A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 105
PSALM CV.
THe first part of this Psalme was sung at the carrying up of the Ark of God to the City of David, 1 Chron. 16.8. The whole containeth an exhortation to the Church of Israel, to praise God for his mercies shewen towards them, with reasons serving to presse the duty. The exhortation is set down, ver. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The reasons are more particularly expressed in the rest of the Psalme: the first rank whereof is taken from the Lords covenanting with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, and the care which the Lord had of their persons, ver. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. The second rank is taken from the care the Lord had of their posterity, when he sent them down to Egypt, and all the while they were there, ver. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. The third rank is taken from the manner of their delivery out of Egypt, when they were oppressed, and from the plaguing of the Egyptians for their sake, ver. 26, 27, 28, to 37. The fourth rank is taken from the Lords care in leading them through the wildernesse, from, ver. 37, to 43. and the last rank of reasons is taken from the Lords placing of them in Canaan, where they might serve God according to his law, ver. 44, 45.
Ver. 1. O Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his Name: make known his deeds among the people.
The Prophets exhortation unto thankfulnesse, is branched forth in ten particulars, whereof three are in this verse set down in order. Whence learn, 1. As in the matter of glorifying of God, there are several motives, so should there be several considerations of these motives, and acts of praising the Lord conforme thereto, and namely in relation to benefits received, the gifts should be acknowledged and confessed to his praise; O give thanks unto the Lord. 2. In relation to benefits to be received, or to evils to be removed, prayer to God is a part of praise: Call upon his Name. 3. It is a part of true thankfulness unto God, to make the world know what God hath done to and for his Church; Make known his deeds among the people.
Vers. 2. Sing unto him, sing psalmes unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
The fourth, fifth and sixth branches of the exhottation unto thanksgiving, are set down in this verse: Wherein learn, 1. The Lord requireth as a part of his praise, and of our thankfulnesse, that we rejoyce in him, and expresse our joy by singing; Sing unto him. 2. It is not sufficient to offer the empty vessel of our joy unto God, or our singing voice in musical tune only, but also it is required that we fill our joyful voice with holy matter and good purpose, whereby God only may be reasonably praised: Sing Psalmes unto him. 3. Albeit we have nothing to speak of Gods wonderful works, but what is known to any neighbour as well as to our selves, yet it is a part of Gods praise, and of our thankfulnesse to make his known works the matter of our talk and ordinary conference, as we get occasion; Talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Ver. 3. Glory ye in his Name: let the heart of them rejoyce that seek the LORD.
The seventh and eighth branch of the exhortation, is set down in this verse; Wherein learn, 1. It is a part of Gods praise, and of our thankfulnesse to him, to make our boast of God, and rejoyce because of our interest in him; and to proclaim our selves blessed, because of our communion with him; Glory ye in his holy Name. 2. Our gloriation in God should be holy, joyned with a low estimation of our selves, and with great reverence toward our most holy God; Glory ye in his holy Name. 3. It is a part of Gods praise and of our thankfulnesse, to professe our need of God, and in the conscience of our emptinesse, and his unsearchable riches, to seek our supply in him; for here the seeking of God is recommended unto us. 4. As seeking communion with God is a marke of a childe of God, so it is also a reason of gladness and joy, because it both declares that we are of the number of Converts and true worshippers of God, and also that joy is reserved for us; Let the heart of them rejoyce that seek thee.
Ver. 4. Seek ye the LORD and his strength: seek his face evermore.
The ninth branch of the exhortation is here set down, directing the people where and how, and for what cause to seek God, to wit, in his own Ordinances before the Arke, which was the figure of Christ to be incarnate, and is called here the Lords strength, because it was a pledge of Gods powerful presence with them, who come unto God through Christ … as also it is called Gods face, because God is reconciled and favourable to all that seek him in Christ, who was signified by the Arke and me…cy-seat. When…e learn, 1. It is not unusual for the Scripture, to give the name of the thing signified unto the signe appointed of God, to represent or shadow it forth, because of the judicial union of the signe and thing signified and exhibited unto the believer, by the appointment and institution of God, the supreme Judge and Law-giver: so here the Ark of the Conanr is called the Lord, and the Lords strength, and the Lords face, because the believer, seeking God according to his Ordinance, did meet by faith with the Lord, and his strength, and face or good will engaged unto the true worshipper. 2. Whensoever the beleever maketh use of holy signes of Gods presence, it is not the signe, but God or Christ signified by the signe, which the believer doth fix his heart upon; as here, he that looked toward the Ark, which was the signe of God in Christ, reconciling himself to the world, not imputing their trespasses unto them, is commanded to seek the thing signified: Seek the Lord, seek his strength, seek his face. 3. None do seek the Lord so earnestly, but they have need of stirring up to seek him more earnestly, neither have any attained to such a measure of communion with God, but they have need to seek for a further measure: therefore is it said, Seek the Lord, seek his strength, seek his face evermore.
