Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 107 – Psalm 117
PSAL. CVII.
Vers. 1. O Give thanks unto the Lord] Psal. 106. 1. and 118. 1. and 136. 1. This notable sentence was in the beginning used as the foot or tenour of the song, which was oftentimes repeated.
V. 2. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so] As this was true in the Jews, so there is none of Gods elect that feel not his help in their necessity.
redeemed] Or, rescued.
redeemed] Or, rescued.
V. 3. from the south] Heb. from the sea. That is, from the red-sea, which stood southward from the land of Canaan: elsewhere from the sea, is from the west, because the Mediterranean sea stood westward.
V. 4. They] Or, Who.
they] Or, and.
V. 5. Hungrie and thirstie] He sheweth that there is no affliction so grievous, out of the which God will not deliver his: and also exhorteth them that are delivered, to be mindfull of so great a benefit.
thirstie] Judg. 15. 18.
V. 6. cried unto the Lord in their trouble] Psal. 50. 15.
V. 7. of habitation] Or, inhabited.
V. 8. Oh that men would praise] Or, Let them praise, as v. 22.
V. 9. For] Or, Because.
V. 10. affliction and iron] Job. 36. 8.
V. 11. Because they rebelled against the words of God] Then the true way to obey God, is to follow his expresse commandment.
V. 12. Therefore he brought down their heart] Or, whose heart he had brought down.
they fell down, and there was none] Or, who fell so down, that there was none.
V. 13. Then] Or, When.
Then they cried unto the Lord] He sheweth, that one cause why God doth punish us extremely, is, because we will be brought unto him by no other means, v. 6. Hos. 5. 15.
and] Or, then.
V. 15. Oh that men would praise] Or, Let them praise.
V. 16. For] Or, Because.
he hath broken the gates of brasse] When there seemeth to mans judgement no recovery, but all things are brought to despair, then God chiefly shews his mighty power; as in opening prison-doors, and shaking off fetters, Acts 12. 6, 7.
V. 17. Fools, because of their transgression] They that have no fear of God, by sharp rods are brought to call upon him, and so finde mercy, Prov. 26. 3. Lam. 1. 8.
because] Or, who because.
and because of their iniquities] Heb. because of the way of their transgression: that is, from their sinfull course of life.
are afflicted] Heb. do afflict themselves: that is, do bring afflictions upon themselves by their sins.
V. 18. Their soul] Or, Whose soul.
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat] Job 33. 20.
and they] Or, so that they, as psal. 106. 32.
V. 19. Then] Or, As when.
saveth] Or, saved.
V. 20. He sent his word, and healed them] By healing them, he declareth his good-will toward them.
from their destructions] Meaning, their diseases, which had well-nigh destroyed them.
destructions] Or, pits: that is, graves, Ezek. 19. 4, 8. Psal. 103. 4.
V. 21. Oh that men would praise] Or, Let them praise.
V. 22. the sacrifices of thanksgiving] Praise and confession of Gods benefits, are the true sacrifices of the godly, psal. 50. 14, 23. and 116. 17. Heb. 13. 15.
rejoycing] Heb. singing.
V. 23. They that go down to the sea in ships] He sheweth, by Gods dealing with sea-men, what care God hath over men: for in that, that he delivereth them from the great dangers of the sea, he delivereth them, as it were, from a thousand deaths.
V. 24. see] Or, who see.
V. 25. For] Or, How.
raiseth] Heb. maketh to stand.
which lifteth] Or, so that it lifteth.
V. 26. They] Or, And they.
they go down again to the depths] That is, very deep.
their soul is melted because of trouble] Their fear and danger is so great. Some take it for vomiting, psal. 22. 14. and 119. 28. Nah. 2. 10.
V. 27. are at their wits end] Heb. all their wisedom is swallowed up. When their art and means fail them, they are compelled to confesse, that onelyonly Gods providence doth preserve them.
V. 28. Then] Or, When.
and] Or, then.
V. 29. He] Or, And.
maketh] Heb. setleth.
V. 30. Then] Or, And.
because they be quiet] Though before every drop seemed to fight one against another, yet at his commandment they are as still, as though they were frozen, Matth. 8. 26.
so he bringeth them] Or, and he hath brought them.
