A Brief Explication of the First Fifty Psalms, Psalm 29
PSAL. XXIX.
David exhorteth Princes and great men, to humble themselves before God, and to worship him (as he hath commanded) in his publick ordinances, verse 1, 2. First, because he is infinitely higher then they, and more terrible to all men, then they can be to their subjects or inferiours, as the uttering of his Majesty and power by thunder doth make evident▪ ver. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Secondly, because he offereth the means of saving knowledge, even all his ordinances, whereby men may heartily glorifie him in their assemblies, ver. 9. Thirdly, because he is an everlasting King and Ruler of all the creatures, ver. 10. And fourthly, because such as do humbly submit themselves to him, and worship him as his People should do, shall be furnished with abilities for every good work, and shall be abundantly blessed.
Vers. 1. GIve unto the Lord, (O ye mighty) give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse.
HE directeth his speech and exhortation to the Potentates of the earth, that they may humble themselves before God, and give him the glory of all power, and authority, and excellency above themselves, and above all other creatures. Hence learn, 1. Of all men Princes should be most carefull to glorifie God, and yet it is most rare to see them humble themselves before him: for natural corruption is as strong in them as in others: Their education doth breed them to high and stately thoughts of themselves, their riches and power puffeth them up, and flatterers ordinarily following them, do make them forget themselves and God also. Therefore are they here thrice exhorted to give glory to God. 2. It is most necessary that Potentates do humble themselves before God, and be particularly dealt with to that purpose, because their example and authority doth move many outwardly to submit to God, or stand out from his service: therefore he speaketh to them in their grandeur, Give glory to God, O ye mighty. 3. As men are great in the world, so they are ready to think much of their own strength, of what their power is able to reach to, and what honour is due to them; but if they reckon right, strength and glory belongeth to God. And according as he is above them in power and excellency, so should he proportionably be magnified, Give unto the Lord glory and strength, and give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. 4. He will have no glory of men, but as he hath prescribed to men in his own ordinances, given forth in his Word to his Church: Worship him in the beauty of holinesse, that is, in the glorious sanctuary, the place of publick meeting; beautiful indeed, not for timber or stones so much, as because the holy and beautiful means of grace to men, and Gods worship shewing forth his glory was there to be found.
Ver. 3. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: The God of glory thundereth, the Lord is upon many waters.
4. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is full of Majesty.
He proveth that strength and glory belongeth to the Lord, by one only work of thundring, and kindling fire in the midst of watery clouds; that he may make thunder in the conflict of water closing in the fire, and fire breaking through the clouds, how oft soever he pleaseth to shew his power to the children of men. Whence learn, 1. Though the standing works of Creation speak most of God, yet such is our foolishnesse, that we are least apprehensive of that which is daily seen, and a lesse work more rarely occurring will move more; as for example, the thunder or the Eclipse of the Sun or Moon, will move more then the making of heaven and earth. 2. No work of the Lord is rightly taken up till he himself be looked unto, as the immediate Worker of it: therefore he points out the sound of the thunder, as the voice of the Lord upon many waters. 3. Though the Lord should be observed as the worker of every work, yet not at first is he seen in his work to any purpose, till we by oftner reviewing his operation about it, be somewhat affected with his glory and power therein; therefore he repeateth the second time, The God of glory thundreth; And the third time, The Lord is upon many waters. 4. When the thunder or any work of God is well considered, some invisible thing of God will appear therein; as for example, his power and majesty will be evidenced in the thunder; for the voice of the Lord is powerful and ful of majestie.
Ver. 5. The voice of the Lord breaketh the Cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon.
6. He maketh them also to skip like a Calfe: Leebanon and Syrion like a young Vnicorne.
7. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
8. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wildernesse: the Lord shaketh the wildernesse of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hindes to calve, and discovereth the forrests: and in his Temple doth every one speak of his glory.
He insisteth in his subject, and sheweth the effects thereof, on trees, ver. 5. on mountaines, ver. 6. on the fire of the thunder, parting it in lightning, ver. 7. on the waste wildernesse, ver. 8. on the beasts and woods where they haunt, ver. 9. Whence learne, 1. That the stupidity and senselessness of man is greater then that of the brute creatures, which are all more moved with the thunder, then the hearts of men for the most part, as here may be seen in the comparison. 2. One work of God dwelt upon, shal shew more of God then many of his works being slightly looked on, and passed over: as for example, this one of the thunder, considered with the effects, saith more then many; yea, one sensible and understanding man, wil discover more of God in one work of God, then many in their ordinary mood, either in that work, or in any other, or in all his works.
Ver. 9. The voice of the Lord maketh the hindes to calve, and discovereth the forrests: and in his Temple doth every one speak of his glory.
He giveth a second reason of his exhortation to the mighty, to worship God in the beauty of holinesse, because in his Temple every one doth speak of his glory. Whence learne, 1. The glory of the Lord is shewn forth in all the earth, and in all his works, but in his Temple, in his Church, his works are holden forth expresly and fully, for there by his Word, his counsel is opened, his holinesse, his goodnesse, justice, mercy, and all his attributes are declared. Without the Church, men are compelled to acknowledg glory now and then, but in his Church, men do declare his glory distinctly and willingly. In his Temple doth every one speak of his glory, all men there do confesse his praise, and every thing in the Temple holdeth forth something of Christ and his benefits, to the glory of Gods mercy; and this is more then the world understandeth.
Verse 10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood: yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.
A third reason, to move Princes to give to God glory and strength, is, because his Kingdome reacheth to the ruling of the waters, and because he is a King immortal. Whence learn, 1. As the strength of the Lord appeareth in all his works, so especially that he ruleth the raging sea, whereby once he did drown the world, and now bindeth up, that it should do no more so again, The Lord sitteth upon the floods. No King is King over every Kingdom and King, but God is King above all Kings; No King is of long continuance, but the Lord is the everlasting King, He sitteth King for ever; and therefore every mighty man should do him homage, as his King, his Lord, and supreme Superiour.
Verse 11 The Lord wil give strength unto his People: The Lord wil blesse his People with Peace
The last reason to move Potentates to give all glory to God, and to joyne with his People in glorifying of him, is, because of the blessednesse of his people, who worship him in his holy Temple. Whence learne, 1. The power of the Lord is not against his people, but for his people, against his and their enemies, He giveth strength to his People, to wit, against their enemies, and for furnishing them to every part of his service whereunto he calleth them; The Lords people do give the glory of power and strength to the Lord, And the Lord wil give strength to his People. 2. The true worshippers of God, whatsoever may be their exercise in the world, may be sure of reconciliation with him, and of true blessednesse, For the Lord wil blesse his People with Peace.