Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 111
The cxi. PSALM.
The Psalmist first gives the word, and then the example for praising the Lord, which he tels us Gods works gives us cause enough to do, if we consider them well; especially to his Church, supplying them in their need, possessing them of the promised land, fulfilling his promises of grace to them, and for their sakes his judgements (threatened) upon their enemies, for which he looks his commandements should be respected, which are as binding to us, as his covenant to him; and through grace his covenant is as binding to him, as they are to us. Therefore he shews a man is never wise, (pretend what he will) till he have gotten God upon this lock, to be his, by being Gods in faith and obedience. And concludes as he begun, with invitation to praise him.Psalm cxi.
1PRraise ye the Lord, I will praise the Lord with my whole heart: in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.1 LEt all of us be diligent and cordial in praising the Lord. I will not be wanting on my part, and in mine own example herein, for he shall have the heartiest thanks that I can give him, both in lesser meetings of entire Israelites, that voluntarily, and frequently assemble themselves to perform such holy exercises, as also in those more solemn, rare, and mixed congregations that at times appointed assemble themselves at thy Sanctuarie.
2The works of the Lord are great: sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.2 Greatly doth the Lord appear in his wonderous works of Creation, Providence, and Redemption; his manifold attributes are made manifest therein, yet not to all, but onelyonly to those that in love to God, love to busie their minds in the practical contemplation of him, in them, that they may affect their hearts toward him with suitable frame of thankfulness and praise, for the greatness and goodness they are sensible of thereby.
3His work is honourable & glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.3 All that he hath done declares him to be for honour and power, incomprehensible, nor shall one word fail of all that he hath spoken concerning what he will do, his Prophesies and promises; yea, and his threatenings too, are as sure to be fulfilled as those which are already.
4He hath made his wonderfull works to be remembred: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.4 The Lord hath done such memorable and admirable things for his Church in all ages, as are never to be forgotten, but with praise and thanksgiving to be had in everlasting remembrance, his grace in choosing, and compassion in relieving and pardoning his people, is worthy our best observation and memory.
5 He hath provided for his Church all along the Series of their successions,5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindfull of his covenant. and in all their peregrinations, so that when in humble and faithfull addresses, they that feared him at any time sought unto him, they had supply of needfull mercies, both for themselves and others, that though they were of the visible Church, yet did not so well deserve at his hands, their sinnes and murmurings being enough to have made God unchurch them, but that he was mindfull of his covenant made with our forefathers, Patriarchs, and Prophets, Types of Christ▪ not to do it; of which, as then he was, so still he is and ever will be mindfull, to be as good as his word in sparing and pardoning his people, and blessing and preserving them, when in fear of him, and in the faith of his covenant, they in humble-wise seek his favour towards them.
6 He made manifest enough his exceeding great power in those miraculous victories he gave his people Israel over the Cananites,6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. when they entered the promised land, which had been long possessed and inhabited by those heathenish Idolaters, whom the Lord rooted out, to establish them in it.
7 The things he hath wrought have not onelyonly been Acts of power,7The works of his hands are verity and judgement; all his commandments are sure. but also of Truth and Justice, his promises as well as his power have been written in legible Caracters in those his wonderfull dispensations to and for his Church, as also his righteous judgements long before threatened to such wicked wretches, and as his works have approved the faithfulness and infallibility of his promises and comminations, so that other part of his word, the Law of Commandments, a safe rule to walk by, is likewise as firm, God looks they shall be obeyed by his people as certainly, and undispensably, as he gives them leave to expect his promises and threats to be fullfilled by him for them.
8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprig…tness.8 Both the one and the other, his word and works, commands and providences as to his Churches preserving and governing, are built upon a firm foundation, the good pleasure and free grace of God according to his word and covenant, and as inseperable companions go together, God is good, and doth good to those that are good and keep his commandments, and ever will be so, his truth and faithfulness binds him to be so, and to do so to such as in truth and uprightness serve him.
9He sent redemption unto his people, he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.9 The Lord from time to time when his people were in jeopardy or the thraldom for their sinns, if they cried unto him, and humbled themselves before him, he delivered them, he hath established his covenant of free-grace as firm as any Law, and hath bound himself by the one as firmly, as us by the other, so that his people shall ever find him to be the same unchangeable God for their good, alwayes provided they walk worthy of him, and becomingly towards him, in reverence of his Majesty and obedience to his holiness.
10 A man that hath never so much worldly wisdom,10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, a good understanding have all they that do his commandments; his praise endureth for ever. and lives in sinne, is for all that, all that while but a fool, till in the faithfull application of Gods saving goodness, he be an altered man, and fearing to offend him, is carefull in all things to please him, then and never till then he begins to be wise, with that which is true wisdom, for onelyonly they have a right understanding both of the chiefest good, and their chiefest end (whats best for themselves, and why they were made) that fulfill the will of God their Creatour, living thereafter, for therein is great reward. As his mercy and faithfulness is and ever shall be firm to his faithfull and obedient people and Church in her preservation, and her enemies confusion, so ought to be his praises as long and large as his benefits, which shall have no end.