V. 31. Oh that men would praise] Or, Let them praise.
V. 32. in the co…gregation of the people] This great benefit ought not onelyonly to be considered particularly, but also magnified in all places and assemblies of people or rulers.
V. 33. water-springs] Heb. goings out of the waters.
V. 34. barrennesse] Heb. saltnesse.
V. 35. He turneth the wildernesse into a standing water] Isa. 41. 18. Psal. 114. For the love that he beareth to his Church, he changeth the order of nature for their commodity.
V. 36. that they may prepare] Or, so that they prepare.
V. 37. which may yeeld] Or, which yeeld.
which may yeeld fruits of encrease] Continuall encrease, and yeerly.
V. 38. multiplied greatly] Exod. 1. 7.
and suffereth not their cattell to decrease] But maketh them to encrease greatly.
V. 39. Again they are minished] As God by his providence doth exalt men, so doth he also humble them by afflictions, to make them know themselves.
V. 40. He poureth contempt upon princes] Job 12. 21. For their wickednesse and tyrannie, he causeth their people and subjects to contemn them.
wildernesse] Or, void place.
V. 41. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction] 1 Sam. 2. 8. Psal. 113. 7, 8.
from] Or, after.
and maketh him families like a flock] By giving him many children, which divide themselves into severall families.
V. 42. The righteous shall see it and rejoyce] Job 22. 19. Good men shall rejoyce to see Gods judgements on the wicked, psal. 58. 10.
all iniquitie shall stop her mouth] Job 5. 16. That is, all wicked men.
V. 43. Whoso is wise] Hos. 14. 9.
and will observe] Or, to observe.
PSAL. CVIII.
Title. A song or psalm] See Notes on the title of psalm 48.
Vers. 1. O God] The five first verses of this psalm are the same with the end of the 57 psalm: and the eight last are the same with the end of the 60 psalm. See the Notes there.
my heart is fixed] This earnest affection declareth, that he is both sincere and serious in Gods service.
V. 4. clouds] Or, skies.
V. 6. That thy beloved may be delivered] Psal. 60. 5.
PSAL. CIX.
Vers. 1. HOld not thy peace] Psal. 83. 1.
O God of my praise] Who art the subject of my praise, and givest me cause daily to praise thee for benefits and deliverances.
V. 2. mouth of the deceitfull] Heb. mouth of deceit.
are opened] Heb. have opened themselves.
V. 3. sought against me without a cause] Psal. 35. 7.
V. 4. but I give my self unto prayer] To declare that I had none other refuge but thee.
V. 5. rewarded me evil for good] Psal. 35. 12.
V. 6. Set thou a wicked man over him] He meaneth either Doeg, or Saul, or some other familiar friend that did betray him.
satan] Or, an adversary.
V. 7. be condemned] Heb. go cut guilty, or wicked.
let his prayer become sin] Let no suit of his prevail for him, but rather hurt him.
V. 8. let another take his office] Acts 1. 20.
office] Or, charge.
V. 9. fatherlesse] Exod. 22. 24.
V. 10. let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places] Out of their houses destroyed.
V. 11. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath] Let the extortioner, with cunning tricks, wipe him of all that he hath gotten with much labour.
catch all that he hath] Job 18. ….
V. 13. Let his posterity be cut off] Job 18. 19.
V. 14. Let the iniquity of his fathers …e remembred with the Lord] Thus punisheth the LORD, to the third and fourth generation, the wickednesse of the parent, to their wicked children Exod. 20. 5.
V. 16. Because that he remembred not to shew mercy] He sheweth, that God accustometh to plague them after a strange sort, that shew themselves cruell toward others.
V. 17. As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him] Thus God punisheth sin in kinde: those that curse others, shall be cursed of God.
V. 18. into his bowels] Heb. within him.
V. 20. from the Lord] For being destitute of mans help, he fully trusted in the LORD, hoping that he would deliver him.
V. 21. for thy Names sake] Psal. 106. 8. As thou are named mercifull, gracious and long-suffering, so shew thy self in effect.
