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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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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<HR>
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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 CVII.</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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The psalmist, having in the two foregoing psalms celebrated the wisdom,
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power, and goodness of God, in his dealings with his church in
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particular, here observes some of the instances of his providential
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care of the children of men in general, especially in their distresses;
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for he is not only King of saints, but King of nations, not only the
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God of Israel, but the God of the whole earth, and a common Father to
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all mankind. Though this may especially refer to Israelites in their
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personal capacity, yet there were those who pertained not to the
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commonwealth of Israel and yet were worshippers of the true God; and
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even those who worshipped images had some knowledge of a supreme
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"Numen," to whom, when they were in earnest, they looked above all
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their false gods. And of these, when they prayed in their distresses,
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God took a particular care,
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I. The psalmist specifies some of the most common calamities of human
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life, and shows how God succours those that labour under them, in
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answer to their prayers.
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I. Banishment and dispersion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:2-9">ver. 2-9</A>.
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2. Captivity and imprisonment,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:10-16">ver. 10-16</A>.
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3. Sickness and distemper of body,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:17-22">ver. 17-22</A>.
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4. Danger and distress at sea,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:23-32">ver. 23-32</A>.
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These are put for all similar perils, in which those that cry unto God
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have ever found him a very present help.
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II. He specifies the varieties and vicissitudes of events concerning
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nations and families, in all which God's hand is to be eyed by his own
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people, with joyful acknowledgments of his goodness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:33-43">ver. 33-43</A>.
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When we are in any of these or the like distresses it will be
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comfortable to sing this psalm, with application; but, if we be not,
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others are, and have been, of whose deliverances it becomes us to give
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God the glory, for we are members one of another.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ps107_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_9"> </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>Exhortation to Celebrate God's Praises.</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>1 O give thanks unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, for <I>he is</I> good: for his mercy
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<I>endureth</I> for ever.
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2 Let the redeemed of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> say <I>so,</I> whom he hath redeemed
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from the hand of the enemy;
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3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from
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the west, from the north, and from the south.
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4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found
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no city to dwell in.
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5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
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6 Then they cried unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> in their trouble, <I>and</I> he
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delivered them out of their distresses.
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7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to
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a city of habitation.
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8 Oh that <I>men</I> would praise the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>for</I> his goodness, and
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<I>for</I> his wonderful works to the children of men!
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9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry
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soul with goodness.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. A general call to all to give thanks to God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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Let all that sing this psalm, or pray over it, set themselves herein to
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<I>give thanks to the Lord;</I> and those that have not any special
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matter for praise may furnish themselves with matter enough from God's
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universal goodness. In the fountain <I>he is good;</I> in the streams
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<I>his mercy endures for ever</I> and never fails.</P>
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<P>
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II. A particular demand hereof from <I>the redeemed of the Lord,</I>
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which may well be applied spiritually to those that have an interest in
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the great Redeemer and are saved by him from sin and hell. They have,
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of all people, most reason to say that God is good, and his mercy
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everlasting; these are the <I>children of God that were scattered
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abroad,</I> whom Christ died to <I>gather together in one,</I> out of
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all lands,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:52,Mt+24:31">John xi. 52; Matt. xxiv. 31</A>.
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But it seems here to be meant of a temporal deliverance, wrought for
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them when in their distress <I>they cried unto the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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<I>Is any afflicted? Let him pray.</I> Does any pray? God will
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certainly hear and help. When troubles become extreme that is man's
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time to cry; those who but whispered prayer before then cry aloud, and
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then it is God's time to succour. In the mount he will be seen.
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1. They were in an enemy's country, but God wrought out their rescue:
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<I>He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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not by <I>might or power,</I> it may be
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+4:6">Zech. iv. 6</A>),
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nor by <I>price or reward</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:13">Isa. xlv. 13</A>),
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<I>but by the Spirit of God</I> working on the spirits of men.
