_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ “This Psalm,” says Henry, “is a sermon, and so is the next. In most of the Psalms we have the penman praying or praising; in these we have him preaching; and it is our duty, in singing Psalms, to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. The scope and design of this disc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear this, all ye people_ Hebrew, _all people_, Jews or Gentiles: for this doctrine is not peculiar to those that are blessed with divine revelation; but even the light of nature bears witness to it, and all the inhabitants of the world are concerned in it. All men may know, and therefore let all m... [ Continue Reading ]
_My mouth shall speak of wisdom_ I shall not treat of trivial things, nor of those I have but slightly considered; but about the most weighty matters, which my mind hath greatly pondered. I will enrich your souls with wisdom, which is better than the wealth of the world, which you covet; and I will... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil_ Either, 1st, Of _sin;_ when iniquities of all sorts abound, which is, in many respects, grievous and vexatious to good men. Or, 2d, Of _misery;_ in times of great distress and calamity, either public or private, when wicked men flourish, and good men are... [ Continue Reading ]
_They_, &c. The psalmist, having said that good men had no sufficient cause of fear on account of what they might suffer from ungodly men, now proceeds to show that the ungodly had no reason to be secure because of their riches. _That trust in their wealth_ As that which can secure them from calamit... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he seeth_ Every man sees and knows it; it is visible and evident, both from reason and from universal experience; _wise men die,_ &c. All men die, the wise and good, as well as the foolish and wicked; _and leave their wealth to others_ He saith not to sons or kindred, but indefinitely to others... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their inward thought_ Which they are ashamed to express, but which is yet their secret hope; _is, that their houses_ Either their families, or rather their mansion-houses, as it is explained in the next clause; _shall continue for ever_ To them and theirs in succeeding generations; they imagine, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless_ Notwithstanding all these fine fancies; _man being in honour_ Living in all the splendour and glory above mentioned; _abideth not_ Hebrew, בל ילין, _bal jalin, shall not lodge for a night;_ his continuance in the world is as that of a traveller at an inn, who tarries but, or not even,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Like sheep_ Which for a season are fed in large and sweet pastures, but at the owner's pleasure are led away to the slaughter, not knowing, nor considering whither they are going; _they are laid in the grave _ As to their bodies, or placed _in the invisible world_, (as the word שׁאול, _sheol_, also... [ Continue Reading ]
_But God will redeem my soul_ Though no man can find out a ransom to redeem himself or his brother, yet God can and will redeem me; _from the power of the grave_ Or, shall preserve me _from the power of hell._ The grave shall not have power to retain me, but shall be forced to give me up into my Fat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not thou afraid_ That is, discouraged or dejected; _when one is made rich_, &c. The prosperity of sinners is often matter of fear and grief to good men; partly because their prosperity enables them to do more mischief, and partly because it tends to shake the faith of God's people in his provide... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though he blessed his soul_ That is, applauded himself as a wise and happy man. See Luke 12:19. _And men will praise thee_, &c. As he flatters himself, so he meets with parasites that applaud and flatter him for their own advantage. _When thou doest well to thyself_ When thou dost indulge and pleas... [ Continue Reading ]
_Man that is in honour, and understandeth not_ That is, hath not true wisdom to know and consider what he is, and what is his true business and interest in this world, and what use he ought to make of his life, and of all his riches, and honour, and power; and whither he is going, and what course he... [ Continue Reading ]