V. 23. when it declineth] See Notes on psal. 102. 11.
as the lo…ust] Meaning, that he hath no stay nor assurance in this world.
V. 24. my flesh faileth of fatnesse] Hunger that came from sorrow, made him lean, and his naturall moisture failed him.
V. 25. shaked their heads] Psal. 22. 7.
V. 26. O save me according to thy merciemercy] The more he was contemned of men, the more earnest he was in prayer to God.
V. 27. that this is thy hand] That it is thy work to deliver me, and to confound them.
V. 28. Let them curse, but blesse thou] Let them gain nothing by cursing me.
V. 30. with my mouth] Not onelyonly in confessing his goodnesse secretly in my self, but also in declaring it before all the congregation.
V. 31. from those that condemn his soul] Heb. from the judges of his soul. Hereby he sheweth, that he had not to do with them that were of little power, but with the judges and princes of the world.
PSAL. CX.
Vers. 1. THe Lord said unto my Lord, &c.] Matth. 22. 44. Mark 12. 36. Luke 20. 42. Acts 2. 34. 1 Cor. 15. 25. Heb. 1. 13. God the Father said so to his Son Christ.
V. 2. out of Zion] And thence it shall stretch thorow all the world: and this power chiefly standeth in the preaching of the word, Isa. 2. 3.
V. 3. Thy people shall be willing] By thy word thy people shall be assembled unto thy Church, whose encrease shall be so abundant and wonderfull, as the drops of the dew falling from the womb of the morning.
from the womb of the morning: thou hast] Or, more then the womb of the morning: thou shalt have, &c. Or, more then the morning.
V. 4. Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek] Heb. 5. 6. and 7. 17.
after the order of Melchizedek] As Melchizedek the figure of Christ was both king and priest; so the effect cannot be accomplished in any king, save onelyonly in Christ, Heb. 6. 20. and 7. 1.
V. 6. he shall wound the heads over many countreys] No power shall be able to resist him.
many] Or, great.
V. 7. He shall drink of the brook in the way] He shall, in the eager pursuit of his enemies, drink hastily of the water next at hand; and being thereby refreshed, pursue his enemies to full victory. Some understand it of Christs bitter cup in his passion, and glorious resurrection.
therefore shall he lift up the head] He shall triumph after his victories: or, he shall lift up the head of Christ.
PSAL. CXI.
Vers. 1. PRaise ye the Lord] Heb. Hallelujah.
I will praise the Lord] See psal. 25. 1. The prophet declareth that he will praise God both privately and openly, and that from the heart, as he that consecrateth himself wholly and onelyonly unto God.
V. 2. great] He sheweth that Gods works are a sufficient cause wherefore we should praise him, but chiefly, his benefits towards his Church.
sought …ut of all them that have pleasure therein] The more sweetnesse Gods children finde in his works, the further they dive into them.
V. 3. honourable and glorious] Heb. honour and glory.
V. 4. He hath made his wonderfull works to be remembred] Heb. He hath made a remembrance of his wonderfull works.
gracious and full of compassion] Psal. 86. 5. and 103. 8.
V. 5. He hath given meat unto them that fear him] God hath given to his people all that was necessary for them, and will do so still. Thus the word is taken, Prov. 30. 8. and 31. 15. Mal. 3. 10. Some understand it of feeding the people without labour, in the wildernesse, as God gives prey to the beasts, Mat. 6. 26. Psal. 104. 21. and 147. 9.
meat] Heb. prey.
he will ever be mindfull of his covenant] He looks not at their sins, but at his own promise.
V. 7. The works of his hands are verity] As God promised to take care of his Church; so, in effect, doth he declare himself just and true in the government of the same.
all his commandments are sure] It is like he means his promimises, which are commands to his creatures to provide for his people. See verse 9. Psal. 105. 8.
V. 8. stand fast] Heb. are stablished.
V. 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisedom] Job 28. 28. Prov. 1. 7. and 9. 10. Then they that fear not God, have not so much as the beginning of wisedom, but are clean destitute of understanding.
a good understanding] Or, good successe.
that do his commandments] Heb. that do them.
his praise endureth for ever] The praise of God: or, of him that keeps Gods commandments.