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2. They were dispersed as out-casts, but God gathered them out of all
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the countries whither they were scattered in the cloudy and dark day,
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that they might again be incorporated,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+30:4,Eze+34:12">Deut. xxx. 4; Ezek. xxxiv. 12</A>.
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God knows those that are his, and where to find them.
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3. They were bewildered, had no road to travel in, no dwelling place to
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rest in,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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<I>When they were redeemed</I> out of the <I>hand of the enemy, and
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gathered out of the lands,</I> they were in danger of perishing in
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their return home through the dry and barren deserts. <I>They wandered
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in the wilderness,</I> where there was no trodden path, no company, but
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<I>a solitary way,</I> no lodging, no conveniences, no accommodations,
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no inhabited city where they might have quarters or refreshment. But
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<I>God led them forth by the right way</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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directed them to an inn, nay, directed them to a home, <I>that they
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might go to a city of habitation,</I> which was inhabited, nay which
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them themselves should inhabit. This may refer to poor travellers in
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general, those particularly whose way lay through the wilds of Arabia,
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where we may suppose they were often at a loss; and yet many in that
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distress were wonderfully relieved, so that few perished. Note, We
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ought to take notice of the good hand of God's providence over us in
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our journeys, going out and coming in, directing us in our way, and
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providing for us places both to bait in and rest in. Or (as some think)
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it has an eye to the wanderings of the children of Israel in the
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wilderness for forty years; it is said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:10">Deut. xxxii. 10</A>),
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<I>God led them about,</I> and yet here <I>he led them by the right
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way.</I> God's way, though to us it seems about, will appear at last to
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have been the right way. It is applicable to our condition in this
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world; we are here as in a wilderness, have here <I>no continuing
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city,</I> but dwell in tents as strangers and pilgrims. But we are
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under the guidance of his wise and good providence, and, if we commit
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ourselves to it, we shall be <I>led in the right way to the city that
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has foundations.</I>
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4. They were ready to perish for hunger
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>Their soul even fainted in them.</I> They were spent with the
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fatigues of their journey and ready to drop down for want of
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refreshment. Those that have constant plenty, and are every day fed to
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the full, know not what a miserable case it is to be <I>hungry and
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thirsty,</I> and to have no supply. This was sometimes the case of
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Israel in the wilderness, and perhaps of other poor travellers; but
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God's providence finds out ways to <I>satisfy the longing soul and fill
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the hungry soul with goodness,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Israel's wants were seasonably supplied, and many have been wonderfully
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relieved when they were ready to perish. The same God that has led us
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has fed us all our life long unto this day, has fed us with food
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convenient, has provided food for the soul, <I>and filled the hungry
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soul with goodness. Those that hunger and thirst after
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righteousness,</I> after God, the living God, and communion with him,
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shall be abundantly <I>replenished with the goodness of his house,</I>
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both in grace and glory. Now for all this those who receive mercy are
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called upon to return thanks
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
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<I>Oh that men</I> (it is meant especially of those men whom God has
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graciously relieved) <I>would praise the Lord for his goodness</I> to
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them in particular, <I>and for his wonderful works to</I> others of
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<I>the children of men!</I> Note,
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(1.) God's works of mercy are wonderful works, works of wonderful power
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considering the weakness, and of wonderful grace considering the
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unworthiness, of those he shows mercy to.
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(2.) It is expected of those who receive mercy from God that they
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return praise to him.
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(3.) We must acknowledge God's goodness to the children of men as well
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as to the children of God, to others as well as to ourselves.</P>
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<A NAME="Ps107_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_16"> </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>The Divine Goodness towards Prisoners.</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>10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, <I>being</I>
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bound in affliction and iron;
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11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and
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contemned the counsel of the most High:
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12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell
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down, and <I>there was</I> none to help.
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13 Then they cried unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> in their trouble, <I>and</I> he
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saved them out of their distresses.
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14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and
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brake their bands in sunder.
