A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 107
PSALME CVII.
THis is a Psalme of praise for Gods gracious and wise dispensations towards men. In the former part whereof, the Psalmist reckoneth four exercises of Gods people, by Gods justice, bringing them to straits, and by his mercy delivering them again: The first exercise is by banishment, and by the Lords bringing them back from it, to v. 10. The second is by captivity and imprisonment, and delivery out of it, to v. 17. The third is by bodily sicknesse, and recovery from it, to ver. 23. The fourth is by danger by Sea, and delivery out of it, to ver. 33.
In the latter part of the Psalme, he praiseth God for his wise dealing with people and Nations, in changes made among them, in their lands, persons, goods and estates, for the good of his own, and overthrow of the proud. One change is of a fertile, into a barren wildernesse, for the Inhabitants sins, v. 33, 34. Another change is of a barren land into a fertile and plentiful soile, well peopled, to v. 39. A third change is, wasting and spoyling of a well peopled and fertile Countrey, v. 39. A fourth change is, pulling down Princes, and Statesmen, and confounding of them, so that they know not what to do, or whither to go, v. 40. The fifth change is, the lifting up of the poor and desolate, and enlarging of them in all respects, v. 41. The best witnesses of which changes, are the godly and wise observers of Gods providence, who for a reward of their observation shall have comfortable use and benefit of all Gods dispensations, v. 42, 43.
Ver. 1. O Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so: whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
3. And gathered them out of the lands, from the East, and from the West: from the North, and from the South.
He exhorteth all to give thanks unto the Lord, and specially the Lords redeemed ones, brought back from exile out of all countreys where they wandered. Whence learn, 1. Unto no duty are we more dull and untoward, then to the praise▪ of God, and thanksgiving unto him; neither is there any duty whereunto there is more need that we should be stirred up, as this earnest exhortation doth import: O give thanks unto the Lord. 2. Whether men do acknowledge the grace and bounty of the Lord or not, he is worthy to be thanked and praised; partly, because of his liberal and ready communicating his goodnes freely, not only to not deserving, but also to ill deserving persons, and that out of meer mercy; and partly, because he followeth the man who hath found mercy, with mercy more and more; and partly, because he refuseth to no man mercy who seeketh it, or shall seek it of him, at what time soever, to the worlds end: For so much saith the reason of the exhortation, For he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. 3. Every man hath matter and reason, and obligation lying on him, to praise God; but specially such as have more pa…ticular, oftner and greater experience of mercies then others have had: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. 4. Redemption made by Christ of his own Elect, is the fountaine of every particular benefit bestowed upon them: for the Elect are called the reedeemed of the Lord here, before the particular delivery from banishment be specified; and that delivery is called a redeeming of them, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemie, as flowing from the great Redemption. 5 So oft as men have …eceived deliverances, they owe unto God so many lives, and God hath so many titles of right unto them, as they have received preservations: And those will the Lord have to be witnesses of his mercy before the rest of the world: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemie. 6. As the Lords children may be scattered in all the corners of the world, and excluded from the external communion of the Saints; so none of them do returne from exile, to joyne together in the use of Religion and holy Ordinances, except by Gods speciall hand gathering them: For he gathered them out of the lands, from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South.
Vers. 4. They wandered in the wildernesse, in a solitary way: they found no city to dwell in.
5. Hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them.
Here is described first the distresse of the redeemed in their exile, v. 4, 5. Then their exercise in calling unto God. And thirdly, their bringing home, v▪ 6, 7. Whence he inferreth the duty of thanksgiving, whereunto he had before exhorted, v. 8, 9. From their distresse, Learn, 1. Such as the Lord hath a purpose to draw into the fellowship of himself and of his Saints, are subject to wandering and exile, both bodily and spiritual, as the exercise of exiled Israelites sheweth: They wandered in the wildernesse. 2. The Lords exiled ones do finde no home, till they be brought to the fellowship of the Saints; They wandered in the wildernesse, in a solitary way: they found no city to dwell in. 3. The Lords exiles may be in danger of famine, both bodily and spirituall, and like to faint for lack of food, bodily or spiritual, or both sorts, as the banished here; Were hungry and thirsty, and their soul fainted in them.
