mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 135.xml

<div2 id="Ps.cxxxvi" n="cxxxvi" next="Ps.cxxxvii" prev="Ps.cxxxv" progress="68.30%" title="Chapter CXXXV">
<h2 id="Ps.cxxxvi-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.cxxxvi-p0.2">PSALM CXXXV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1">This is one of the Hallelujah-psalms; that is the
title of it, and that is the Amen of it, both its Alpha and its
Omega. I. It begins with a call to praise God, particularly a call
to the "servants of the Lord" to praise him, as in the foregoing
psalm, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.1-Ps.135.3" parsed="|Ps|135|1|135|3" passage="Ps 135:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>. II. It
goes on to furnish us with matter for praise. God is to be praised,
1. As the God of Jacob, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.4" parsed="|Ps|135|4|0|0" passage="Ps 135:4">ver.
4</scripRef>. 2. As the God of gods, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.5" parsed="|Ps|135|5|0|0" passage="Ps 135:5">ver. 5</scripRef>. 3. As the God of the whole world,
<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.6-Ps.135.7" parsed="|Ps|135|6|135|7" passage="Ps 135:6,7">ver. 6, 7</scripRef>. 4. As a
terrible God to the enemies of Israel, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.8-Ps.135.11" parsed="|Ps|135|8|135|11" passage="Ps 135:8-11">ver. 8-11</scripRef>. 5. As a gracious God to Israel,
both in what he had done for them and what he would do, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.12-Ps.135.14" parsed="|Ps|135|12|135|14" passage="Ps 135:12-14">ver. 12-14</scripRef>. 6. As the only living
God, all other gods being vanity and a lie, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.15-Ps.135.18" parsed="|Ps|135|15|135|18" passage="Ps 135:15-18">ver. 15-18</scripRef>. III. It concludes with
another exhortation to all persons concerned to praise God,
<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.19-Ps.135.21" parsed="|Ps|135|19|135|21" passage="Ps 135:19-21">ver. 19-21</scripRef>. In singing
this psalm our hearts must be filled, as well as our mouths, with
the high praises of God.</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135" parsed="|Ps|135|0|0|0" passage="Ps 135" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.1-Ps.135.4" parsed="|Ps|135|1|135|4" passage="Ps 135:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.135.1-Ps.135.4">
<h4 id="Ps.cxxxvi-p1.11">Majesty and Goodness of God.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2">1 Praise ye the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2.1">Lord</span>. Praise ye the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2.2">Lord</span>; praise <i>him,</i> O ye servants of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2.3">Lord</span>.   2 Ye that stand in the
house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2.4">Lord</span>, in the courts of
the house of our God,   3 Praise the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2.5">Lord</span>; for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2.6">Lord</span> <i>is</i> good: sing praises unto his name;
for <i>it is</i> pleasant.   4 For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p2.7">Lord</span> hath chosen Jacob unto himself, <i>and</i>
Israel for his peculiar treasure.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p3">Here is, 1. The duty we are called to—to
<i>praise the Lord,</i> to <i>praise his name; praise him,</i> and
again <i>praise him.</i> We must not only thank him for what he has
done for us, but praise him for what he is in himself and has done
for others; take all occasions to speak well of God and to give his
truths and ways a good word. 2. The persons that are called upon to
do this—the <i>servants of the Lord,</i> the priests and Levites
<i>that stand in his house,</i> and all the devout and pious
Israelites that stand <i>in the courts of his house</i> to worship
there, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.2" parsed="|Ps|135|2|0|0" passage="Ps 135:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Those
that have most reason to praise God who are admitted to the
privileges of his house, and those see most reason who there behold
his beauty and taste his bounty; from them it is expected, for to
that end they enjoy their places. Who should praise him if they do
not? 3. The reasons why we should praise God. (1.) Because he whom
we are to praise <i>is good,</i> and goodness is that which every
body will speak well of. He is good to all, and we must give him
the praise of that. His goodness is his glory, and we must make
mention of it to his glory. (2.) Because the work is its own wages:
<i>Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant.</i> It is best
done with a cheerful spirit, and we shall have the pleasure of
having done our duty. It is a heaven upon earth to be praising God;
and the pleasure of that should quite put our mouths out of taste
for the pleasures of sin. (3.) Because of the peculiar privileges
of God's people (<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.4" parsed="|Ps|135|4|0|0" passage="Ps 135:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): <i>The Lord hath chosen Jacob to himself,</i> and
therefore Jacob is bound to praise him; for <i>therefore</i> God
chose a people to himself that they might be unto him <i>for a name
and a praise</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Jer.13.11" parsed="|Jer|13|11|0|0" passage="Jer 13:11">Jer. xiii.
