A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 147
PSALME CXLVII.
THis Psalme is for stirring up of the Church to praise and thanksgiving. The exhortation is threefold. The first is, v. 1. and six reasons for it, or motives unto it, are set down, v. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The second exhortation is, v. 7. and three reasons for it, v 8, 9▪ 10, 11. The third is, v. 12. and six reasons for it, unto the end.
Ver. 1. PRaise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises to our God: for it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
In the first exhortation; Learn, 1. There is no part of Gods worship whereunto we are more indisposed, or need more stirring up, then to praise God, as the frequent repeated exhortations do import. 2. The fi…st motive is this, all the encouragements which can be imagined unto any work, do all concurre here: It is profitable to praise God: for it is good to sing praises to or God All Gods praises are the believers advantage and sto…e houses: and It is pleasant; full of sweet refreshment, as when a man doth view his own rich and well situated inheritance: and it is honourable to be about the employment of Angels, to be Heraulds of the Lords glory: Praise is comely
2. The LORD doth build up Ierusalem: he gathereth together the out-casts of Israel.
The second reason of Gods praise, is for his care over his Church. Whence learn, 1. The Church is the Lords special handie work, he is the builder, upholder and restorer of any b…each in it: The Lord doth build up Ierusalem. 2. The members of the true Church are oft-times scattered one from another, not only by common judgements, but also by persecution and schismes, that they cannot keep that sweet communion one with another which is to be wished, but God is the only gatherer and uniter of them, after whatsoever sort of scattering: He gathereth together the out-casts of Israel.
Vers. 3. He healeth the broken in heart: and bindeth up their wounds.
The third reason of Gods praise is, for his care of the afflicted believer, when by trouble outward, or inward, or both he is wounded in spiri…, broken and brought d…wn, made sickly and weakened; He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds, as a tender Chirurgion, or Physician doth the wound of his Patient.
Vers. 4. He telleth the number of the stars: calleth them all by their names.
The fourth reason of the exhortation to praise God is, his particular knowledge of every thing, which doth transcend the capacity of men, and to them is impossible: He telleth the number of the stars, and calleth them all by their names. In which similitude he sheweth also, that albeit …braham could not comprehend the multitude of the children, either of his faith, or of his flesh, more then he could count the number of the stars, yet the Lord knoweth every beleever by name, as he knoweth every star, and can call every one by their name.
Vers. 5. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
The fifth reason of Gods praise is▪ because in his attributes he is incomprehensible, namely in his dominion over all, in power, to do all, and in his wisdom to contrive whatsoever we stand in need of, so that nothing can be against us, but he is above it; nothing can be needful for us, but his wisdom can devise the meanes to bring it to us, and his power doth put his will in execution for our good; Great is the Lord, his power it great, his understanding is infinite.
Vers. 6. The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
The sixth reason is, from his different dealing with the godly and the wicked: as for the godly, who in the meeknesse of a subdued spirit, do submit themselves under the mighty hand of God, he comforteth them and relieveth them: but he abaseth the proud who do not stand in awe of his Majesty: The Lord lifteth up the meek, but he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
Vers. 7. Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving: sing praise upon the Harp unto our God.
The second exhortation unto praise and thanksgiving, in cheerfulnesse and joy, is expressed with three reasons. In the exhortation; Learn, The whole works of God, each of them in their own way, call (as it were) for our estimation and praising of the workmanship which we see, they call for our answer, as it were, and our duty requireth of us, joyfully to make answer unto the call, (as the Word importeth) in praising the Maker, and thanking him for the use and benefit which we have of his works: Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving, sing praise upon the harp unto our God.
Vers. 8. Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth raine for the earth: who maketh grasse to grow upon the mountaines.
The first reason of the second exhortation is, from his wise disposing of the clouds. Whence learn, 1. Sometime the Lord hideth the glory of the open heaven with clouds, that it may appear again, with so much more new, fresh and pleasant lustre: He covereth the Heaven with clouds. 2. The change which God maketh upon the face of the Heaven by dark clouds▪ is for advantage to the inhabitants of the earth: He prepareth raine for the earth. 3. The Lord taketh care of the most barren parts of the earth, to make them, by raining on them, more pleasant and profitable, then otherwayes they could be: He maketh grasse to grow upon the mountaines.
Vers. 9. He giveth to the beast his food: and to the young ravens which cry.
The second reason of the second exhortation to praise God is, from the Lords care of beasts and fowles, whereby he giveth men to understand, that he hath a far greater care of them: He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
Vers. 10. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legges of a man.
11. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that feare him: in those that hope in his mercy.