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15 Oh that <I>men</I> would praise the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>for</I> his goodness, and
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<I>for</I> his wonderful works to the children of men!
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16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of
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iron in sunder.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We are to take notice of the goodness of God towards prisoners and
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captives. Observe,
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1. A description of this affliction. Prisoners are said to <I>sit in
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darkness</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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in dark dungeons, close prisons, which intimates that they are desolate
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and disconsolate; they sit <I>in the shadow of death,</I> which
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intimates not only great distress and trouble, but great danger.
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Prisoners are many times appointed to die; they sit despairing to get
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out, but resolving to make the best of it. They are <I>bound in
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affliction, and</I> many times <I>in iron,</I> as Joseph. Thus sore a
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calamity is imprisonment, which should make us prize liberty, and be
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thankful for it.
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2. The cause of this affliction,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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It is <I>because they rebelled against the words of God.</I> Wilful sin
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is rebellion against the words of God; it is a contradiction to his
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truths and a violation of his laws. <I>They contemned the counsel of
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the Most High,</I> and thought they neither needed it nor could be the
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better for it; and those that will not be counselled cannot be helped.
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Those that despise prophesying, that regard not the admonitions of
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their own consciences nor the just reproofs of their friends, contemn
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the counsel of the Most High, and for this they are bound in
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affliction, both to punish them for and to reclaim them from their
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rebellions.
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3. The design of this affliction, and that is to bring <I>down their
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heart</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
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to humble them for sin, to make them low in their own eyes, to cast
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down every high, proud, aspiring thought. Afflicting providences must
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be improved as humbling providences; and we not only lose the benefit
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of them, but thwart God's designs and walk contrary to him in them if
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our hearts be unhumbled and unbroken, as high and hard as ever under
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them. Is the estate brought down with labour, the honour sunk? Have
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those that exalted themselves fallen down, and is there none to help
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them? Let this bring down the spirit to confess sin, to accept the
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punishment of it, and humbly to sue for mercy and grace.
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4. The duty of this afflicted state, and that is to pray
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
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<I>Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,</I> though before
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perhaps they had neglected him. Prisoners have time to pray, who, when
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they were at liberty, could not find time; they see they have need of
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God's help, though formerly they thought they could do well enough
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without him. Sense will make men cry when they are in trouble, but
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grace will direct them to cry unto the Lord, from whom the affliction
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comes and who alone can remove it.
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5. Their deliverance out of the affliction: <I>They cried unto the
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Lord, and he saved them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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<I>He brought them out of darkness into light,</I> welcome light, and
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then doubly sweet and pleasant, <I>brought them out of the shadow of
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death</I> to the comforts of life, and their liberty was to them life
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from the dead,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
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Were they <I>fettered? He broke their bands asunder.</I> Were they
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imprisoned in strong castles? <I>He broke the gates of brass</I> and
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the <I>bars of iron</I> wherewith those gates were made fast; he did
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|
not put back, but <I>cut in sunder.</I> Note, When God will work
|
|
deliverance the greatest difficulties that lie in the way shall be made
|
|
nothing of. Gates of brass and bars of iron, as they cannot keep him
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|
out from him people (he was with Joseph in the prison), so they cannot
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keep them in when the time, the set-time, for their enlargement, comes.
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6. The return that is required from those whose bands God has loosed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
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<I>Let them praise the Lord for his goodness,</I> and take occasion
|
|
from their own experience of it, and share in it, to bless him for that
|
|
goodness which the earth is full of, <I>the world and those that dwell
|
|
therein.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Ps107_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps107_19"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Ps107_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Divine Goodness towards the Afflicted.</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>17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their
|
|
iniquities, are afflicted.
|
|
18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near
|
|
unto the gates of death.
|
|
19 Then they cry unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> in their trouble, <I>and</I> he
|
|
saveth them out of their distresses.
|
|
20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered <I>them</I> from
|
|
their destructions.