11</scripRef>), and <i>therefore</i> Jacob has abundant matter for
praise, being thus dignified and distinguished. <i>Israel</i> is
God's <i>peculiar treasure</i> above all people (<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.19.5" parsed="|Exod|19|5|0|0" passage="Ex 19:5">Exod. xix. 5</scripRef>); they are his <i>Segullah,</i> a
people appropriated to him, and that he has a delight in,
<i>precious in his sight and honourable.</i> For this
distinguishing surprising favour, if the seed of Jacob do not
praise him, they are the most unworthy ungrateful people under the
sun.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.cxxxvi-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.5-Ps.135.14" parsed="|Ps|135|5|135|14" passage="Ps 135:5-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.135.5-Ps.135.14">
<h4 id="Ps.cxxxvi-p3.6">Majesty and Goodness of God.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p4">5 For I know that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p4.1">Lord</span> <i>is</i> great, and <i>that</i> our Lord
<i>is</i> above all gods.   6 Whatsoever the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p4.2">Lord</span> pleased, <i>that</i> did he in heaven, and
in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.   7 He causeth the
vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings
for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.   8
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.   9
<i>Who</i> sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt,
upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.   10 Who smote great
nations, and slew mighty kings;   11 Sihon king of the
Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
  12 And gave their land <i>for</i> a heritage, a heritage
unto Israel his people.   13 Thy name, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p4.3">O Lord</span>, <i>endureth</i> for ever; <i>and</i> thy
memorial, O <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p4.4">Lord</span>, throughout all
generations.   14 For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p4.5">Lord</span>
will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his
servants.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p5">The psalmist had suggested to us the
goodness of God, as the proper matter of our cheerful praises; here
he suggests to us the greatness of God as the proper matter of our
awful praises; and on this he is most copious, because this we are
less forward to consider.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p6">I. He asserts the doctrine of God's
greatness (<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.5" parsed="|Ps|135|5|0|0" passage="Ps 135:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>):
<i>The Lord is great,</i> great indeed, who knows no limits of time
or place. He asserts it with assurance, "I know that he is so; know
it not only by observation of the proofs of it, but by belief of
the revelation of it. I know it; I am sure of it; I know it by my
own experience of the divine greatness working on my soul." He
asserts it with a holy defiance of all pretenders, though they
should join in confederacy against him. He is not only above any
god, but above all gods, infinitely above them, between him and
them there is no comparison.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p7">II. He proves him to be a great God by the
greatness of his power, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.6" parsed="|Ps|135|6|0|0" passage="Ps 135:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. 1. He has an absolute power, and may do what he will:
<i>Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he,</i> and none could
control him, or say unto him, <i>What doest thou?</i> He does what
he pleases, because he pleases, and gives not an account of any of
his matters. 2. He has an almighty power and can do what he will;
if he will work, none shall hinder. 3. This absolute almighty power
is of universal extent; he does what he will <i>in heaven, in
earth, in the seas,</i> and in <i>all the deep places</i> that are
in the bottom of the sea or the bowels of the earth. The gods of
the heathen can do nothing; but our God can do any thing and does
do every thing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p8">III. He gives instances of his great
power,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p9">1. In the kingdom of nature, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.7" parsed="|Ps|135|7|0|0" passage="Ps 135:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. All the powers of nature
prove the greatness of the God of nature, from whom they are
derived and on whom they depend. The chain of natural causes was
not only framed by him at first, but is still preserved by him.
