A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 136
PSALME CXXXVI.
THis Psaime is an exhortation to confesse Gods goodnesse and and mercy, and to praise and thank him for the manifestation thereof, in so many sundry works of his: upon this ground, because the fountain of his mercy, whence his works did flow, doth run still, and endure for ever, to the benefit of his owne people in special. The reasons of the exhortation unto thanks and praise, are set down in order, so many in number as the verses are, unto every one whereof is added one common reason▪ from the everlasting endurance of his mercy In the fi…st place, the exhortation is thrice propounded, with reasons taken f…om the Lords attributes or names, v. 1, 2, 3. In the second place▪ reasons are given from his works, and in special from the work of Creation, v. 4, to v. 10. In the third place, reasons are given from the work of Redemption of Israel, and bringing them forth out of Egypt ▪ & planting them in Canaan, from 10, to v. 23▪ In the fourth place, reasons of thanks are given, from his late mercy to the Church in the Psalmists time, v. 23, 24. And last of all, a reason is given, from his goodnesse to all living crea…ures, v. 25. whereupon he closeth with an exhortation unto thanksgiving to the God of heaven, v. 26·
Vers. 1. O Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
From the threefold exhortation to give thanks, with the reasons subjoyned thereto: …earn, 1. When we have praised God for what reasons we have offered unto us in one Psalme, we must begin again, and praise for other reasons, and when we have done so, we have not overtaken our task, the duty lieth still at our door to be discharged afresh: as this Psalme doth shew. 2. God is to be acknowledged and praised as the fountain of the being, continuance and preservation of all things that are in the world, and as the performer of all his promises: O give thanks unto the Lord Iehova. 2. The knowledge of Gods attributes, properties or Name, and in special of his goodnesse, is able to draw forth the praising of God from every believer: O give thanks unto the Lord, f…r he is good. 3. Neither is God weary of doing good, nor is his mercy spent, by what he hath already let forth of it, but it continueth as a river still running; For his mercy endureth for ever. 4. Whatsoever is the Lords praise is for our profit and advantage, and so is a matter of thanks from us unto his majesty: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good. 5. The Lord is more excellent then all the Magistrates, Rulers, Princes and Kings in the world: yea, he hath all those perfections joyned in one in him, which idolate…s do feigne to be scattered among their idols, of whom they conceive one to excel in one thing, and another in another thing: O give thanks to the God of gods. 6. To whom the Lord is God by Covenant, he is alwayes and for ever their God; For his mercy endureth for ever. 7. God is the only sovereign Lord of all things, and the only Potentate, who hath absolute right, and absolute power to do what he pleaseth, and can when he will, overtop all principa…ities and powers, to the benefit of his followers: O give thanks to the Lord of lords. 8. The perpetuity of Gods mercy doth make the benefit of Gods sovereignty forth-coming for ever to the believer, and to stand as a matter of const…nt praise and thanksgiving to him; Give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Vers. 4. To him who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5. To him that by wisdom made the Heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever.
8. The Sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever.
9. The Moone and Starres to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
From the reasons of praise and thanks to be given to God, which are taken from his works of Creation; Learn, 1. Every work of God is wonderful, and able to make a man astonished if it be well considered: To him who doth great wonders. 2. Whatsoever instruments the Lord is pleased to use in any of his wonderful works, he alone is the worker, and will not communicate the glory of the work with any creature: To him who alone doth great wonders. 3. The constancy of Gods mercy to his own, doth make the use of Gods wonderful power constantly forth-coming to them, as their need requireth: For his mercy endureth for ever. 4. The making of the Heaven, as it is a wonderful work, and a matter of constant praise unto God, so a wonderous benefit unto his people in many respects; To him that made the Heavens. 5. The wisdom of God appearing in the fabrick of heaven, as it is worthy to be praised, because it is of so large a compasse, as the motion of it shall be no wayes troublesome to man: the stars so glorious an ornament, so useful to man, and so regular in their motion as is wonderful: To him that by wisdom made the Heavens. 6. It is the mercy of God that the Heavens do continue in their service to sinful men▪ For his mercy endureth for ever. 7. The earths standing up above the w…ters, which by course of nature should be above the earth,) is a standing miracle for the use of man, that he might have a pleasant dwelling while he is in the world; To him that stretched forth the earth above the waters. 8. It is the mercy of God▪ that the waters do not return to their natural course to cover the earth as they did in the flood of Noah; For his mercy endureth for ever. 9. The illumination of the world by so great lights, as might at once shine upon the one half of the earth, (which otherwise should be in darknesse for the most part) is a matter of Gods praise, and mans profit, deserving thanks from man unto God: To him who made great lights. 10. It is the Lords mercy that he hath not changed this course, nor removed this much abused benefit from us; For his merciemercy endureth for ever, 11. The making the Sun to be the fixed fountain of day-light, rather then to have served the world with the light which shined the first three dayes of the Creation, is for the greater benefit of man, as for many other reasons so for this, that every part of the day might be better distinguished, according to the motion of the body of the Sun. The Sun to rule the day. 12. That God hath not discharged the Sun to shine upon sinful men▪ who deserve to live in darknesse, is a proof of his endlesse mercy to his own: For his mercy endureth for ever. 13. The tempering of the darknesse of the night by the Moones light, and by the light of the starres in their courses, is a matter of Gods praise, and of mans comfort, and the continuing of this favour still, is the evidence of his mercy to his people: He maketh the Moone and Starres to rule by night, for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 10. To him that smote Egypt in their first-borne; fer his mercy endureth for ever.
11. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever.
12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arme: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13. To him which divided the Red-sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever.
14. And made Israel to passe thorow the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever.
15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his hoste in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16. To him which led his people thorow the wildernesse; for his mercy endureth for ever.
17. To him which smote great Kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
18. And slew famous Kings; for his mercy endureth for ever.
19. Sihon King of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever.
20. And Og the King of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever.
21. And gave their land for an heritage; for his mercy endureth for ever.
22. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
In the reasons of Gods praise, taken from the work of delivery of Israel out of Egypt, convoying of them through the wildernesse, and planting them in Canaan: Learn, 1. The Lord should be praised for the works of Creation, as by all men, so especially by those who are partakers of the benefit of Redemption: and those only who are sensible of the benefit of Redemption, will give him praise for the works of Creation, and common Providence, as the fastening of the duty of praise, especially upon Israel, here doth teach us. 2. The Lords preserving of his Church from the beginning doth concern the true members of the Church in all times after, to be thankful for it, no lesse then for the continuing of the course of the Heavens, Sun, Moon and Stars; as the context of the Psalm doth hold forth. 3. The Lords punishing of the enemies of his Church in Egypt, is an obligation on the Church to praise him for ever: and his constant mercy giveth assurance, that he will avenge the quarrel of his oppressed people in all ages: To him that smote Egypt in their first-borne, for his mercy endureth for ever. 4. The delivery of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, is a matter of Gods perpetual praise: and it is a pledge of Gods mercy to his Church in all ages; He brought out Israel from amongst them; for his mercy endureth for ever. 5. As the work of the Churches delivery is more difficult, so doth the Lord put forth more clearly his Omnipotency for perfecting of it, as appeared in Israels bringing forth out of Egypt, with a strong hand and out-stretched arme. 6. One proof of Gods power manifested for his Church, is a pawne of his purpose to give so oft proof as need shall be, of his power for his peoples relief; For his mercy endureth for ever. 7. The most improbable deliverances from danger, are very possible to God, who can turn the sea into dry land for his peoples escaping; To him which divided the sea into parts. 8. The constancy of Gods mercy to his Church, maketh his dividing of the sea a pawne of his power and purpose to deliver his Church how great soever their straits shall be: For his mercy endureth for ever. 9. It is a work of no lesse mercy and power, to give his people grace to make use of an offered meanes of delivery, then to prepare the deliverance for them, but the constancy of Gods mercy doth not only provide the meanes, but also giveth his people grace to make use thereof in all ages: He made Israel to passe through the midst of it, for his mercy endureth for ever. 10▪ God can make that meanes which proveth effectual for the safety of his people, to prove a snare to the wicked for their destruction, as the Red sea was a snare to the Egyptians; But he overthrew Pharaoh and his hoste in the Red-sea. 11. The constancy of Gods mercy toward his people, is a pledge of the constant course of his justice against their enemies; For his mercy endureth for ever. 12. As thankfulnesse maketh search of many mercies in the bosome of one, so the innumerable multitude of Gods mercies doth force the thankful man to summe up many mercies in one: as here all the mercies in the fourty yeares journeying in the wildernesse are drawn up in a word; To h…m that led his people thorough the wildernesse. 13. It is the constancy of Gods mercy, which maketh him continue the conduct of his people, and bear with their manners, till he put an end to their journey; He led his people through the wildernesse, for his mercy endureth for ever. 14. The people of God may meet with no lesse difficulties in their way to heaven, then they have found hinderances of their Conversion, as the typical example of Israels meeting with opposition before they entred Canaan doth shew. 15. Albeit Kings and potent Powers should oppose the setling of Gods Church in any place where he pleaseth to plant it, yet they shall not be able to hinder his work: for his mercy is forth-coming in one age as well as in another, that praise and thanks may alwayes be given unto him; Who smote great Kings, for his mercy endureth for ever. 16. Men of renown lose their credit, when they meddle with the Lords Church, and readily they lose their lives also: and this should be a document to all mighty men, and a matter of comfort to Gods people; He slew famous Kings, for his mercy endureth for ever. 17. The Lord will have the first opposers of the setling of his people exemplarily punished, and their punishment made no lesse famous then their sin hath been; He slew Sihon King of the Amorites: and the like will the Lord do in all ages against the chief adversaries of his people: For his mercy endureth for ever. 18. When judgement upon one enemie doth not terrifie others of them from opposing Gods people, the like destruction shall fall upon those that make head against the Church; And he slew Og King of Bashan. 