CONTENTS
This is a glorious Song indeed, in celebration of the blessings of
redemption. God the Father's covenant-mercy in Christ is most devoutly
acknowledged, and his faithfulness and truth dwelt upon, with a joy
unspeakable and full of glory.
Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
Psalms 89:1
Ethan,... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing can be more beautiful or interesting than the transition which
is here made from Ethan to Jehovah himself. The sacred writer had
determined to make known God's mercies; but in so doing, the Lord
himself is introduced as proclaiming them. Reader, pause, and
recollect, who the speaker is in th... [ Continue Reading ]
How beautiful again is this transition to the church. It is as if the
church had said, Is Jehovah so gracious, so abundant in mercy, and
truth? then let the heavens above declare thy wonders, and let thy
saints below repeat the song of redemption throughout the earth. And
agreeably to this, we find... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses contain a blessed hymn of praise. Jehovah's name, and his
perfections, are gratefully celebrated. His sovereignty, grace, power,
love, and goodness, are beautifully set forth, and most thankfully
acknowledged. The destruction of Israel's enemies, in the ruin of
Rahab (meaning Pharaoh) i... [ Continue Reading ]
A new subject is here opened. The sacred writer, having celebrated the
praises of Jehovah in what had gone before, now speaks of the
happiness of his people. Moses had long before observed, that there
was no people like Israel; none who had privileges so great and
distinguished as they had, in a cov... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses come in, as assigning the great cause of all the
blessedness described in the foregoing verses. It is all centered in
the person, and founded on the complete work, of the glorious Head of
his church. There, where God the Father hath placed all his glory,
there the people who know the jo... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing, I venture to believe, hath tended more to obscure the glories
of the Lord Jesus, and to hide from the view of an ordinary reader the
many blessed things which the book of Psalms is continually holding
forth, concerning the person and kingdom of Jesus, under the name of
David, than the confo... [ Continue Reading ]
It is all along considered, in the covenant-engagements of Jehovah,
that the seed of Christ will manifest frequent rebellions. I knew,
saith Jehovah, speaking of Israel, that thou wouldest deal very
treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb. Isaiah
48:8. And therefore, in the coven... [ Continue Reading ]
What a blessed nevertheless this is, (verse 33) and how sweetly doth
it come in here, to give relief to a poor sin-beaten, tempted, and
fallen soul! Though poor and wretched, and wanderers from the Lord, as
the best of Christ's children are in themselves, yet in Jesus are they
still viewed, and in h... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is a new train of thoughts, arising out of the view of God's
covenant love in redemption, celebrated before. The degeneracy of
Israel, and the captivity of the people (probably with an eye to the
Babylonish oppression) is here, by the Spirit of prophecy, dwelt upon.
And if it doth not refer to... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist cannot conclude, however trying the personal exercises of
the soul may be, without taking confidence in divine faithfulness, and
proclaiming Jehovah's glory in the contemplation of it. At all events,
the Lord shall be blessed forevermore. As if he had said, What
signifies all discourage... [ Continue Reading ]