(1.) It is by his power that exhalations are drawn up from the
terraqueous globe. The heat of the sun raises them, but it has that
power from God, and therefore it is given as an instance of the
glory of God that <i>nothing is hidden from the heat</i> of the
sun, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.19.6" parsed="|Ps|19|6|0|0" passage="Ps 19:6">Ps. xix. 6</scripRef>. <i>He
causes the vapours to ascend</i> (not only unhelped, but unseen, by
us) from the earth, <i>from the ends of the earth,</i> that is,
from the seas, by which the earth is surrounded. (2.) It is he who,
out of those vapours so raised, forms the rain, so that the earth
is no loser by the vapours it sends up, for they are returned with
advantage in fruitful showers. (3.) Out of the same vapours (such
is his wonderful power) he <i>makes lightnings or the rain;</i> by
them he opens the bottles of heaven, and shakes the clouds, that
they may water the earth. Here are fire and water thoroughly
reconciled by divine omnipotence. They come together, and yet the
water does not quench the fire, nor the fire lick up the water, as
fire from heaven did when God pleased, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.18.38" parsed="|1Kgs|18|38|0|0" passage="1Ki 18:38">1 Kings xviii. 38</scripRef>. (4.) The same
exhalations, to serve another purpose, are converted into winds,
which blow where they list, from what point of the compass they
will, and we are so far from directing them that we cannot tell
whence they come nor whither they go, but God <i>brings them out of
his treasuries</i> with as much exactness and design as a prudent
prince orders money to issue out of his exchequer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p10">2. In the kingdoms of men; and here he
mentions the great things God had formerly done for his people
Israel, which were proofs of God's greatness as well as of his
goodness, and confirmations of the truth of the scriptures of the
Old Testament, which began to be written by Moses, the person
employed in working those miracles. Observe God's sovereign
dominion and irresistible power, (1.) In bringing Israel out of
Egypt, humbling Pharaoh by many plagues, and so forcing him to let
them go. These plagues are called <i>tokens</i> and <i>wonders,</i>
because they came not in the common course of providence, but there
was something miraculous in each of them. They were <i>sent upon
Pharaoh and all his servants,</i> his subjects; but the Israelites,
whom God claimed for his servants, his son, his first-born, his
free-born, were exempted from them, and no plague came nigh their
dwelling. The death of the first-born both of men and cattle was
the heaviest of all the plagues, and that which gained the point.
(2.) In destroying the kingdoms of Canaan before them, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.10" parsed="|Ps|135|10|0|0" passage="Ps 135:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Those that were in
possession of the land designed for Israel had all possible
advantages for keeping possession. The people were numerous, and
warlike, and confederate against Israel. They were great nations.
Yet, if a great nation has a meek and mean-spirited prince, it lies
exposed; but these great nations had <i>mighty kings,</i> and yet
they were all smitten and slain—<i>Sihon</i> and <i>Og,</i> and
<i>all the kingdoms of Canaan,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.10-Ps.135.11" parsed="|Ps|135|10|135|11" passage="Ps 135:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10, 11</scripRef>. No power of hell or
earth can prevent the accomplishment of the promise of God when the
time, the set time, for it has come. (3.) In settling them in the
land of promise. He that gives kingdoms to whomsoever he pleases
gave Canaan to be a heritage to Israel his people. It came to them
by inheritance, for their ancestors had the promise of it, though
not the possession; and it descended as an inheritance to their
seed. This was done long before, yet God is now praised for it; and
with good reason, for the children were now enjoying the benefit of
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11">IV. He triumphs in the perpetuity of God's
glory and grace. 1. Of his glory (<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.13" parsed="|Ps|135|13|0|0" passage="Ps 135:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): <i>Thy name, O God! endures
for ever.</i> God's manifestations of himself to his people have
everlasting fruits and consequences. <i>What God doeth it shall be
for ever,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.3.14" parsed="|Eccl|3|14|0|0" passage="Ec 3:14">Eccl. iii. 14</scripRef>.
His name endures for ever in the constant and everlasting praises
of his people; his memorial endures, has endured hitherto, and
shall still endure throughout all generations of the church. This
seems to refer to <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.15" parsed="|Exod|3|15|0|0" passage="Ex 3:15">Exod. iii.
