mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 144.xml

<div2 id="Ps.cxlv" n="cxlv" next="Ps.cxlvi" prev="Ps.cxliv" progress="70.34%" title="Chapter CXLIV">
<h2 id="Ps.cxlv-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.cxlv-p0.2">PSALM CXLIV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.cxlv-p1">The four preceding psalms seem to have been penned
by David before his accession to the crown, when he was persecuted
by Saul; this seems to have been penned afterwards, when he was
still in trouble (for there is no condition in this world
privileged with an exemption from trouble), the neighbouring
nations molesting him and giving him disturbance, especially the
Philistines, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.17" parsed="|2Sam|5|17|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:17">2 Sam. v. 17</scripRef>.
In this psalm, I. He acknowledges, with triumph and thankfulness,
the great goodness of God to him in advancing him to the government
, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.1-Ps.144.4" parsed="|Ps|144|1|144|4" passage="Ps 144:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. He prays
to God to help him against the enemies who threatened him,
<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.5-Ps.144.8 Bible:Ps.144.11" parsed="|Ps|144|5|144|8;|Ps|144|11|0|0" passage="Ps 144:5-8,11">ver. 5-8 and again ver.
11</scripRef>. III. He rejoices in the assurance of victory over
them, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.9-Ps.144.10" parsed="|Ps|144|9|144|10" passage="Ps 144:9,10">ver. 9, 10</scripRef>. IV. He
prays for the prosperity of his own kingdom, and pleases himself
with the hopes of it, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.12-Ps.144.15" parsed="|Ps|144|12|144|15" passage="Ps 144:12-15">ver.
12-15</scripRef>. In singing this psalm we may give God the glory
of our spiritual privileges and advancements, and fetch in help
from him against our spiritual enemies; we may pray for the
prosperity of our souls, of our families, and of our land; and, in
the opinion of some of the Jewish writers, we may refer the psalm
to the Messiah and his kingdom.</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.cxlv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144" parsed="|Ps|144|0|0|0" passage="Ps 144" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.cxlv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.1-Ps.144.8" parsed="|Ps|144|1|144|8" passage="Ps 144:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.144.1-Ps.144.8">
<h4 id="Ps.cxlv-p1.8">Grateful Acknowledgments of Divine Goodness;
Prayer for Success against Enemies.</h4>
<div class="Center" id="Ps.cxlv-p1.9">
<p id="Ps.cxlv-p2"><i>A psalm</i> of David.</p>
</div>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.cxlv-p3">1 Blessed <i>be</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxlv-p3.1">Lord</span> my strength, which teacheth my hands to
war, <i>and</i> my fingers to fight:   2 My goodness, and my
fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and <i>he</i>
in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.   3 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxlv-p3.2">Lord</span>, what <i>is</i> man, that thou takest
knowledge of him! <i>or</i> the son of man, that thou makest
account of him!   4 Man is like to vanity: his days <i>are</i>
as a shadow that passeth away.   5 Bow thy heavens, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxlv-p3.3">O Lord</span>, and come down: touch the
mountains, and they shall smoke.   6 Cast forth lightning, and
scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.   7
Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great
waters, from the hand of strange children;   8 Whose mouth
speaketh vanity, and their right hand <i>is</i> a right hand of
falsehood.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p4">Here, I. David acknowledges his dependence
upon God and his obligations to him, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.1-Ps.144.2" parsed="|Ps|144|1|144|2" passage="Ps 144:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>. A prayer for further mercy
is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy; and when we
are waiting upon God to bless us we should stir up ourselves to
bless him. He gives to God the glory of two things:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p5">1. What he was to him: <i>Blessed be the
Lord my</i> rock (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.1" parsed="|Ps|144|1|0|0" passage="Ps 144:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), <i>my goodness, my fortress,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.2" parsed="|Ps|144|2|0|0" passage="Ps 144:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. He has in the covenant engaged
himself to be so, and encouraged us, accordingly, to depend upon
him; all the saints, who by faith have made him theirs, have found
him not only to answer but to out do their expectations. David
speaks of it here as the matter of his trust, and that which made
him easy, as the matter of his triumph, and that which made him
glad, and in which he gloried. See how he multiplies words to
express the satisfaction he had in God and his interest in him.