Ver. 5. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done: his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth.
6. O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Iacob his chosen.
The tenth branch of the exhortation directed, together with all the former branches toward the seed of Abraham. Whence learn, 4. It is a part of Gods praise and of our thankfulnesse, to entertaine the memory of the Lord, and of his works and words; Remember his marvellous works which he hath done. 2. The remembrance of the Lords wonderful works, and gracious words, is to be joyned with seeking of his face, as a special help of us unto this duty, as the conjunction of the parts of the exhortation do…h teach us. 3. The words of God in holy Scripture, whether Law or Gospel, are to be looked upon as decrees, given forth by the great Judge of the world, wherupon certain execution is to follow according as it is foretold; Remember, (saith he) the judgments of his mouth. 4. It is wisdom to joyn the remembrance of the Lords works and words, and to compare the one with the other, that we may the better conceiv of both, & discern bo…h the words and the w…rks to be the Lords works and words: Remember, (saith he) his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth. 5. Because we are dull in apprehending of Gods ordinary working, he worketh sometimes marvels and wonders, that by them we may the better take up his power in his ordinary works; and therefore for this end, so much the more should the wonders be remembred; Remember his marvellous works which he hath done, and h…s wonders. 6. The praise of God which is called for at the Churches h…nd, is expected only of believers, the spiritual children of Abrahams and Iacobs faith and obedience: O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Iacob his chosen. 7. As the consideration of Gods grace, bestowing spiritual priviledges on us, doth oblige us unto praising and serving God: so also it serveth to stir us up to the duty; for therefore are the faithful called, The seed of Abraham his servant, the children of Iacob his chosen.
Vers. 7. He is the LORD our God: his judgements are in all the earth.
8. He hath remembred his Covenant for ever: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9. Which Covenant he made with Abraham, and his Oath unto Isaac:
10. And confirmed the same unto Iacob for a law: and to Israel for an everlasting Covenant.
11. Saying, VntoUnto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.
In the first rank of reasons taken from the Lords Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, and from his care of their persons; Learne, 1. Our priviledge to be in Covenant with God, is a special reason of thanks and praise to him, He is the Lord our God. 2. The Lords sovereignty without the Church, in all Nations of the world, and in his exercising of justice among all men, as it is the Lords praise and the Churches profit: so it is the Churches obligation unto the thankful acknowledging thereof; for the greatnesse of Gods dominion over all the earth, doth commend the speciality of his respect to his Church; His judgements are in all the earth. 3. As the Covenant of God is not for a day, or for temporal favours only, but also and especially for spiritual & everlasting mercies: so the Lord forgetteth neither lesse nor more of that which he hath promised, but albeit long time may intervene before the performance of his promise, yet neverthelesse he remembereth it still, till it be fulfilled; He hath remembered his Covenant for ever. 4 The experience of every age and proof had of Gods faithfulness, should force men in every age, to bear witnesse unto the Lords stedfastnesse in his Covenant; He hath remembred his Covenant for ever, the word which he hath commanded to a thousand generations. 5. The word which the Lord hath said he will do, in special his promises shall certainly take effect in due time, and order given by Magistrates for executing of their decrees, is but a shadow of the effectual accomplishment of Gods promises▪ which are called here, A word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 6. Gods Covenant made with our fathers in our name, is to be laid hold on by us their children, as the example of the Israelites here doth teach us; Which Covenant he made with Abraham. 7. For further engaging and confirming the children of Covenanters, there is need to repeat and apply the Covenant unto their children and posterity; For he gave his Oath unto Isaac, and confirmed the same unto Iacob. 8. The Covenant of grace is an everlasting Covenan… with all who do embrace it; for, the Covenant made with Abraham was an Oath unto Isaac. 9. It is not free for the children of Covenanters, to embrace or reject, as they please, the Covenant of God made with their fathers, because the Lord imposed the Covenant upon the posterity, as a duty whereunto they were obliged from generation to generation: For he confirmed the same unto Iacob for a law; and to Israel for an everlasting Covenant. 10. The Covenant of grace made with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, and with believers after them, did consist in promises made by God, and embraced of them by faith, as here it is described; for the everlasting Covenant is expounded to be the Lords, saying: Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of thy inheritance; which promise being received by faith, became a Covenant with the believer. 11. The everlasting Covenant of grace, propounded in whatsoever expressions, was one and the same in substance unto the believers: for these promises, to wit, (In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed, Gen. 12.3. and again, Tell the starres, so shall thy seed be, which promise Abraham receiving, believed in the Lord, and he counted it unto him for righteousnesse, Gen. 15.6. And I will be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, Gen. 17.7. or, I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God, Gen. 17.8. whereunto this place doth relate) are all taken up here in the free and gracious promise, of giving everlasting life to the believers, shadowed forth in the typical termes of giving the land of Canaan for the lot of their in…eritance.
