Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 107 – Psalm 108
The cvii. PSALM.
The Psalmist publish…th the Lords goodness, and stirs up his Israel both in letter and spirit to be thankful for it, so many wayes extended to them in all dispensations of what nature soever. Yea, all afflicted ones whom though in justice God punish for their sins, yet he spares them when they crie unto him; for mens folly enforceth God in goodness aswel as in justice, to teach them wisdom by chastisement, which so soon as they have learned they are released, which providences and dispensations the Psalmist would not have lightly over-looked, but solemnly acknowledged, together with those admirable sea-providences in preserving and delivering men out of the jaws of death, that King of fears; as also his just and powerful transmutations in nature, upon the land aswel as at sea, and the righteous and gracious government he exerciseth upon the oppressor and oppressed respectively, which to the godly-wise ought to be great rejoycing, to see such love in such providence.
1O Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his merciemercy endureth for ever.1 LEt us give God his due praise and thanks for all those great and gracious mercies which he hath expressed to, and bestowed on us his people, and that goodness that still remains with him in our behalfs by vertue of his Covenant, which makes that his merciemercy shall not determine, but that we shall reap the benefit of his gracious engagement, till all be fulfilled that is promised concerning his people to the end of the world.
2Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hands of the enemy:2 Let us and all the redeemed of the Lord to the worlds end speak forth our and their praise-worthy experinces, of God his goodness and merciemercy, whom he hath mightily rescued from under the cruel captivitie of our deadly enemies, whether temporal or spiritual, Pharaoh or the devil, by Christ or Moses.
3And gathered them out of the lands, from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South.3 And whom he hath chosen from among the confused heap of mankind to be peculiarly his, and gathered far and near his elect from out all places on earth to inhabit heaven, as he did us his Israel first out of Mesopotamia, whence Abraham and his family was called, and after that out of Egypt to be possessors of Canaan.
4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitarie way, they found no Citie to dwell in.4 In passage whereunto they had many a wearie step in a desert wilderness, as the godly must exspect in their pilgrimage here, and during all that time had no setled habitation, but sought one to come, as the faithful must do, who like strangers and way-faring men here on earth live upon the promise and expectation of heaven hereafter.
5 All that while having nothing to sustain them,5Hungrie and thirstie, their soul fainted in them. neither bread nor water, but what providence (and that extraordinarie) administred to them, which did supply them, but not till God had tried and humbled them with the want, (yea, very great want) even of needful and essential accommodations, as spiritually he orders his Church and chosen people during this their peregrination.
6 When they were necessitated and saw that by no ordinarie course of nature,6Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. nor no humane help they could be supplied, they cried to the Lord for what they lacked, and he never failed them when they did so, but super-naturally supplied to them, both bread and water, and protection too when their necessitie required it; and that Moses faithfully craved it for them, as spiritually he provides for and sustains his Church, when their soul-necessities sends them, and Christs intercession recommends them to him.
7 And he guided them by his own special conduct with a visible pillar of cloud and fire,7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a Citie of habitation. continually protecting and directing them the way that was most for his glorie and their good, though to their carnal eyes least seeming so, towards the land of Canaan there to settle them in tranquillity, and rest and possess them of Towns and Cities ready built and provided to their hands; like care to which he takes for his Church spiritual, affording them invisible conduct all along this life in the manifold windings and turnings thereof, which is the best, though seemingly not the nearest way to heaven where they shall enter into their rest, and be everlasting inhabitants of the new Jerusalem, the Citie which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, purchased and prepared for them by Christ.
8Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.8 Oh that all men that every where participate of the goodness of God, some more some less, some in one kind some in another would make answerable returns to him, and take faithful notice of his admirable works of providence principally to his Church, but generally to all, to praise him for them and acknowledge his grace and goodness in them.
9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.9 For its he that fills the hearts of men with food and gladness, and the souls of penitents that hunger and thirst after righteousness with enough of it.
10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron.10 Such as either in bodie or soul are in a comfortless condition, and have the sentence of death really, or in their own sense and apprehension, past upon them, and are detained in outward bonds, or trouble of spirit, or both.
11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most high.11 Because they have sinned against the Law of God written in their hearts, or the word of God written in the Scriptures, and refused to be ruled by his reason, who as he is the Lord of all things, ought also to be theirs, and they obedient to his dictates.
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour, they fell down and there was none to help.12 Therefore did the Lord and doth still upon occasion so load them with outward or inward sorrows, either by enemies, cross accidents, or desertions, that they are made glad to confess their folly, and to humble themselves before the Lord, (whom they before set light by) when they find themselves helpless in any other way, than by the powerful hand or free grace of God.
13 Then they used and are wont to make their addresses to God in such inextricable extremities,13Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. and he both hath done and of merciemercy will still in such cases, when their troubles have wrought so good effect, hear the cries of afflicted suppliants, to ease and deliver them.