(1.) "He is <i>my strength,</i> on whom I stay, and from whom I
have power both for my work and for my warfare, my rock to build
on, to take shelter in." Even when we are weak we may <i>be strong
in the Lord and in the power of his might.</i> (2.) "<i>My
goodness,</i> not only good to me, but my chief good, in whose
favour I place my felicity, and who is the author of all the
goodness that is in me, and <i>from whom comes every good and
perfect gift.</i>" (3.) "<i>My fortress,</i> and <i>my high
tower,</i> in whom I think myself as safe as ever any prince
thought himself in a castle or strong-hold." David had formerly
sheltered himself in strong-holds at En-gedi (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.23.29" parsed="|1Sam|23|29|0|0" passage="1Sa 23:29">1 Sam. xxiii. 29</scripRef>), which perhaps were
natural fastnesses. He had lately made himself master of the
strong-hold of Zion, which was fortified by art, and he <i>dwelt in
the fort</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.7 Bible:2Sam.5.9" parsed="|2Sam|5|7|0|0;|2Sam|5|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:7,9">2 Sam. v. 7,
9</scripRef>), but he depends not on these. "Lord," says he, "thou
art <i>my fortress</i> and <i>my high tower.</i>" The divine
attributes and promises are fortifications to a believer, far
exceeding those either of nature or art. (4.) <i>My deliverer,</i>
and, as it is in the original, very emphatically, <i>my deliverer
to me,</i> "not only a deliverer I have interest in, but who is
always nigh unto me and makes all my deliverances turn to my real
benefit." (5.) "<i>My shield,</i> to guard me against all the
malignant darts that my enemies let fly at me, not only <i>my
fortress</i> at home, but <i>my shield</i> abroad in the field of
battle." Wherever a believer goes he carries his protection along
with him. <i>Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p6">2. What he had done for him. He was bred a
shepherd, and seems not to have been designed by his parents, or
himself for any thing more. But, (1.) God had made him a soldier.
His hands had been used to the crook and his fingers to the harp,
but God <i>taught his hands to war and his fingers to fight,</i>
because he designed him for Israel's champion; and what God calls
men to he either finds them or makes them fit for. Let the men of
war give God the glory of all their military skill; the same that
teaches the meanest husbandman his art teaches the greatest general
his. It is a pity that any whose fingers God has taught to fight
should fight against him or his kingdom among men. Those have
special reason to acknowledge God with thankfulness who prove to be
qualified for services which they themselves never thought of. (2.)
God had made him a sovereign prince, had taught him to wield the
sceptre as well as the sword, to rule as well as fight, the harder
and nobler art of the two: He <i>subdueth my people under me.</i>
The providence of God is to be acknowledged in making people
subject to their prince, and so preserving the order and benefit of
societies. There was a special hand of God inclining the people of
Israel to be subject to David, pursuant to the promise God had made
him; and it was typical of that great act of divine grace, the
bringing of souls into subjection to the Lord Jesus and making them
willing in the day of his power.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p7">II. He admires God's condescension to man
and to himself in particular (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.3-Ps.144.4" parsed="|Ps|144|3|144|4" passage="Ps 144:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>): "<i>Lord, what is man,</i>
what a poor little thing is he, <i>that thou takest knowledge of
him, that thou makest account of him,</i> that he falls so much
under thy cognizance and care, and that thou hast such a tender
regard to any of that mean and worthless race as thou hast had to
me!" Considering the many disgraces which the human nature lies
under, we have reason to admire the honours God has put upon
mankind in general (the saints especially, some in a particular
manner, as David) and upon the Messiah (to whom those words are
applied, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.6" parsed="|Heb|2|6|0|0" passage="Heb 2:6">Heb. ii. 6</scripRef>), who
was <i>highly exalted because he humbled himself to be found in
fashion as a man,</i> and <i>has authority to execute judgment
because he is the Son of man.</i> A question to this purport David
asked (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.8.4" parsed="|Ps|8|4|0|0" passage="Ps 8:4">Ps. viii. 4</scripRef>), and he
illustrated the wonder by the consideration of the great dignity
God has placed man in (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.8.5" parsed="|Ps|8|5|0|0" passage="Ps 8:5">Ps. viii.
5</scripRef>), <i>Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour.</i>
Here he illustrates it by the consideration of the meanness and
mortality of man, notwithstanding the dignity put upon him
(<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.4" parsed="|Ps|144|4|0|0" passage="Ps 144:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): <i>Man is
like to vanity;</i> so frail is he, so weak, so helpless, compassed
about with so many infirmities, and his continuance here so very
short and uncertain, that he is as like as may be to vanity itself.