Ver. 12. When they were but a few men in number: yea, very few, and strangers in it.
13. When they went from one Nation to another, from one Kingdome to another people.
14. He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes:
15. Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harme
In the care which God had of the persons of Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, who were in Covenant with him; Learne, 1. They who are in Covenant with God, may be found at sometimes but a small number; They were but a few men in number: yea, very few 2. They who are in Covenant with Go… for a promised blessing, may be far from appearance of the possible possession of what is promised, as Abraham▪ Isaac and Iacob were a very few men, and strangers in the land of promise. 3. As the paucity, meanness, low condition, unworthinesse and weakness of men, doth not hinder God to enter into Covenant with them, but rather by this meanes, he commendeth the freedome and riches of his grace unto them; so is it requisite in them who enter into Covenant with God, that they be stripped bare of all conceit of both their own and their fathers worthinesse, and yet not be hindered thereby, from believing, embracing, and holding fast the Covenant; for this did Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, when they were very few, and strangers in the land promised unto them. 4. They who have the promises both of this life and the life to come, may be pilgrims and sojourners without any dwelling place in the world; The Patriarchs went from one Nation to another, from one Kingdome to another people. 5. In whatsoever worldly condition believers are, and whatsoever they want in things earthly, yet they want not the love and good will of God, they have alwayes the defence and protection of God, as his federates; He suffered no man to do them wrong. 6. No power or place how high soever, no worldly authority on earth, no law nor priviledge of any person or Kingdom, is a sufficient plea for troubling Gods servants, walking in his service; He reproved King… for their sakes. 8. The person of every believer walking in Gods way, is sacred, sanctified, and set apart for Gods peculiar; They are the Lords anointed. 9. They who both by Covenant and special calling to the holy Ministery have charge to declare the Lords will unto the world, are owned of God as his Prophets, and are fenced with a strict caveat given to all men by God, how great soever, that they harme them not; Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harme. And upon all these aforesaid considerations, God is to be thanked and praised by his people.
Vers. 16. Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staffe of bread.
17. He sent a man before them: even Ioseph, who was sold for a servant.
18. Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron.