14 Out of that disconsolate condition whereinto he cast them for their rebellions,14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. that he might humble them, and then be gracious to them.
15 (Oh that all men that every where participate of the goodness of God would make answerable returns to him,15Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children ofmen. and take faithful notice of his admirable works of providence, principally to his Church, but generally to all, to praise him for them and acknowledge his grace and goodness in them.)
16 For in such cases when and where the afflicted have turned to the Lord by sorrow for their sin,16For he hath broken the gates of brass. and cut the bars of iron in …nder. and strong cryes after merciemercy, what infinite difficulties hath he broken through and removed? and his power and providence is the same for ever to extricate and give relaxation to such afflicted ones, all ages have made this manifest.
17 Men void of the fear of the Lord which onelyonly is true wisdom,17Fools, because of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. or that have it, yet foolishly by temptation or negligence deviate from it, and to gratifie their lusts by impiety or iniquitie displease the Lord, these thereby bring evil upon themselves.
18 God so severely chastizing their sins with inward18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat, and they draw near unto the gates of death. or outward pains in bodie or mind, that they are brought to that pass to abhor the very sight and tast of all manner of meat which should sustain nature, and are brought in all mens seeming to deaths door.
19Then they crie unto the Lord in their trouble, he saveth them out of their distresses.19 Then they use to make their addresses to God in such inextricable extreamities, and he both hath done, and of merciemercy will still, in such cases, when their troubles have wrought so good effect, hear the cries of afflicted suppliants to ease and deliver them.
20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.20 For so soon as his rod drives them to him, he cannot but (as he was wont) compassionate them, and therefore as by his command the affliction (whatever it be) befel them, so also at his word they are cured how deadly soever the disease be, his command is enough to restore them to life and liberty.
21Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.21 Oh that all men that every where participate the goodness of God, would make answerable returns to him, and take faithful notice of his admirable works of providence, principally to his Church, but generally to all, to praise him for them, and acknowledge his grace and goodness in them.
22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanks-giving, and declare his works with rejoycing.22 That men would note the works of God, and be so sensible of his benefits, especially his own select people, as to be thankful for them both inwardly in heart, and outwardly also celebrate them with sacrifices according to the rule in such cases, and with joyful hearts joyn in the memorizing and magnifying of his works of power and grace at his sanctuarie.
23They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters.23 Sea-men and merchants that trade in forreign Countreys and commodities, and so are necessitated to venture themselves in the deep and main Ocean and are exposed far from land among the storms and surges incident to great waters, in unsteady ships.
24, 25 These have dayly and visibly experience of the power of God raising the winds,24These see the works of the Lord, …nd his wonders in the deep. and by them causing terrible storms and tempests that swell the seas with mountainous waves.25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 That hoise the vessel they sail in, in an instant as high as the clouds,26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths, their soul is melted because of trouble. so that the face of the waters under them shew like a valley from an hill, and on a sudden they descend again as low as before, they were high viewing the waves pendent over their heads as if the whole Ocean would overwhelm the ship, whereat their hearts so misgive, that every moment they expect death, which seems inevitable.
27 Thus they continue tossed and tumbled hither and thither at the pleasure of the waves,27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end. the ship not being able to keep any course, reeling first on this side and then on that as the winds blow, or the waves beat upon it, like a man that is drunk, nor know they how in the world to help or save themselves, but give all for lost both the ship and all that is in her, their fears so amazing them that they can exercise neither Art nor strength, nor if they could, would it avail in such concussions of winds and waves.
28, 29 Then in self-despair,28Then they crie unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. when all creature-hopes are at an end, they usually apply themselves to God (seldom before,) and then he lets them see his power in their weakness,29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. and that their extremity is his opportunity, maketh the storm a calm, and quickly reduceth their fears and the seas outrages to a peaceable period.
30 Then they are as much overcome with joy as before with fear,30Then are they glad because they be quiet, so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. when their lives are as it were restored, and their troubles removed, thus the Lord is gracious to them, and brings them that ere while valued not their lives and lading at any thing, safely to land in the port they so often prayed to be in, when they were ready every foot to sink.
31Oh… that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderfull works to the children of men.31 O that all men, that every where participate of the goodness of God, would make answerable returns to him, and take faithful notice of his admirable works of providence, principally to his Church, but generally to all, to praise him for them, and acknowledge his grace and goodness in them.
32Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.32 Let such mercies be every where memorized, and in all companies praise-fully related, whether in congregations ecclesiastical those solemn meetings of his people in the sanctuarie; or civil, in juridical and magistratical conventions of Rulers and Governours, that all may hear and fear, and praise the Lord Almighty.
33He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs into drie ground.33 We see what alterations and changes in nature are wrought in many places of the world, how he dries up rivers, and causeth drought where before was plenty of water.
