The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 4 · Psalm 100
PSALM C.
A Pſalm of Praiſe.
ARGUMENT.
There is no other Pſalm hath the like Title with this; which is called a Pſalm of Praiſe: or rather of Thankſgiving, and acknowledgment, for Divine bleſſings; as the word is tranſlated below, Verſe 4. and in moſt other places. For which reaſon, I ſuppoſe, it is, that the Hebrews imagin (as the Chaldee Paraphraſe, as well as other of their Authours, tells us) it was peculiarly appointed to be ſung, when their ſacrifices of thanksgiving were offered; mentioned VII. Levit. 12, 13. The Companies alſo or Quires of them, who gave thanks to God, are called by this Name, XII. Nehem. 31, 38. Which makes it probable that the Levites ſang this Song upon that occaſion: which the Greeks think was made by David: who invites all the world to join with the Iſraelites, in the ſervice of Him, who was kind and gracious to them beyond expreſſion Accordingly we Chriſtians now properly uſe it, in acknowledgment of God's wonderfull love to us in Chriſt: by whom we offer up continually ſpiritual ſacrifices; for redeeming us by the ſacrifice He made of himſelf, for making the world anew, and creating us again unto good works; according to his faithfull promiſes, which we may depend upon for ever.
I do not know but the word foreign made Ver. 3. may be uſed here as it is, 1 Sam. XII. 6. for advancing, raiſing or preferring them (as He is there ſaid to have done Moſes and Aaron) making them to be what they then were, a famous people, in a good Land: which ſeems to agree beſt with the following words, and not we our ſelves (and therefore I have not omitted that ſenſe) For to deny that we created our ſelves, is altogether needleſs; but that it is not to be aſcribed to our induſtry or wit, that we are raiſed to a happy condition, is a proper expreſſion of humility.
1. MAKE a joyfull noiſe unto the LORD, all ye lands.
1. LET all the people of the earth lift up their voices, in triumphant Songs to the honour of the Lord; who deſerves all our praiſes.
2. Serve the LORD with gladneſs: come before his preſence with ſinging.
2. Make the ſervice of the Lord your delight, nay greateſt pleaſure; and when you approach into his Tabernacle, ſhout for joy that you are admitted into his bleſſed preſence, to praiſe Him with your chearfull hymns.
3. Know ye that the LORD he is God, it is he that hath made us, and not we our ſelves; we are his people, and the ſheep of his paſture.
3. Conſider that the Lord, whom you worſhip, is the Creatour and the Governour of the world; who gave us our Being, and all the good things we enjoy: His we are, and by his power and goodneſs, not our own, we are become ſo great and mighty a Nation; whom out of his own mere good will alone, He hath made his peculiar people, of whom He takes a tender care.
4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praiſe: be thankfull unto him, and bleſs his name.
4. When you enter therefore into the gates of his Sanctuary, preſent Him, not merely with the ſacrifices of beaſts but, with the moſt acceptable ſacrifice of hearty Thankſgiving; and, as you ſtand in his Courts, attending on Him, ceaſe not to ſing his praiſes: Thank Him, I ſay, for all his benefits, and praiſe his incomparable perfections.
5. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlaſting: and his truth endureth to all generations.
5. For as his power is tranſcendent, ſo is his goodneſs; as appears by his never-failing bounty towards us, and his ſtedfaſt faithfulneſs to his word: for the mercy promiſed to our Forefathers He hath exactly fulfilled in our days; and will continue to all ſucceeding generations.