|
|
21 Oh that <I>men</I> would praise the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>for</I> his goodness, and
|
|
<I>for</I> his wonderful works to the children of men!
|
|
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and
|
|
declare his works with rejoicing.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Bodily sickness is another of the calamities of this life which gives
|
|
us an opportunity of experiencing the goodness of God in recovering us,
|
|
and of that the psalmist speaks in these verses, where we may
|
|
observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. That we, by our sins, bring sickness upon ourselves and then it is
|
|
our duty to pray,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:17-18"><I>v.</I> 17-19</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. It is the sin of the soul that is the cause of sickness; we bring it
|
|
upon ourselves both meritoriously and efficiently: <I>Fools, because of
|
|
their transgression, are thus afflicted;</I> they are thus corrected
|
|
for the sins they have committed and thus cured of their evil
|
|
inclinations to sin. If we knew no sin, we should know no sickness; but
|
|
the transgression of our life, and the iniquity of our heart, make it
|
|
necessary. Sinners are fools; they wrong themselves, and all against
|
|
their own interest, not only their spiritual, but their secular
|
|
interest. They prejudice their bodily health by intemperance and
|
|
endanger their lives by indulging their appetites. This their way is
|
|
their folly, and they need the rod of correction to drive out the
|
|
foolishness that is bound up in their hearts.
|
|
|
|
2. The weakness of the body is the effect of sickness,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
When people are sick <I>their soul abhors all manner of meat;</I> they
|
|
not only have no desire to eat nor power to digest it, but they
|
|
nauseate it, and their stomach is turned against it. And here they may
|
|
read their sin in their punishment: those that doted most on the meat
|
|
that perishes, when they come to be sick are sick of it, and the
|
|
dainties they loved are loathed; what they took too much of now they
|
|
can take nothing of, which commonly follows upon the overcharging of
|
|
the heart with surfeiting and drunkenness. And when the appetite is
|
|
gone the life is as good as gone: <I>They draw near unto the gates of
|
|
death;</I> they are, in their own apprehension and in the apprehension
|
|
of all about them, at the brink of the grave, as ready to be turned to
|
|
destruction.
|
|
|
|
3. Then is a proper time for prayer: <I>Then they cry unto the
|
|
Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Is any sick? Let him pray; let him be prayed for. Prayer is a salve
|
|
for every sore.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. That it is by the power and mercy of God that we are recovered from
|
|
sickness, and then it is our duty to be thankful. Compare with this
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:18,28">Job xxxiii. 18, 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. When those that are sick call upon God he returns them an answer of
|
|
peace. They cry unto him and he <I>saves them out of their
|
|
distresses</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
he removes their griefs and prevents their fears.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He does it easily: <I>He sent his word and healed them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
This may be applied to the miraculous cures which Christ wrought when
|
|
he was upon earth, by a word's speaking; he said, <I>Be clean, Be
|
|
whole,</I> and the work was done. It may also be applied to the
|
|
spiritual cures which the Spirit of grace works in regeneration; he
|
|
sends his word, and heals souls, convinces, converts, sanctifies them,
|
|
and all by the word. In the common instances of recovery from sickness
|
|
God in his providence does but speak, and it is done.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He does it effectually: <I>He delivereth them out of their
|
|
destructions,</I> that they shall neither be destroyed nor distressed
|
|
with the fear of being so. Nothing is too hard for that God to do who
|
|
kills and makes alive again, brings down to the grave and raises up,
|
|
who <I>turneth man</I> almost <I>to destruction,</I> and yet saith,
|
|
<I>Return.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. When those that have been sick are restored they must return to God
|
|
an answer of praise
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Let all men praise the Lord for his goodness,</I> and let those,
|
|
particularly, to whom God has thus granted a new life, spend it in his
|
|
service; <I>let them sacrifice with thanksgiving,</I> not only bring a
|
|
thank-offering to the altar, but a thankful heart to God.
