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 ]