A Brief Explication of the Other Fifty Psalms, Psalm 68
PSAL. LXVIII. To the chief Musician. A Psalm or song of David.
THis Psalm is very suitable to that time, when David having gotten the victory over his enemies round about, did assemble all Israel, and carried the A…k of God, now returned from the land of the Philistines, triumphantly out of the house of Obed-Edom, into the City of David, as a type of Christs ascension after the work of Redemption in the world. In which P…lm after the manner that Moses prayed unto God, or to Christ who was to be incarnate, when the Ark did march; David prayeth here first against the Lords enemies, ver. 1, 2. And then for the Lords people, ver. 3. In the next place, he exhorteth all the Lords people to praise God, ver. 4. and giveth twelve or thirteen reasons for it; First, because of his mercy to the desolate and afflicted, ver. 5, 6. Secondly, because of his wonderfulnesse and terriblenesse in delivering of his people out of bondage, as appeared in his bringing of his people out of Egypt, and through the wildernesse, ver. 7, 8. Thirdly, because of his fatherly care to entertain his redeemed people; as did appear in his nourishing of his Church in Canaan, ver. 9, 10. Fourthly, because of the victories which he giveth usually to his people, when their enemies do invade them, ver. 11, 12. Fifthly, because of the delivery which he will give to his people out of their most sad calamities, as he hath oftentimes given proof, ver. 13, 14. Sixthly, because his Church is the most glorious Kingdome in the world, being compared therewith, ver. 15, 16. Seventhly, because Christ the King of the Church, hath all the Angels at his command to serve him: and having ended the work of Redemption, was to ascend gloriously, for sending down gifts to his Church, and ruling of it, ver. 17, 18. Eightly, because of Gods bounty to his people, in daily renewed mercies, till he perfect the work of their salvation. ver. 19, 20. Ninethly, because of his avenging of himself upon all his enemies, ver. 21. Tenthly, because God hath undertaken to work over again in effect, as need shall require, what he hath done in bringing his people out of Egypt, and in giving them victory over the Canaanites, ver. 22, 23. whereof the experience of his power, already manifested for Israel, was a proof and pledge sufficient, ver. 24, 25, 26, 27. Eleventhly, because it was decreed by God, to establish his Church, and to make her strong, by making Kings to become converts, ver. 28, 29. and that partly by treading down some of her enemies, ver. 30. and partly by making others, even some of her greatest enemies, to seek reconciliation with God, even her God. ver. 31. Twelfthly, he exhorteth to praise God, because of his omnipotent power, in conversion of Kingdomes, ready to be let forth for the defence of his people, ver. 31, 32, 33, 34. and ready to overthrow their enemier, and all for the strengthening of his Church: for all which he exhorteeh all to blesse the Lord, ver. 35.
Ver. 1. LEt God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him, flee before him.
2. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as waxe melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3. But let the righteous be glad: let them rejoyce before God; yea let them exceedingly rejoyce.
In Davids prayer against his enemies, and for Gods people▪ Learn, 1. Such prayers as the Spirit hath endited unto the Saints, in Scripture, it is lawful and expedient for strengthening of our faith, to use the same or the like words in the like case; for David prayeth here, as Moses prayed at the marching of the Ark, Numb. 10. 35. Let God arise, &c. 2. As the Ark was amongst the Israelites, so is Christ amongst his people: and what ground of confidence the Church had, because of that pledge of Gods presence at t…e Ark; we have the same, and a more sure ground of confidence in Christs incarnation, represented thereby; that upon every appearance of his beginning to stirre against the enemies of his work, we may say, Let God arise. 3. The enemie; of the Church are the enemies of God, and esteemed haters of him, because they are haters of his people; with whom, albeit the Lord doth be…r for a while, yet will he take order, when he pleaseth; it will not cost him much labour: on…y, Let God arise and let his enemies b… scattered 4. Although all the enemies of God make head against his people, yet will they not prevaile, when God appeareth, they will turn back; Let them also that hate him, flee before him. 5. Whatsoever strength of forces or number the enemies of Gods people have in appearance, it is nothing before God, but like smoak before the winde, and waxe before the fire; As smoak is driven away …s waxe melteth before the fire: so let the wicked, perish at the presence of God. 6. Albeit the Lord exercise his people with affliction, and with grief for a while, yet he alloweth unto them comfort and joy, whatsoever become of their enemies: But let the righteou… be glad. 7. The only true matter of the Saints joy is God himselfe, and his manifested presence; and he will not be pleased, except his children lift up their hearts, and comfort themselves in him above and against all grief and sense of whatsoever enemies opposition; Let them rejoyce before God, yea let them exceedingly rejoyce.