Ver. 6. Then they cryed unto the LORD in their trouble: and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
From their exercise in their double distresse, of banishment and famine, and from their delivery; Learn, 1. Straits do put men to seek God in a serious manner: Then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble. 2. The earnest prayer of Gods distressed children wanteth not a good answer; And he delivered them out of their distresses. 3. When the Lord will comfort a supplicant, he will deliver him from so many parts of his trouble, as may serve to lead him on his journey; he will furnish food, and direction, both whither to go; and by what way to go: And he led them by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 4. To be directed of God what to do, whether it be in relation to matters temporal or spiritual, is a special benefit, and a faire fruit of prayer: For he whom the Lord doth guide, shall walk safely, and prosper in his way: He led them by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Ver. 8. O that men would praise the LORD for his goodnesse: and for his wonderful works to the children of men.
9. For he satisfieth the longing soul: and filleth the hungry soul with goodnesse.
From the duty required of the exile now returned home; Learn, 1. The mercies of the Lord shewed to his own, do call for praising of God by themselves, and all beholders; they call for praise, both in secret and in society▪ O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse, 2. The Lords manner of delivering of his own out of their great troubles, whether bodily or spiritual, hath ordinarily some observable wonder in it: O that men would peaise the Lord for his wonderfull works to the children of men. 3. The poor and needy supplicants do live upon Gods furniture; he is a provider for such, and letteth them want nothing, but satisfieth them sufficiently: and this is no small comfort unto us and matter of praise unto God; For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodnesse.
Ver. 10. Such as sit in darknesse, and in the shadow of death: being bound in affliction and iron.
11. Because they rebelled against the words of God: and contemned the counsel of the most High.
12. Therefore he brought down their heart with labour: they fell down, and there was none to help.
13. Then they cryed unto the LORD in their trouble: and he saved them out of their distresses.
14. He brought them out of darknesse and the shadow of death: and brake their bands in sunder.
15. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodnesse: and for his wonderful works to the children of men.
16. For he hath broken the gates of brasse: and cut the barres of iron in sunder.
Here is set down the second exercise of Gods people, to wit, by captivity and imprisonment brought upon them for their sins, and their delivery from it, upon their turning to God, with the use thereof. Whence learn, 1. As liberty of our persons to go about our callings freely, is no small benefit; so imprisonment is a sore affliction, even a sort of living death, and a sort of burial of the quick: For they sit in darknesse, and in the shadow of death. 2. Bonds and chaines put upon the prisoner, do adde much weight unto the heavy condition of the imprisoned, and yet the Lords people are subject to both: for here is presupposed, They may be bound in affliction and iron, in their prison. 3. It is above all the affliction of imprisonment and bonds, when the cause of the imprisonment is not righteousnesse, but, because they have rebelled against the word of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High. 4. The not bearing the easie yoke of obedience, may bring on the heavier yoke of Iron, bonds and imprisonment upon us, as here is expressed. 5. The greatnesse of the Majesty of God, aggravateth the sin of despising his Word; They contemned the counsell of the most High. 6. As the Word of the Lord is both deep counsel for wisdome, and also profitable advice for us; so the contemning of it is so much the greater sinne, and draweth on the greater wrath: They were bound in affliction and iron, because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High. 7. The Lord bringeth men into sore distresses, to make them sensible of their despising his authority; and to break their natural pride, and stoutnesse of heart against him, and to shew them the vanity of all their former fleshly confidence: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour. 8. Affliction is then come to the height, and its compleat measure, when the sinner is made sensible of his own weaknesse, and doth see that there is no help for him, save in God alone: They fell down, and there was none to help. 9. When all help and comfort under heaven doth faile, relief may be found in God for them that cry unto him for it: There was none to help, then they cryed to the Lord in their trouble. 10. The Lord will not only hear and help them who are unjustly imprisoned, but those also who for their sins are so punished: They cryed, and he saved them out of their distresses. 11. It matters not how deep the danger be wherein a man is, when he turneth to God for relief: for so great as his distresse is, so great shall be his delivery: He brought them out of darknesse and the shadow of death, and brake their bonds in sunder. 12. The end of the delivery of poor sinners, is, that they may glorifie the Lord, and may invite others to do the like: for this here is a part of the thankful mans duty, O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. 13. No power of man, no bonds, no opposition which any creature is able to make, can hinder the delivery of the man whom God will own: He hath broken the gates of brasse, and cut the barres of iron in sunder.
Ver. 17. Fooles, because of their transgression: and because of their iniquities are afflicted.
18. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat: and they draw near unto the gates of death.
19. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble: he saveth them out of their distresses.
20. He sent his word, and healed them: and delivered them from their destructions.
21. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodnesse: and for his wonderful works to the children of men.
22. And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving: and declare his works with reioycing.
The third exercise of Gods people, is by siknesse of body; the drawing on whereof he sheweth to be by sin, v. 17, 18. The means of delivery to be by prayer, v. 19. whereupon they are recovered as God giveth order, v. 20. and the use of this is set down, v. 21, 22. Whence learn, 1. As other troubles come for sinning against God, so doth sicknesse come amongst the rest: Fooles because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities are afflicted. 2. Sin doth blinde sinners, and bereave them of the right use of their reason; and makes them choose trifles, with the losse of what should be most precious: therefore they are justly called fooles. 3. Natural means of life and refreshment, are unsavory and unable to refresh, except God give the man ability to make use of them, and put his blessing into them: Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat. 4. As in other troubles, so in sicknesse, men are not easily brought to the sense of their sin, till trouble be at the height, and the man made low: Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat, and they draw near to the gates of death. 5. Great is the stupidity of a sleeping conscience, which cannot be wakened up to seek Gok till extremity come: They draw near to the gates of death, then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble. 6. When men are brought unto the sense of their sins and misdeservings, and of their danger, and of their own weaknesse, and thereby made to seek unto the Lord, the mercy and relief is near at hand: Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, so he saved them out of their distresses: And here is to be seen mercy and goodnesse in God, to cause sicknesses as his Serjeants and Messengers to lay hold on the fugitive sinner. 7. Neither sicknesse nor health do come or go, but God giveth order to them, as to his own servants: He saith to sicknesse, go from a man; and to heal…h, returne unto him: He sent his Word, and healed them. 8. When trouble doth shew wrath, and that doth weaken the sense of sin, and sense of sin sends the man to seek mercy, then God will readily remove all his troubles together: He sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructi…ns. 9. As men have found mercies of God, so should they study to be thankful, and specially in such a way as may be most profitable to others: O that men would pra…se the Lord for his goodnesse, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. 10. Morall and spirituall service is more acceptable to God then any ceremonial performance, the sacrifice of thanks is more then the sacrifice of an oxe: Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thansgiving. 11. The special matter of joy in the receiving of a benefit, is the manifestation of Gods respect to us, in his working for us; And let them declare his w…rks with rejoycing.
Ver. 23. They that go down to the Sea in ships, that do businesse in great waters:
24. These see the works of the LORD: and his wonders in the deep.
24. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy winde: which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26. They mount up to the heaven: they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27. They reele to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man: and are at their wits end.
The fourth exercise of Gods children, is by their danger in Sea, and their delivery from their danger. Whence learn, 1. The Art of Navigation and following of the Merchant-Trade by Sea, how dangerous soever it be; yet is lawful, and allowed of God, for compassing of mens affaires, in commerce between Nation and Nation: for this is set down here as the vocation and occupation of some men, to wit, of those that go down to the Sea in ships, that do businesses in great waters. 2. Some sort of persons have more occasion of observation, and experience of remarkable passages of providence in preserving of mens lives, then others have, and these most of all should bear witnesse of Gods work according to their experience; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. 3. There is no storme or motion in the Sea, or blowing of the winds out of any part, but as God actually doth raise them: For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy winde▪ which lifteth up the waters thereof. 4. When God will try a man by trouble, he will not leave him till he make him sensible of his frailty, weaknesse, and unability to overcome dangers: They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted be…ause of trouble. They reel too and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, &c.
Ver. 28. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble: and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storme a calme: so that the waves thereof are still.
30▪ Then are they glad because they be quiet: so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
In their delivery from the storme; Learn. 1. Albeit the LORD doth deliver many from shipwrack by Sea, yet he takes none of them for witnesses of his mercy, but such as had recourse to him in their strait by prayer: Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble ▪ those are the men whom the Lord remarketh. 2. The fervent prayer of the Lords Redeemed, who at length at least make God their refuge in trouble, have deliverance for the fruit following upon it: They cry, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 3. As the raising of a storme is from the Lord, so th… quieting of it again is his work also; and both the one and the other work hath the time and measure of it so disposed of, as may best serve to his purpose: He maketh the storme a calme: so that the waters thereof are still. 4. According as is mens grief in trouble, so is or should be the greatnesse of their joy in their delivery: Then are they glad, because they be quiet. 5. So many Sea-voyages, are so many evidences of Gods so oft conducting and convoying of Sea-men to and fro: So he bringeth them to their desired haven.
