Commentary on Ezra Nehemiah Ester Job and Psalms, Commentary 5 · Psalm 95
PSAL. XCV.
VErſ. 1. O come, let us ſing unto the Lord] It is thought by this beginning, that this Pſalm was not penned by David for private uſe, but for publick Aſſemblies, to be ſung by the Congregation on the Sabbath, and ſuch like times, It may very well be that they began their morning Sacrifice with this Pſalm, as the Latine Church alſo afterwards did their Mattens, or Morning Service.
Let us make a joyful noyſe] With a clear and loud voyce, as of a Trumpet; ſinging with grace in our hearts unto the Lord.
Verſ. 2. Let us come before his preſence] Heb. Prevent his face, be there with the firſt. Let us go ſpeedily — I will go alſo, Zech. 8.21. Let praiſe wait for God in Sion, Pſal. 65.1. Rabbi Gaon, Praveniamus & ante diem judicii, Let us make haſte, ſaith he, to do it before the Day of Judgement; and leſt we be taken with our task undone. Others, let us anticipate his face, that is, prepare our hearts at home, before we come into the publick; or, let us give thanks for mercies already received, that we may make way for more.
With Pſalmes] Oratione prorſà & vorſâ.
Verſ. 3. For the Lord is a great God] Underſtand it of Chriſt, as the Apoſtle alſo doth, Heb. 3. & 4. 1 Cor. 10.
Above all Gods] Whether reputed ſo, or deputed, as Kings.
Verſ. 4. In his hand are the deep places] Heb Searching, that is, much ſearched aſter, but ſound to be unſearchable.A foreign vo'ucris volan, in altum. R. Solom.
The ſtrength of the hills] Heb. The heights, ſuch as will ſport a bird to get to the top of them. Depths and heights are his.
Verſ. 5. The Sea is his, &c.] Canutus confuted his Flatterers (who told him that all things in his Dominions were at his beck and check) by laying his command on the Sea,Hen. Hunting…on. to come up no higher into his Land, but it obeyed him not.
And his hands formed the dry land] Worſhip him therefore, Rev. 4.
Verſ. 6. O come, let us worſhip, and fall down] With our whole bodies proſtrate on the ground,Kimchi. our hands and feet ſtretcht out. The Jews geſture of adoration at this day is the bowing forward of their bodies, for kneeling they uſe none (no more do the Graecians) neither ſtir they their Bonnets in their Synagogues to any man,Spec. Eur. but remain ſtill covered.
The Lord our Maeker] Who hath not only created us, but advanced us, as hee did Moſes and Aaron, 1 Sam. 12.6.
Verſ. 7. The people of his paſture] Whom he turns not out into Commons and Fallows, but feeds among Lillies, Cant. 2.16.
And the ſheep of his hand] His Cades brought up at hand, eating of his meat, and drinking of his cup, and lying in his boſome, as Uriahs Ewe-Lamb did, 2 Sam. 12.3.
To day if ye will hear his voyce] i.e. Whiles the day of grace laſteth, which is not long, 2 Cor. 6.2. Qui paenitenti veniam ſpofpondit, peccanti craſtinum non promiſit, ſaith Gregory.
Verſ. 8. Harden not your hearts] by unbeleef, and the deceitfulneſs of ſin, Heb. 3.12, 13. which gradually obfirmeth the heart againſt God.
As in the provocation As your fathers did at Maſſah and Meribah: be not you as good at reſiſting the Holy Ghoſt us they were, Act. 7.51.
Verſ. 9. When your Fathers tempted mee] The times, all along the wilderneſſe,Num. 14.2… though
They ſaw my works] Both mercies and judgements, Pſal. 98.8. yet they were refractory and unmalleable.
Verſ. 10. Was I grieved] Litigavi, vel cum taedio pertuli.
That do erre in their hearts] Wandering, though not ſo wide, as to miſſe of Hell.
They have not known] viz. practically and ſavingly.
Verſ. 11. Ʋnto whom I ſware] When put paſt all patience. Patientia laſa fit furor.
If they enter, &c.] This God ſweareth cum reticentia, to ſhew how greatly hee was incenſed.