Ver. 4. Sing unto God, sing praises to his Name: extoll him that rideth upon the heavens, by his Name JAH, and rejoyce before him.
From his exhortation of the Church to praise God with the joyful voice of singing; Learn. 1. Vocal singing of praises unto God, is a moral duty, and a part of his holy worship, frequently called for in Scripture; Sing unto God, sing praises to his Name. 2. Our thoughts of God should not be base, but high and heavenly, lifting his Name up above the most glorious creatures; all they bei… but his servants▪ as he pleaseth to make use of them: Extoll him that rideth upon the heavens. 3. The Lord is onelyonly and properly wo…thy of praise▪ because he onelyonly hath his being of himself, and giveth be… to all things, which are beside himselfe; His Name is JAH. 4. The Lords praises are his peoples advantage▪ and the true matter of their confidence and joy; Sing praises to him, and rejoyce before him.
Ver. 5. A Father of the fatherlesse, and a Iudge of the widowes is God in his holy habitation.
6. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those that are bound with chaines; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
From the first r…on of the exhortation to praise God; Learn, 1. The Lords highnesse above the heavens doth not hinder him from taking notice of the lowest of his poor people; yea the most helplesse and desolate among men, are the first objects of his warmest love; A Father of the fatherlesse, and a Iudge of the widows is God. 2. Albeit the Lord be infinite and incomprehensible by any place, yet hath he appointed a trusting place where his people shall finde him by his own ordinance, to wit, the assembly of his Saints, his holy Temple, shadowing forth Christ to be incarnate, who now is in heaven, now is incarnate, and sitting at the right hand of God, in whom dwells the Godhead, here, here is God to be found: God in his holy habitation. 3. It is the Lords nature, pleasure, and ordinary practise, to make up the wants, and to change to the better the disconsolate condition of his own humbled and emptied children; God setteth the solitary in families. 4. The souls that are most sensible of bonds and bondage, do lie nearest the seeking of the fruit of his redemption; yea, none in bonds have made or shall make use of God the Redeemer, but his bonds and …etters hindering him from freedome of Gods service, and from attaining of felicity, have been and shall be loosed off him: he bringeth out those which are bound in chaines. 5. Such as will not be ruled by his Word, according as they are disloyal rebels to him, so shall they be dealt with as rebels; that is, they shall neither have Gods blessing joyned with any benefit which they seem to possesse, nor any spiritual comfort in their afflictions, when their calamity cometh upon them: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
Ver. 7. O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou diddest march through the wildernesse. Selah.
8. The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God, even Sinai it self was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
From the second reason of praising God, Learn, 1. It is expedient for our up-stirring unto thankfulnesse, to cast our eye upon some particulars wherein the Lords goodnesse to us, and our obligation to his love, may appear, as here the P…almist doth lead us by the hand unto the Lords particular work of redemption of Israel out of Egypt. 2. That one work of the Churches delivery out of Egypt, representing the redemption of his people from the misery of sin, and Satans bondage, … a sufficient proof for ever of the Lords love, care power, and faithfulnesse, to deliver his own out of all their misery; which the Church, and every member thereof should alwayes make use of unto the end of the world, whether we look upon that work in the type singly, or as it is a representation or pawne of the spiritual delivery of his people, this work should we often look upon, and still hold it up unto God; O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didde… march through the wildernesse. 3. In the wo…ke of the Lord it is needful not only to look upon that which may foster saith in God, and love toward him, but also to set before us, what may serve to keep our hearts in fear and awe of his dreadful Majesty; The earth shook, the heavens dropped at the presence of God, even Sinai it self was moved at the presence of God, even the God of Israel.