Nay, he is vanity, he is so at his best estate. <i>His days</i>
have little substance in them, considering how many of the thoughts
and cares of an immortal soul are employed about a poor dying body;
they <i>are as a shadow,</i> dark and flitting, transitory and
finishing with the sun, and, when that sets, resolving itself into
all shadow. They <i>are as a shadow that passeth away,</i> and
there is no loss of it. David puts himself into the number of those
that are thus mean and despicable.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p8">III. He begs of God to strengthen him and
give him success against the enemies that invaded him, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.5-Ps.144.8" parsed="|Ps|144|5|144|8" passage="Ps 144:5-8"><i>v.</i> 5-8</scripRef>. He does not specify
who they were that he was in fear of, but says, <i>Scatter them,
destroy them.</i> God knew whom he meant, though he did not name
them. But afterwards he describes them (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.7-Ps.144.8" parsed="|Ps|144|7|144|8" passage="Ps 144:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>): "They are <i>strange
children,</i> Philistines, aliens, bad neighbours to Israel,
heathens, whom we are bound to be strange to and not to make any
leagues with, and who therefore carry it strangely towards us."
Notwithstanding the advantages with which God had blessed David's
arms against them, they were still vexatious and treacherous, and
men that one could put no confidence in: "One cannot take their
word, for their <i>mouth speaketh vanity;</i> nay, if they give
their hand upon it, or offer their hand to help you, there is no
trusting them; for <i>their right hand is a right hand of
falsehood.</i>" Against such as these we cannot defend ourselves,
but we may depend on the God of truth and justice, who hates
falsehood, to defend us from them. 1. David prays that God would
appear, that he would do something extraordinary, for the
conviction of those who preferred their dunghill-deities before the
God of Israel (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.5" parsed="|Ps|144|5|0|0" passage="Ps 144:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>): "<i>Bow thy heavens, O Lord!</i> and make it evident
that they are indeed thine, and that thou art the Lord of them,
<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.1" parsed="|Isa|66|1|0|0" passage="Isa 66:1">Isa. lxvi. 1</scripRef>. Let thy
providence threaten my enemies, and look black upon them, as the
clouds do on the earth when they are thick, and hang very low, big
with a storm. Fight against those that fight against us, so that it
may visibly appear that thou art for us. <i>Touch the
mountains,</i> our strong and stately enemies, <i>and</i> let them
<i>smoke.</i> Show thyself by the ministry of thy angels, as thou
didst upon Mount Sinai." 2. That he would appear against his
enemies, that he would fight from heaven against them, as sometimes
he had done, by lightnings, which are his arrows (his fiery darts,
against which the hardest steel is no armour of proof, so
penetrating is the force of lightning), that he himself would shoot
these arrows, who, we are sure, never misses his mark, but hits
where he aims. 3. That he would appear for him, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.7" parsed="|Ps|144|7|0|0" passage="Ps 144:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He begs for their destruction,
in order to his own deliverance and the repose of his people:
"<i>Send thy hand,</i> thy power, <i>from above,</i> for that way
we look for help; <i>rid me and deliver me out of</i> these
<i>great waters</i> that are ready to overflow me." God's time to
help his people is when they are sinking and all other helps
fail.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.cxlv-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.9-Ps.144.15" parsed="|Ps|144|9|144|15" passage="Ps 144:9-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.144.9-Ps.144.15">
<h4 id="Ps.cxlv-p8.7">Thanksgiving and Petitions; National
Happiness Desired.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.cxlv-p9">9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon
a psaltery <i>and</i> an instrument of ten strings will I sing
praises unto thee.   10 <i>It is he</i> that giveth salvation
unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful
sword.   11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange
children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand
<i>is</i> a right hand of falsehood:   12 That our sons <i>may
be</i> as plants grown up in their youth; <i>that</i> our daughters
<i>may be</i> as corner stones, polished <i>after</i> the
similitude of a palace:   13 <i>That</i> our garners <i>may
be</i> full, affording all manner of store: <i>that</i> our sheep
may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:  
14 <i>That</i> our oxen <i>may be</i> strong to labour; <i>that
there be</i> no breaking in, nor going out; that <i>there be</i> no
complaining in our streets.   15 Happy <i>is that</i> people,
that is in such a case: <i>yea,</i> happy <i>is that</i> people,
whose God <i>is</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxlv-p9.1">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p10">The method is the same in this latter part
