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and for the constancy thereof.

+ Heb. it is not.

b Deut. 7. 9.

↑ Heb. mighty in strength.

PSALMS.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it,

The mighty power of God,

PSALM CIV.

1 A meditation upon the mighty power, 7 and wonderful providence of God. 31 God's glory is eternal. 33 The prophet voweth perpetually to praise God.

and it is gone; and the place thereof O LORD my God, thou art very

shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 b To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, +that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

the most lively sense of gratitude. He here teaches us by his example to bless God, not only with our mouth, but with our whole heart, and with all the powers of our soul; to cherish the remembrance of all his mercies, and to take delight in rehearsing them, and praising Him continually. The Prophet here celebrates particularly the infinite mercy of God, who, knowing that we are but dust, bears with us, and does not render to us what our sins deserve; and entertains the same compassion and kindness as a father does for his children. But he teaches us at the same time, that the Divine goodness is displayed only in behalf of those that fear Him and reverence Him; and that his mercy extends only to them that "keep his covenant, and remember his commandments to do them." Ostervald.

Psalm CIV. This Psalm demonstrates the glory of the infinite Creator, from the wisdom, beauty, and variety of his works. The poet adorns this noble subject with the clearest and most splendid colouring of language; and with imagery the most magnificent, lively, diversified, and pleasing; at the same time select, and happily adapted to the subject. There is nothing of the kind extant, indeed, nothing can be conceived more perfect than this hymn, whether it be considered with respect to its intrinsick beauties, or as a model of that species of composition. Miraculous exertions of the Divine power have something in them which at first strikes the inattentive mind with a strong sentiment of sublimity and awe: but the true subject of praise, the most worthy of God, and the best adapted to impress upon the heart of man a fervent and permanent sense of piety, is drawn from the contemplation of his power in the creation of this boundless universe, his wisdom in arranging and adorning it, his providence in sustaining it, and his mercy in the regulation of its minutest

VOL. II.

great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

4 a Who maketh his angels spirits ; his ministers a flaming fire:

5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

a Hebr. 1. 7.

Heb. He hath founded the earth

upon her bases.

7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. Or, The

mountains

8 || They go up by the mountains; ascend, the they go down by the valleys unto the descend.

parts, and in ordering and directing the affairs of men. Bp. Lowth. The similitude between the natural and spiritual creation may, perhaps, point out the reason why the Church hath appointed this Psalm to be used on Whit-Sunday. Bp. Horne. In most of the old versions this Psalm is attributed to David.

Ver. 2.-like a curtain:] Or, as a canopy. Mudge. As the curtain of a pavilion, or tent.

3. Who layeth &c.] That is, the clouds make the flooring of his heavens. Mudge.

·who maketh the clouds his chariot :] See the note on Deut. xxxiii. 26.

4. Who maketh his angels &c.] From the manner in which these words are introduced, and the place where they stand, one should conceive the meaning of them to be, that God employs the elements of air and fire, the winds and the lightnings, as his messengers and ministers, to execute his commands upon the earth. But the Apostle, Heb. i. 7, informs us, that they have a further reference to immaterial angels; either because those angels often appeared in the likeness, or because they were endued with the properties, of wind and flame. Intellectual beings of the highest order in the realms above, are as ready to fulfil the word of Jehovah, as are the elements of this lower world. Bp. Horne.

5.- that it should not &c.] These words do by no means imply, that the earth is stationary, or that it is eternal; but only that it is so constructed as to answer the end, and to last the time for which it was created. Bp. Horne.

7. At thy rebuke] At thy omnipotent word. Bp. Patrick.

8. They go up &c.] Rather, They go up mountains, they go down valleys, to the places Thou hast appointed for them. Edwards.

H

A meditation upon the mighty power

+ Heb. Who sendeth.

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place which thou hast founded for is night: wherein + all the beasts of
them.
the forest do creep forth.

9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

10 He sendeth the springs into Heb. walk. the valleys, which run among the

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5.

16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

20 Thou makest darkness, and it

15.- and oil to make] See the note on Psalm xxiii. 17.—as for the stork, &c.] The storks breed plentifully in Barbary every summer. They make their nests with dry twigs of trees, which they place upon the highest parts of old ruins or houses, in the canals of ancient aqueducts, and frequently (so familiar they are, by being never molested) upon the very tops of their mosques and dwelling-houses. The fir and other trees likewise (when these are wanting) are a dwelling for the stork." Dr. Shaw. 18. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats;] See the note on Job xxxix. 1.

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for the conies.] See notes on Lev. xi. 5; Prov.

21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.

23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches.

25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

Heb. all the

beasts thereof do trample on the forest.

