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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Psalms LXVIII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P S A L M S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>PSALM LXVIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This is a most excellent psalm, but in many places the genuine sense is
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not easy to come at; for in this, as in some other scriptures, there
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are things dark and hard to be understood. It does not appear when, or
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upon what occasion, David penned this psalm; but probably it was when,
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God having given him rest from all his enemies round about, he brought
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the ark (which was both the token of God's presence and a type of
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Christ's mediation) from the house of Obed-edom to the tent he had
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pitched for it in Zion; for the first words are the prayer which Moses
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used at the removing of the ark,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+10:35">Num. x. 35</A>.
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From this he is led, by the Spirit of prophecy, to speak glorious
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things concerning the Messiah, his ascension into heaven, and the
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setting up of his kingdom in the world.
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I. He begins with prayer, both against God's enemies
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>)
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and for his people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:3">ver. 3</A>.
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II. He proceeds to praise, which takes up the rest of the psalm,
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calling upon all to praise God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:4,26,32">ver. 4, 26, 32</A>)
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and suggesting many things as matter for praise.
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1. The greatness and goodness of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:4-6">ver. 4-6</A>.
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2. The wonderful works God had wrought for his people formerly,
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bringing them through the wilderness
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:7,8">ver. 7, 8</A>),
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settling them in Canaan
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:9,10">ver. 9, 10</A>),
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giving them victory over their enemies
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:11,12">ver. 11, 12</A>),
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and delivering them out of the hands of their oppressors,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:13,14">ver. 13, 14</A>.
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3. The special presence of God in his church,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:15-17">ver. 15-17</A>.
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4. The ascension of Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:18">ver. 18</A>)
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and the salvation of his people by him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:19,20">ver. 19, 20</A>.
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5. The victories which Christ would obtain over his enemies, and the
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favours he would bestow upon his church,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:21-28">ver. 21-28</A>.
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6. The enlargement of the church by the accession of the Gentiles to it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:29-31">ver. 29-31</A>.
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And so he concludes the psalm with an awful acknowledgment of the glory
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and grace of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:32-35">ver. 32-35</A>.
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With all these great things we should endeavour to be duly affected in
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singing this psalm.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ps68_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Prayer for the Dispersion of God's Enemies.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<CENTER>
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<P>To the chief musician. A psalm <I>or</I> song of David.</P>
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</CENTER>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered:
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let them also that hate him flee before him.
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2 As smoke is driven away, <I>so</I> drive <I>them</I> away: as wax
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melteth before the fire, <I>so</I> let the wicked perish at the
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presence of God.
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3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God:
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yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
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4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that
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rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
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5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, <I>is</I>
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God in his holy habitation.
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6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those
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which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry
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<I>land.</I>
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses,</P>
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<P>
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I. David prays that God would appear in his glory,</P>
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<P>
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1. For the confusion of his enemies
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>):
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"<I>Let God arise,</I> as a judge to pass sentence upon them, as a
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general to take the field and do execution upon them; <I>and let them
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be scattered,</I> and flee before him, as unable to keep their ground,
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much less to make head against him. Let God arise, as the sun when he
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goes forth in his strength; and the children of darkness shall be
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scattered, as the shadows of the evening flee before the rising sun.
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Let them be driven away as smoke by the wind, which ascends as if it
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would eclipse the sun, but is presently dispelled, and there appears to
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remainder of it. Let them melt <I>as wax before the fire,</I> which is
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quickly dissolved." Thus does David comment upon Moses's prayer, and
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not only repeat it with application to himself and his own times, but
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enlarge upon it, to direct us how to make use of scripture-prayers.
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Nay, it looks further, to the Redeemer's victory over the enemies of
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this kingdom, for he was the angel of the covenant, that guided Israel
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through the wilderness. Note,
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(1.) There are, and have been, and ever will be, such as are enemies to
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God and hate him, that join in with the old serpent against the kingdom
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of God among men and against the seed of the woman.
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(2.) They are the wicked, and none but the wicked, that are enemies to
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God, the children of the wicked one.
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(3.) Though we are to pray for our enemies as such, yet we are to pray
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against God's enemies as such, against their enmity to him and all
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their attempts upon his kingdom.
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(4.) If God but arise, all his impenitent and implacable enemies, that
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will not repent to give him glory, will certainly and speedily be
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scattered, and driven away, and made to perish at his presence; for
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none ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. The day of
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judgment will be the day of the complete and final <I>perdition of
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ungodly men</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:7">2 Pet. iii. 7</A>),
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who shall melt like
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wax before that flaming fire in which the Lord shall then appear,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+1:8">2 Thess. i. 8</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. For the comfort and joy of his own people
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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"<I>Let the righteous be glad,</I> that are now in sorrow; <I>let them
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rejoice before God</I> in his favourable presence. God is the joy of
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his people; let them rejoice whenever they come before God, yea, let
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them exceedingly rejoice, let them rejoice with gladness." Note, Those
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who rejoice in God have reason to rejoice with exceeding joy; and this
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joy we ought to wish to all the saints, for it belongs to them.
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<I>Light is sown for the righteous.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. He praises God for his glorious appearances, and calls upon us to
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praise him, to sing to his name, and extol him,</P>
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<P>
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1. As a great God, infinitely great
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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He <I>rides upon the heavens, by his name JAH.</I> He is the spring of
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all the motions of the heavenly bodies, directs and manages them, as he
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that rides in the chariot sets it a-going, has a supreme command of the
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influences of heaven; he rides upon the heavens for the help of his
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people
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:26">Deut. xxxiii. 26</A>),
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so swiftly, so strongly, and so much above the reach of opposition. He
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rules these by his name <I>Jah,</I> or <I>Jehovah,</I> a self-existent
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self-sufficient being; the fountain of all being, power, motion, and
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perfection; this is his name for ever. When we thus extol God we must
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<I>rejoice before him.</I> Holy joy in God will very well consist with
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that reverence and godly fear wherewith we ought to worship him.</P>
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<P>
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2. As a gracious God, a God of mercy and tender compassion. He is
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great, but he despises not any, no, not the meanest; nay, being a God
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of great power, he uses his power for the relief of those that are
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distressed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>.