PSAL. CXII.
Vers. 1. PRaise ye the Lord] Heb. Hallelujah.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord] See psal. 25. 1. He meaneth, with that reverend fear which is in the children of God, which causeth them to delight wonderfully in the word of God.
feareth the Lord] Psal. 128. 1.
V. 3. Wealth and riches shall be in his house] The godly shall have abundance and contentment, because their heart is satisfied in God onelyonly.
his righteousnesse endureth for ever] That is, the fruit of his righteousnesse in heaven: or, continue to posterity.
V. 4. Ʋnto the upright there ariseth light in the darknesse] Psal. 97. 11. Righteous men shall have comfort in adversity, for they comfort others, v. 5. Psal. 97. 11.
V. 5. sheweth favour, and lendeth] Psal. 37. 6. Or, is shewing favour, and lending; to wit, frequently.
and lendeth] He sheweth what is the fruit of mercy, To lend freely, and not for gain, and so to measure his doings, that he may be able to help where need requireth, and not to bestow all on himself, psal. 37. 26. Luke 6. 34, 35.
discretion] Heb. judgement.
V. 6. in everlasting remembrance] He shall be praised for his good deeds long after his death, Prov. 10. 7.
V. 7. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings] Prov. 1. 33.
V. 9. He hath dispersed] 2 Cor. 9. 9. The godly pinch not niggardly, but distribute liberally, as the necessity of the poor requireth, and as his power is able: yet he gets by it; for the reward of his bounty abides for ever.
righteousnesse endureth for ever] Vers. 3.
his horn shall be exalted with honour] His power and prosperous estate, psal. 75. 10.
V. 10. gnash with his teeth] Psal. 37. 12.
and melt away] Psal. 58. 8. The blessings of God upon his children, shall cause the wicked to die for envie.
the desire of the wicked shall perish] Prov. 10. 28.
PSAL. CXIII.
Vers. PRaise ye the Lord] Heb. Hallelujah.
praise the Name of the Lord] By this often repetition he stirreth up our cold dulnesse to praise God, seeing his works are so wonderfull.
V. 2. Blessed be the Name of the Lord] Dan. 2. 20.
V. 3. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same] Mal. 1. 11. Isa. 59. 19.
V. 4. The Lord is high above all nations] If Gods glory shine thorow all the world, and therfore he ought to be praised of all men, What great condemnation were it to his people, among whom chiefly it shineth, if they should not earnestly extoll his Name?
his glory above the heavens] Psal. 8. 1.
V. 5. Who is like unto the Lord our God] Psal. 89. 6.
dwelleth] Heb. exalteth himself to dwell.
V. 6. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven] God, out of his high seat of glory, vouchsafeth to provide for all creatures heavenly and earthly, psal. 138. 6.
V. 7. He raiseth up the poor out of the d…st] 1 Sam. 2. 8. Psal. 107. 41.
and lifteth the needie …ut of the dung…ill] He preserring the poor to high honour, and giving the barren children, sheweth, that God worketh in his Church not onelyonly by ordinary means, but also by extraordinary.
V. 9. to keep house] Heb. to dwell in an house.
PSAL. CXIIII.
Vers. 1. WHen Israel went out of Egypt] Exod. 13. 3.
people of strange language] Psal. 81. 5.
V. 2. Judah was his sanctuary] A people sanctified to himself, Exod. 19. 5, 6.
dominion] Heb. dominions.
V. 3. The sea saw it, and fled] Exod. 14. 21.
Jordan was d…iven back] Josh. 3. 13.
V. 4. The mountains skipped like rams] Seeing that these dead creatures felt Gods power, and after a sort saw it, much more his people ought to consider it, and glorifie him for the same.
lambs] Heb. sons of the sheep.
V. 7. Tremble thou earth at the presence of the Lord] He sheweth the cause of the terrour of the insensible creatures to be Gods presence.
V. 8. Which turned the rock into a standing water] Exod. 17. 6. Num. 20. 11. Psal. 107. 35.
PSAL. CXV.