34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.34 How for the sins of the inhabitants and abuse of his mercies, he makes many a fruitful land and countrie barren and fruitless, we have known it to be true in ours, than which none was more fertil, when God blessed it, nor none more sterril, when our sins cursed it
35He turned the wilderness into a standing water, and drie ground into water-springs.35 And on the contrarie, when he bespeaks blessing to a place, it shall be blessed, The drie and desert places of the earth he can and does oft times make fruitful and habitable, furnishes them with springs and water courses that were like the torrid zone.
36And there he maketh the hungrie to dwell, that they may prepare a Citie for habitation.36 And there many times he bestowes the out-casts of other nations, the poor and abject people, yea, his own persecuted ones, causing them by providence there to set down their staff to plant colonies, and begin a new Common-wealth in peace and quiet from their oppressours and contemners, and to prosper by degrees from rude beginnings and scattered dwellings, to cohabit in Towns and Cities.
37 And to exercise husbandry,37And sow the fields and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. plowing and planting, fields and vine-yards and reduce them by Gods blessing thereupon to a yearly and orderly increase, like other places long inhabited.
38 The Lord also in time by his blessing multiplies them (as we know he hath done us,38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, & suffereth not their cattel to decrease. from a very few) to a considerable and numerous people, and (with them) proportionably increaseth their cattel, the whilest they please him.
39 But when they have forgot their low beginnings,39Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. and Gods great blessings, grow proud and sensual, practise wickedness in stead of honesty and pietie, God soon changeth the scene, he that raiseth them up quickly casts them down, and as before he blessed them with freedom, and preserved them from evil, so now he lets them loose to every vexation and affliction, when they become a vexation unto him, chastising them with wars, plagues, and civil oppressions, that minisheth their number, impoverisheth their plentie, and renders their lives uncomfortable.
40 Nor doth the Lord onelyonly afflict wicked and degenerated underlings,40He poureth contempt upon Princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. but Kings and Princes also are judged by him; If they forget their duties unto him, he makes their people do the like to them, and casts their honour in the dust at home and abroad, rendring them scornful and contemptible, and intricates them into such Labyrinths of troubles, that all their policie and King-craft cannot extricate them, or shew them a way out.
41Yet setteth he the poor on high, and maketh him families like a …lock.41 And as he pulleth down unjust and wicked Princes from the top of honour and voluptuousness into penury and disgrace, so on the other hand is he as mindful to protect and deliver the poor oppressed people from under the inhumanity of such tyrants when they crie to him, and maketh them able to overtop their oppressions and oppressours, by advancing them and abasing these, blessing them with a numerous of-spring, and making them able in a state of liberty and freedom to spread forth their branches that ere-while were stocked by tyrannie and oppression, witness our condition under, and from under Pharaoh.
42The righteous shall see it, and rejoyce; and all iniquitie shall stop her mouth.42 Those that have eyes in their heads, the godly-wise shall take notice of such dispensations of justice and providence, respectively to good and bad, and shall rejoyce in confidence and hope of Gods goodness to them, and in the goodness of their conscience and conversation towards him, when they see that God takes notice of men and their manners, and that sooner or later he will make it appear so, and as the good rejoyce to see the reins of government in Gods hand, so the wicked are sorrie for it, and down in the mouth to see they are under judicature, and not lawless as they hoped they had been.
43Who so is wise, and will observe those things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.43 Those whom God hath endowed with grace and spiritual understanding (the onelyonly true wisdom,) and will set themselves faithfully and heedfully to consider and observe his judgements upon wicked oppressours, and his strange providences in the behalf of the innocent and humble suppliant, to deliver, bless, and prosper him, as he hath done us: They shall experimentally perceive the love and tender affection the Lord bears his people that sincerely serve him, trust in him, and call upon him, and how safe and comfortable it is to do so.
The cviii. PSALM.
A Psalm made by David,Psalm cviii. A Song, or Psalm of David. to be sung and plaid by voices and instruments.
THis 108 Psalm is made up,1O God my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise, even with my glorie. or composed of the two latter parts of two foregoing Psalms.2Awake Psalterie and harp, I my self will awake early. viz. the 57. and 60. which being joyned together upon the same, or like occasion of success and victory do here make one entire Psalm.3I will praise thee O Lord: among the People: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
Therefore,4For thy merciemercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. for these five first verses of this Psalm,5Be thou exalted O God above the heavens: and thy glorie above all the earth. see the Paraphrase upon the five last verses.viz. the 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. of the 57. Psalm, they being the same.
And for these eight6That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand and answer me. last verses of this Psalm,7God hath spoken in his holiness: I will rejoyce, I will divide Sechem, and meet out the valley of Succoth. see the Paraphrase upon8Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine: Ephraim also is the strength of mine head, Judah is my law-giver. the eight last verses.9Moab is my wash-pot, over Edom will I cast my shoe: over Philistia will I triumph. viz. the 5,10Who will bring me into the strong citie? who will lead me into Edom. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go fo…th with our hosts? 11, 12. of the 60. Psalm,12Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. they also being the same.13Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.