Ver. 9. Thou. O God, didst send a plentiful raine, whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10. Thy Congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodnesse for the poor.
From the third reason of Gods praise: Learne, 1. The ordinary sustaining of Gods people bodily and spiritually in the possession of any benefit temporal or spiritual given unto them, should be observed, as well as the bestowing of any benefit in an extraordinary way, as here the ordinary sustaining of Israel in Canaan, is made a part of the song of praise, no lesse then their miraculous delivery out of Egypt; Thou, O Lord, didst send a plentiful rain whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance, when it was we…ry. 2. The people who are in Covenant with God externally, are the Lords own peculiar, more nearly and properly then any other society in the world; therefore Israel here is called by the Prophet speaking to God, Thy Congregation. 3. It is for the Churches cause, that the land wherein his people dwelleth, is blessed at any time by God; Thy Congregation hath dwelt in it. 4. The blessing bestowed upon the Church or the place wherein they dwell, is not given for any goodnesse in his people, but for the goodnesse, grace and good will of God to them; Thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodnesse for the poor.
Ver. 11. Th… Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
12. Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that …rried at home divided the spoile.
From the fourth reason of praise; Learn, 1. The Lord will sometime exercise his Church with warres, afflictions and trials, when he doth not intend to punish them, but to give them the victory over their enemies, and that for his own glory, as in Ioshuahs time and Davids, whereunto the text doth relate. The matter of joyful newes, or the word of the Churches victory over her …oes, whensoever it is, proceeds from the Lord, who furnisheth matter for, and words, and utterance of joy to his people, and praise to himself: The Lord gave the word. 2. When God will glorifie himself by comforting his Church, he shall not want Heraulds of his praise; Great was the company of those that published it. 3. Were the enemies of the Church never so powerful, and Gods people never so far…e inferiour unto their enemies in power, yet shall the enemy not be able to stand, when God begins to fight for his people: Kings of armies did flee apacc. 4. It is easie for the Lord to make them a prey to the weakest of his people, who do set themselves to make havock of the Church, yea and to inrich his people with the spoil of such adversaries: She that tarried at home, divided the spoile.
Ver. 13. Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
14. When the Almighty scattered Kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
From the fifth reason of praise; Learn, 1. As the Lord sometimes doth beautifie his people with victories and wealth: so also at other times for just reasons, he will darken all their outward glory, and make them look as blacked scullions in the kitchin; Though ye have lien among the pots, &c. 2. The Lord after the trial and hard exercises of his people for a time, will give them so glorious an event and delivery, as shall take off all the ignominy of their former affliction, and make up all their losses, yea he will cause their formerly deforming affl…ions, to serve for washing-balls of sope, to make them so much more beautiful; Though ye have lien among the pots, ye shall be as the wings of a Dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. 3. Experiences of mercies shewen to the Lords people, are pawns and evidences of like mercies in time to come, as here, When the Almighty scattered Kings in the land, it was made white, is made a proof of the Promise made, ver. 13. 4. As a dark, duskie mountain, whereupon groweth no green thing, but black h…th, is made white, when covered with snow: so is a disgraced, shamed, impoverished, inslaved land made glorious again by a merciful manner of delivery manifesting the Lords kinde respects unto it; When the Almighty scattered Kings in Iudea, it was made white as snow in Salmon.
Ver. 15. The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan, an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
16. Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in: yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
From the sixth reason of praise; Learne, 1. The Kingdomes of this world, especially some of them of more eminent sort, do seem very rich and glorious in comparison of the outward appearance of the Kingdome of Christ in his Church, as the great, high, and fruitful hill of Bashan seemed to be more glorious then the hill of Sion; yet all things being compared, in speciall the spiritual priviledges of the one with the tempor…l priviledges of the other, the Church of God will outreach the most glorious Kingdom on the earth: The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan, an high hill as the hill of Bashan. 2. Although the Kingdomes of the world rejoyce in their Prerogatives, and despise the Kingdom of Christ in his Church, yet have they no cause to exalt themselves: Why leap ye, ye high hills? 3. This one priviledge of the Church, that it is the place of Gods residence, wherein he will manifest himself familiarly and comfortably to his own, may oversway all the excellency of all the Kingdomes of the world; no Kingdom which hath not Gods Church in it, can say the like; This is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.