|
|
Thanksgivings are the best thank-offerings, and shall please the Lord
|
|
better than an ox or bullock. <I>And let them declare his works with
|
|
rejoicing,</I> to his honour and for the encouragement of others.
|
|
<I>The living, the living, they shall praise him.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_32"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Divine Goodness to Mariners.</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>23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in
|
|
great waters;
|
|
24 These see the works of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and his wonders in the
|
|
deep.
|
|
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which
|
|
lifteth up the waves thereof.
|
|
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the
|
|
depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
|
|
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and
|
|
are at their wits' end.
|
|
28 Then they cry unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> in their trouble, and he
|
|
bringeth them out of their distresses.
|
|
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are
|
|
still.
|
|
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth
|
|
them unto their desired haven.
|
|
31 Oh that <I>men</I> would praise the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>for</I> his goodness, and
|
|
<I>for</I> his wonderful works to the children of men!
|
|
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people,
|
|
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The psalmist here calls upon those to give glory to God who are
|
|
delivered from dangers at sea. Though the Israelites dealt not much in
|
|
merchandise, yet their neighbours the Tyrians and Zidonians did, and
|
|
for them perhaps this part of the psalm was especially calculated.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Much of the power of God appears at all times in the sea,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:23,24"><I>v.</I> 23, 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
It appears to those <I>that go down to the sea in ships,</I> as
|
|
mariners, merchants, fishermen, or passengers, <I>that do business in
|
|
great waters.</I> And surely none will expose themselves there but
|
|
those that have business (among all Solomon's pleasant things we do not
|
|
read of any pleasure-boat he had), but those that go on business,
|
|
lawful business, may, in faith, put themselves under the divine
|
|
protection. <I>These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders,</I>
|
|
which are the more surprising, because most are born and bred upon
|
|
land, and what passes at sea is new to them. The deep itself is a
|
|
wonder, its vastness, its saltness, its ebbing and flowing. The great
|
|
variety of living creatures in the sea is wonderful. Let those that go
|
|
to sea be led, by all the wonders they observe there, to consider and
|
|
adore the infinite perfections of that God whose the sea is, for he
|
|
made it and manages it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. It especially appears in storms at sea, which are much more
|
|
terrible than at land. Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. How dangerous and dreadful a tempest at sea is. <I>Then</I> wonders
|
|
begin to appear in the deep, when God <I>commands and raises the</I>
|
|
strong <I>wind,</I> which <I>fulfils his word,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+148:8">Ps. cxlviii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
He raises the winds, as a prince by his commission raises forces. Satan
|
|
pretends to be the <I>prince of the power of the air;</I> but he is a
|
|
pretender; the powers of the air are at God's command, not at his. When
|
|
the wind becomes stormy it <I>lifts up the waves</I> of the sea,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Then the ships are kicked like tennis-balls on the tops of the waves;
|
|
they seem to <I>mount up to the heavens,</I> and then they couch again,
|
|
as if they would <I>go down to the depths,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
A stranger, who had never seen it, would not think it possible for a
|
|
ship to live at sea, as it will in a storm, and ride it out, but would
|
|
expect that the next wave would bury it and it would never come up
|
|
again; and yet God, who taught man discretion to make ships that should
|
|
so strangely keep above water, does by his special providence preserve
|
|
them, that they answer the end to admiration. When the ships are thus
|
|
tossed the <I>soul</I> of the seaman <I>melts because of trouble;</I>
|
|
and, when the storm is very high, even those that are used to the sea
|
|
can neither shake off nor dissemble their fears, but <I>they reel to
|
|
and fro,</I> and tossing makes them giddy, <I>and</I> they
|
|
<I>stagger</I> and are sick, it may be, <I>like a drunken man;</I> the
|
|
whole ship's crew are in confusion <I>and</I> quite <I>at their wits'
|
|
end</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
not knowing what to do more for their preservation; all their wisdom is
|
|
swallowed up, and they are ready to give up themselves for gone,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jon+1:5-11">Jonah i. 5</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.