The third reason of the second exhortation is, because God esteemeth very little of those things wherein men naturally do put confidence, whether their own strength or the strength of any creature, such as horses are, whereof men do make most use: but he taketh pleasure in the godly, who do fear him, and do hope in him. Whence learn, 1. Men have more objects of carnal confidence, then the idol of the power of Princes, or of the multitude of …ollowers: for before man want an idol, he will idolize his own strength, or the strength of an horse, and put confidence therein, as the slight estimation which God hath of these confidences, and the discharge of putting confidence in them do insinuate. 2. Wherein soever a man delighteth most, and puts most confidence, that is the mans idol, and that which the man doth bring in competition with God, as the Lords discharging of taking delectation or pleasure in the creature, instead of discharging to esteem of it, or put trust in it, doth import. 3. God esteemeth of no man for his riches, honour, command of horse and foot, nor for his bodily strength: He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 4. The only right object of our joy, pleasure and confidence, is God himself, as the opposition doth teach us: such as both beleeve in God, and fear to offend him, are the only men acceptable to God, in whom God delighteth, and taketh pleasure to keep communion with them; The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy; and by consequence such as do not fear him, and who, when they are overtaken in a transgression, do not run to him for pardon in the hope of mercy; He taketh no pleasure in them.
Vers. 12. Praise the LORD, O Ierusalem: praise thy God, O Zion.
In the third exhortation to praise God, expressely directed to Ierusalem and Sion, representing the Church in all ages; …earn, 1. Albeit all the earth be obliged to praise God, yet only the Lords people are the right estimators of his glory, and the fit proclaimers of his praise: Praise the Lord, O Ierusalem. 2. Albeit all the creatures are the Lords, yet the Church is the Lords in a more nigh relation; for the Church may claim interest in God as her own by Covenant; Praise thy God, O Zion.
Vers. 13. For he hath strengthened the barres of thy gates, he hath blessed thy children within thee.
14. He maketh peace in thy border: and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
The reasons for the third exhortation are six, whereof foure are in these verses. The first is, the Lord hath fenced his Church with walls, gates and barres, that the gates of hell cannot prevail against it: He hath strengthened the barres of thy gates, to wit, by interposing of his Omnipotent power for her preservation. 2. The second reason of praise is, that he maketh one generation to follow another in his Church, and the children to be in greater number then their forefathers, by adding daily unto the Church such as are to be saved; He hath blessed thy children within thee: not only in regard of multiplication of them, but also by making them to abound in all knowledge and grace. 3. The third reason of praise is, that the true members of the Church have peace with God, and among themselves, in that measure which is expedient for her good: He maketh peace in thy borders. 4. The fourth reason is, because he feedeth his people with food convenient, but especially in regard of their spiritual nourishment, in giving them the bread of life, whereof the finest floure is but a similitude; He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
Vers. 15. He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his Word runneth very swiftly.
16. He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoare frost like ashes.
17. He casteth forth his ice likt morsels: who can stand before his cold?
18. He sendeth out his Word and melteth them: he causeth his winde to blow, and the waters flow.
The fifth reason of the third exhortation unto Gods praise, is taken from Gods powerful ruling of the least changes in the clouds, and in the aire, in making foule wearher and faire, frost and fresh weather, as he pleaseth, by which similitude he will have his people to understand, that the Lord ruleth with a more special eye all the changes which fall out in the external condition of the Church. Whence learn, 1. The course of the creatures, and the changes in them, even unto the least meteor or change, which is to be seen in the clouds or in the aire, is particularly directed and governed of God, whose will is a law to the creature, and whose command hath ready execution: He sendeth forth his Commandment upon earth, his Word runneth very swiftly. 2. The least change of weather, by snow or frost, or ice, is by Gods dispensation and appointment, much more any change of affaires in his Church; He giveth snow like wool, he scattereth the hoare frost like ashes, he casteth forth his ice like morsels. 3. The consequents and effects of the changes which God doth make, as well in one case as in another, could not be endured if God should not temper them, and provide some remedy against them, as appeareth in the making of frost: Who can stand before his cold? 4. Before any change from frost to faire weather can be made, a new order must come forth from the Lord, and when that cometh, aire and water do return to their former course, and so it is in any other change in the world, especially in the affaires of the Church; He sendeth out his Word, and melteth them: he causeth the winde to blow, and the waters flow.
Vers. 19. He sheweth his Word unto Iacob: his statutes and his judgements unto Israel.
20. He hath not dealt so with any Nation, and as for his judgements they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
The sixth reason of the third exhortation to praise God is, from the different dealing of God with his Church, and with the rest of the people of the world. Whence learn, 1. The benefit of the Scriptures, and the opening up and application of them, unto the edification of the hearers, is a precious gift of God: and this benefit the Lord hath bestowed on his Church, called by the names of Iacob or Israel; He sheweth his Word unto Iacob, his statutes and his judgements unto Israel. 2. The benefit of the Scriptures, and revealing the Word of life unto the Church, maketh Gods people in a better condition, and more excellent then any other incorporation can be in▪ He hath not dealt so with any Nation. 3. Where the Word of God in his Scripture is not opened up, there the Lords dealing with men in justice and merciemercy, and the way which the Lord keepeth in ruling of the world, is not understood, but people there do live in deadly darknesse; As for his judgments they have not known them. 4. As the benefits bestowed upon the Church are most excellent, so the Church is most bound to praise God, both for those mercies, and for all other his glorious works: Praise ye the Lord.