19. Vntil the time that his Word came: the Word of the LORD tried him.
20. The King sent and loosed him, even the ruler of his people, and let him go free.
21. He made him Lord of his house; and ruler of all his substance:
22. To binde his Princes at his pleasure: and teach …is Senatours wisdome.
In the second rank of reasons of Gods praise, taken from the care the Lord had of the posterity of Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, in bringing them into Egypt, and preserving of them there; Learn, 1. Every plague, and in special famine, is a servant of God, ready at a call to come forth, and execute his judgement▪ Moreover, he called for a famine on the land. 2. No food can be had, except God do furnish it, and no food when it is given can feed, except God give a powerful blessing with it; when that is removed bread feedeth not: He brake the whole staffe of bread. 3. The way of the Lords performing of his Covenant, is not such as carnal reason would prescribe, by giving probable meanes of bringing it to passe, but the way he chuseth is such as may try the faith of his children, to wit, by seeming to do the contrary; As here the Patriarchs having the promise of the land of Canaan, shall not be suffered to be so much as sojourners in it, but must leave it, and go elsewhere; He called for a famine on that land: which might seem to make it in lesse request, and by the famine also did force them to go where …hey might finde bread. 4. Whensoever the Lord doth bring his children into straits and difficulties, he maketh provision for their sustenance in their straits, and deliverance from the same. When the Lord was to bring his people into Egypt, he provided so as they should have a friend at Court before they came: He sent a man before them, even Ioseph. 5. Whatsoever may be the intent of men or devils in troubling of Gods children, God hath a hand in every thing which doth befal them, how accidentally soever it may seem to come: Iosephs coming down to Egypt, is called Gods message; He sent a man before them, even Ioseph. 6. That which men dw sinfully, for satisfacti…n of their own lusts, God doth holily and wisely for his own ends: by Iosephs brethren their selling of their brother, to be rid of him; God sendeth Ioseph into Egypt, to provide for their livelihood; He sent a man before them, they sold him for a servant. 7. It is not strange to see the man whom the Lord mindeth to exalt, most humbled before he be exalted; and cast into prison, before he be lifted up to liberty. Ioseph was sold for a servant, whose feet they hurt with fetters. 8. When the Lords servants are entered in the trial of their faith, they may look to be soundly searched, before they have ended their trials, and that by sharp affliction, as Ioseph was tried; Whose feet they hurt with fetters, he was laid in iron. 9. The afflictions and trials of Gods children, will not end when they could wish, but they have a set measure and time determined of God: He was laid in irons until the time came, &c. 10. There is a secret word of Gods decree and providence, for ending of the affliction of Gods children, which God bringeth forth to light in his own time, and until this come, his servants must lie in bonds, as Ioseph lay in iron, till the time that his word came; that is, till God made his decree manifest about the loosing of him. 11. Before affliction shall end, the manifested work of Gods providence in affliction, must put the afflicted to the trial of all that is in him, and trial must go before deliverance; The word of the Lord tried him▪ 12. The time appointed in Gods decree, to send delivery to his afflicted children, is made manifest in the effectual moving of instruments and meanes of delivery, and in this case if need be, Kings shall be set on work for the delivery of the Lords children; The King sent and loosed him. 13. Such as are bound ignominiously for righteousnesse, shall be one way or other loosed honourably; The Ruler of the people let him go free. 14. When the Lords people are humbled sufficiently, God doth raise them up, and sometime even in a visible manner before the world, as here Ioseph is by the King of Egypt made Lord of his house, and Ruler of all his substance. 15. As Gods children are exalted, for the benefit of those over whom they are set, so should they manage and maintain their honour and power, by doing good to their inferiours, as Ioseph did who was exalted; To binde Pharaohs Princes at his pleasure, and teach his Senators wisdome.
Ver. 23. Israel also came into Egypt, and Iacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24. And he increased his people greatly, and made them stronger then their enemies.
25. He turned their heart to hate his people: to deal subtilly with his servants.
After Ioseph, the rest of the family is brought down into Egypt, who sojourned there, and were preserved till they grew a strong people, and then began their affliction as a preparation to their out-birnging. Whence learn, 1. Albeit a man hath wrastled with God in prayer, and gotten his blessing, yet may he be tossed in the world by troubles; Israel also came into Egypt. 2. The heires of the promise, and the Lords dearest children may be made sojourners among wicked people, even in their old age, when they need most to be at rest; Iacob sojourned in the land of Cham. 3. As when the Lords people grow up unto any considerable number among idolaters, it is no strange thing if they finde enmity: so it is no strange thing in Gods way, to make them grow the more in number and power, the more they be opposed; yea, and to make them under oppression and persecution, to become mightier then their adversaries; He encreased his people greatly▪ and made them stronger then their enemies. 4. The hearts of all men are in Gods hand, to turne them whither he pleaseth to love or hate, as their affections may serve best his holy purposes: He turned their heart to hate his people. 5. The trouble and exercise of Gods people, by whatsoever instruments it be moved, is of the Lord, and he will owne the evil of trouble, which is in the city or countrey whatsoever; He turned their heart to hate his people 6. In the most sinful affections, plots and actions of the wicked against Gods people and servants God hath a holy hand, and is not the cause of their sin: for all the motions of the creatures, which live, and move, and have their being of God, are made use of by the Creator, as instruments, whereby he worketh his own just and holy work for his own ends: but when men are about that same work for their sinful ends, it becometh sinful in them, what is holy in Gods part: as the crucifying of Christ was most holy on Gods part, and most sinful on his enemies part; He turned their heart to hate his people: to deal subtilly with his servants.