Ver. 17. …he chariots of God are twenty thousand, even th…usands of Angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
Ver. 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for men: yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
From the seventh reason of praise, Learn, 1. No Kingdome hath such defence, so potent and so numerous armies to fight their battels as the Church hath; The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels. 2. The defence of Angels is made fast to his Church, and their power made sure to be for her, because God is in his Church, even the Lord whom all Angels do serve and attend upon, is in his Church, as at his giving of the law upon Mount Sinai did appear; The Lord is among them, as in Sinai. 3. The Lord is no lesse terrible against his foes in Sion, then in Sinai; and whatsoever terrour the Lord did shew to his Church in Sinai against the violaters of his law, he will manifest it for the comfort and defence of his people, who heartily embrace his Gospel: The Lord is among them, to wit, these chariots and Angels, as in Sinai, so in the holy place. 4. The Ark was not more gloriously conveyed from the house of O…ed-edom unto the city of David, then God, that is, Christ, who is God, who descended to assume humane nature, that he might therein perfect the work of Redemption, did gloriously ascend into heaven, after the price of Redemption was paid by him; Thou hast ascended on high, Eph. 4. 8, 9, 10. 5. The praises of God, and joy of the Church are perfected in Christ; no satisfaction in the shadows, till Christ the substance be looked unto; therefore here the Lords Spirit led his people to look through the shadow of the ascending of the Ark toward the city of David, unto the ascending of God incarnate (represented by the Ark) into heaven: Thou hast ascended on high. 6. Christ did not enter into his glory without a battel going before, and that with strong and many enemies: and in his fighting he carried the victory, and after his victory he did triumph, first in the Crosse, and then in his Ascension, over sin, Satan, the world, hell, grave and all: He led captivity captive. 7. Christ as Mediatour and King of his Church, was fully furnished with all things needful, for gathering his Church, for edifying, governing and perfecting of it: Thou hast received gifts for men; even those gifts which the Apostle speaketh of, for the gathering and edifying of the body of the Saints, Eph. 4. 11, 13. 8. The gifts which Christ hath received and given forth, are not for the Jewes only, or Gentiles only; for the poore only, or rich only; but for men indefinitely: Thou hast received gifts for men. 9 As he hath received gifts for bringing on to life those that are reconciled: so also to conquer, subdue and bring in rebels, and to reconcile enemies: Thou hast received gifts for men, yea and for the rebellious also. 10. The end of Christs Ascension, and receiving and sending down gifts among men, is to gather and preserve, and establish unto God a Church in the world, wherein he may make himself manifest, and dwell and rule in the midst of his enemies: Thou hast received gifts for men, that the Lord might dwell among them. 11. Yea what…oever gifts are bestowed upon unregenerate men within the visible Church or without it, which may any way be serviceable to the Church, they are all bestowed on them in favour of the Church, that God may dwell in his visible Church, which by those gifts is edified; Thou hast received gifts for men, yea for the rebellious also, tha… the Lord God might dwell among them.
