A Brief Explication of the Other Fifty Psalms, Psalm 93
PSAL. XCIII.
IN this Psalme for the comfort of Gods people, against the multitude and power of their enemies, and the greatnesse of Kings and Potentates in the world, who oft times are like to overflow, devoure and drown the Church, the glory of the Lord is described, in whom is the Churches defence, comfort and victory. For this end; f…st, the praises of God for the Churches comfort are set down absolutely, ver. 1, 2. Then the opposition of the enemies of the Church is compared to the growing flood or raging sea, ver 3. And thirdly, the prai…s of God are set down in opposition to their power, ver. 4, 5. with the use of this doctrine, ver. 7.
Ver. 1. THE LORD reigneth, he is clothed with Majestie: the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himselfe: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
2. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
From the praises of God absolutely set down for the comfort of the Church in all respects, and for strengthening of their f…ith, specially against all her enemies: Learn, 1. Howsoever matters concerning the Church or any member thereof shall go; whatsoever he be that hath power for troubling of the Church, God is he who is great Governour of all; and this …s one ground, of confidence and comfort to the Lords people; The Lord reigneth. 2. The outward splendor of ear…ly Kings and Potenta…s in the world, opposite to Christs Kingdom, is no small tentatio… to Gods people, but the beleever must oppose unto this the g…orious government of God; He is clo…thed with Majesty. 3 How strong soever the adverse powers of the world do see…, it must not terrifie the beleever in following the Lords cause, b… his st…ength must be opposed thereun…o, and that so much the more comfortably, as Gods strength is not borrowed from …y, as the strength of the creature is; The Lord is cl…thed with strength, wherewith he …th girded himself. 4. The … of the constant guiding of the world, sheweth the power and wisdom of God, employed much more in setling the work of his Church, for whose cause the world was made, and is upheld and est…blished; The world also is established, that it cannot be moved. 5 The Lords Kingdom in his Ch…h is not like the new upsta…ts in this world, which are of short standing & unstable. If any King be kind to his Church, his people have reason to thank God, but they must not lean to such a King; his …eign shall be but short, and if any King be froward and oppose himself to the Church; we must not be too much feared for him, because his Kingdom is but lately begun, and is of short continuance: but the Kingdom of the Lord is an ancient Kingdom and well setled; Thy throne is established of old. 6. The eternity of God is the ground of the immutability of his Kingdom, and of the perpetual comfort of the Church against all opposers; Thou art from everlasting.
Ver. 3. The floods have lifted up, O LORD: the floods have lifted up their voice: the floods lift up their waves.
In the second pl…ce, is the tentation of the Church; they are like to be …ve flowed as with a deluge, by the multitude of powerfull enemies, whereof the Church complaineth unto God. Whence learn, 1. It is no wonder to see the world rising up tumultuously to overthrow the Church, and as it were a deluge coming upon them to drown and devoure all: no wonder to heare the enemies threatening destruction to the Chur…h, like to the noise of waters after raine coming down the mountains upon them, which are not able to flee; The floods have lifted up, the floods have lifted up their voice; and the third time, the flood… lift up their waves. 2. The best way to encounter threatenings and feares is, to oppose God unto them; and to lay them forth before the Lord, that he may answer them, as here the Psalmist doth; The floods have lifted up O Lord, saith he, &c.
Ver. 4. The LORD on high is mightier then the noise of many waters: yea then the mighty waves of the sea.
In the third place, he sets down the power of God, in opposition to all the b…ags, and malice, and power of the enemies, as very farre above the power of the enemies, and more mighty for the defence of the Church, then the enemie is powerful to oppose it. Whence learn, 1. Heavenly help and comfort from above, is only able to quiet our mindes in time of persecution against the feares of enemies here beneath: The Lord on high is here opposed to the roaring of the floods and waters dashing against the Church. 2. We can neither glorifie God, nor comfort our selves against the power of the enemies of the Church, except we lift up the Lords power above them all; The Lord on high is mightier then the noise of many waters. 3. The Lord is above all terrible things, to bridle them at his pleasure, and by his power able to terrifie them that terrifie his Church; The Lord is mightier then the noise of many waters, yea then the mighty waves of the sea.
Ver. 5. Thy Testim…nies are very sure: holinesse becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
The uses of this doct…ine concerning the Lords power, and good will to defend his Church, are two: the one is, that as the Word of the Lord is, sure and true in it self, so we should acknowledge it to be sure, and should set to our seal unto it, as the Psalmist doth here; Thy testimonies are very sure. The other use is, that such as love to have the benefit of the protection which is promised here, should labour to be holy. Whence learn, 1. Whatsoever is said in the Scripture, needeth no probation; for it is the deposition of God, declaring truth in every thing which it determineth; therefore are his promises called here, His testimonies. 2. By giving credit to the truth of the Scriptures, or to the Lords testimony expressed therein, no man can be deceived: for when we have his Word, our mindes may be quieted and at rest; Thy testimonies are very sure. 3. The honour, strength and happiness of the Lords people is, that they are the Lords habitation and place of residence, dedicated and consecrated unto him; Holiness becometh thine house: that is, thy Church and people, whereof the Temple was only a shadow. 4 God will be sanctified of all that draw near unto him; and whosoever do love to enjoy the preservation and priviledges promised to the Church, must studie for holinesse, which is the duty of the members of the Church also; Holinesse becometh thy house 5 The dignity, duty and priviledges of Gods people, and especially his of consecration, sanctification in affection and carriage, and vindication from sinne and misery, do not belong unto any one time or age, but are perpetual, belonging to all such as studie to be approved unto God, protected, and made blessed by God, in all times and ages, in all places and company all the dayes of their life; For holinesse becometh thine house for evermore.