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The fatherless, the widows, the solitary, find him a God all-sufficient
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to them. Observe how much God's goodness is his glory. He that <I>rides
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on the heavens by his name Jah,</I> one would think should immediately
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have been adored as King of kings and Lord of lords, and the sovereign
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director of all the affairs of states and nations; he is so, but this
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he rather glories in, that he is <I>a Father of the fatherless. Though
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God be high, yet has he respect unto the lowly.</I> Happy are those
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that have an interest in such a God as this. He that <I>rides upon the
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heavens</I> is a Father worth having; thrice <I>happy are the people
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whose God is the Lord.</I>
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(1.) When families are bereaved of their head God takes care of them,
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and is himself their head; and the widows and the fatherless children
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shall find that in him which they have lost in the relation that is
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removed, and infinitely more and better. He is <I>a Father of the
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fatherless,</I> to pity them, to bless them, to teach them, to provide
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for them, to portion them. He will <I>preserve them alive</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+49:11">Jer. xlix. 11</A>),
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and with him they shall <I>find mercy,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+14:3">Hos. xiv. 3</A>.
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They have liberty to call him Father, and to plead their relation to
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him as their guardian,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+146:9,Ps+10:14,18">Ps. cxlvi. 9; x. 14, 18</A>.
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He is a judge or patron of the widows, to give them counsel and to
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redress their grievances, to own them and plead their cause,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+22:23">Prov. xxii. 23</A>.
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He has an ear open to all their complaints and a hand open to all their
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wants. He is so <I>in his holy habitation,</I> which may be understood
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either of the habitation of his glory in heaven (there he has prepared
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his throne of judgment, which the fatherless and widow have free
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recourse to, and are taken under the protection of,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+9:4,7">Ps. ix. 4, 7</A>),
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or of the habitation of his grace on earth; and so it is a direction to
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the widows and fatherless how to apply to God; let them go to his holy
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habitation, to his word and ordinances; there they may find him and
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find comfort in him.
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(2.) When families are to be built up he is the founder of them: <I>God
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sets the solitary in families,</I> brings those into comfortable
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relations that were lonely, gives those a convenient settlement that
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were unsettled
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+113:9">Ps. cxiii. 9</A>);
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he <I>makes those dwell at home that were</I> forced to <I>seek</I> for
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relief <I>abroad</I> (so Dr. Hammond), putting those that were
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destitute into a way of getting their livelihood, which is a very good
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way for man's charity, as it is of God's bounty.</P>
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<P>
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3. As a righteous God,
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(1.) In relieving the oppressed. He <I>brings out those that are bound
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with chains,</I> and sets those at liberty who were unjustly imprisoned
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and brought into servitude. No chains can detain those whom God will
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make free.
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(2.) In reckoning with the oppressors: <I>The rebellious dwell in a dry
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land</I> and have no comfort in that which they have got by fraud and
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injury. The best land will be a dry land to those that by their
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rebellion have forfeited the blessing of God, which is the juice and
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fatness of all our enjoyments. The Israelites were brought out of
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Egypt into the wilderness, but were there better provided for than the
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Egyptians themselves, whose land, if Nilus failed them, as it sometimes
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did, was a dry land.</P>
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<A NAME="Ps68_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Thankful Praises to God; Mercies Recollected.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou
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didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
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8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of
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God: <I>even</I> Sinai itself <I>was moved</I> at the presence of God, the
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God of Israel.
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9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst
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confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
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10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast
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prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
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11 The Lord gave the word: great <I>was</I> the company of those
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that published <I>it.</I>
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12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home
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divided the spoil.
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13 Though ye have lien among the pots, <I>yet shall ye be as</I> the
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wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow
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gold.
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14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was <I>white</I> as
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snow in Salmon.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The psalmist here, having occasion to give God thanks for the great
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things he had done for him and his people of late, takes occasion
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thence to praise him for what he had done for their fathers in the days
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of old. Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies and revive
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our grateful sense of them. Let it never be forgotten,</P>
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<P>
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I. That God himself was the guide of Israel through the wilderness;
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when he had brought them out of their chains he did not leave them in
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the dry land, but he himself went before them in a <I>march through the
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wilderness,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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It was not a journey, but a march, for they went as soldiers, as an
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army with banners. The Egyptians promised themselves that the
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wilderness had shut them in, but they were deceived; God's Israel,
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having him for their leader, marched through the wilderness and were
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not lost in it. Note, If God bring his people into a wilderness, he
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will be sure to go before them in it and bring them out of it.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+8:5">Cant. viii. 5</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. That he manifested his glorious presence with them at Mount Sinai,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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Never did any people see the glory of God, nor hear his voice, as
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Israel did,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:32,33">Deut. iv. 32, 33</A>.
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|
|
|
Never had any people such an excellent law given them, so expounded, so
|
|
enforced. Then the <I>earth shook,</I> and the neighbouring countries,
|
|
it is likely, felt the shock; terrible thunders there were, accompanied
|
|
no doubt with thunder-showers, in which the heavens seemed to drop;
|
|
while the divine doctrine <I>dropped as the rain,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+32:2">Deut. xxxii. 2</A>.
|
|
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|
<I>Sinai itself,</I> that vast mountain, that long ridge of mountains,
|
|
<I>was moved at the presence of God;</I> see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:4,5,De+33:2,Hab+3:3">Judg. v. 4, 5;
|
|
Deut. xxxiii. 2; Hab. iii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
This terrible appearance of the Divine Majesty, as it would possess
|
|
them with a fear and dread of him, so it would encourage their faith in
|
|
him and dependence upon him. Whatever mountains of difficulty lay in
|
|
the way of their happy settlement, he that could move Sinai itself
|
|
could remove them, could get over them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. That he provided very comfortably for them both in the wilderness
|
|
and in Canaan
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou didst send a plentiful rain and hast prepared of thy goodness
|
|
for the poor.</I> This may refer,
|
|
|
|
1. To the victualling of their camp with manna in the wilderness, which
|
|
was rained upon them, as were also the quails
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:24,27">Ps. lxxviii. 24, 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it might be fitly called a rain of liberality or munificence, for
|
|
it was a memorable instance of the divine bounty. This confirmed the
|
|
camp of Israel (here called <I>God's inheritance,</I> because he had
|
|
chosen them to be a peculiar treasure to himself) <I>when it was
|
|
weary</I> and ready to perish: this confirmed their faith, and was a
|
|
standing proof of God's power and goodness. Even in the wilderness God
|
|
found a comfortable dwelling for Israel, which was his congregation.