Ver. 19. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20. He that is our God, is the God of salvation: and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
From the eighth reason of praise; Learne, 1. Where the Lord will be merciful, he will be merciful, and not weary in doing good to his people in a current course of bounty; the observation whereof should stirre up our hearts to thankfulnesse: Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits. 2. The favours and benefits which God doth bestow upon his people, do come in greater number and measure unto them, then they are able to acknowledge, make use of, or be thankful for, and so in a sort do burden the spirits of the truly godly: Blessed b… God, who daily loadeth us with benefits. 3. As all benefits do flow unto Gods children from the covenanted kindnesse of God for giving unto them eternal salvation; so should all benefits confirm their faith in the Covenant, and lead them to the hope of receiving after all other benefits, salvation also; Blessed be the lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. 4. Albeit the Covenant of salvation be sure and solid in it self, yet are we slow to beleeve it, & weak in our laying hold of it; and have need to have the stamp and impression of it set deep upon our hearts, as here the Psalmist teacheth the Church by inculcating this point: He that is our God, is the God of salvation. 5. Temporal things which men do idolize, may serve a man in this life; but at death, in death, and after death he can have no good by them; It is God only who can deliver from death, and give an issue out of it: Unto God the Lord belong the issues of death. 6. Let a man be once setled in the faith of his salvation, then he shall be comforted against all the troubles and dangers wherein he can fall, yea even against death it self; if he can say, He that is our God, is the God of salvation, he may also say with confidence and application to himself, and comfort, Unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
Ver. 21. But God will wound the head of his enemies: and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
From the ninth reason of Gods praise; Learne, 1. How great soever be the majesty of God, and the riches of bounty and grace offered in Christ, yet will men be found even within the visible Church, who will wickedly refuse his grace, and oppose his Kingdom, but all to their own shame and damage; But God shall wou…d the head of his enemies. 2. The character of Gods irreconcileable enemies is, that they cease not to follow the course of sin: He goeth on still in his trespasses. 3. Though God spare his enemies long, and suffer them to grow old in the course of enmity against him, yet shall shameful, sudden and irrecoverable judgements overtake them in their old dayes; But God shall wound the hoary scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
Ver. 22. The Lord said, I will bring again fro… Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depth… of the sea.
23. That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
From the tenth reason of praise, wherein the Prophet promiseth in the Lo…ds Name, that God shall work over again such works of delivery to his people, and such works▪ of victory over their enemies, as he had wrought before; Learn, 1. The Lords Word is certainly sufficient for performance of his promises, and ground of comfort and confidence, and thanksgiving and praise to God even before the work be wrought; The Lord said, I will bring again, &c. 3. As the Lord will have the memory of former dangers and delive…ies of his Church kept in remembrance for his own glory: so will he have former dangers for his peoples good to be looked upon as advertisements of what straits his Church may be cast into, and his former merciful deliveries looked upon as pledges and pawns of the promises of like mercies in time to come, as need shall require: I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea, doth import thus much. 3. As the Lord will give as great deliverances to his Church, when they are in straits as ever he did before▪ so wil he give as terrible blows to his adversaries as ever he did, according as the Churches need or good shal require; I will bring again from Bashan, &c. that thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies. 4. Albeit neither the Lord nor his people do delight in bloodshed, yet will he let his people and all men see, in the bloodshed of their enemies, how terrible he is in justice, especially against the enemies of his Church, and how dear his people are to him, and that rather then they should be overthrown, he will destroy Nations for their safety; and give unto his people in their own defence against their oppressors, notable victories; So that thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies. 5 When the Lord thinks it fit, not to make his own people instrumental in their own delivery, then can he yoke the enemies among themselves, or raise up pro…ane dogs like themselves to avenge the quarrel of the Lords people upon their enemies: That the tongue of thy dogs may be dipped in th… …ame; that is, in the blood of thine enemies.
Ver. 24. They have … thy goings. O God, even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
25. The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; amongst them were the damos…ls playing with timbrels.
To confirme what is promised, he bringeth forth old experiences acknowledged by the enemies, registred in the Word of the Lord, and read in the Temple. Whence learn, 1. The Lord useth to work so evidently for his people, and against his enemies, that both his people and their enemies are made witnesses, and are forced to acknowledge the Lords work; They have seen thy goings, O God. 2. It is the glory of a people, when God so worketh, as he is seen to be their God, their leader, their defender, and all as in Covenant with them: They have seen thy goings, O God, even the goings of my God, saith he. 3. That Gods honour may be seen, mans honour should be laid down at his feet; and put case a man were the greatest King, yet is it greater glory and matter of contentment to have God for his King, then to be a King without God; They have seen thy goings, O my God, my King, (saith David, now setled in the Kingdom.) 4. The most clear, sure and profitable sight of the Lord… work and wayes, is to be had in the use of publick ordinances, where his Name, Nature, Covenant and course he keepeth with all men, together with the causes, use and ends of his works are to be seen; They have seen the goings of my God in the sanctuary. 5. Where all the people receive a benefit, it becometh all the people publickly and solemnly, and with their best expression of affection, as God doth appoint, to praise God, and in his worship to see that all things may be done orderly, as Israel did, when they came through the red sea, and at other times as the Lord gave occasion: The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after, amongst them, in the middle-ward, the Damo… playing with timbrels. 6. All the powers of our soul… and bodies should concurre each of them in their own order with the best harmony of knowledge, affections and expressions, which can be attained unto, for setting forth the Lords praises, and our obligation to him for his goodnesse of his people, and so should … …rch on all the dayes of our pilgrimage and warfare, till we come to the promised rest: for this did the external ceremonies used under the pedagogie of the Law, teach. Which ceremonies although they be abolished now, yet the sub… and intended duties pointed at in them, being moral, do sti… remain; The fingers went before, players on instruments follwed a…ter, &c.
