Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 5 · Commentary on psalm 29
PSAL. CXXXV.
Gods servants are exhorted to praise him for his mercies to Israel, 5 his power, 8 his judgements on their enemies. 15 The vanitie of Idols. 19 An exhortation to blesse God.
Halel…jah.
PRaise ye the Name of Iehovah, praise him, O ye servants of Iehovah. That stand in the house of Iehovah, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise ye Iah, for Iehovah is good; sign Psalme to his Name, for it is pleasant. For Iah hath chosen to him selfe Iakob, Israel for his peculiar treasure. For I doe know that Iehovah is great, and our Lord is above all Gods. All that pleaseth Iehovah hee doth, in the heavens, & in the earth, in the seas, and all deepe places. He causeth vapours to ascend from the end of the earth; hee maketh lightnings with the raine; hee bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries. Who smote the first-borne of Egypt, from man unto beast. Sent signes and wonders in mids of thee, O Egypt, on Pharaoh and on all his servants. Who smote many nations, and slew mighty Kings. Sihon King of the Amorites, and Ogh, King of Bashan, and all the kingdomes of Canaan. And gave their land for a possession, a possession to Israel his people. Iehovah, thy Name is for ever; Iehovah, thy memorie is to generation and generation. For Iehovah will judge his people, and for his servants hee will repent himselfe. The idols of the heathens are silver and gold, the worke of the hands of men. A mouth they have and speake not, eyes they have and see not. Eares they have and heare not, also there is no breath in their mouth. Like them be they that make them, every one that trusteth in them. O house of Israel, blesse ye Iehovah; O house of Aaron, blesse ye Iehovah. O house of Levi, blesse yee Iehovah; ye that feare Iehovah, blesse Iehovah. Blessed be Iehovah out of Sion, which dwelleth in Ierusalem; Halelujah.
Annotations.
HAlelu-jah] that is, praise, or glorifie ye Iah▪ it is a word of joyfull exhortation to sing praises to the Lord for his mercies, and in the end of Psalmes, is added as Amen, for a chearefull acclamation: see Psal. 104. 35. and 106. 48. Rev. 19. 1, 3, 6.
Vers. 4. peculiar treasure] or precious and singular possession, proprietie: so Deut. 7. 6. This was promised by the law, Exod. 19. 5. but performed by Christ his redeeming and purifying of his people, Tit. 2. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 9.
Vers. 7. vapours] or elevations; in Greeke clouds: for by vaporous clouds drawne from the end of the earth or sea, commeth rain; as it is said, he calleth for the waters of the sea, and powreth them out on the faoe of the earth. Amos 5. 8. So Ier. 10. 13. and 51. 16. with the raine] or, to the raine; so fire and water are mixed in one cloud. treasures] or cosfers, store-houses. see Psal. 33. 7.
Vers. 8. from man, &c.] that is, both men and beasts: see Psal. 78. 50, 51. Exod. 12. 12, 29.
Vers. 9. Pharaoh] the King who was plagued first in Egypt, and after drowned in the red sea, Exod. 7. and 8. and 9. and 10. and 14.
Vers. 10. Many] or ample, great nations, the Amorites, Canaanites, &c.
Vers. 11. Ogh] a giant whose bedsted was of iron, nine cubits long, and foure broad. See Num. 21. 23, 35. Deut. 3. 11. kingdomes] thirtie and one, as is reckoned, Iosh. 12. 9,—24.
Vers. 12. a possession] or heritage: see Psal. 78. 55.
Vers. 14. for] or concerning his servants: this is taken from Deut. 32. 36.
Vers. 15. idols] compare this that followeth, with Psal. 115. 4. &c.
Vers. 19. house of Israel] that is, the posteritie of Israel; so after. of Aaron] to whom the Priest-hood was committed, Exod. 28. 1.
Vers. 20. of Levi] which were taken from among the sons of Israel, and given and joyned with the Priests to minister unto them, Num. 18. 2, 6. ye that feare.] all strangers converts, profelytes, Act. 2. 5. and 10. 35.