Ver. 26. He sent Moses his servant: and Aaron whom he had chosen,
27. They shewed his signes among them: and wonders in the land of Ham.
In the third rank of reasons, taken from Gods delivering of his people out of Egypt, and plaguing of the Egyptians; Learn, 1. When by the malice of enemies Gods people are brought to greatest straits, then is deliverance near to be sent from God unto them; They dealt subtilly with his servants, he sent Moses his servant. 2. As it is the Lord who bringeth his own people into trouble and straits, so it is he who delivereth them again, and provideth instruments for the doing thereof; He sent Moses his servant. 3. As whosoever do serve Gods Church to any good purpose, do it not of themselves, but by stirring up, or commission from God; so whosoever are about to do the Church good, should do it of intention, as doing him service; He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron his chosen. 4. As to the end that God may have his own glory in every good work, his part is to be distinguished from his servants part: so when his servants do the servants duty faithfully, God will have them commended and approved for it among men; Moses therefore is called Gods servant, and Aaron his chosen. The signes and wonders, are called the Lords signes and wonders, and Moses and Aarons service is called their shewing of his signes; They shewed his signes among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
Ver. 28. He sent darknesse, and made it dark: and they rebelled not against his word.
29. He turned their waters into blood: and slew their fish.
30. The land brought forth frogs in abundance: in the chambers of their Kings.
31. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies: and lice in all their coasts.
32. He gave them haile for raine: and flaming fire in their land.
33. He smote their vines also and their fig-trees: and brake the trees of their coasts.
34. He spake, and the locusts came: and caterpillars, and that without number.
35. And did eat up all the herbs in their land: and devoured the fruit of their ground.
36. He smote also all the first-born in their land: the chief of all their strength.
He reckoneth sundry plagues brought upon Egypt, which are sufficient for his purpose, to bring the whole history to minde. Whence learn, 1. The Sun cannot expel darknesse in the aire, but as God maketh way for it, for God can turn the day into palpable darknesse when and where he pleaseth; He can make the Sun to shine in one place, and take the comfortable use of it away in another place, as he thinks good; he can put his enemies under darknesse when his people have light; He sent darknesse, and made it dark. 2. It is a piece of glory unto God, when either his brute creatures, or his rational servants do what he doth command; And they rebelled not against his Word. 3. God can make most useful creatures to become noisome; He turned their waters into blood. 4. God can plague men in the matter of their meat, as well as in their drink, and when the Lord doth plague in the one, it is not strange if he shall plague in the other also; He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. 5. God can daunt the pride of the stoutest of his enemies, by his meanest creatures; The land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their Kings. 6. As the Lord speaketh, so shall it be found in due time, he needeth not to make much ado in any businesse, but speak the word, and it shall be done; He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies. 7. When the proud do strive against God, they gaine nothing but more and more shameful abasement; He brought lice in all their coasts. 8. The clouds are at Gods command, to sent down soft raine, or hard and heavy hailestones; He gave them hail for raine. 9. Although fire and ha…lstones are most contrary in their natures, yet they can agree well in the work of Gods service, when he employeth them; He gave them haile for raine, and flaming fire in their land. 10. When lighter judgements do not move men, God will send more heavy plagues, which shall leave their impression behinde them; He smote their vines also, and their fig-trees, and brake the trees of their coasts. 11. When God fights against a people, all the creatures are ready to fight against them also, as they are called forth: He spake, and the locusts came, and Caterpillars, and that without number. 12. Whatsoever hath escaped the dint of one plague, God can over…ake it by another plague: They did eat up all the herbs in the land, and devoured the fruit of th…ir ground. 13. When God doth smite the creatures which do serve for mans use, he sheweth his long-suffering and patience towards man, and his loathnesse to destroy him, as we see in the order of Gods proceeding with Egypt. 14. When warning given unto man doth not move him to repentance, then the Lord layeth his hand on that which is most precious unto him; He smote also all the first-borne in th…ir land. 15. When the Lord pleaseth to put forth his hand▪ they that are naturally strongest and most lively, are no lesse near to death, then they who are naturally weaker: He smote all the first-borne, the chief of all their strength.