Ver. 26. Blesse ye God in the Congregations: even the Lord from the fountain of Israel.
27. There is little Benjamin with their Ruler, the Princes of Iudah, and their Councel, the Princes of Zebulun, and the Princes of Naphtali.
As the Psalmist did clear the doctrine of Gods dealing for his Church, and against their enemies by experiences of ol… so he points here at experience later, as was to be seen by all, at the glorious triumphing of Israel over all their enemies, when they were now assembled in their several tribes, the least as well as the greatest, the most remote tribes, as well as those that were nearest hand; all of them conveying the Ark of God unto the City of David, which was the type of Christ, God incarnate, ascending after his victories into heaven. Whence learn, 1. The mercies of God to his people, in special the great work of Redemption, and victory over all enemies obtained by Christ in favour of his people, are abundant matter and cause to praise God, and to blesse him in all the assemblies of the Church; for here it is a commanded duty: Blesse ye God in the Congregations. 2. Whatsoever be the part of others in discharging of this duty, it is expected most at the hands of every kindly Israelite, who draw their original from the fountain of Israel, whether they be of the natural stock of Iacob, descended of him, as water out of a fountain, or have their descent of the same Spirit of regeneration with him: Blesse ye God, even the Lord from the fountain of Israel. 3. Examples and practices of Gods children at any time, are the encouragements of his people at all time… thereafter: There is little Benjamin with their Rulers, &c. set forth here for example. 4. The Piety of Governors, and their precedencie before, or joyning with others in the Lords service, is more honourable unto them then their places of dignity, or their gifts of wisdom and power: There were the Princes of Judah. with their Councel, the Princes of Zebulun, and the Princes of Naphtali. 5. In the exercise of Gods worship, and in priviledges spiritual, the Lord doth joyne the smallest with the greatest, the lowest with the highest, that the lo… … …n their exaltation, and the highest in their hum… … …s little Benjamin with Iudah, the people with thei… … …d Rulers.
Ver. 28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength: …rengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
29. Because of thy temple at Ierusalem, shall kings. bring presents unto thee.
From the eleventh reason of Gods praise; Learn, 1. Not in Kings, or Rulers, or any thing else, but in the Lord and from the Lord, is the strength of his Church, which she may expect alwayes to be furnished with by vertue of the Covenant; Thy God hath commanded thy strength, saith David to the Church. 2. As the Lord hath dec…eed to establish his Church: so hath he meanes and instruments in every age and place prepared for this pu…pose, and hath given out order by actual providence; which is alwayes going about the work in all ages; Thy God hath com…anded thy stren…th. 3. The Lords decree and the order given forth to accomplish it, consisteth well with the Churches using of all lawful meanes to further that end, and in spe…ial should be joyned with thankful acknowledging of what …he Lord hath begun to do, or done already for it, and with earnest prayer for accomplishing of what is to be further done: so teacheth Davids example and prayer here: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. 4. The Lords knowne presence in his Chuch, maintaining and blessing of his publick Ordinances, shall move kings at last to do homage to God incarnate; that is, to Christ represented by his dwelling in the Temple of Ierusalem: Because of thy temple at Ierusalem, shalt kings bring presents unto thee.
