he happiness of God's people. (1-5) Israel's sins. (6-12)
Their provocations. (13-33) Their rebellions in Canaan. (34-46)
Prayer for more complete deliverance. (47,48)
Verses 1-5: None of our sins or sufferings should prevent our ascribing
glory and praise to the Lord. The more unworthy we are, the more
is his kindness to be admired. And those who depend on the
Redeemer's righteousness will endeavour to copy his example, and
by word and deed to show forth his praise. God's people have
reason to be cheerful people; and need not envy the children of
men their pleasure or pride.
Verses 6-12: Here begins a confession of sin; for we must acknowledge
that the Lord has done right, and we have done wickedly. We are
encouraged to hope that though justly corrected, yet we shall
not be utterly forsaken. God's afflicted people own themselves
guilty before him. God is distrusted because his favours are not
remembered. If he did not save us for his own name's sake, and
to the praise of his power and grace, we should all perish.
Verses 13-33: Those that will not wait for God's counsel, shall justly
be given up to their own hearts' lusts, to walk in their own
counsels. An undue desire, even for lawful things, becomes
sinful. God showed his displeasure for this. He filled them with
uneasiness of mind, terror of conscience, and self-reproach.
Many that fare deliciously every day, and whose bodies are
healthful, have leanness in their souls: no love to God, no
thankfulness, no appetite for the Bread of life, and then the
soul must be lean. Those wretchedly forget themselves, that
feast their bodies and starve their souls. Even the true
believer will see abundant cause to say, It is of the Lord's
mercies that I am not consumed. Often have we set up idols in
our hearts, cleaved to some forbidden object; so that if a
greater than Moses had not stood to turn away the anger of the
Lord, we should have been destroyed. If God dealt severely with
Moses for unadvised words, what do those deserve who speak many
proud and wicked words? It is just in God to remove those
relations that are blessings to us, when we are peevish and
provoking to them, and grieve their spirits.
Verses 34-48: The conduct of the Israelites in Canaan, and God's
dealings with them, show that the way of sin is down-hill;
omissions make way for commissions: when they neglected to
destroy the heathen, they learned their works. One sin led to
many more, and brought the judgments of God on them. Their sin
was, in part, their own punishment. Sinners often see themselves
ruined by those who led them into evil. Satan, who is a tempter,
will be a tormentor. At length, God showed pity to his people
for his covenant's sake. The unchangeableness of God's merciful
nature and love to his people, makes him change the course of
justice into mercy; and no other change is meant by God's
repentance. Our case is awful when the outward church is
considered. When nations professing Christianity, are so guilty
as we are, no wonder if the Lord brings them low for their sins.
Unless there is general and deep repentance, there can be no
prospect but of increasing calamities. The psalm concludes with
prayer for completing the deliverance of God's people, and
praise for the beginning and progress of it. May all the people
of the earth, ere long, add their Amen.
he happiness of God's people. (1-5) Israel's sins. (6-12)
Their provocations. (13-33) Their rebellions in Canaan. (34-46)
Prayer for more complete deliverance. (47,48)