Ver. 31. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness: and for his wonderful works to the children of men.
32. Let them exalt him also in the Congregation of the people: and praise him in the assembly of the Elders.
From the use of this exercise here required; Learn, 1: That it is the part of every man, who come to the knowledge of any experience or new proof of Gods mercy, in special to any of his people, not only to acknowledge Gods goodnesse by themselves▪ but also to wish that the reason of his praises were known to all men, and that all men might praise God also for it: O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse. 2. It is the duty of a thankful man, not only to praise God for the experience he hath had of Gods goodnesse in his own person; but also to praise God upon that occasion, for any other the wonderful works which the Lord worketh daily for the children of men: O that men would praise the Lord for his wonderful works to the children of men. 3. Sea-men after their returning home, should carefully observe the meetings of the Church, as for other reasons: so because they have been withdrawen so long from those assemblies, while their voyage did last. And let them exalt him also in the Congregation of the people. 4. Beside the assembly of the whole Congregation, the Scripture maketh mention of the Church or Congregation, or assembly of the Elders, who had the oversight and governing of the particular Synagogues and Churches of the people: For here and elsewhere, beside the Congregation of the people, there is mention made of the assembly of the Elders, as distinguished from the assembly of the people: And let them praise him in the assembly of the Elders. 5. As prayers are, and should be made in the Congregation for such of the flock as are in any special danger of their lives; so duty requireth that praises should be offered for their remarkable deliveries, or recoveries out of those dangers: for of such as are delivered from shipwrack, it is said, Let them exalt him also in the Congregation of the people. 6. As it is a part of the peoples duty, to acquaint the Elders of the Congregation with such passages of Gods most remarkable providence about them, as may be most for glorifying of God, and for the peoples edifying; so it is a part of the work of the Eldership to take notice of, and make the best use in their prudence of what falleth out among their flocks, whereby all may be edified: For as the right judgeing of Gods works of providence requireth prudence and wisdom; so they who are set over the Congregation, as most eminent therein for their wisdome and prudence, should go about this part of their charge among other duties; For it is said, And let them praise him in the assembly of the Elders.
Ver. 33. He turneth rivers into a wildernesse: and the water-springs into dry ground:
34. A fruitful land into barrennesse, for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein.
In the latter part of the Psalme, the Lord is praised for his wisdome, in making changes upon Countreys and Nations, mens persons and estates, some in justice, some in mercy, as he seeth fit: of which changes he reckoneth up five. The first whereof is, the turning of a fertile land into barrennesse for the inhabitants sins. Whence learn, 1. When fertile land becometh barren, and men are cut short of their commodities by sea or land, by the creatures not yielding service, as they were wont to do, men should lift their eyes above all second causes, and fix them on God, who what way he thinketh best bringeth the change: He turneth rivers into a wildernesse, and the water-springs into dry ground; that is to say, a fruitful land into barrenness. 2. The proper meritorious cause of Gods cursing of a fertile land, is the sins of the inhabitants, whom God will have so answered in their labours on the ground, as they answer the Lord in his husbandry and paines taken upon them, and whom God will chastise for their sin, and so move them to repent: He turneth a fruitful land into barrennesse, for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein.
Ver. 35. He turneth the wilderness into a standing water: and dry ground into water-springs.
36. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell; that they may prepare a city for habitation.
37. And sowe the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of intrease.
38. He blessed them also, so that they are multiplied greatly: and suffereth not their cattel to decrease.
The second change mentioned, is of a barren land into fertility. Whence learn, 1. The fertility of land is not to be attributed to mens industry, but unto God: He turneth the wildernesse into a standing water, and dry ground into water-springs. 2. If God afflict, his justice findeth the cause of it in man: but if he do good to any man, it is of his own good pleasure, without any cause in man: therefore no reason is given here of this change, as was of the former, but simply, He turneth dry ground into water-springs. 3. The Lord taketh pleasure to provide for the needy, and they shall be forced to acknowledge his goodnesse in his provision for them: And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation. 4. When God openeth a door of blessing men, he will have it improved, and ordinary meanes diligently used, as here, He will have them sowe the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. 5. When the Lord is pleased …o blesse men, he will blesse them largely in the growth of their families and substance, and will extend his care even to their beasts; He blesseth them also, so as they are multiplied greatly, and suffereth not their cattel to decrease.
