The psalmist inciteth to praise God

[ Or, great.

+ Heb. Hallelujah.

+ Heb. prey.

1 The psalmist by his example inciteth others
to praise God for his glorious, 5 and gra-
cious works, 10 The fear of God breedeth
true wisdom.

+PR
RAISE ye the LORD. I will
praise the LORD with my whole
heart, in the assembly of the upright,
and in the congregation.

2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3 His work is honourable and glorious and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He hath given † meat unto them that fear him he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

5. — shall strike through &c.] Jesus destroyed both the Jewish and Roman persecutors, and will destroy all the enemies of his Church. Abp. Secker. See Ps. ii. 9, and xlv. 5; Rev, xix. 15.

6. He shall judge &c.] He shall convince the heathen world, that He is their Lawgiver and their Judge. He shall take severe vengeance on those who persecute his subjects, and shall crush the supreme power in various countries. Bp. Patrick.

7. He shall drink &c.] By "drinking of the brook by the way," allusion seems to be made to the support and refreshment which Christ experienced. The phrase relates, it is probable, to those consolations which He received at the beginning of his great conflict with the powers of darkness, particularly in his agony, when there appeared to Him an angel from heaven strengthening Him, Luke xxii. 43. Merrick, Bp. Lowth.

We should remember on reading this Psalm, that we have a Priest in heaven, who stands continually pleading the merits of his sacrifice once offered on the cross. Oblation, intercession, and benediction are the three great branches of the sacerdotal office, which our great High Priest now exercises for us, and in the exercise of which the Father has condescended in the most awful manner to promise, that he will hear Him, and accept Him in our behalf. His priesthood is not like that of Aaron, transient, figurative, and successive, but real and effective, fixed and incommunicable, eternal and unchangeable. He is "a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Bp. Horne.

Psalm CXI. The author of this Psalm celebrates the majesty and goodness of God displayed in a very eminent manner in the wonderful things He had done

for his glorious and gracious works. 6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

stablished.

8 They stand fast for ever and Heb. are ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption unto his people he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his

for, and the signal blessings He had bestowed upon, the Jewish nation, of which this sacred hymn seems to have been designed as a short memorial. Edwards.

This is one of the proper Psalms appointed by the Church to be read on Easter-day.

Ver. 1. Praise ye the Lord.] These words are the title to the Psalm, and not part of the Psalm itself, as in the beginning of Ps. cxii, cxiii. Bps. Patrick and Lowth. See the note on Ps. cv. 45.

7. The works of his hands &c.] In all God's dispensations towards his faithful servants, and towards his impenitent adversaries, we admire and adore his "verity" in the performance of his promises to the former, and his "justice" in executing vengeance on the latter. Thus the time of fulfilling his promise to Abraham came not till the iniquity of the Amorites was full. Bp. Horne,

9. He sent redemption unto his people:] He means that great deliverance out of Egypt which was a type and pledge of that greater and higher redemption by Christ. Poole,

We ought to join our praises to those which are offered to God in this hymn; we have even more reason than the faithful of old had to confess that the works of the Lord are great and wonderful; that He is merciful, righteous, and full of compassion; that He has remembered his covenant, and sent salvation and redemption to his people. These inestimable blessings should excite us to declare his goodness and marvellous works before men, and particularly in the assembly of the faithful. Ostervald,

Psalm CXII. This Psalm is a kind of commentary upon the last verse of the former Psalm, enumerating

The security of the godly.

↑ Heb. judgment.

a 2 Cor. 9. 9.

3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and right

eous.

5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with + discretion.

6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

PSALM CXIII.

An exhortation to praise God.

+DRAISE ye the LORD. Praise, Heb. PRAISE ye the LORD. Praise,

praise the name of the LORD.

Hallelujah.

the various degrees of happiness which they enjoy, who fear God and keep his commandments; and concluding with a description of the envy and wretchedness of the ungodly. Bp. Patrick, Travell.

Ver. 4.-righteous.] "Righteous" here seems to include the idea of generosity and charity; a man generous upon principles of religion. Mudge.

6.the righteous shall be &c.] That is, Eminently good men do commonly leave a good name behind them, and transmit a grateful memory of themselves to afterages. Abp. Tillotson.

9.

his horn &c.] God shall give him an increase of true honour, and abundantly reward his liberality. Bp. Hall. See note at 1 Sam. ii. 1.

The character which the Psalmist here gives of good men is, that they fear the Lord; that they take great delight in his commandments; that they are just and sincere; that they conduct all their affairs with uprightness; that they are kind and full of compassion, and love to give alms to the poor. He afterwards teaches us, that those who live thus are perfectly happy; that God blesses them in their persons, in their posterity, and in their possessions; that they enjoy peace of conscience; that they fear no evil, always trusting in the Lord; and that their righteousness and their memory shall remain for ever. These are very important instructions, which should powerfully encourage us to the study and practice of piety. Ostervald.

creatures, to fear God in his Church.

dwell in an

mother of children. This Psalm is appointed to be used on Easter-day. Bp. Horne,

Ver. 3. From the rising &c.] Signifying, either from morning to evening, or from east to west. Merrick. 6. Who humbleth himself &c.] Highly as our Lord is exalted above this system, above this heaven and this earth of ours, yet He condescendeth to regard every thing that passes here, and to make us, the inhabitants of this lower world, and, for our sakes, all the other creatures in it, the objects of his peculiar care, and paternal love. Bp. Horne.