15</scripRef>, where, when God had called himself <i>the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,</i> he adds, <i>This is my name for ever
and this is my memorial unto all generations.</i> God is, and will
be, always the same to his church, a gracious, faithful,
wonder-working God; and his church is, and will be, the same to
him, a thankful praising people; and thus his name <i>endures for
ever.</i> 2. Of his grace. He will be kind to his people. (1.) He
will plead their cause against others that contend with them. <i>He
will judge his people,</i> that is, he will judge for them, and
will not suffer them to be run down. (2.) He will not himself
contend for ever with them, but will <i>repent himself concerning
his servants,</i> and not proceed in his controversy with them; he
will be entreated for them, or he will be comforted concerning
them; he will return in ways of mercy to them and will delight to
do them good. <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.14 Bible:Deut.32.36" parsed="|Ps|135|14|0|0;|Deut|32|36|0|0" passage="Ps 135:14,De 32:36">This
verse</scripRef> is taken from the song of Moses, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.36" parsed="|Deut|32|36|0|0" passage="De 32:36">Deut. xxxii. 36</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.15-Ps.135.21" parsed="|Ps|135|15|135|21" passage="Ps 135:15-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.135.15-Ps.135.21">
<h4 id="Ps.cxxxvi-p11.7">An Invitation to Praise.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12">15 The idols of the heathen <i>are</i> silver
and gold, the work of men's hands.   16 They have mouths, but
they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;   17 They
have ears, but they hear not; neither is there <i>any</i> breath in
their mouths.   18 They that make them are like unto them:
<i>so is</i> every one that trusteth in them.   19 Bless the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12.1">Lord</span>, O house of Israel: bless the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12.2">Lord</span>, O house of Aaron:   20
Bless the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12.3">Lord</span>, O house of Levi: ye
that fear the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12.4">Lord</span>, bless the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12.5">Lord</span>.   21 Blessed be the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12.6">Lord</span> out of Zion, which dwelleth at
Jerusalem. Praise ye the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p12.7">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p13">The design of these verses is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p14">I. To arm the people of God against
idolatry and all false worship, by showing what sort of gods they
were that the heathen worshipped, as we had it before, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.115.4-Ps.115.8" parsed="|Ps|115|4|115|8" passage="Ps 115:4-8">Ps. cxv. 4</scripRef>, &amp;c. 1. They were
gods of their own making; being so, they could have no power but
what their makers gave them, and then what power could their makers
receive from them? The images were the <i>work of men's hands,</i>
and the deities that were supposed to inform them were as much the
creatures of men's fancy and imagination. 2. They had the shape of
animals, but could not perform the least act, no, not of the
<i>animal</i> life. They could neither <i>see,</i> nor <i>hear,</i>
nor <i>speak,</i> nor so much as <i>breathe;</i> and therefore to
make them with <i>eyes,</i> and <i>ears,</i> and <i>mouths,</i> and
<i>nostrils,</i> was such a jest that one would wonder how
reasonable creatures could suffer themselves to be so imposed upon
as to expect any good from such mock-deities. 3. Their worshippers
were therefore as stupid and senseless as they were, both those
that made them to be worshipped and those that trusted in them when
they were made, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.18" parsed="|Ps|135|18|0|0" passage="Ps 135:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>. The worshipping of such gods as were the objects of
sense, and senseless, made the worshippers sensual and senseless.
Let our worshipping a God that is a Spirit make us spiritual and
wise.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.cxxxvi-p15">II. To stir up the people of God to true
devotion in the worship of the true God, <scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.135.19-Ps.135.21" parsed="|Ps|135|19|135|21" passage="Ps 135:19-21"><i>v.</i> 19-21</scripRef>. The more deplorable the
condition of the Gentile nations that worship idols is the more are
we bound to thank God that we know better. Therefore, 1. Let us set
ourselves about the acts of devotion, and employ ourselves in them:
<i>Bless the Lord,</i> and again and again, <i>bless the Lord.</i>
In the parallel place (<scripRef id="Ps.cxxxvi-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.115.9-Ps.115.11" parsed="|Ps|115|9|115|11" passage="Ps 115:9-11">Ps. cxv.
9-11</scripRef>), by way of inference from the impotency of idols,
the duty thus pressed upon us is to <i>trust in the Lord;</i> here
to <i>bless him;</i> by putting our trust in God we give glory to
him, and those that depend upon God shall not want matter of
thanksgiving to him. All persons that knew God are here called to
praise him—the <i>house of Israel</i> (the nation in general), the
<i>house of Aaron</i> and the <i>house of Levi</i> (the Lord's
ministers that attended in his sanctuary), and all others <i>that
feared the Lord,</i> though they were not of the house of Israel.
2. Let God have the glory of all: <i>Blessed be the Lord.</i> The
tribute of praise arises <i>out of Zion.</i> All God's works do
praise him, but his saints bless him; and they need not go far to
pay their tribute, for he <i>dwells in Jerusalem,</i> in his
church, which they are members of, so that he is always nigh unto
them to receive their homage. The condescensions of his grace, in
dwelling with men upon the earth, call for our grateful and
thankful returns, and our repeated Hallelujahs.</p>
</div></div2>