|
|
Or,
|
|
|
|
2. To the seasonable supplies granted them in Canaan, that land
|
|
<I>flowing with mild and honey,</I> which is said to <I>drink water of
|
|
the rain of heaven,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+11:11">Deut. xi. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
When sometimes that fruitful land was ready to be turned into
|
|
barrenness, for the iniquity of those that dwelt therein, God, in
|
|
judgment, remembered mercy, and sent them a plentiful rain, which
|
|
refreshed it again, so that the congregation of Israel dwelt therein,
|
|
and there was provision enough, even to satisfy their poor with bread.
|
|
This looks further to the spiritual provision made for God's Israel;
|
|
the Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are the plentiful rain with
|
|
which God confirms his inheritance, and from which their fruit is
|
|
found,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:8">Isa. xlv. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ himself is this rain,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:6">Ps. lxxii. 6</A>.
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|
<I>He shall come as showers that water the earth.</I></P>
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|
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|
<P>
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|
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|
IV. That he often gave them victory over their enemies; armies, and
|
|
kings of armies, appeared against them, from their first coming into
|
|
Canaan, and all along in the times of the judges, till David's days,
|
|
but, first or last, they gained their point against them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:11,12,14"><I>v.</I> 11, 12, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. That God was their commander-in-chief: <I>The Lord gave the
|
|
word,</I> as general of their armies. He raised up judges for them,
|
|
gave them their commissions and instructions, and assured them of
|
|
success. <I>God spoke in his holiness,</I> and then <I>Gilead is
|
|
mine.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. That they had prophets, as God's messengers, to make known his mind
|
|
to them. God gave them his word (<I>the word of the Lord</I> came unto
|
|
them) and then <I>great was the company of the preachers</I>--prophets
|
|
and <I>prophetesses,</I> for the word is feminine. When God has
|
|
messages to send he will not want messengers. Or perhaps it may allude
|
|
to the women's joining in the triumph when the victory was obtained, as
|
|
was usual
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+15:20,1Sa+18:7">Exod. xv. 20, 1 Sam. xviii. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
in which they took notice of the word of God, triumphing in that as
|
|
much as in his works.
|
|
|
|
3. That their enemies were defeated, and put to confusion: <I>Kings of
|
|
armies did flee,</I> did flee with the greatest terror and
|
|
precipitation imaginable, did not fight and flee, but flee and flee,
|
|
retired without striking a stroke; they fled apace, fled and never
|
|
rallied again.
|
|
|
|
4. That they were enriched with the plunder of the field: <I>She that
|
|
tarried at home divided the spoil.</I> Not only the men, the soldiers
|
|
that abode by the stuff, who were, by a statute of distributions, to
|
|
share the prey
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+30:24">1 Sam. xxx. 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
but even the women that tarried at home had a share, which intimates
|
|
the abundance of spoil that should be taken.
|
|
|
|
5. That these great things which God did for them were sanctified to
|
|
them and contributed to their reformation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When the Almighty scattered kings for her</I> (for the church)
|
|
<I>she was white as snow in Salmon,</I> purified and refined by the
|
|
mercies of God; <I>when the host went forth against the enemy they kept
|
|
themselves from every wicked thing,</I> and so the host returned
|
|
victorious, and Israel by the victory were confirmed in their purity
|
|
and piety. This account of Israel's victories is applicable to the
|
|
victories obtained by the exalted Redeemer for those that are his, over
|
|
death and hell. By the resurrection of Christ our spiritual enemies
|
|
were made to flee, their power was broken, and they were for ever
|
|
disabled to hurt any of God's people. This victory was first notified
|
|
by the women (the she-publishers) to the disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+28:7">Matt. xxviii. 7</A>)
|
|
|
|
and by them it was preached to all the world, while believers that
|
|
tarry at home, that did not themselves contribute any thing towards it,
|
|
enjoy the benefit of it, and divide the spoil.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. That from a low and despised condition they had been advanced to
|
|
splendour and prosperity. When they were bond-slaves in Egypt, and
|
|
afterwards when they were oppressed sometimes by one potent neighbour
|
|
and sometimes by another, they did, as it were, <I>lie among the
|
|
pots</I> or rubbish, as despised broken vessels, or as vessels in which
|
|
there was no pleasure--they were black, and dirty, and discoloured. But
|
|
God, at length, <I>delivered them from the pots</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+81:6">Ps. lxxxi. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
and in David's time they were in a fair way to be one of the most
|
|
prosperous kingdoms in the world, amiable in the eyes of all about
|
|
them, <I>like the wings of a dove covered with silver,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
"And so," says Dr. Hammond, "under Christ's kingdom, the heathen
|
|
idolaters that were brought to the basest and most despicable condition
|
|
of any creatures, worshipping wood and stone, and given up to the
|
|
vilest lusts, should from that detestable condition be advanced to the
|
|
service of Christ, and the practice of all Christian virtues, the
|
|
greatest inward beauties in the world." It may be applied also to the
|
|
deliverance of the church out of a suffering state and the comforts of
|
|
particular believers after their despondencies.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Glory of Zion; The King of Zion.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 The hill of God <I>is as</I> the hill of Bashan; a high hill
|
|
<I>as</I> the hill of Bashan.
|
|
16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? <I>this is</I> the hill <I>which</I> God
|
|
desireth to dwell in; yea, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will dwell <I>in it</I> for ever.