of the psalm as in the former; David first gives glory to God and
then begs mercy from him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p11">I. He praises God for the experiences he
had had of his goodness to him and the encouragements he had to
expect further mercy from him, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.9-Ps.144.10" parsed="|Ps|144|9|144|10" passage="Ps 144:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. In the midst of his
complaints concerning the power and treachery of his enemies, here
is a holy exultation in his God: <i>I will sing a new song to thee,
O God!</i> a song of praise for new mercies, for those compassions
that are new every morning. Fresh favours call for fresh returns of
thanks; nay, we must praise God for the mercies we hope for by his
promise as well as those we have received by his providence,
<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.20-2Chr.20.21" parsed="|2Chr|20|20|20|21" passage="2Ch 20:20,21">2 Chron. xx. 20, 21</scripRef>. He
will join music with his songs of praise, to express and excite his
holy joy in God; he will praise God <i>upon a psaltery of ten
strings,</i> in the best manner, thinking all little enough to set
forth the praises of God. He tells us what this new song shall be
(<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.10" parsed="|Ps|144|10|0|0" passage="Ps 144:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>): <i>It is
he that giveth salvation unto kings.</i> This intimates, 1. That
great kings cannot save themselves without him. Kings have their
life-guards, and have armies at command, and all the means of
safety that can be devised; but, after all, it is God that gives
them their salvation, and secures them by those means, which he
could do, if there were occasion, without them, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.33.16" parsed="|Ps|33|16|0|0" passage="Ps 33:16">Ps. xxxiii. 16</scripRef>. Kings are the protectors of
their people, but it is God that is their protector. How much
service do they owe him then with their power who gives them all
their salvations! 2. That good kings, who are his ministers for the
good of their subjects, shall be protected and saved by him. He has
engaged to give salvation to those kings that are his subjects and
rule for him; witness the great things he had done for <i>David his
servant,</i> whom he had many a time <i>delivered from the hurtful
sword,</i> to which Saul's malice, and his own zeal for the service
of his country, had often exposed him. This may refer to Christ the
Son of David, and then it is a new song indeed, a New-Testament
song. God delivered him from the hurtful sword, upheld him as his
servant, and brought him off a conqueror over all the powers of
darkness, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.42.1 Bible:Isa.49.8" parsed="|Isa|42|1|0|0;|Isa|49|8|0|0" passage="Isa 42:1,49:8">Isa. xlii. 1; xlix.
8</scripRef>. To him he gave salvation, not for himself only, but
for us, raising him up to be <i>a horn of salvation.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p12">II. He prays for the continuance of God's
favour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p13">1. That he might be delivered from the
public enemies, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.11" parsed="|Ps|144|11|0|0" passage="Ps 144:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. Here he repeats his prayer and plea, <scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.7-Ps.144.8" parsed="|Ps|144|7|144|8" passage="Ps 144:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>. His persecutors
were still of the same character, false and perfidious, and who
would certainly over-reach an honest man and be too hard for him:
"Therefore, Lord, do thou <i>deliver me from</i> them, for they are
a strange sort of people."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p14">2. That he might see the public peace and
prosperity: "Lord, let us have victory, that we may have quietness,
which we shall never have while our enemies have it in their power
to do us mischief." David, as a king, here expresses the earnest
desire he had of the welfare of his people, wherein he was a type
of Christ, who provides effectually for the good of his chosen. We
have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p15">(1.) The particular instances of that
public prosperity which David desired for his people. [1.] A
hopeful progeny (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.12" parsed="|Ps|144|12|0|0" passage="Ps 144:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>): "<i>That our sons</i> and <i>our daughters may
be</i> in all respects such as we could wish." He means not those
only of his own family, but those of his subjects, that are the
seed of the next generation. It adds much to the comfort and
happiness of parents in this world to see their children promising
and likely to do well. <i>First,</i> It is pleasant to see <i>our
sons as plants grown up in their youth,</i> as olive-plants
(<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.128.1-Ps.128.6" parsed="|Ps|128|1|128|6" passage="Ps 128:1-6">Ps. cxxviii. 3</scripRef>), the
<i>planting of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.61.3" parsed="|Isa|61|3|0|0" passage="Isa 61:3">Isa. lxi.