Such is God's mercy to the poor sons of Adam in their fallen state, that from the lowest and most abject condition, from the pollutions of sin, and from the dishonour of the grave, He raiseth them to righteousness and holiness, to glory and immortality; He setteth them on high, with the inhabitants of the heavenly Jerusalem, "with the princes of his people," the leaders of the armies above, with angels and archangels before his throne. What is the exaltation of the meanest beggar from a dunghill to an earthly diadem, when compared with that of human nature from the grave to the throne of God! Here is honour worthy our ambition; honour, after which all are alike invited to aspire: which all may obtain who strive worthily and lawfully; and of which, when once obtained, nothing can ever deprive the possessors. Bp. Horne.

d Exod. 17. 6. Numb. 20.11.

a Ps. 42. 10. & 79. 10.

b Ps. 135. 6.

c Ps. 135. 15.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?

7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

8 d Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

wonders of mercy and love wrought for us by Jesus Christ. Bp. Horne.

Ver. 1, 2. When Israel went &c.] When Jehovah delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt, He chose them for his peculiar people: his presence presided in their camp, as in a "sanctuary," or temple; and He ruled them as an earthly king exerciseth sovereignty in his "dominions." Bp. Horne.

4. The mountains skipped &c.] The mountains of the wilderness shook and were moved sensibly at his terrible presence, when He delivered the law to his people, Exod. xix. 18. Bp. Hall.

If the Divine presence hath such an effect upon inanimate matter, how ought it to operate on rational and accountable beings! Let us be afraid with an holy fear at the presence of God, in the world by his providence, and by his Spirit in our consciences; that so we may have hope and courage in the day when He shall arise to shake terribly the earth; when " every island shall flee away, and the mountain shall be no more found," Rev. xvi. 20. Bp. Horne.

God is to be blessed.

speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell

not:

7 They have hands, but they handle not feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through

their throat.

8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD hath been mindful of us he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small + and great.

14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

+ Heb. with.

18 But we will bless the LORD d Dan. 2. 20.

hymn of thanksgiving for victories, from the earliest Christian ages. Dr. Delaney. This and the three following Psalms were sung by the Jews, after eating the passover, and were called the great hallelujah. Bp. Wilson.

Ver. 3. he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.] He doeth whatsoever he pleaseth. Mudge, Street. 10. O house of Aaron,] This expression comprehends the priests and Levites. Travell.

11. Ye that fear the Lord,] This seems to comprehend those, all the world over, that worshipped the one supreme God. Mudge.

12. The Lord hath been mindful of us:] Rather, the Lord remembereth us. Mudge.

The psalmist professeth his love

+ Heb. in my days.

from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

PSALM CXVI.

1 The psalmist professeth his love and duty to God for his deliverance. 12 He studieth to be thankful.

I

LOVE the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

a Ps. 18. 5, 6. 3 a The sorrows of death com+ Heb. found passed me, and the pains of hell + gat hold upon me: I found trouble and

me.

Psalm CXVI. This is a Psalm of thanksgiving for some special deliverance from grievous calamity, wherein the Psalmist acknowledges his gratitude to the Divine mercy, describes his extreme distress and happy deliverance out of it, and determines from henceforth to serve and praise the Lord, from whom he had received such signal benefits. It is highly applicable to the case of those who have been blessed with deliverance from sickness and distress, and therefore the Church has appointed a considerable portion of it to be used in the solemn Thanksgiving of Women after Childbirth. Travell.

This Psalm has frequent and quick changes of scenes and persons. Mudge.

Ver. 3.—the pains of hell] That is, such pains as had almost brought me to the grave. Dr. Wells.

6. — the simple :] The "simple" are here opposed to the crafty, who use indirect means for their deliverance; whereas the simple use only such means as God approves, and rely upon Him for the success of them. Green.

10, 11. I believed, &c.] In afflictions and distresses, those of the spirit and conscience more especially, the soul is tempted to despond, and can only be supported by faith exerting itself in prayer: "I believed, and therefore have I spoken," or, therefore spake I; that is, as above, ver. 4, "I called upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul." And this I did, though so "greatly afflicted," that I had " said in my haste," in my hurry and trepidation, occasioned by fear and amazement, "All men are liars;" there is no credit to be given to their promises of deliverance, I am lost and undone for ever; yet my faith failed not

and duty to God for his deliverance. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

10 I believed, therefore have I b 2 Cor. 4. 13. spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

11 I said in my haste, All men e Rom. 3. 4. are liars.

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows unto the

entirely, and, lo, my prayer hath been heard, and answered. Bp. Horne.

13.

the cup of salvation,] This cup of salvation is the drink-offering annexed to and poured upon the sacrifice, at the time they used to call upon the name of the Lord. Jos. Mede. This praise is taken from the common practice of the Jews in their thank-offerings, in which a feast was made of the remainders of the sacrifices, and the offerers, together with the priests, did eat and drink before the Lord; and, amongst other rites, the master of the feast took a cup of wine into his hand, and solemnly blessed God for it, and for the mercy which was then acknowledged, and then gave it to all the guests, who drank successively of it. See 1 Chron. xvi. 2, 3. To which custom it is supposed that our blessed Saviour alludes in the institution of the cup, which also is called the cup of blessing," 1 Cor. x. 16, which is in effect the same with "the cup of salvation." Poole.

15. Precious in the sight &c.] That is, good men are so precious in God's esteem, that He will not prematurely deliver them up to the power of death. Dr. Wells. 16.-thou hast loosed my bonds.] Thou hast rescued me from the power of death. Bp. Patrick.

We should particularly here observe with what sentiments of joy and gratitude the Psalmist celebrates the wonderful deliverances which God had vouchsafed him in the great dangers he had been exposed to, with what zeal he praises Him, and vows to love and obey Him. From his example we learn, that when God has bestowed any particular favour on us, and especially when He has delivered us from any great danger, it is our duty to love Him, to bless his holy name, and praise Him in the presence of all his people; and above all, to walk before Him all the days of our life, and to testify our gratitude to Him, not only by our words, but by all our actions. Ostervald.