Ver. 30. Rebuke the company of spearmen, the …ltitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in warre.
31. Princes shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopia shall s…n stretch out her hands unto God.
How this shall come to passe, he sheweth; to wit, partly by breaking the power of some of them, when they make opposition; partly by powerful conversion of other some. Whence learn, 1. It is not against the precept of love, to pray against publick enemies of the Church, when private spleen is not the motive, but zeal to the glory of God; Rebuke the company of spearmen. 2. The leaders of armies, parties, and factions against Gods Church and cause, and the followers of such leaders, are all of them a company of beasts; Rebuke the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people. 3. God is adversary to all who do oppose his people, and his cause in their hand, and can as easily repulse them really, and overturn them, as reprove them verbally: Rebuko the spearmen, &c. 4. The end of the Churches prayer against her enemies, is, that God m…y be glorified, and people at least brought to outward obedience unto God, which may be a means to real conversion in Gods time; Rebuke them, &c. till every one of them submit themselves, with pieces of silver; that is, till they offer to contribute to Gods service 5. The punishing of some of Gods enemies, may be a meanes to move others to offer obedience, and submit to God, when people that delight in warre are scattered; For Princes shall come out of Egypt. 6. God will draw into subjection unto himself, some of his most open and inveterate enemies; Princes shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto thee.
Ver. 32. Sing unto God, ye kingdomes of the earth: O sing praises unto the Lord. Selah.
33. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old: lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
34. A…cribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength anll power unto his people: blessed be God.
From the l…st reason of praising of God, taken from his Almighty power, in conversion of Kingdomes of Gentiles, ready to be put forth for the preservation of his Church gathered, and for the overthrow of his enemies. Learn, 1. The ti… shall come, when the kingdomes of the earth shall turn Christians in profession, in a greater measure then yet hath been seen, for, Sing unto God, ye kingdomes of the earth: is not a simple telling of their duty, but a prophecie of their joyful joyning in the worship of God; and that they shall have cause of joy within themselves to praise him; O sing praises to the Lord. 2. True Converts will renounce Idols and false gods, and reverently worship the omnipotent Creato… and Governour of heaven, the eternal God: Sing praises to God that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, that were of old. 3. As the glorious government of heaven doth shew the Lords power; so the thunder also doth shew his power and terror, the consideration whereof is needful to dispose our stupid mindes to praise him; Lo, he doth send forth his voice, even a mighty voice. 4. The right use of Gods great, and sensible, and daily seen works, is to make us to glorify the power of God, who is able to work whatsoever he pleaseth; Ascribe strength unto the Lord. 5. The Lords glory in his Church is more excellent then all that is to be seen in the works of Creation: His excellency is over Israel. 6. The true worshipper must study the power and all other properties of God, both by what he hears in the society of the Church, and by what he seeth in his visible works; as well daily transient works; such as the clouds are, as constantly enduring works, such as the heavens are: His excel…ency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. And surely it is no small power, which doth bear up such weight of mountaines of snow, and seas of water, and doth make them saile as it were, and flee with wings in the aire, which God doth dissolve by sittle and little, as we daily behold. 7. Wheresoever God sheweth his presence, whether in heaven, or in his Church, in any place of the earth, there and from thence doth he shew himself a d…eadful God to such as fear him not; O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places. 8. Albeit there were no man to hear us glorifie God, or no man to take his praise of our hand, we should acknowledge his greatnesse in our heart, and before himself, who will take true worship of our hand; for David here turneth his speech to God in the end of the Psalme, saying to him, O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places. 9. The Lord hath an everlasting interest in the people of …srael, and they in him, for the elections cause; and every true Israelite hath an everlasting interest in God, he is the God of Israel. 10. What the Lord hath, is forth-coming to his peoples furniture, as they have need: The God of Israel is be that giveth strength and power to his pe…le. 11. It is reason that at all the several remembrances of Gods mercy to us, we should acknowledge his blessednesse, and his blessing of us, and this is all we can do, and that also can we not do, except he strengthen and enable us for praise; for, blessed be God, saith the Prophet, for this very reason, after he hath spoken of his giving power to his people.