|
|
17 The chariots of God <I>are</I> twenty thousand, <I>even</I> thousands
|
|
of angels: the Lord <I>is</I> among them, <I>as in</I> Sinai, in the holy
|
|
<I>place.</I>
|
|
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive:
|
|
thou hast received gifts for men; yea, <I>for</I> the rebellious also,
|
|
that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God might dwell <I>among them.</I>
|
|
19 Blessed <I>be</I> the Lord, <I>who</I> daily loadeth us <I>with
|
|
benefits, even</I> the God of our salvation. Selah.
|
|
20 <I>He that is</I> our God <I>is</I> the God of salvation; and unto G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>
|
|
the Lord <I>belong</I> the issues from death.
|
|
21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, <I>and</I> the hairy
|
|
scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
David, having given God praise for what he had done for Israel in
|
|
general, as the God of Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
here comes to give him praise as Zion's God in a special manner;
|
|
compare
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+9:11">Ps. ix. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Sing praises to the Lord who dwelleth in Zion,</I> for which reason
|
|
Zion is called <I>the hill of God.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He compares it with the hill of Bashan and other high and fruitful
|
|
hills, and prefers it before them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is true, Zion was but little and low in comparison with them, and
|
|
was not covered over with flocks and herds as they were, yet, upon this
|
|
account, it has the pre-eminence above them all, that it is <I>the hill
|
|
of God,</I> the hill <I>which he desires to dwell in,</I> and where he
|
|
chooses to manifest the tokens of his peculiar presence,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+132:13,14">Ps. cxxxii. 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, It is much more honourable to be holy to God than to be high and
|
|
great in the world. "<I>Why leap you, you high hills?</I> Why do you
|
|
insult over poor Zion, and boast of your own height? This is the hill
|
|
which God has chosen, and therefore though you exceed it in bulk, and
|
|
be first-rates, yet, because on this the royal flag is hoisted, you
|
|
must all strike sail to it." Zion was especially honourable because it
|
|
was a type of the gospel church, which is therefore called Mount Zion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:22">Heb. xii. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
and this is intimated here, when he said, <I>The Lord will dwell in it
|
|
for ever,</I> which must have its accomplishment in the gospel Zion.
|
|
There is no kingdom in the world comparable to the kingdom of the
|
|
Redeemer, no city comparable to that which is incorporated by the
|
|
gospel charter, for there God dwells and will dwell for ever.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He compares it with Mount Sinai, of which he had spoken
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and shows that it has the Shechinah or divine presence in it as really,
|
|
though not as sensibly, as Sinai itself had,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Angels are <I>the chariots of God,</I> his chariots of war, which he
|
|
make use of against his enemies, his chariots of conveyance, which he
|
|
sends for his friends, as he did for Elijah (and Lazarus is said to be
|
|
carried by the angels), his chariots of state, in the midst of which he
|
|
shows his glory and power. They are vastly numerous: <I>Twenty
|
|
thousands,</I> even thousands multiplied. There is an <I>innumerable
|
|
company of angels</I> in the heavenly Jerusalem,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:22">Heb. xii. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
The enemies David fought with had chariots
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+8:4">2 Sam. viii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
but what were they, for number or strength, to the chariots of God?
|
|
While David had these on his side he needed not to fear those that
|
|
trusted in <I>chariots and horses,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+20:7">Ps. xx. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
God appeared on Mount Sinai, attended with myriads of angels, by whose
|
|
dispensation the law was given,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+7:53">Acts vii. 53</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>He comes with ten thousands of saints,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:2">Deut. xxxiii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
And still in Zion God manifests his glory, and is really present, with
|
|
a numerous retinue of his heavenly hosts, signified by the cherubim
|
|
between which God is said <I>to dwell.</I> So that, as some read the
|
|
last words of the verse, <I>Sinai is in the sanctuary;</I> that is, the
|
|
sanctuary was to Israel instead of Mount Sinai, whence they received
|
|
divine oracles. Our Lord Jesus has these chariots at command. When the
|
|
first-begotten was brought in to the world it was with this charge,
|
|
<I>Let all the angels of God worship him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:6">Heb. i. 6</A>);
|
|
|
|
they attended him upon all occasions, and he is now among them,
|
|
<I>angels, principalities, and powers, being made subject to him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:22">1 Pet. iii. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
And it is intimated in the New Testament that the angels are present in
|
|
the solemn religious assemblies of Christians,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+11:10">1 Cor. xi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let the woman have a veil on her head <I>because of the angels;</I> and
|
|
see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:10">Eph. iii. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The glory of Mount Zion was the King whom God <I>set on that holy
|
|
hill</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:6">Ps. ii. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
who <I>came to the daughter of Zion,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:5">Matt. xxi. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Of his ascension the psalmist here speaks, and to it his language is
|
|
expressly applied
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:8">Eph. iv. 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou hast ascended on high</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
compare
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+47:5,6">Ps. xlvii. 5, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ's ascending on high is here spoken of as a thing past, so sure
|
|
was it; and spoken of to his honour, so great was it. It may include
|
|
his whole exalted state, but points especially at his ascension into
|
|
heaven to the right hand of the Father, which was as much our advantage
|
|
as his advancement. For,
|
|
|
|
1. He then triumphed over the gates of hell. He led <I>captivity
|
|
captive;</I> that is, he led his captives in triumph, as great
|
|
conquerors used to do, <I>making a show of them openly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:15">Col. ii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
He led those captive who had led us captive, and who, if he had not
|
|
interposed, would have held us captive for ever. Nay, he <I>led
|
|
captivity itself captive,</I> having quite broken the power of sin and
|
|
Satan. As he was the death of death, so he was the captivity of
|
|
captivity,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+13:14">Hos. xiii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
This intimates the complete victory which Jesus Christ obtained over
|
|
our spiritual enemies; it was such that through him <I>we also are more
|
|
than conquerors,</I> that is, triumphers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:37">Rom. viii. 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. He then opened the gates of heaven to all believers: <I>Thou hast
|
|
received gifts for men.</I> He <I>gave gifts to men,</I> so the apostle
|
|
reads it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:8">Eph. iv. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
For he received that he might give; on his head the anointing of the
|
|
Spirit was poured, that from him it might descend to the skirts of his
|
|
garments. And he gave what he had received; having received power to
|
|
give eternal life, he bestows it upon <I>as many as were given him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=John+17:2">John xvii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou hast received gifts for men,</I> not for angels; fallen angels