|
|
|
|
2. How seasonable it is at such a time to pray. Those that go to sea
|
|
must expect such perils as are here described, and the best preparation
|
|
they can make for them is to make sure a liberty of access to God by
|
|
prayer, for <I>then they</I> will <I>cry unto the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
We have a saying, "Let those that would learn to pray go to sea;" I
|
|
say, Let those that will go to sea learn to pray, and accustom
|
|
themselves to pray, that they may come with the more boldness to the
|
|
throne of grace when they are in trouble. Even heathen mariners, in a
|
|
storm, <I>cried every man to his god;</I> but those that have the Lord
|
|
for their God have a present and powerful help in that and every other
|
|
time of need, so that when they are at their wits' end they are not at
|
|
their faith's end.
|
|
|
|
3. How wonderfully God sometimes appears for those that are in distress
|
|
at sea, in answer to their prayers: <I>He brings them out</I> of the
|
|
danger; and,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The sea is still: <I>He makes the storm a calm,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
The winds fall, and only by their soft and gentle murmurs serve to lull
|
|
the waves asleep again, so that the surface of the sea becomes smooth
|
|
and smiling. By this Christ proved himself to be more than a man
|
|
<I>that even the winds and the seas obeyed him.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The seamen are made easy: <I>They are glad because they are
|
|
quiet,</I> quiet from the noise, quiet from the fear of evil. Quietness
|
|
after a storm is a very desirable thing, and sensibly pleasant.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The voyage becomes prosperous and successful: <I>So he brings them
|
|
to their desired haven,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus he carries his people safely through all the storms and tempests
|
|
that they meet with in their voyage heaven-ward, and lands them, at
|
|
length, in the desired harbour.
|
|
|
|
4. How justly it is expected that all those who have had a safe passage
|
|
over the sea, and especially who have been delivered from remarkable
|
|
perils at sea, should acknowledge it with thankfulness, to the glory of
|
|
God. Let them do it privately in their closets and families. Let them
|
|
<I>praise the Lord for his goodness</I> to themselves and others,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let them do it publicly
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>in the congregation of the people and in the assembly of the
|
|
elders;</I> there let them erect the memorials of their deliverance, to
|
|
the honour of God, and for the encouragement of others to trust
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps107_43"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Wonders of Divine Providence.</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>33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings
|
|
into dry ground;
|
|
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them
|
|
that dwell therein.
|
|
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry
|
|
ground into watersprings.
|
|
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may
|
|
prepare a city for habitation;
|
|
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield
|
|
fruits of increase.
|
|
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly;
|
|
and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
|
|
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression,
|
|
affliction, and sorrow.
|
|
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander
|
|
in the wilderness, <I>where there is</I> no way.
|
|
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh
|
|
<I>him</I> families like a flock.
|
|
42 The righteous shall see <I>it,</I> and rejoice: and all iniquity
|
|
shall stop her mouth.