Ver. 37. He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
38. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the feare of them fell upon them.
39. He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night.
40. The people asked, and he brought quailes: and satisfied them with the bread of Heaven.
41. He opened the rocke, and the waters gushed out: they ranne in the dry places like a river.
42. For he remembred his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
In the Lords bringing of his people out of Egypt, and through the wildernesse; Learn, 1. Albeit there may be many impediments of the delivery of Gods people out of their trouble, and from their persecutors, yet the work of delivery is perfected at length; for when God had smitten Egypt in favour of his own people, He brought his people forth. 2. All riches that men have are at Gods disposing, to transfer the right and possession thereof to whom he pleaseth, and the Lords special and expresse warrant gave …itle to the Israelites, to retain the Egyptians borrowed jewels; He brought them forth also with silver and gold. 3. When God grants a delivery, or any sort of benefit, it is a new gift to inable a man to make use of the offered delivery or bestowed benefit, such was the benefit bestowed on Israel, when Go… brought his people out of Egypt, There was not one feeble person among their tribes. 4. The Lord can make bloody persecutors of his people to cease from their persecution, and to contribute to their delivery; and to be desirous to be rid of them: Egypt was glad when they departed. 5. God can make his persecuted people terrible to their persecutors, which is no lesse a wonder then to make the wolfe tremble for feare of the lambes: Egypt was glad when they departed, for the feare of them fell upon them. 6. Except the Lord did take the guiding and protecting of his own people, they should perish many wayes, after their delivery out of trouble: but whom he delivereth he taketh a care of them, as he did of Israel, for whom he provided the pillar of cloud, to temper unto them the heat of the day: and the pillar of fire, to temper unto them the darknesse and cold of the night, and made both of them to direct their journey: He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night. 7. Sometime the Lord will give unto his people at their earnest desire, that which is not good for them, that so he may give unto them evidence of his readiness, much more to give them what is good for them, when they earnestly ask it; The people asked, and he brought quailes. 8. When ordinary meanes of the preservation of Gods people do faile; God will provide for them wonderfully, as he gave his people Manna in the wildernesse; And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 9. As the fountain of the feeding of Gods people, is not in the creatures: but in God, so should the eye of his people be carried above the creatures, unto heaven, for preservation of this life, as well temporal as spiritual: for this end it is said, He satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 10. God can bring consolation unexpected, and that by means most unlikely to yield it; He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out. 11. There is no scarcity in God, of what the Lords people do stand in need of, he both can and doth furnish plenteously, and makes the opportunity of having the use of his provision follow his people whithersoever he leadeth them; The waters out of the rock ran in the dry places as a river. 12. What the Lord doth to his people, he doth it for his Covenants sake; as here, He remembred his holy promise. 13. How many yeares soever do intervene Gods promise-making, and the performance, the Lord doth not forget his promise, as here we see after foure hundred and thirty years; He remembreth his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
Ver. 43. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladnesse.
44. And gave them the lands of the heathen; and they inherited the labour of the people.
45. That they might observe his statutes, and keep his Lawes. Praise ye the LORD.
From the manner of the Lords bringing his people out of Egypt, and planting them in Canaan; Learn, 1. Whatsoever bondage the Lords people do fall into, the Lord in due time will bring them out of it, as he brought forth his people from the bondage of Egypt. 2. How much soever sorrow his people may finde in the expectation of delivery, so much joy shall they have in the performance of the Lords promise; He brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladnesse. 3. The Lord doth not leave his people, till he put them to some rest after their troubles, as he gave rest to his people Israel, whom when he carried them through the wildernesse, he gave them the possession of Canaan; He gave them the lands of the heathen. 4. The Lord maketh no end of multiplying obligations on his people, he maintaines them in their possession of what he doth give them; They inherited the labour of the people. 5. The end of the Lords liberality, is to engage the hearts of his people more and more to the obedience of his Ordinances, as he did all this to Israel, That they might observe his statutes. 6. There is no rule for serving of God acceptably, except his own commands▪ for Israels rule was, to observe his statutes, and keep his lawes. 7. The right use which we should make of whatsoever good was done to the Lords people, is to glorifie God when we hear of it, or read of it, as here we are directed; Praise ye the Lord.