|
|
were not to be made saints, nor standing angels made gospel ministers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:5">Heb. ii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not for Jews only, but for all men; whoever will may reap the benefit
|
|
of these gifts. The apostle tells us what these gifts were
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:11">Eph. iv. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers,</I> the
|
|
institution of a gospel ministry and the qualification of men for it,
|
|
both which are to be valued as the gifts of heaven and the fruits of
|
|
Christ's ascension. <I>Thou hast received gifts in man</I> (so the
|
|
margin), that is, in the human nature which Christ was pleased to
|
|
clothe himself with, that he might be a <I>merciful and faithful high
|
|
priest in things pertaining to God.</I> In him, as Mediator, <I>all
|
|
fulness dwells,</I> that <I>from his fulness we might receive.</I> To
|
|
magnify the kindness and love of Christ to us in receiving these gifts
|
|
for us, the psalmist observes,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The forfeiture we had made of them. He received them for the
|
|
<I>rebellious also,</I> for those that had been rebellious; so all the
|
|
children of men had been in their fallen state. Perhaps it is
|
|
especially meant of the Gentiles, that had been <I>enemies in their
|
|
minds by wicked works,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+1:21">Col. i. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
For them these gifts are received, to them they are given, that they
|
|
might lay down their arms, that their enmity might be slain, and that
|
|
they might return to their allegiance. This magnifies the grace of
|
|
Christ exceedingly that through him rebels are, upon their submission,
|
|
not only pardoned, but preferred. They have commissions given them
|
|
under Christ, which some say, in our law, amounts to the reversing of
|
|
an attainder. Christ came to a rebellious world, not to condemn it, but
|
|
that through him it might be saved.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The favour designed us in them: He <I>received gifts for the
|
|
rebellious,</I> that <I>the Lord God might dwell among them,</I> that
|
|
he might set up a church in a rebellious world, in which he would dwell
|
|
by his word and ordinances, as of old in the sanctuary, that he might
|
|
set up his throne, and Christ might dwell in the hearts of particular
|
|
persons that had been rebellious. The gracious intention of Christ's
|
|
undertaking was to rear up the <I>tabernacle of God among men,</I> that
|
|
he might dwell with them and they might themselves be living temples to
|
|
his praise,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:27">Ezek. xxxvii. 27</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The glory of Zion's King is that he is a Saviour and benefactor to
|
|
all his willing people and a consuming fire to all those that persist
|
|
in rebellion against him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:19-21"><I>v.</I> 19-21</A>.
|
|
|
|
We have here good and evil, life and death, the blessing and the curse,
|
|
set before us, like that
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+16:16">Mark xvi. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>He that believes shall be saved; he that believes not shall be
|
|
damned.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Those that take God for their God, and so give up themselves to him
|
|
to be his people, shall be loaded with his benefits, and to them he
|
|
will be a God of salvation. If in sincerity we avouch God to be our
|
|
God, and seek to him as such,
|
|
|
|
(1.) He will continually do us good and furnish us with occasion for
|
|
praise. Having mentioned the gifts Christ received for us
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
fitly does he subjoin, in the next words, <I>Blessed be the Lord;</I>
|
|
for it is owing to the mediation of Christ that we live, and live
|
|
comfortably, and are daily loaded with benefits. So many, so weighty,
|
|
are the gifts of God's bounty to us that he may be truly said to
|
|
<I>load us</I> with them; he <I>pours out blessings till there is no
|
|
room to receive them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:10">Mal. iii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
So constant are they, and so unwearied is he in doing us good, that he
|
|
<I>daily</I> loads us with them, according as the necessity of every
|
|
day requires.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He will at length be unto us the God of salvation, of everlasting
|
|
salvation, the <I>salvation of God,</I> which he will <I>show to those
|
|
that order their conversation aright</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:23">Ps. l. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
the salvation of the soul. He that <I>daily loads us with benefits</I>
|
|
will not put us off with present things for a portion, but will be the
|
|
God of our salvation; and what he gives us now he gives as the God of
|
|
salvation, pursuant to the great design of our salvation. <I>He is our
|
|
God,</I> and therefore he will be the God of eternal salvation to us;
|
|
for that only will answer the vast extent of his covenant-relation to
|
|
us as our God. But has he power to complete this salvation? Yes,
|
|
certainly; <I>for unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.</I>
|
|
The keys of hell and death are put into the hand of the Lord Jesus,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:18">Rev. i. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
He, having made an escape from death himself in his resurrection, has
|
|
both authority and power to rescue those that are his from the dominion
|
|
of death, by altering the property of it to them when they die and
|
|
giving them a complete victory over it when they shall rise again; for
|
|
<I>the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.</I> And to those
|
|
that shall thus for ever escape death, and shall find such an outlet
|
|
from it as not to be hurt of the second death, to them surely
|
|
deliverances from temporal death are mercies indeed and come from God
|
|
as the God of their salvation.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:10">2 Cor. i. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Those that persist in their enmity to him will certainly be ruined
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>God shall wound the head of his enemies,</I>--of Satan the old
|
|
serpent (of whom it was by the first promise foretold that <I>the seed
|
|
of the woman</I> should <I>break his head,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+3:15">Gen. iii. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
--of all the powers of the nations, whether Jews or Gentiles, that
|
|
oppose him and his kingdom among men
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:6">Ps. cx. 6</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>He shall wound the heads over many countries</I>),--of all those,
|
|
whoever they are, that will <I>not have him to reign over them,</I> for
|
|
those he accounts his enemies, and they shall be <I>brought forth</I>
|
|
and <I>slain before him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:27">Luke xix. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
He will <I>wound the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his
|
|
trespasses.</I> Note, Those who go on still in their trespasses, and
|
|
hate to be reformed, God looks upon as his enemies and will treat them
|
|
accordingly. In calling the head <I>the hairy scalp</I> perhaps there
|
|
is an allusion to Absalom, whose bushy hair was his halter. Or it
|
|
denotes either the most fierce and barbarous of his enemies, who let
|
|
their hair grow, to make themselves look the more frightful, or the
|
|
most fine and delicate of his enemies, who are nice about their hair:
|
|
neither the one nor the other can secure themselves from the fatal
|
|
wounds which divine justice will give to the heads of those that go on
|
|
in their sins.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps68_31"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Redemption of God's People; Duties Enforced by the Discoveries of Grace.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring
|
|
<I>my people</I> again from the depths of the sea:
|
|
23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of <I>thine</I> enemies,
|
|
<I>and</I> the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
|
|
24 They have seen thy goings, O God; <I>even</I> the goings of my
|
|
God, my King, in the sanctuary.