|
|
43 Whoso <I>is</I> wise, and will observe these <I>things,</I> even they
|
|
shall understand the lovingkindness of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The psalmist, having given God the glory of the providential reliefs
|
|
granted to persons in distress, here gives him the glory of the
|
|
revolutions of providence, and the surprising changes it sometimes
|
|
makes in the affairs of the children of men.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He gives some instances of these revolutions.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Fruitful countries are made barren and barren countries are made
|
|
fruitful. Much of the comfort of this life depends upon the soil in
|
|
which our lot is cast. Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The sin of man has often marred the fruitfulness of the soil and
|
|
made it unserviceable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:33,34"><I>v.</I> 33, 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Land watered with <I>rivers</I> is sometimes <I>turned into a
|
|
wilderness,</I> and that which had been full of water-springs now has
|
|
not so much as water-streams; it is turned <I>into dry</I> and <I>sandy
|
|
ground,</I> that has not consistency and moisture enough to produce any
|
|
thing valuable. Many <I>a fruitful land</I> is turned into saltness,
|
|
not so much from natural causes as from the just judgment of God, who
|
|
thus punished <I>the wickedness of those that dwell therein;</I> as the
|
|
vale of Sodom became a salt sea. Note, If the land be bad, it is
|
|
because the inhabitants are so. Justly is the ground made unfruitful to
|
|
those that bring not forth fruit unto God, but serve Baal with their
|
|
corn and wine.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The goodness of God has often mended the barrenness of the soil,
|
|
and turned a <I>wilderness,</I> a land o drought, <I>into
|
|
water-springs,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
The land of Canaan, which was once the glory of all lands for
|
|
fruitfulness, is said to be, at this day, a fruitless, useless,
|
|
worthless spot of ground, as was foretold,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+29:23">Deut. xxix. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
This land of ours, which formerly was much of it an uncultivated
|
|
desert, is now full of all good things, and <I>more abundant honour</I>
|
|
is <I>given to that part which lacked.</I> Let the plantations in
|
|
America, and the colonies settled there, compared with the desolations
|
|
of many countries in Asia and Europe, that formerly were famous,
|
|
expound this.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Necessitous families are raised and enriched, while prosperous
|
|
families are impoverished and go to decay. If we look broad in the
|
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world,
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(1.) We see many greatly increasing whose beginning was small, and
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whose ancestors were mean and made no figure,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:36-38"><I>v.</I> 36-38</A>.
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Those that were <I>hungry</I> are made <I>to dwell</I> in fruitful
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lands; there they take root, and gain a settlement, and <I>prepare a
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city for habitation</I> for themselves and theirs after them.
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Providence puts good land under their hands, and they build upon it.
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|
Cities took rise from rising families. But as lands, will not serve for
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|
men without lodgings, and therefore they must <I>prepare a city of
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habitation,</I> so lodgings, though ever so convenient, will not serve
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|
without lands, and therefore they must <I>sow the fields, and plant
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|
vineyards</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>),
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for the king himself is served of the field. And yet the fields, though
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favoured with water-springs, will not <I>yield fruits of increase,</I>
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unless they be sown, nor will vineyards be had, unless they be planted;
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man's industry must attend God's blessing, and then God's blessing will
|
|
crown man's industry. The fruitfulness of the soil should engage, for
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|
it does encourage, diligence; and, ordinarily, <I>the hand of the
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diligent,</I> by the blessing of God, <I>makes rich,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
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<I>He blesses them also, so that they are,</I> in a little time,
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<I>multiplied greatly, and</I> he <I>diminishes not their cattle.</I>
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|
As in the beginning, so still it is, by the blessing of God, that the
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|
earth and all the creatures <I>increase and multiply</I>
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+1:22">Gen. i. 22</A>),
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|
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and we depend upon God for the increase of the cattle as well as for
|
|
the increase of the ground. Cattle would decrease many ways if God
|
|
should permit it, and men would soon suffer by it.
|
|
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|
(2.) We see many that have thus suddenly risen as suddenly sunk and
|
|
brought to nothing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>):
|
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|
<I>Again they are diminished and brought low</I> by adverse
|
|
providences, and end their days as low as they began them; or their
|
|
families after them lose as fast a they got, and scatter what they
|
|
heaped together. Note, Worldly wealth is an uncertain thing, and often
|
|
those that are filled with it, ere they are aware, grow so secure and
|
|
sensual with it that, ere they are aware, they lose it again. Hence it
|
|
is called <I>deceitful riches</I> and the <I>mammon of
|
|
unrighteousness.</I> God has many ways of making men poor; he can do it
|
|
by <I>oppression, affliction, and sorrow,</I> as he tempted Job and
|
|
brought him low.</P>
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<P>
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3. Those that were high and great in the world are abased, and those
|
|
that were mean and despicable are advanced to honour,
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:40,41"><I>v.</I> 40, 41</A>.
