A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 111
PSALME CXI.
THe scope of this Psalme is to stir up all to praise God, and that for so many reasons as there are verses in the Psalme. The exhortation is in the first words: Praise ye the Lord. The reasons follow in order. The Psalme is composed so after the order of the Hebrew Alphabet, as every sentence or half verse beginneth with a several letter of the A B C in order, and all the Psalme is of praise only. Whence we learn in general, 1. Sometime it is expedient to set all other things apart, and employ our selves expressely to proclaim the praises of the Lord only; for so is done in this Psalme. 2. The praises of the Lord are able to fill all the letters, and words composed of letters, in all their possible junctures or composition; for so much doth the going through all the letters of the A B C point out unto us he is Alpha and Omega, and all the middle letters of the A B C of praise. 3. The praises of the Lord are worthy to be kept in memory: for that this Psalme may be the better remembred, it is composed after the order of the A B C, and so it insinuateth thus much to us.
Ver 1. PRaise ye the LORD: I will praise the LORD with my whole heart in the Assembly of the upright, and in the Congregation.
He setteth down the scope of the Psalme in a word of exhortation to praise the Lord, and then annexeth ten reasons and motives thereunto. The first motive is from his own example; Whence learn, 1. When we are about any part of divine worship. it shall be to good purpose to set our eye mainly upon the scope which we propound to our selves therein: for so with lesse wavering of thoughts, and more fixed presence of minde, we shall follow our purpose; Thus much doth the Psalmists example here teach us, setting down all he purposeth to aime at in this word, Praise ye the Lord. 2. The Pastor of the Congregation, being about to stir up others to this, or any other spiritual duty, should go before them in his own example, and stir up himself for that same end: for so teacheth the Psalmist, saying, I will praise the Lord. 3. As the Lord is worthy of hearty praises, so should we with our heart take up the Song, and bear out the work; I will praise the Lord with my whole heart. 4. Solemn meetings of Gods children for Gods publick worship, and furthering one another therein, is an Ordinance of God appointed for that end: I will praise in the Assembly, and in the Congregation. 5. Albeit the true members of the Church invisible, be only they who are justified, and who are regenerate, and who are Students of sanctity and righteousnesse; and albeit such only are fittest hearers, discerners and joyners in the Lords worship, yet must the whole Congregation, or visible members of the Church, whatsoever they be before God, be admitted to the fellowship of hearing God praised; for thereby the elect unconverted may be regenerate; for when the Psalmist hath said, I will praise the Lord in the Assembly of the upright, he subjoyneth also, and in the Congregation.
Ver. 2. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
The second reason of the exhortation to praise God, is from the greatness and excellency of Gods works. When…e learn, 1. We need not go far to seek matter for praising the Lord, his works are at our hand to furnish matter; and albeit the Lords works in comparison one with another be some of them greater, some of them lesser, yet all and every one of them being looked upon severally are great; The works of the Lord are great. 2. Whatsoever glory doth appear in Gods works▪ there is more hid treasure and excellency therein to be sought out, and if men do not see much in Gods works, it i… because they do not seek them out; The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them, &c. 3. It is a mark of a wise childe of God to take pleasure in Gods work, and to take pleasure to search and see Gods praise therein, and these only do reap the right use and benefit thereof; They are sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Ver. 3. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousnesse endureth for ever.
The third reason of praise, is the glory and honour of God to be seen in his works. Whence learn, …. The glory of Gods wisdome, power, justice or mercy, or some of his attributes, is stamped upon his works of Creation and Providence, and they who have an open eye to look upon them rightly, will …cknowledge it; His work is honourable and glorious. 2. When the rayes of Gods wisdom, power, goodnesse, or any attribute, are perceived in his work, they cause an honourable estimation of God, and of his work also; and a right estimation of Gods work cannot be attained till his glory be seen in it; His work is honourable and glorious. 3. Albeit the world alwayes, yea, and Gods children also, do often misconstrue the Lords work and dealing with themselves and with others, yet there is no wrong therein, there was never any wrong, nor ever shall there be any the least point of injustice in his dealing; His righteousnesse endureth for ever.
Ver. 4. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred: the LORD is gracious, and full of compassion.
The fourth motive to praise God, is the course he taketh to make his works to be remembred, mixing mercy and compassion in all his providence towards men, and specially his own people. Whence learn, 1. What the Lord hath done for his Church, he hath ordained that it should be remembred; and this he procureth, partly by printing upon his works the large impression of his power and goodnesse; partly by doing the like works when the Church standeth in need thereof; and partly by his Ordinances, commanding them to be remembred; He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred. 2. As the grace and loving pity of God towards his Church, is the cause of the wonderful working of God for his Church: so are they strong motives to cause his works to be remembred unto his praise; For the Lord is gracious and full of compassion, doth here infer so much.