|
|
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments
|
|
<I>followed</I> after; among <I>them were</I> the damsels playing with
|
|
timbrels.
|
|
26 Bless ye God in the congregations, <I>even</I> the Lord, from the
|
|
fountain of Israel.
|
|
27 There <I>is</I> little Benjamin <I>with</I> their ruler, the princes
|
|
of Judah <I>and</I> their council, the princes of Zebulun, <I>and</I> the
|
|
princes of Naphtali.
|
|
28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that
|
|
which thou hast wrought for us.
|
|
29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring
|
|
presents unto thee.
|
|
30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls,
|
|
with the calves of the people, <I>till every one</I> submit himself
|
|
with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people <I>that</I> delight in
|
|
war.
|
|
31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch
|
|
out her hands unto God.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses we have three things:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The gracious promise which God makes of the redemption of his
|
|
people, and their victory over his and their enemies
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:22,23"><I>v.</I> 22, 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The Lord said,</I> in his own gracious purpose and promise, "I will
|
|
do great things for my people, as the God of their salvation,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
God will not fail the expectations of those who by faith take him for
|
|
their God. It is promised,
|
|
|
|
1. That he will set them in safety from their danger, as he had done
|
|
formerly: "I will <I>again bring them from the depths of the sea," </I>
|
|
as he did Israel when he brought them out of the slavery of Egypt into
|
|
the ease and liberty of the wilderness; "and <I>I will again bring them
|
|
from Bashan,</I>" as he did Israel when he brought them from their
|
|
wants and wanderings in the wilderness into the fulness and settlement
|
|
of the land of Canaan; for the land of Bashan was on the other side
|
|
Jordan, where they had wars with Sihon and Og, and whence their next
|
|
removal was into Canaan. Note, The former appearances of God's power
|
|
and goodness for his people should encourage their faith and hope in
|
|
him for the future, that what he has done he will do again. He will
|
|
<I>set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his
|
|
people</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:11">Isa. xi. 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
and we may perhaps see repeated <I>all the wonders which our fathers
|
|
told us of.</I> But this is not all:
|
|
|
|
2. That he will make them victorious over their enemies
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>That thy feet may be dipped,</I> as thou passest along, <I>in the
|
|
blood of thy enemies,</I> shed like water in great abundance, and the
|
|
<I>tongue of thy dogs</I> may lap <I>in the same.</I> Dogs licked the
|
|
blood of Ahab; and, in the destruction of the anti-christian
|
|
generation, we read of blood up <I>to the horses' bridles,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:20">Rev. xiv. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The victories with which God blessed David's forces over the enemies of
|
|
Israel are here prophesied of, but as types of Christ's victory over
|
|
death and the grave for himself and for all believers, in his
|
|
resurrection (and theirs by virtue of his) out of the earth, and of the
|
|
destruction of the enemies of Christ and his church, who shall have
|
|
blood given them to drink, for they are worthy.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The welcome entertainment which God's own people shall give to
|
|
these glorious discoveries of his grace, both in his word and in his
|
|
works. Has he spoken in his holiness? Has he said he will <I>bring
|
|
again from Bashan?</I> What then is required of us in return to
|
|
this?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That we observe his motions
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>They have seen,</I> thy people have seen, <I>thy goings, O God!</I>
|
|
While others regard not the work of the Lord, nor the operation of his
|
|
hands, they have seen <I>the goings of my God, my King, in the
|
|
sanctuary.</I>" See here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) How an active faith appropriates God; he is God and King; but that
|
|
is not all, he is <I>my</I> God and <I>my</I> King. Those who thus take
|
|
him for theirs may see him, in all his outgoings, acting as their God,
|
|
as their King, for their good, and in answer to their prayers.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Where God's most remarkable outgoings are, even in the sanctuary,
|
|
in and by his word and ordinances, and among his people in the gospel
|
|
church especially, in and by which is made known the manifold wisdom of
|
|
God. These outgoings of his <I>in the sanctuary</I> far outshine the
|
|
outgoings of the morning and the evening, and more loudly proclaim his
|
|
eternal power and godhead.
|
|
|
|
(3.) What is our duty in reference to these outgoings, which is to
|
|
observe them. <I>This is the finger of God. Surely God is with us of
|
|
a truth.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That we give him glory in the most devout and solemn manner. When we
|
|
see <I>his goings in his sanctuary,</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Let those that are immediately employed in the service of the
|
|
temple praise him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was expected that the Levites, some of whom were singers and others
|
|
players on instruments, who had the nearest views of his <I>outgoings
|
|
in his sanctuary,</I> should lead in his praises. And, it being a day
|
|
of extraordinary triumph, <I>among them were damsels playing with
|
|
timbrels,</I> to complete the concert. "Thus (says Dr. Hammond) when
|
|
Christ has gone up to heaven the apostles shall celebrate and publish
|
|
it to all the world, and even the women that were witnesses of it shall
|
|
affectionately join with them in divulging it."
