The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 5 · Psalm 111
PSALM CXI.
Hallelujah, i. e. Praiſe the Lord.
ARGUMENT.
It is certain this is the Title of the Pſalm: which conſiſts of as many ſhort Metres as there are Letters in the Hebrew Alphabet; and therefore cannot begin with Hallelujah, whoſe firſt Letter is the fifth, not the firſt Letter in that Alphabet. In which order it proceeds for the better help of the memory: being compoſed thus artificially, that every one, as well as the ſingers (to whom the Hallelujah perhaps is particularly directed) might have in their minds a brief form of thanking God (eſpecially upon feſtival days) for the wonderfull things He had done for that Nation.
It was a meditation which the Authour had in time of peace and quiet; for in diſtreſs, or immediately after a great deliverance, mens ſpirits are not at liberty to uſe ſuch art and curioſity in their compoſures, as there is in this Pſalm: being full, at thoſe ſeaſons, of ſuch paſſions, as make them neglect it, even when they are inclined to uſe it. (ſee Pſalm XXV.) For which reaſon I think Theodoret's opinion hath no ground; that the Pſalmiſt hath reſpect to the great Victory obtained by Jehoſhaphat over the Ammonites and other Nations, who invaded his Kingdom: for which they gave thanks to God, preſently after, 2 Chr. XX. It is more likely that David who compoſed thoſe larger forms of commemoration, Pſalm CV. and CVI. made this (as I ſaid) for a compendious remembrance of what is there more largely delivered. And that He might not exceed the number of the Ten Commandments (as ſome give the reaſon of it) in the Verſes of this Pſalm, the Metres of the two laſt are ſo ſhort; that they have, each of them, three Letters of the Alphabet in them, whereas all the former have but two.
1. PRaiſe ye the LORD. I will praiſe the LORD with my whole heart, in the aſſembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
1. I Will make my thankfull acknowledgments to the Lord, not onelyonly with my lips, or with ſome ſlight affections of my mind; but with all my heart and ſoul: And that not onelyonly in the private ſociety of thoſe good …en, whom I am more in…mately acquainted withall; but in the publick congregation of all his people.
2. The works of the LORD are great, ſought out of all them that have pleaſure therein.
2. Who ought to join together to praiſe the Lord, for his mighty and wonderfull works; which it will not coſt them much labour to underſtand; for they are eaſily found out by all thoſe, who take any pleaſure in ſuch inquiries.
3. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteouſneſs endureth for ever.
3. And there is not one of them but is full of majeſty and ſplendour; and the fruit of his infinite bounty, and faithfulneſs to his promiſe: which He ſtill expreſſes towards us; and will doe ſo for ever.
4. He hath made his wonderfull works to be remembred: the LORD is gracious and full of compaſſion.
4. And, ſuch is his Goodneſs, leſt we ſhould forget his Benefits, He hath inſtituted ſolemn times for the commemoration of the wonders He hath done for us, (XII. Exod. 14. XIII. 3, 9, &c.) which are everlaſting teſtimonies, that we ſerve a moſt gracious and compaſſionate Lord.
5. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindfull of his covenant.
5. Who gave our Forefathers (whom by his wonderfull works He poſſeſſed with the fear of Him, XIV. Exod. 31.) the ſpoil of the Egyptians, (XII. Exod. 35, 36.) and afterward fed them with Manna in the wilderneſs, (XVI. Exod.) according to his Covenant, which He had made long before, (XV. Gen. 14.) and will never forget in future Ages.
6. He hath ſhewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
6. He hath evidently demonſtrated to his people the greatneſs of his power, in deſtroying Sihon the Amorite, (II. Deut. 24, 25.) and Og the King of Baſhan, (III. Deut. 21, 24.) with the reſt of the Amorites and other Nations, in the Land of Canaan: (X. Joſh. 6, 11, 12, &c.) which He took from the ancient Inhabitants, that He might give it us for our poſſeſſion.
7. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are ſure.
7. In which He did them no wrong; but was exactly juſt in fulfilling his promiſe to us, and in executing his judgments upon thoſe wicked wretches: (IX. Deut. 5. XV. Gen. 16.) For all his orders of either kind, are in purſuance of moſt righteous decrees.
8. They ſtand faſt for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightneſs.
8. Which He doth not alter and change at pleaſure; but hath ſettled as eternal Rules: becauſe there is no partiality, or iniquity in them; but they were enacted with a ſincere reſpect to all mens good and happineſs.
9. He ſent redemption unto his people, he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
9. And it was in conformity to theſe that He at firſt ſent Moſes and Aaron, to bring our Fathers out of Egypt, (VI. Exod. 6.) and then exerciſed his ſupreme authority over them, in giving them a Law, which He tied them by a Covenant perpetually to obſerve; (XIX. Exod. 4, 5. XXIV. 8.) Appearing in ſuch Majeſty to them, (XX. Exod. 18. XXIV. 10, 11.) as might poſſeſs them with an awfull regard to Him; and make them for ever dread, by any profaneneſs, to offend Him, who infinitely excells all other Beings.
10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wiſedom: a good underſtanding have all they that doe his commandments: his praiſe endureth for ever.
10. And indeed, it is the firſt and principal point of wiſedom to fear the Lord, and carefully obſerve his Commandments: the practice of which give, men a better underſtanding of what is good for them, then any politick maximes can infuſe into them. Therefore let the Lord be for ever praiſed, who hath given us theſe good and wholſome Laws; and thereby ſhewn us the way to eternal honour and praiſe.