raise for God's sovereign power in the creation. (1-7) For
his favour to his church. (8-12) And the psalmist's praise for
his experience of God's goodness. (13-20)
Verses 1-7: The holy church throughout all the world lifts up her
voice, to laud that Name which is above every name, to make the
praise of Jesus glorious, both by word and deed; that others may
be led to glorify him also. But nothing can bring men to do this
aright, unless his effectual grace create their hearts anew unto
holiness; and in the redemption by the death of Christ, and the
glorious deliverances it effects, are more wondrous works than
Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
Verses 8-12: The Lord not only preserves our temporal life, but
maintains the spiritual life which he has given to believers. By
afflictions we are proved, as silver in the fire. The troubles
of the church will certainly end well. Through various conflicts
and troubles, the slave of Satan escapes from his yoke, and
obtains joy and peace in believing: through much tribulation the
believer must enter into the kingdom of God.
Verses 13-20: We should declare unto those that fear God, what he has
done for our souls, and how he has heard and answered our
prayers, inviting them to join us in prayer and praise; this
will turn to our mutual comfort, and to the glory of God. We
cannot share these spiritual privileges, if we retain the love
of sin in our hearts, though we refrain from the gross practice,
Sin, regarded in the heart, will spoil the comfort and success
of prayer; for the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of
the Lord. But if the feeling of sin in the heart causes desires
to be rid of it; if it be the presence of one urging a demand we
know we must not, cannot comply with, this is an argument of
sincerity. And when we pray in simplicity and godly sincerity,
our prayers will be answered. This will excite gratitude to Him
who hath not turned away our prayer nor his mercy from us. It
was not prayer that fetched the deliverance, but his mercy that
sent it. That is the foundation of our hopes, the fountain of
our comforts; and ought to be the matter of our praises.
raise for God's sovereign power in the creation. (1-7) For
his favour to his church. (8-12) And the psalmist's praise for
his experience of God's goodness. (13-20)