|
|
|
|
(2.) Let all the people of Israel in their solemn religious assembly
|
|
give glory to God: <I>Bless God,</I> not only in temples, but in the
|
|
synagogues, or schools of the prophets, or wherever there is a
|
|
congregation of those that <I>come forth from the fountain of
|
|
Israel,</I> that are of the seed of Jacob, let them concur in blessing
|
|
God. Public mercies, which we jointly share in, call for public
|
|
thanksgivings, which all should join in. "Thus (says Dr. Hammond) all
|
|
Christians shall be obliged solemnly to magnify the name of the
|
|
Messiah, and, to that end, frequently to assemble together in
|
|
congregations." And,
|
|
|
|
(3.) Let those among them who, upon any account, are the most eminent,
|
|
and make a figure, go before the rest in praising God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
There was <I>little Benjamin</I> (that was the royal tribe in Saul's
|
|
time) <I>with their rulers, the princes of Judah</I> (that was the
|
|
royal tribe in David's time), and <I>their council,</I> their captains
|
|
or leaders. In the beginning of David's reign there had been long war
|
|
between Judah and Benjamin, but now they both join in praises for
|
|
success against the common enemy. But why are the tribes of Zebulun and
|
|
Naphtali particularly mentioned? Perhaps because those tribes, lying
|
|
towards the north, lay most exposed to the incursions of the Syrians,
|
|
and other neighbours that molested them, and therefore should be in a
|
|
particular manner thankful for these victories over them. Dr. Hammond
|
|
gives another reason, That these were the two learned tribes.
|
|
<I>Naphtali giveth goodly words</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:21">Gen. xlix. 21</A>)
|
|
|
|
and Zebulun had those that <I>handle the pen of the writer,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:14">Judg. v. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
These shall join in praising God, their princes especially. It is much
|
|
for the honour of God when those that are above others in dignity,
|
|
power, and reputation, go before them in the worship of God and are
|
|
forward in using their influence and interest for the advancing of any
|
|
service that is to be done to him. Dr. Hammond notes hence that the
|
|
kingdom of the Messiah should, at length, be submitted to by all the
|
|
potentates and learned men in the world.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. That we seek unto him, and depend upon him, for the perfecting of
|
|
what he has begun,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the former part of the verse the psalmist speaks to Israel: "<I>Thy
|
|
God has commanded thy strength;</I> that is, whatever is done for thee,
|
|
or whatever strength thou hast to help thyself, it comes from God, his
|
|
power and grace, and the word which he has commanded; thou hast no
|
|
reason to fear while thou hast strength of God's commanding, and no
|
|
reason to boast while thou hast no strength but what is of his
|
|
commanding." In the latter part he speaks to God, encouraged by his
|
|
experiences: "<I>Strengthen, O God! that which thou hast wrought for
|
|
us.</I> Lord, confirm what thou hast commanded, perform what thou hast
|
|
promised, and bring to a happy end that good work which thou hast so
|
|
gloriously begun." What God has wrought he will strengthen; where he
|
|
has given true grace he will give more grace. Some make this whole
|
|
verse to be a believer's address to the Messiah, whom David calls
|
|
<I>God,</I> as he had done,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+45:6,8">Ps. xlv. 6, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
"<I>Thy God</I>" (God the Father) "<I>has commanded thy strength,</I>
|
|
has made thee strong for himself, as the <I>man of his right hand</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+80:17">Ps. lxxx. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
has treasured up strength in thee for us; therefore we pray that thou,
|
|
<I>O God</I> the Son! wilt <I>strengthen what thou hast wrought for
|
|
us,</I> wilt accomplish thy undertaking for us by finishing thy good
|
|
work in us."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The powerful invitation and inducement which would hereby be given
|
|
to those that are without to come in and join themselves to the church,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:29-31"><I>v.</I> 29-31</A>.
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This was in part fulfilled by the accession of many proselytes to the
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Jewish religion in the days of David and Solomon; but it was to have
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its full accomplishment in the conversion of the Gentile nations to the
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faith of Christ, and the making of them fellow-heirs, and of the same
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body, with the seed of Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:6">Eph. iii. 6</A>.
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1. Some shall submit for fear
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
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"<I>The company of spearmen,</I> that stand it out against Christ and
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his gospel, that are not willing to be ruled by him, that persecute the
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preachers and professors of his name, that are furious and outrageous
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as a multitude of bulls, fat and wanton as the calves of the people"
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(which is a description of those Jews and Gentiles that opposed the
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gospel of Christ and did what they could to prevent the setting up of
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his kingdom in the world), "Lord, rebuke them, abate their pride,
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assuage their malice, and confound their devices, till, conquered by
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the convictions of their consciences and the many checks of providence,
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they be every one of them brought, at length, to <I>submit themselves
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with pieces of silver,</I> as being glad to make their peace with the
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church upon any terms." Even Judas submitted himself with pieces of
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silver when he returned them with this confession, <I>I have betrayed
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innocent blood.</I> And see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:9">Rev. iii. 9</A>.
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Many, by being rebuked, have been happily saved from being ruined. But
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as for those that will not submit, notwithstanding these rebukes, he
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prays for their dispersion, which amounts to a prophecy of it:
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<I>Scatter thou the people that delight in war,</I> who take such a
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pleasure in opposing Christ that they will never be reconciled to him.
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This may refer to the unbelieving Jews, who delighted in making war
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upon the holy seed, and would not submit themselves, and were therefore
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scattered over the face of the earth. David had himself been a man of
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war, but could appeal to God that he never delighted in war and
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bloodshed for its own sake; as for those that did, and therefore would
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not submit to the fairest terms of peace, he does not doubt but God
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would scatter them. Those are lost to all the sacred principles of
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humanity, as well as Christianity, that can delight in war and take a
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pleasure in contention let them expect that, sooner or later, they
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shall have enough of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:1,Re+13:10">Isa. xxxiii. 1; Rev. xiii. 10</A>.