3</scripRef>),—to see them as plants, not as weeds, not as
thorns,—to see them as plants growing great, not withered and
blasted,—to see them of a healthful constitution, a quick
capacity, a towardly disposition, and especially of a pious
inclination, likely to bring forth fruit unto God in their day,—to
see them <i>in their youth,</i> their growing time, increasing in
every thing that is good, growing wiser and better, till they grow
strong in spirit. <i>Secondly,</i> It is no less desirable to see
<i>our daughters as corner-stones,</i> or corner-pillars,
<i>polished after the similitude of a palace,</i> or temple. By
daughters families are united and connected, to their mutual
strength, as the parts of a building are by the corner-stones; and
when they are graceful and beautiful both in body and mind they are
then polished after the similitude of a nice and curious structure.
When we see our daughters well-established and stayed with wisdom
and discretion, as corner-stones are fastened in the
building,—when we see them by faith united to Christ, as the chief
corner-stone, adorned with the graces of God's Spirit, which are
the polishing of that which is naturally rough, and <i>become women
professing godliness,</i>—when we see them purified and
consecrated to God as living temples, we think ourselves happy in
them. [2.] Great plenty. Numerous families increase the care,
perhaps more than the comfort, where there is not sufficient for
their maintenance; and therefore he prays for a growing estate with
a growing family. <i>First,</i> That their store-houses might be
well-replenished with the fruits and products of the earth: <i>That
our garners may be full,</i> like those of the good householder,
who brings out of them things new and old (those things that are
best new he has in that state, those that are best when they are
kept he has in that state),—that we may have in them <i>all manner
of stores,</i> for ourselves and our friends,—that, living
plentifully, we may live not luxuriously, for then we abuse our
plenty, but cheerfully and usefully,—that, having abundance, we
may be thankful to God, generous to our friends, and charitable to
the poor; otherwise, what profit is it to have our garners full?
<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Jas.5.3" parsed="|Jas|5|3|0|0" passage="Jam 5:3">Jam. v. 3</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i>
That their flocks might greatly increase: <i>That our sheep may
bring forth thousands, and ten thousands, in our</i> folds. Much of
the wealth of their country consisted in their flocks (<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.27.26" parsed="|Prov|27|26|0|0" passage="Pr 27:26">Prov. xxvii. 26</scripRef>), and this is the
case with ours too, else wool would not be, as it is, a staple
commodity. The increase of our cattle is a blessing in which God is
to be acknowledged. <i>Thirdly,</i> That their beasts designed for
service might be fit for it: <i>That our oxen may be strong to
labour</i> in the plough, <i>that they may be fat and fleshy</i>
(so some), in good working case. We were none of us made to be
idle, and therefore we should pray for bodily health, not that we
may be easy and take our pleasures, but that we <i>may be strong to
labour,</i> that we may do the work of our place and day, else we
are worse than the beasts; for when they are strong it is for
labour. [3.] An uninterrupted peace. <i>First,</i> That there be no
war, <i>no breaking in</i> of invaders, <i>no going out</i> of
deserters. "Let not our enemies break in upon us; let us not have
occasion to march out against them." War brings with it abundance
of mischiefs, whether it be offensive or defensive.
<i>Secondly,</i> That there be no oppression nor faction—<i>no
complaining in our streets,</i> that the people may have no cause
to complain either of their government or of one another, nor may
be so peevish as to complain without cause. It is desirable thus to
dwell in quiet habitations.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxlv-p16">(2.) His reflection upon this description
of the prosperity of the nation, which he so much desired
(<scripRef id="Ps.cxlv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.15" parsed="|Ps|144|15|0|0" passage="Ps 144:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): <i>Happy
are the people that are in such a case</i> (but it is seldom so,
and never long so), <i>yea, happy are the people whose God is the
Lord.</i> The relation of a people to God as theirs is here spoken
of either, [1.] As that which is the fountain whence all those
blessings flow. Happy are the Israelites if they faithfully adhere
to the Lord as their God, for they may expect to be <i>in such a
case.</i> National piety commonly brings national prosperity; for
nations as such, in their national capacity, are capable of rewards
and punishments only in this life. Or, [2.] As that which is
abundantly preferable to all these enjoyments. The psalmist began
to say, as most do, <i>Happy are the people that are in such a
case;</i> those are blessed that prosper in the world. But he
immediately corrects himself: <i>Yea, rather, happy are the people
whose God is the Lord,</i> who have his favour, and love, and
grace, according to the tenour of the covenant, though they have
not abundance of this world's goods. As all this, and much more,
cannot make us happy, unless the Lord be our God, so, if he be, the
want of this, the loss of this, nay, the reverse of this, cannot
make us miserable.</p>
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