ These are of great use in the earth. From
them descend the running streams into the valleys, without which
animals could not live. On the mountains grow those vast trees which
are necessary for daily use in various ways; and on the hills and
mountains is herbage for vast m... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kings of the earth, and all people_ “After the whole creation hath
been called upon to praise Jehovah, man, for whom the whole was made;
man, the last and most perfect work of God; man, that hath been since
redeemed by the blood of the Son of God incarnate, is exhorted to join
and fill up the unive... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let them praise_, &c. Let them acknowledge and celebrate the wisdom,
goodness, and power of the Lord; _for his name alone is excellent_ For
how great soever any other beings may be, there is none equal to him,
whose most excellent majesty infinitely surpasses that of all other
beings; and whose _gl... [ Continue Reading ]