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31 The glory of the LORD + shall ↑ Heb. shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

32 He looketh on the earth, and

30. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, &c.] That Spirit of thine, which moved, at the first, upon the face of the waters, is still sent forth by Thee, for the renewing of those several creatures, whose daily mortality requires the supply of a continual succession and propagation. Bp. Hall.

32. He looketh on the earth, &c.] At his presence the very earth trembles, and the mountains, as our fathers saw at mount Sinai, are full of fire and smoke. Bp. Patrick.

Since the works of the creation are all of them so many demonstrations of the infinite wisdom and power of God, they may serve to us as so many arguments exciting to the constant fear of God, and to a steady hearty obedience to all his laws. And thus we may 19. He appointed the moon for seasons:] The greatest make these works as serviceable to our spiritual inpart of the Jewish feasts, as the new moon, the pass-terest, as they all are to our life and temporal interest. over, the pentecost, &c. were governed by the moon. Dimock.

Xxx. 26.

26. leviathan,] This word, which in Job xli. signifies the crocodile, and in Psalm lxxiv. 14, is used allegorically for the Egyptians, and in Isa. xxvii. 1, for other mighty oppressors of God's church, appears to be used in this place for a whale, or large fish of the cetaceous kind. Parkhurst.

For if, whenever we see them, we would consider that these are the works of our Divine Lord and Master, to whom we are to be accountable for all our thoughts, words, and works, and that in these we may see his infinite power and wisdom; this would check us in sinning, and excite us to serve and please Him who is above all control, and who hath our life and whole happiness in his power. Dr. Derham.

The story of God's providence

al Chron. 16. 8.

Isa. 12. 4.

b Gen. 17. 2.

PSALMS.

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3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 9 b Which covenant he made with Luke 1. 73. Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac ;

& 22. 16. & 26. 3. & 28. 13. & 35. 11.

Hleb. 6. 17.

Psalm CV. The former part of this Psalm was composed by David, upon his having brought the ark to Zion, 1 Chron. xvi. And it is highly probable that he afterwards enlarged it, that it might be a more complete commemoration of all the mercies of God to the Jewish nation, from the days of Abraham to their taking possession of the land of Canaan. Edwards.

Ver. 4.—seek his face evermore.] Approach his presence evermore; that is, the ark of his presence. Green.

5.- the judgments of his mouth;] He means, the punishments on their enemies, which He, by the word of his mouth, by the exercise of his immediate power, had wrought. Dr. Hammond.

6.-ye children of Jacob his chosen.] Ye children of Jacob, whom he chose (rejecting Esau) to inherit the promised blessing; see Gen. xxv. 23. Bp. Patrick. 10.everlasting covenant:] That is, a covenant never to be altered, if they steadily kept it. Bp. Patrick.

over Abraham, Joseph, &c.

10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

& 15. 18.

11 Saying, Unto thee will I give c Gen. 13. 15. the land of Canaan, + the lot of your + Heb. the inheritance :

12 When there were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;

14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

cord.

17 He sent a man before them, deven Joseph, who was sold for ad Gen. 37. servant:

28.

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22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. 23 h Israel also came into Egypt; h Gen. 46. 6. and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

25 He turned their heart to hate i Exod. 1. 8.

15.- Touch not mine anointed,] Do not dare to lay hands upon those whom I have peculiarly consecrated to myself and my service. Bp. Hall. See the notes on Lev. ii. 1, and on Gen. xx. 18.

anointed,-prophets] The Patriarchs were considered as priests and Prophets, by celebrating the name of Jehovah among the nations, and foretelling a Redeemer of Israel; see Gen. xx. 7; xxii. 8; xlix. 10. Dimock.

16.—the whole staff of bread.] All the support of life. Bp. Wilson.

19. that his word came:] That the word of the Lord came. See Gen. xli. 25.

22. To bind his princes at his pleasure;] That is, he entrusted him with absolute power, to command the rulers of his several provinces at his pleasure. Bp. Pa

trick.

23. the land of Ham.] Egypt.

25. He turned their heart &c.] The kindness and love of God to his people "turned the hearts" of the

God's providence over the Israelites.

k Exod. 3. 10.

1 Exod. 7. 9.

+ Heb. words

PSALMS. The psalmist exhorteth to praise God.

his people, to deal subtilly with his departed: for the fear of them fell

servants.

26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.

27 They shewed + his signs among of his signs. them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

m Exod. 10.

22.

n Exod. 7. 20.

o Exod. 8. 6.

p Exod. 8. 17, 24.

q Exod. 9. 23. + Heb. He

gave their

rain hail.

r Exod. 10. 4.

8 Exod. 12. 29.

t Exod. 12. 35.

u Exod. 12. 33.

28 m He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against

his word.

29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.

32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.

33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

35 And did eat up all the herbs in

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38 Egypt was glad when they

Egyptians against them, and caused hatred to take the place of friendship. Bp. Horne.