Ver. 39. Again, they are minished and brought low, through oppression, affliction and sorrow.
The third change is, by spoiling a populous and well-planted countrey. Whence learn, 1. Such as have been raised from a low condition, can hardly bear prosperity, but are readily puffed up with it, as this change presupposeth. 2. God can bring down such as do abuse prosperity, and make them as base as ever they were▪ Again, they are minished and brought low. 3. The Lord hath more wayes then one to spoile a fertile countrey; for albeit he do make it continue fertile, yet he can bring the sword of the enemie on it: They are brought low, through oppression, affliction and sorrow.
Ver. 40. He poureth contempt upon Princes: and causeeh them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
A fourth change is, in the pulling down Princes, and putting Statesmen to perplexity. Whence learn, 1. As Kings and Rulers do not keep their place, and power, and estimation among men, but by Gods investing them with dignity, so when they lose their dignity and are despised, they must look to God as the doer, and search the quarrel: for God will honour them that honour him, and they who despise him shall be lightly esteemed: He poureth contempt upon Princes. 2. It is God who giveth wisdom and prudence unto men, for ruling of States; and when their wit is employed for their own earthly interest, he can take their wisdome from them, and give them a cup of giddie wine, and put them in such perplexity, as they know not what to do; he can banish them out of their countrey, and send them as vagabonds through the earth; He causeth them to wander in the wildernesse, where there is no way.
Ver. 41. Yet setteth he the poore on high from affliction: and maketh him families like a flock.
The fifth change is, in comforting the afflicted, and raising them out of the dust into a better condition, after they are humbled in the sense of their own poverty. Whence learn, 1. Albeit the Lord casteth down the mighty, and putteth the wise to perplexity, yet he will pursue them no further then unto humiliation, if so be they take with their sins, and seek reconciliation with God, as his Word prescribeth, and depend upon God as needy poor soules, he will lift them up again; Yet he setteth the poore on high from affliction. 2. As pride and self-estimation, because of riches, or power, or wisdom, or any other earthly reason, goeth before ruine; so lowlinesse of minde, humiliation in the sense of sin and of unworthinesse, and of weaknesse and witlesnesse, driving a man to depend on God, as a begger doth for almes, goeth before exaltation; He setteth the poore on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
Ver. 42. The righteous shall see it, and rejoyce: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43. Who so is wise, and will observe those things: even they shall understand the loving kindness of the LORD▪
He closeth the Psalme with two promises, one of performing what is here said, to the comfort of the righteous, and shame of the misbelieving proud sinner: The other is of manifesting his loving kindnesse to such as do observe and make use of Gods providence. Whence learn, 1. Such as being justified by faith, do endeavour to order their conversation righteously, shall be witnesses of the Lords performing of his Word: The righteous shall see it. 2. As there is joy in believing of the Lords Word, so there is yet more joy in beholding the performance of his Word; The righteous shall see it and rejoyce. 3. Among other mercies bestowed upon the righteous man, this is one, that the Lord putteth him upon the counsel of his working, doth expound his providence unto him by his Word, teacheth him to compare Gods Word and his Works, and maketh him witnesse that God is as good as his Word; The righteous shall see it and rejoyce. 4. The wicked shall be disappointed of his expectation, in regard of the good which he hoped to himself, and shall finde himself mistaken about the godly, whose wayes he counted to be folly: The righteous shall rejoyce, and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. 5. As the works of the Lords goodnesse, justice and mercy are wrought in the sight of men, that they may observe his way▪ and keep the observation thereof in memory: so are they the wisest sort of men, who do observe Gods providence best, and do compare it with the Lords Word, that they may understand it rightly; Who so is wise, and will observe these things. The wise man, and the observer of Gods wayes toward the children of men, here is one. 6. Albeit there be very few wise observers of Gods proceeding with men in justice or mercy, yet so many as are his disciples▪ Students of his Word, and do walk answerably thereunto, shall never want matter of observation of Gods kindnesse toward themselves; For who so is wise, even they shall observe the loving kindnesse of the Lord.