Psalms 115:17

The dead praise not the Lord— See on Psalms 6:5.

REFLECTIONS.—1st, The Psalmist here,

1. Bids the people of God ascribe not to themselves, but to Jehovah, the glory of their salvation, as derived from his boundless mercy. Note; We must be ever in our own eyes nothing, and Christ all in all: to his grace every good in us, or done by us, must be ascribed; and at his feet our crowns in glory will be for ever laid.

2. He answers the taunts of the insulting heathen, who, puffed up with their success, spurned at Israel's God, as unable to deliver his people. But our God is in the heavens, and from his throne laughs them to scorn; he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased, able to save or destroy at his sovereign pleasure; whose will is law, his power omnipotent, and resistance against it vain. How unlike the boasted vanities of the heathen! their rock is not as our rock; senseless idols, the work of man, fashioned after his form, but destitute of his faculties; they can neither hear, nor see, nor speak, nor feel, nor walk; unable to help themselves, much less their votaries, whose adorations prove them stupid, and senseless as the stock and stone they worship.

2nd, Having exposed the vanities of the heathen, the Psalmist,
1. Exhorts God's people to trust in Jehovah. The house of Israel, however distressed; the house of Aaron, the peculiar servants of the sanctuary, and therefore the especial objects of the heathens' hatred: yea, all that fear the Lord, shall find him their help and shield: their help in every time of need, to deliver them; their shield in every hour of danger, to defend them. Note; They cannot fail, whose faith does not; that ensures the final victory.

2. Abundant reason there is, why we should trust in Jehovah. He hath been mindful of us, as past experience comfortably testifies, and which should engage us still to commit ourselves to him, confident of finding the same kind remembrance, protection, and care. He will bless us with all needful things of this life, and all the spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. He will bless the house of Israel, the congregation of his church in general, and the house of Aaron, his ministers, who labour in the word and doctrine: yea, all that fear the Lord, both small and great, every individual believer, whatever his circumstances and condition may be, shall find the blessings of providence and grace exactly suited to his necessities. The Lord shall increase you more and more, so far as he sees fit, with worldly goods, and success in earthly affairs; but especially with that best increase of the gifts and graces of his Spirit, enabling them to bring forth fruit unto God; and the mercy not be theirs alone, but descend upon their children: for ye are the blessed of the Lord, and whom he blesseth must be blessed; he who made heaven and earth, having all power to communicate the blessings that he pronounces on his believing people.

3. They who trust him will praise him, and find abundant matter for their songs. Great is he, and worthy to be praised; the heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's, not only the firmament spread over us, but all those things which are within that vail, secluded from mortal eye; the heaven of heavens, where the angelic hosts take up their abode, and glorified spirits dwell, all own him their creator, preserver, and rightful owner, and good as he is great: the earth hath he given to the children of men, appointed it for their use, and to be enjoyed to his glory and their comfort: justly therefore is the grateful tribute of thanksgiving due, and who shall pay it, if we do not? The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence; those who are gone down into the silent grave can no more join in the sacred choir; those who are dead in trespasses and sins have no heart to praise him. But we, the faithful followers of Jesus, who are maintained in life by the bounties of his providence, and are by his Spirit quickened to a better life of grace in our souls; we, as most bounden, will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore; while sojourners below, in this delightful work will we be employed; and when removed to that better world, our service there shall be everlasting praise. Hallelujah!