Ver. 5. He hath given meat unto them that feare him, he will ever be mindful of his Covenant.
The fifth motive to praise God, is, because God according to his Covenant provideth for the necessities of his people. Whence learn, 1. The Lord in all ages hath carefully furnished maintenance for the life, both bodily and spiritual of his own people; He hath given meat to them that feare him. 2. As what good the Lord doth unto his people, is because of his Covenant with them, so what is to be done for them, he will do for his Covenants sake also, without being wearied: He wil ever be mindful of his Covenant.
Ver. 6. He hath shewed his people the power of his works: that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The sixth motive to Gods praise is, the proof which he gave of his power for, and good-will to this people, in bringing them out of Egypt and unto Canaan. Whence learn, 1. The Lords working wonderfully and extraordinarily for his people, were it but once and at one time, as it is a sufficient reason of praising him ordinarily at all times thereafter, so it is a sufficient prop to the faith of his people at all times; for this use are we taught to make of the Lords working for his people, in giving them the heritage of the heathen. 2. As the Lords working for his people at one time, giveth evidence of what he can do for them at any time: so will he have his own people in special spectators, observers and witnesses of his working at any time, that they may make use thereof at all times; He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
Ver. 7. The works of his hands are verity and judgement: all his Commandments are sure.
8. They stand fast for ever and ever: and are done in truth and uprightnesse.
The seventh and eighth motives to Gods praise, is the suitableness of his Work unto his Word, and the stability of his Word and Works in truth and uprightness. Whence learn, 1. The works of the Lord done for his Church, and in his Church to his people for their correction or comfort, and against their enemies for their overthrow, do prove the Lord to be true and faithful in his promises and threatenings: The works of the Lord are verity and judgement. 2. As the Words and working of the Lord agree together, so should they be esteemed of, acknowledged and commended by us: The works of the Lord are verity and judgement. 3. The whole Word of God, all which he hath commanded us to observe and make use of, is worthy of all commendation▪ and of perpetual use; for all the parts of it do agree one with another, suitable to the condition of his people in all ages, good and profitable to them: it is clear and plain, and not ambiguous, when it is rightly considered and compared with it self: for even the ceremonial law, albeit abolished for the outward observation of the carnal ceremonie, which figured forth Christ to come, yet endureth for ever in the real signification of substance, benefits and duties thereby shadowed forth: …nd the moral law▪ howsoever it serveth to condemne me… for their sins; yet it is also a paedagogie to draw and drive condemned men to seek righteousnesse and life in Christ▪ and to lead the believer along i… his hand to heaven; All his Commandmnts are sure, they stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightnesse.
Ver. 9. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his Covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his Name.
The ninth motive to Gods praise, is the course which he hath taken for mans salvation, and for his divine honour. Whence learn. 1. The Lord ha…h made redemption ready for men, and haeh given forth a commission for making offer of it, and for applying it to the benefit of the believer; He sent redemption to his people. 2. Whosoever do receive the message of Redemption sent unto them, God is entered with them in an everlasting and unchangeable Covenant, for grace and salvation unto them: He hath commanded his Covenant for ever. 3. Wherein soever God hath …ngaged himself by Covenant, we must not suspect him to be otherwayes minded then he hath spoken, but must in faith and fear subscribe to his declaration, lest we take his Name in vain: For holy and reverend is his Name.
Ver. 10. The feare of the LORD is the beginning of wisdome: a good understanding have all they that do his Commandments, his praise endureth for ever.
The tenth motive to praise God is, from the fruit of believing and obeying him. Whence learn. 1. As it i… true wisdome to know the Lords will, and to observe it: so then do men begin to give proof of wisdom in them, when they begin to make conscience of the obedience of faith, and to stand in awe to misbelieve Gods Word, or disobey his commands; For the feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 2. Howsoever the wicked who follow their own counsel, may seem wise to worldlings, and the Lords children to be simple and witlesse, yet in effect, the man that studieth constantly unto the obedience of faith, is the only wise man; A good understanding have all they that do his Commandments. 3. Albeit many do neglect to praise God, yet he shall not want praise: for the matter of his praise shall endure, and he shall provide such as shall praise him, from generation to generation, and for evermore; His praise endureth for ever.