28.and they rebelled not &c.] Some interpreters suppose the word "they" refers to Moses and Aaron. Dimock, Rosenmüller.

PSALM CVI.

The psalmist exhorteth to praise God. 4 He
prayeth for pardon of sin, as God did with
the fathers. 7 The story of the people's
rebellion, and God's mercy. 47 He con-
cludeth with prayer and praise.

PRA

RAISE ye the LORD, O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?

3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.

11.

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able to send them, singly or in conjunction, upon a sinful land! Who can reflect upon their number and variety, without adoring that goodness, patience, and long-suffering, which tried so many different methods, and waited so long, to lead the offenders to repentance! 44.—they inherited the labour of the people;] They Bp. Horne. This hymn was designed to perpetuate took possession of the cities, towns, fields, and vine- among the Israelites the remembrance of God's meryards, which the labour of others (that is, the Canaan-cies, and to excite their gratitude. Though these events ites) had built and planted. Bp. Patrick.

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Praise ye the Lord.] This is a literal translation from the Hebrew word Alleluia, or Hallelujah (see the margin). This word occurs at the beginning or at the end of many Psalms. Alleluia was sung on solemn days of rejoicing: "and all her streets (that is, the streets of Jerusalem) shall say Alleluia," says Tobit, speaking of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, Tob. xiii. 18. St. John in the Revelation says, "I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God," chap. xix. 1: see also ver. 3, 4. 6. This expression of joy and praise was transferred at an early period from the synagogue to the church: and it is still occasionally used in devotional psalmody. Calmet.

Who can behold the army of Divine judgments set forth in dreadful array before him, (ver. 28-36,) without trembling very exceedingly at that Power which is

do not directly regard Christians, yet they ought to preserve the remembrance of them, as affording matter for the most edifying and instructive meditations. But it is our duty, above all, to take occasion, from what is contained in this Psalm, to raise our thoughts to the consideration of those signal mercies and spiritual blessings which God has communicated to us, by making with us a new covenant in Jesus Christ; by delivering us from the captivity of sin, of the devil, and of death, and by receiving us into his church. Ostervald.

Psalm CVI. This Psalm, written in captivity, may have been intended to confirm the faith of the young, and to encourage their hopes of restoration to their native land. It not only details the judgments inflicted on the disobedience of the Jewish people, but also the frequent instances of Divine mercy which uniformly followed their repentance.

The story of the people's rebellion,

b Exod. 14. 11, 12.

e Exod. 14. 27. & 15. 5.

d Exod. 14.

31. & 15. 1.

e Exod. 15.

24. & 16. 2. + Heb. They made hasle, they forgat.

4.

Numb. 11.

PSALMS.

4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.

6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; " but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

12 d Then believed they his words;

they sang his praise.

13+They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

14 But + lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in

1 Cor. 10. 6. the desert.

+ Heb. lusted

a lust.

31.

15 & And he gave them their reNumb. 11. quest; but sent leanness into their soul.

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13.they waited not for his counsel:] They were too impatient to wait for the full execution of his purposes towards them. Travell.

14.—and tempted God] To give them still further proofs of his power. Bp. Wilson.

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15. - but sent leanness into their soul.] This expression refers generally to the diseases inflicted upon the Israelites by Heaven; see Numb. xi. 33. Rosenmüller.

17. The earth opened &c.] Perhaps Dathan and Abiram are mentioned only as being guilty of the greater crime in invading the priestly office, which belonged to the tribe of Levi. Dimock.

20.they changed their glory] They forsook the true worship of God, who was their glory. Dr. Wells. 24. Yea, they despised the pleasant land,] They de

and God's mercy.

31.

17 The earth opened and swal- i Numb. 16. lowed up Dathan, and covered the Deut. 11. 6. company of Abiram.

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30 P Then stood up' Phinehas, and p Numb. 25. executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.

31 And that was counted unto him

spised the land of Canaan, so that they would not enter therein and endeavour to take it, when God ordered them so to do; see Numb. xiii, xiv. Dr. Wells.

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26. Therefore he lifted up &c.] That is, He swore unto them that He would make them fall in the wilderness. Lifting the hand" was the usual form of swearing; see Gen. xiv. 22. Mudge. See the note on Deut. xxxii. 40.

28. They joined themselves &c.] See the note on Numb. xxv. 3.

the sacrifices of the dead.] Perhaps the meaning is, sacrifices which were offered to idols, which he calls "dead," in opposition to the true and living God, and by way of contempt, and to note the sottishness of idolaters, who worshipped lifeless things, as stocks and stones, or dead men. Poole, Rosenmüller.

30. Then stood up &c.] The notes upon many of the passages referred to in the margin will explain several of the following verses.

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