19. The slaughter of the enemies of Gods people is the work of the Lord, whosoever be the instruments; for it is not here said that the Israelites slew Sihon and Og, but the Lord slew them; and the like mercy may the Church look for in all ages; For his mercy endureth for ever. 20. It is the Lord who giveth heritages at his pleasure, and who can dispossesse such men of their lands, who will not suffer the Lords people to inherit that land which the Lord hath given them: He slew Sihon and Og, and gave their land for an heritage; and the like mercy may the Church look for in all ages, as it shall be found good for her: For his mercy endureth for ever. 21. When the Lord puts down the enemies, and puts his servants in their place, it is a double mercy; As He gave the lands of Sihon and Og to be an heritage unto Israel his servants. 22. There can no cause be found in Gods people, why God should do good to them, or why he hath done good unto them: but the constancy of his own merciemercy only; For his mercy endureth for ever.
Vers. 23. Who remembred us in our low estate; for his mercy endureth for ever.
24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies; for his mercy endureth for ever.
In the reasons of Gods praise taken from the late experience of the Church in the dayes of the Psalmist: Learn, 1. Unto whatsoever praise we can give to God for what he hath done before our time, we should adde praises also for what the Lord hath done for us in our time, as here the Church in the P…almists dayes doth unto all the former adde this: Who remembered us in our low estate. 2. The season and ordinary time of the Lords manifesting himself for his people is, when they are brought low, and emptied of their own strength, and of all hope of worldly assistance; Who remembered us in our low estate. 3. The Lords presence, help and assistance, good-will and respect to us, is better observed by afflicted people then by prosperous: for troubles, necessities and straits, are meanes to open mens eyes, and waken up their senses, to take up the worth of the Lords working: He remembred us in our low estate. 4. The mercy of the Lord is set on work for his people, both when they are in adversity to sustain them, and to raise them out of it: and in prosperity to maintain them in it, and to teach them the good use of it, in looking wisely on Gods dealing with them in both conditions: He remembred us in our low estate, for his mercy endureth for ever. 5. Albeit the proud enemies of the Church may prevaile, and bring the Church into bondage for a time, yet the Lord will not suffer the enemie to oppresse, nor his people to be oppressed alwayes, but will deliver his own in due time: as here, He hath redeemed us from our enemies. 6. The same reason and cause is to be found of the delivery of Israel out of Egypt, and of the delivery of the Church at any time from their enemies, and that is mercy only; For his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 25. Who giveth food to all flesh; for his mercy endureth for ever.
In the reason of Gods praise taken from his goodnesse to all living creatures; Learn, 1. The Lords goodnesse and fatherly care of all living creatures, is worthy to be marked and made use of for his praise, in special the giving of every living creature their ow… food convenien… for them, and that in due season every day: Who giveth food to all flesh. 2. The mercy of the Lord toward his children, is the cause of …his care and respect unto such other creatures, as man hath need of: For his mercy endureth for ever. 3. The care which God hath of all flesh to give them their food, is a ground of assurance to his people of his far greater care of them; For his mercy endureth for ever, to them.
Ver. 26. O give thanks unto the God of Heaven; for his mercy endureth for ever.
From the close of the Psalme; Learne, 1. Heaven and heavenly gifts are the height of all the felicity of the Saints, and the flower of all Gods benefits unto his children, for which above all other favours he is to be thanked and praised by his people: O give thanks unto the God of Heaven. 2 God is the strong God of heaven, not only because he made the heaven, and sheweth his glory most there, but especially because he hath promised to give heaven, and all spiritual graces unto eternal life in heaven, to his own people by an everlasting Covenant: of which heaven and heavenly mercies he is God: O give thanks unto the God of heaven 3. As mercy hath intituled heaven unto the Saints, so doth mercy preserve them in their right, and will preserve them in the possession thereof for ever: For his mercy endureth for ever.