The author of this psalm is unknown, as is the occasion on which it was composed. It is one of the psalms, of which there are in all ten in number, that commence with the phrase “Hallelu-jah” in the Hebrew; in our version rendered, “Praise ye the Lord.” Those psalms are Psalms 106; Psalms 111:1; Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE THE LORD - Margin, “Hallelujah.” See Psalms 106:1. I WILL PRAISE THE LORD WITH MY WHOLE HEART - With undivided affections; holding back nothing. I will allow nothing to be in my heart that would interfere with the fullness of praise; no coldness or dividedness of affection; no love for ot... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORKS OF THE LORD ARE GREAT - They are great in number; great in magnitude; great in wisdom; great in goodness. This language was appropriate in the time of the psalmist, when people looked upon the heavens with the naked eye alone, and when they had very imperfect views of the real magnitude of... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS WORK IS HONORABLE AND GLORIOUS - literally, “Honour and glory is his work;” that is, All that he does is honorable and glorious. The language would cover all that God does in the works of creation, providence, and redemption. There is honor - there is majesty - in “everything” that he does. AND... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH MADE HIS WONDERFUL WORKS - In heaven and in earth. TO BE REMEMBERED - literally, “Memory hath he made for his wonderful works.” “They” are so made, that man may remember them; the memory of man, also, is so made, that it may retain them. The highest and most appropriate exercise of memory i... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH GIVEN MEAT UNTO THEM THAT FEAR HIM - Margin, “prey.” The idea is, that he has supplied their needs. The Hebrew word is, “prey,” and the allusion is to the mode in which the needs of the beasts of the field are supplied. The meaning may be that they had obtained this from their enemies, as be... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH SHOWED HIS PEOPLE - The Jewish people. He has made this known to them. The reference here is not to his “announcing” it, or stating it, but to his acts of interposition in their behalf in which he had manifested the greatness of his power. THE POWER OF HIS WORKS - The power of his acts; the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS - All that he does in the works of creation and providence; all in his acts toward the children of men. ARE VERITY - Truth. That is, They tend to establish and confirm the truth; they are done in the cause or the defense of truth. Truth in any case may be ascertained by what... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY STAND FAST FOREVER AND EVER - Margin, “established.” The Hebrew word means “sustained, supported.” They will not fail or fall. Whatever else may be shaken, his law, his word, and the principles of his administration, will not fail. See the notes at Matthew 5:18. Compare Luke 16:17; Matthew 24:3... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SENT REDEMPTION UNTO HIS PEOPLE - In their deliverance from Egypt. He has now sent it in a higher sense under the great Deliverer, the Saviour. HE HATH COMMANDED HIS COVENANT FOR EVER - He has ordained or appointed it. The covenant is here represented as if it were obedient to the will of God, o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAR OF THE LORD - Reverence for God; respect for his law, his will, his government, himself; the fear of offending him, which will lead us to do right. This fear is not that of a slave; it is not mere dread; it is not terror. It is consistent with love, and springs from it. It is consistent wit... [ Continue Reading ]