Vers. 1. NOt unto us, O Lord] Because God promised to deliver them, not for their sakes, but for his Name, Isai. 48. 11. Ezek. 36. 32. therefore they ground their prayer upon this promise.
but unto thy Name give glory] Honour thy self, by delivering us from our enemies.
V. 2. Where is now their God?] Psal. 42. 10. and 79. 10. When the wicked see that God accomplisheth not his promise, as they imagine, they scoff at his people, saying, These men were wont to boast of Gods help, but now he hath failed them, Deut. 32. 37, 38.
V. 3. But our God is in the heavens] Psal. 135. 6. They are deceived, for our God is in heaven.
whatsoever he pleased] No impediments can lett the work, but he useth even the impediments to serve his will.
V. 4. Their idols are silver, &c.] Psal. 135. 15. Seeing that neither the matter nor the form can commend the best of their idols, it followeth, that there is nothing why they should be esteemed.
V. 7. They have hands, but they handle not] He sheweth what great vanity it is to ask help of them, which not onelyonly have no help in them, but also lack sense and reason.
V. 8. are like unto them] As much without sense as blocks and stones.
V. 10. O house of Aaron] For they were appointed by God as instructours and teachers of faith and religion for others to follow, Mal. 2. 7.
V. 12. he will blesse us] That is, he will continue his graces towards his people, be they of what degree or condition soever, psal. 128. 1.
V. 13. and] Heb. with.
V. 15. which made heaven and earth] And therefore doth still govern and continue all things therein, Jer. 10. 11.
V. 16. the heavens are the Lords] To be the seat of his glory, Isai. 66. 1.
the Lords] Or, for the Lord.
to the children of men] To use; but he hath kept the right over it to himself.
V. 17. dead praise not the Lord] Psal. 6. 5. and 30. 9. and 88. 11. Isai. 38. 18.
neither any that go down into silence] Though the dead set forth Gods glory in heaven, yet they praise him not here in the congregation, psal. 6. 5.
V. 18. But we will blesse the Lord] Dan. 2. 20. When we are delivered and preserved alive.
PSAL. CXVI.
Vers. 1. I Love the Lord] He granteth, that no pleasure is so great, as to feel Gods help in our necessity, and that nothing stirreth up our love to him more.
I love the Lord because he] Heb. I love because the Lord.
I love the Lord because he hath heard] Or, I am satisfied, since that the Lord hath heard.
V. 2. as long as I live] Heb. in my days. So oft as I shall be in distresse.
V. 3. The sorrows of death compassed me] Psal. 18. 5, 6.
gat hold upon me] Heb. found me.
V. 5. and righteous] So just, that he will deliver them that are unjustly oppressed.
V. 6. I was brought lowe, and he helped me] I was destitute of humane help and counsell.
V. 7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul] Psal. 42. 11. and 43. 5. Return to a composed estate, and be no more disquieted, now God hath freed thee.
V. 9. I will walk before the Lord] Or, I shall walk: that is, the LORD will deliver me; I shall not die in this danger.
land] Heb. lands.
V. 10. I believed, therefore have I spoken] 2 Cor. 4. 13. Though my affliction was great, yet my faith made me pray to God for deliverance.
V. 11. my haste] Psal. 31. 22.
All men are lyars] Rom. 3. 4. Samuel and all, who promised me the kingdom, that am like to die before I can attain to it, 1 Sam. 27. 1.
V. 13. I will take the cup of salvation] Such a cup as men used to take when they came to offer sacrifice, and to give thanks for their deliverances, Luke 22. 17.
salvation] Heb. salvations.
V. 15. Precious in the sight of the Lord] See Notes on psal. 72. 14.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints] Psal. 72. 14.
V. 16. the son of thy handmaid] Psal. 86. 16.
V. 18. I will pay my vows unto the Lord] Besides the sacrifice of thanksgiving enjoyned, Levit. 7. 12. I will sacrifice those things which I vowed, in my adversity, to offer, when I should be delivered.
PSAL. CXVII.
Vers. 1. O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people] Rom. 15. 11.
all ye nations] He exhorteth all nations to praise God for his mercy and truth.
people] Heb. peoples.