_A.M. 2987. B.C. 1017._ In this Psalm, the author of which is uncertain, all the creatures in the invisible and visible world are called upon by the psalmist to unite in the grand chorus of praise and thanksgiving. The various parts are to be performed as follows: By the angelic hosts, 1, 2; by the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise ye the Lord_ Bishop Lowth, speaking of the origin of this divine ode, observes, “that it had its birth from the most pleasing affections of the human soul, joy, love, admiration.” “If we contemplate man,” says he, “newly created, such as the sacred Scriptures exhibit him to us, endued with t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise him, sun and moon_, &c. You were adored by the blind heathen for gods; you are but his creatures, and therefore would be obliged, if you were capable of it, to worship and praise him for your glorious light and powerful influences. “The material heavens, through their various regions,” says... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let them praise the name of the Lord_ “Who hath set forth his most transcendent wisdom, power, and magnificence in such a variety of stupendous works, that there is not the smallest of them, but ministers such matter of praise and admiration to those who attentively consider them, that they cannot... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps_ “From heaven above the psalmist descends to the deep beneath, which, while it proclaims the power, observes the laws and decrees of him who made it, and poured it abroad. And the same may be said of its enormous inhabitants, which are under... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fire_ Lightning, thunderbolts, fiery meteors, in which God shows his wonderful power, lighting up those powerful flames, even in cold regions, which are far removed from subterraneous fires. And the noise and stupendous effects of these fires, and especially of thunder and lightning, are such, that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mountains, and all hills_ These are of great use in the earth. From them descend the running streams into the valleys, without which animals could not live. On the mountains grow those vast trees which are necessary for daily use in various ways; and on the hills and mountains is herbage for vast m... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kings of the earth, and all people_ “After the whole creation hath been called upon to praise Jehovah, man, for whom the whole was made; man, the last and most perfect work of God; man, that hath been since redeemed by the blood of the Son of God incarnate, is exhorted to join and fill up the unive... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let them praise_, &c. Let them acknowledge and celebrate the wisdom, goodness, and power of the Lord; _for his name alone is excellent_ For how great soever any other beings may be, there is none equal to him, whose most excellent majesty infinitely surpasses that of all other beings; and whose _gl... [ Continue Reading ]