The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 5 · Psalm 146
PSALM CXLVI.
Hallelujah.
ARGUMENT.
This Pſalm and the other four, which follow, both begin and conclude, with the word Hallelujah, i. e. Praiſe ye the Lord. And therefore might, if the Jews had pleaſed, have been called The great Hallelujah: being all of them exhortations and incitements to the people; to ſtir up themſelves unto that heavenly imployment: which this Pſalm recommends to them, from the conſideration of ſeveral of the Divine Excellencies: which make Him the proper object of our confidence in all conditions. The vulgar Latin, and the preſent Greek intitle it to Haggai and Zachariah: but there is no ſuch thing in the Hebrew, nor in other ancient Interpreters, nor in the LXX. in the Hexaplus, as Theodoret tells us. And we might rather think it not unlikely, to have been compoſed by David; when Saul, who at firſt had a great kindneſs for him, afterward turned his moſt bitter enemy: were it not for one word, viz. the mention of Sion; which was not then in David's poſſeſſion. This it is poſſible inclined thoſe that made the foregoing Title, to think it was not compoſed till after-times; and they could find none ſo likely as that after the Captivity: when they ſoon found it was in vain to rely upon the favour of Princes; ſome of which hindred the building of the Temple, as much as Cyrus at the firſt had furthered it. I ſhall not trouble the Reader with any other conjectures: but onelyonly note that the eighth Verſe was moſt exactly and literally fulfilled in our Lord Chriſt; when he came to give Salvation to us.
1. PRaiſe ye the LORD. Praiſe the LORD, O my ſoul.
1. STir up thy ſelf, O my Soul, to give the Lord, who gave Being to all things, thoſe affectionate praiſes which are due unto Him.
2. While I live will I praiſe the LORD: I will ſing praiſes unto my God, while I have any being.
2. The beſt reſolution Thou canſt make is this; I will praiſe the Lord all my life long: and never ceaſe to give thanks unto my God, who never ceaſes to beſtow his benefits on me.
3. Put not your truſt in princes, nor in the ſon of man, in whom there is no help.
3. And let all mankind, if they would be happy, preſerve his favour, by being gratefull to Him; and not (with the neglect of his ſervice) court the favour of Princes, and ſettle upon them their dependance: For the greateſt King on earth, though never ſo juſt, never ſo bountifull, as well as rich and powerfull, is ſtill but a man; who cannot be preſent every where when we are in danger, nor be able always to help us in our greateſt needs.
4. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth: in that very day his thoughts periſh.
4. For there is a time when he cannot help himſelf, nor by the whole power of his Empire keep his ſoul from leaving his body: nay a ſmall accident may carry him away ſuddenly; and then a clod of earth can do as much as he, and whatſoever deſigns and projects he had laid, (for any mans preferment, ſuppoſe) they all die together with him.
5. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whoſe hope is in the LORD his God:
5. He, and he alone, is the truly happy man, who expects help from the mighty God, by whom Jacob was fed all his life long, (XLVIII. Gen. 15.) who truſts to Him that is Lord of the World; and hath made Him his Friend ſo much, that he can call Him his God.
6. Which made heaven and earth, the ſea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
6. For, as He never dies ſo, there can be no defect in his power, nor want of his preſence in every place; the heavens, the earth and the ſea, and all that is in them, being his own works: and, as nothing can hinder Him from doing what He pleaſes ſo, He will never alter his mind, nor go back with his word; but faithfully keep his promiſes for ever, with thoſe that rely upon them.
7. Which executeth judgment for the oppreſſed, which giveth food to the hungry: the LORD looſeth the priſoners.
7. There are innumerable inſtances of the carefull Providence of this great King; who doth not ſlight or forget the cries of his grieved Subjects; but in due time aſſerts the right of thoſe who are oppreſſed, and can find no relief in other Courts of Judgment: He ſupplies alſo the needs of poor hungry wretches, who are ready to famiſh: and is ſo gracious a Lord, that He ſets them at liberty, who by unjuſt or pitileſs men have been held in miſerable Captivity.
8. The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiſeth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous.
8. The Lord ſends help, when there are no hopes of humane cure: for He reſtores ſight to the blind, (as we ſhall ſee moſt remarkably when the Lord Chriſt appears) and lifts up thoſe who are bowed together, by tedious weakneſſes, (XIII. Luke 11.) or cruſht under other inſupportable burthens: and above all the Lord delights to doe good to them, who have done good to others.
9. The LORD preſerveth the ſtrangers; he relieveth the fatherleſs and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upſide down.
9. The friendleſs ſtrangers are preſerved by the Lord, from thoſe injuries which men are apt to doe them; when they commit themſelves to his protection: And ſo do the diſconſolate Widows and Fatherleſs Children find ſupport and relief from Him, againſt the injuſtice and violence of their wicked oppreſſours; whoſe deſigns and practices He utterly confoundeth.
10. The LORD ſhall reign for ever, even thy God, O Sion, unto all generations. Praiſe ye the LORD.
10. Be of good comfort then, O ye inhabitants of Sion, who ſincerely worſhip this great Lord, that doeth all theſe wondrous things: For his power and authority never fails; but from age to age will ever ſuccour thoſe pious ſouls, who are deſtitute of humane help: therefore praiſe perpetually this everlaſting King.