_A.M. 3560. B.C. 444._ This Psalm is supposed by Bishop Patrick, and many others, to have respect to the return of the Jewish nation from the Babylonish captivity, and to the restoration of Jerusalem, which followed upon it. And it has been inferred, from the second, third, and thirteenth verses, t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise the Lord, for it is good_ It is acceptable to God, and greatly beneficial and productive of comfort to ourselves. _It is pleasant, and praise is comely_ “Being the only return man can make for his creation and redemption, and all other mercies; the offspring of gratitude, and the expression... [ Continue Reading ]
_He telleth the number of the stars_ Which no man can do, for those which astronomers number are only such as are most distinctly visible to the eye, and most considerable for their influences. _He calleth them all by their names_ That is, “He as distinctly and exactly knows them, how numerous soeve... [ Continue Reading ]
_Great is our Lord, and of great power_ “This is a proper conclusion, drawn from the former part of the Psalm, and especially from the preceding verse. The greatness of God's power, which overcometh all difficulties, to effect the salvation of his people, is not to be grasped by the human mind; and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving_ Hebrew, ענו ליהוה בתודה, literally, _answer to the Lord in praise._ “Sing alternately,” which may fairly be supposed to be the sense intended by the psalmist, as it was the ancient practice to sing alternately. Celebrate in this way, with your thankful songs, t... [ Continue Reading ]
_He delighteth not in the strength of the horse_, &c. As if he needed either one or the other for the accomplishment of his designs: see the note on Psalms 33:16. Mr. Green translates the verse, _He delights not in the courage of the horse, nor is pleased with the agility of the warrior;_ and Bishop... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, O Zion_ O holy city, O holy hill. For where should praise be offered to God, if not there where his altar is? And where should glory be given to him, if not in his house, _the beauty of holiness?_ Let the inhabitants of Jerusalem praise God in their own houses; let the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates_ Thy strength consists not in thy walls, and gates, and bars, but in his protection. They had walls and gates, and kept their gates barred in time of danger; but that would not have been an effectual security to them, if God had not strengthened the ba... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sendeth forth his commandment_, &c. Which is sufficient, without any instruments, to execute whatsoever pleaseth him, either in the works of nature or of providence. For, as the world was first made, so it is still upheld and governed by the almighty word of God's power. _His word runneth very s... [ Continue Reading ]
_He giveth snow like wool_ Not only in colour, and shape, and softness, and its falling silently like a lock of wool; but in its covering the earth and keeping it warm, and so promoting its fruitfulness. _He scattereth the hoar-frost_ Which is dew congealed, as the snow and hail are rain congealed;... [ Continue Reading ]
_He showeth his word unto Jacob_ “That word, the effects of which, upon the spiritual system, are similar to those experienced by nature in the vernal season: that word was showed unto Jacob, and became the property of Israel, while Israel continued to be the church of God. It hath since been made o... [ Continue Reading ]