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|
We have seen,
|
|
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|
(1.) Princes dethroned and reduced to straits. <I>He pours contempt
|
|
upon</I> them, even among those that have idolized them. Those that
|
|
exalt themselves God will abase, and, in order thereunto, will
|
|
infatuate: He makes <I>them to wander in the wilderness, where there is
|
|
no way.</I> He baffles those counsels by which they thought to support
|
|
themselves, and their own power and pomp, and drives them headlong, so
|
|
that they know not what course to steer, nor what measures to take. We
|
|
met with this before,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+12:24,25">Job xii. 24, 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those of low degree advanced to the posts of honour
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Yet setteth he the poor on high,</I> raiseth <I>from the dust</I> to
|
|
the <I>throne of glory,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+2:8,Ps+113:7,8">1 Sam. ii. 8; Ps. cxiii. 7, 8</A>.
|
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|
|
Those that were afflicted and trampled on are not only delivered, but
|
|
set on high out of the reach of their troubles, above their enemies,
|
|
and have dominion over those to whom they had been in subjection. That
|
|
which adds to their honour, and strengthens them in their elevation, is
|
|
the multitude of their children: <I>He maketh him families like a
|
|
flock</I> of sheep, so numerous, so useful, so sociable with one
|
|
another, and so meek and peaceable. He that sent them meat sent them
|
|
mouths. <I>Happy is the man that has his quiver filled</I> with arrows,
|
|
for he shall boldly <I>speak with the enemy in the gate,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+127:5">Ps. cxxvii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
God is to be acknowledged both in setting up families and in building
|
|
them up. Let not princes be envied, nor the poor despised, for God has
|
|
many ways of changing the condition of both.</P>
|
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|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He makes some improvement of these remarks; such surprising turns
|
|
as these are of use,
|
|
|
|
1. For the solacing of saints. They observe these dispensations with
|
|
pleasure
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The righteous shall see it and rejoice</I> in the glorifying of
|
|
God's attributes and the manifesting of his dominion over the children
|
|
of men. It is a great comfort to a good man to see how God manages the
|
|
children of men, as the potter does the clay, so as to serve his own
|
|
purposes by them, to see despised virtue advanced and impious pride
|
|
brought low to the dust, to see it evinced beyond dispute that
|
|
<I>verily there is a God that judges in the earth.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. For the silencing of sinners: <I>All iniquity shall stop her
|
|
mouth;</I> it shall be a full conviction of the folly of atheists, and
|
|
of those that deny the divine providence; and, forasmuch as practical
|
|
atheism is at the bottom of all sin, it shall in effect <I>stop the
|
|
mouth of all iniquity.</I> When sinners see how their punishment
|
|
answers to their sin, and how justly God deals with them in taking away
|
|
from them those gifts of his which they had abused, they shall not have
|
|
one word to say for themselves; for God will be justified, he will be
|
|
clear.
|
|
|
|
3. For the satisfying of all concerning the divine goodness
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Whoso is wise, and will observe these things,</I> these various
|
|
dispensations of divine providence, <I>even they shall understand the
|
|
lovingkindness of the Lord.</I> Here is,
|
|
|
|
(1.) A desirable end proposed, and that is, rightly to <I>understand
|
|
the loving kindness of the Lord.</I> It is of great use to us, in
|
|
religion, to be fully assured of God's goodness, to be experimentally
|
|
acquainted and duly affected with it, that his <I>lovingkindness</I>
|
|
may be <I>before our eyes,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+26:3">Ps. xxvi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) A proper means prescribed for attaining this end, and that is a
|
|
due observance of God's providence. We must lay up these things, mind
|
|
them, and keep them in mind,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:19">Luke ii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) A commendation of the use of this means as an instance of true
|
|
wisdom: <I>Whoso is wise,</I> let him by this both prove his wisdom and
|
|
improve it. A prudent observance of the providences of God will
|
|
contribute very much to the accomplishing of a good Christian.</P>
|
|
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