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2. Others shall submit willingly
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:29,31"><I>v.</I> 29, 31</A>):
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<I>Because of thy temple at Jerusalem</I> (this David speaks of in
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faith, for the temple of Jerusalem was not built in his time, only the
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materials and model were prepared) <I>kings shall bring presents unto
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thee;</I> rich presents shall be brought, such as are fit for kings to
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bring; even kings themselves, that stand much upon the punctilios of
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honour and prerogative, shall court the favour of Christ at a great
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expense. There is that in God's temple, that beauty and benefit in the
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service of God and in communion with him, and in the gospel of Christ
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|
which went forth from Jerusalem, that is enough to invite kings
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themselves to bring presents to God, to present themselves to him as
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living sacrifices, and with themselves the best performances. He
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mentions <I>Egypt</I> and <I>Ethiopia,</I> two countries out of which
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subjects and suppliants were least to be expected
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>):
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<I>Princes shall come out of Egypt</I> as ambassadors to seek God's
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favour and submit to him; and they shall be accepted, for <I>the Lord
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of hosts shall</I> thereupon <I>bless them, saying, Blessed by Egypt my
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people,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+19:25">Isa. xix. 25</A>.
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Even Ethiopia, that had stretched out her hands against God's Israel
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+14:9">2 Chron. xiv. 9</A>),
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should now <I>stretch out her hands unto God,</I> in prayer, in
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presents, and to take hold on him, and that soon. <I>Agree with thy
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|
adversary quickly.</I> Out of all nations some shall be gathered in to
|
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Christ and be owned by him.</P>
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<A NAME="Ps68_32"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_33"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_34"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps68_35"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
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|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Praise to God for His Sovereign Dominion.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
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</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto
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|
the Lord; Selah:
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33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, <I>which were</I>
|
|
of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, <I>and that</I> a mighty
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voice.
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34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency <I>is</I> over
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|
Israel, and his strength <I>is</I> in the clouds.
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35 O God, <I>thou art</I> terrible out of thy holy places: the God
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|
of Israel <I>is</I> he that giveth strength and power unto <I>his</I>
|
|
people. Blessed <I>be</I> God.
|
|
</FONT></P>
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|
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|
<P>
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|
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The psalmist, having prayed for and prophesied of the conversion of the
|
|
Gentiles, here invites them to come in and join with the devout
|
|
Israelites in praising God, intimating that their accession to the
|
|
church would be the matter of their joy and praise
|
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>):
|
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Let the <I>kingdoms of the earth sing praises to the Lord;</I> they all
|
|
ought to do it, and, when they become the kingdoms of the Lord and of
|
|
his Christ, they will do it. God is here proposed to them as the proper
|
|
object of praise upon several accounts:</P>
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|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Because of his supreme and sovereign dominion: <I>He rides upon the
|
|
heavens of heavens which were of old</I>
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>);
|
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|
|
compare
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
He has from the beginning, nay from before all time, prepared his
|
|
throne; he sits on the circuit of heaven, guides all the motions of the
|
|
heavenly bodies; and from the highest heavens, which are the residence
|
|
of his glory, he dispenses the influences of his power and goodness to
|
|
this lower world.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Because of his awful and terrible majesty: <I>He sends out his
|
|
voice, and that a mighty voice.</I> This may refer either generally to
|
|
the thunder, which is called <I>the voice of the Lord</I> and is said
|
|
to be <I>powerful and full of majesty</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+29:3">Ps. xxix. 3, 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
or in particular to that thunder in which God spoke to Israel at Mount
|
|
Sinai.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Because of his mighty power: <I>Ascribe you strength unto God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>);
|
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|
acknowledge him to be a God of such irresistible power that it is folly
|
|
to contend with him and wisdom to submit to him; acknowledge that he
|
|
has power sufficient both to protect his faithful subjects and to
|
|
destroy his stubborn adversaries; and give him the glory of all the
|
|
instances of his omnipotence. <I>Thine is the kingdom and power,</I>
|
|
and therefore <I>thine is the glory.</I> We must acknowledge his power,
|
|
|
|
1. In the kingdom of grace: <I>His excellency is over Israel;</I> he
|
|
shows his sovereign care in protecting and governing his church; that
|
|
is the excellency of his power, which is employed for the good of his
|
|
people.
|
|
|
|
2. In the kingdom of providence: <I>His strength is in the clouds,</I>
|
|
whence comes the thunder of his power, the <I>small rain, and the great
|
|
rain of his strength.</I> Though God has his strength in the clouds,
|
|
yet he condescends to gather his Israel under the shadow of his wings,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:26">Deut. xxxiii. 26</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Because of the glory of his sanctuary and the wonders wrought there
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>O God! thou art terrible out of thy holy places.</I> God is to be
|
|
admired and adored with reverence and godly fear by all those that
|
|
attend him in his holy places, that receive his oracles, that observe
|
|
his operations according to them, and that pay their homage to him. He
|
|
displays that out of his holy places which declares aloud that he will
|
|
be sanctified in those that come nigh unto him. Out of heaven, his holy
|
|
place above, he does, and will, show himself a terrible God. Nor is
|
|
any attribute of God more dreadful to sinners than his holiness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. Because of the grace bestowed upon his people: <I>The God of Israel
|
|
is he that gives strength and power unto his people,</I> which the gods
|
|
of the nations, that were vanity and a lie, could not give to their
|
|
worshippers; how should they help them, when they could not help
|
|
themselves? All Israel's strength against their enemies came from God;
|
|
they owned they had <I>no might of their own,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+20:12">2 Chron. xx. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
And all our sufficiency for our spiritual work and warfare is from the
|
|
grace of God. It is through Christ strengthening us that we can do all
|
|
things, and not otherwise; and therefore he must have the glory of all
|
|
we do
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+115:1">Ps. cxv. 1</A>)
|
|
|
|
and our humble thanks for enabling us to do it and accepting the work
|
|
of his own hands in us. If it be the God of Israel that vies strength
|
|
and power unto his people, they ought to say, <I>Blessed be God.</I> If
|
|
all be from him, let all be to him.</P>
|
|
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