PSALM CXV _God alone is to be glorified_, 1-3. _The vanity of idols_, 4-8. _Israel, the house of Aaron, and all that fear God, are exhorted_ _to trust it the Lord_, 9-11. _The Lord's goodness to his people, and his gracious promises_, 12-16. _As the dead cannot praise him, the living should_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:2. _WHEREFORE SHOULD THE HEATHEN SAY_] This appears to refer to a time in which the Israelites had suffered some sad reverses, so as to be brought very low, and to be marked by the heathen.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:3. _HE HATH DONE WHATSOVER HE HATH PLEASED._] There was too much cause for his abandoning us to our enemies; yet he still lives and rules in heaven and in earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:4. _THEIR IDOLS_ ARE _SILVER, C._] They are metal, stone, and wood. They are generally made in the form of man, but can neither see, hear, smell, feel, walk, nor speak. How brutish to trust in such! And next to these, in stupidity and inanity, must they be who form them, with the ex... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:9. _O ISRAEL_] The body of the Jewish people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:10. _O HOUSE OF AARON_] All the different classes of the priesthood.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:11. _YE THAT FEAR THE LORD_] All real penitents, and sincere believers, _trust in the Lord_, in the almighty, omniscient, and infinitely good Jehovah. _HE IS THEIR HELP AND SHIELD_] He is the succour, support, guardian, and defence of all who put their confidence in him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:12. _THE LORD HATH BEEN MINDFUL_] He has never yet wholly abandoned us to our enemies. _HE WILL BLESS THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL_] He will bless the people as a nation; he will bless the priesthood and Levites; he will bless all of them who fear him, great and small, in whatsoever station... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:17. _THE DEAD PRAISE NOT THE LORD_] המתים _hammethim_, those dead men who worshipped as gods dumb idols, dying in their sins, worship not Jehovah; nor can any of those who _go down into silence_ praise thee: earth is the place in which to praise the Lord for his mercies, and get a p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 115:18. _BUT WE WILL BLESS THE LORD_] Our fathers, who received so much from thy bounty, are _dead_, their _tongues_ are _silent_ in the _grave_; we are in their place, and wish to magnify thy name, for thou hast dealt bountifully with us. But grant us those farther blessings before we... [ Continue Reading ]