Chapter 101

(Verses 1 through 3) I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt Thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave unto me.

We do not know at what time of the year David wrote this, but since we are now in the last days of a year, and also of a century, we might think of it as a “New Year’s Resolution.” First he declares, “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto the LORD will I sing.” This is surely a good resolution for all, who love the LORD. Let us sing, not of some love affair that has gone wrong, nor of some childhood memory, and not even of the exploits of some great man; but of mercy and judgment. And while we sing of these, let us be careful to sing unto the LORD, because mercy and judgment belong to Him. His next resolution is, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.” Since “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” to fulfill this resolution, we must behave ourselves in the fear of the LORD: and since His way is the only “perfect way,” we must walk in His way. When we do this, we will have such a longing to be “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,” that we too will be saying, with David, “O when wilt Thou come unto me?” Then will we also resolve, as he did, “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.” David knew from experience the result of walking in his house with a heart that was not perfect, that is, a heart that was not satisfied with the blessings God had given him. Although he had wives, when he saw Bathsheba, the wife of another man, he wanted her; and we all know the result of that wicked act. Now he says, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” He knew that, the wicked thing he had set before his eyes had led him on to commit both adultery and murder. Perhaps, we have never committed either of these sins, but we undoubtedly can find in our experience some wicked thing (thought or purpose) which we set before our eyes, and it led us on to do something we have many times regretted. Whatever it may have been, let us also, with him resolve, “I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” The only way we can make sure that they will not cleave to us is to cut them off every time they rise up before us. If we ever let them get set before our eyes, they will cleave to us, and lead us into trouble.

(Verses 4 and 5) A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart I will not suffer.

A froward heart is one that is rebellious or disobedient, and this David will drive away from himself; it “shall depart from me.” Someone will surely say, “But no one can change his own heart: only the LORD can change it.” That is true, so far as changing the nature of the heart is concerned: but David’s heart has already had that change; he has already declared that he “hates the work of them that turn aside.” Yet it will take effort on his part to rid himself of those rebellious and disobedient impulses that Satan is continually attempting to inject into it. He recognizes that one very effective way of doing this is to have nothing to do with a wicked person. Anyone who would in secret slander his neighbor is to be cut off. His statement, “Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer,” simply means “I will not tolerate one who has a haughty look and a proud heart.”

(Verses 6 through 8) Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

While everything from the beginning of this psalm through verse 4 is obviously David’s personal resolution. And verse 5 can reasonably well be so considered, the remainder seems to be either his declaration of his official policy as king of Israel , or the LORD’S declaration of what He will do. In either case, the message is the same, and it clearly agrees with what the LORD has said in other places. He will watch over the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with Him: and those who walk in a perfect way, (which is His way,) shall serve Him. Those who work deceit and tell lies shall neither dwell within His house, nor tarry in His sight. He will soon destroy the wicked of the land, and cut off the evildoers from the city of the LORD.

(Verses 1 through 3) Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto Thee. Hide not Thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline Thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

We are told that this psalm is “a prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before the LORD.” Surely then, we could be justified in considering it as our own prayer, when we are heavily troubled. The first two verses are simply a prayer that the LORD will give a favorable hearing to our cries, and answer us quickly. Verse 3 sets forth our suffering as our reason for calling upon the LORD, and our desire for a quick answer. Our days pass by with no more to show for them than is left when smoke is driven away by the breeze. Our troubles are so overwhelming that it seems even our bones are burned by them.

(Verses 4 through 7) My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.

Sometimes indeed our sorrows come upon us so that we will say, “I just don’t have the heart to do anything.” We feel to be almost as lifeless as grass that has been cut down, and left to wither; we may even lose interest in eating. When we consider “a pelican of the wilderness,” it seems to be a contradiction of terms. In the land of Israel the wilderness is mostly desert, while the pelican is a bird of the swamps, and marshes. So “a pelican of the wilderness” seems to indicate something completely out of place; and that is exactly how we feel when in deep sorrow. We just don’t feel to “fit in” with whatever activity may be going on around us. The “owl of the desert” is a very solitary creature; and so are we when extremely heavy sorrow comes upon us. We all know that the sparrow is a very gregarious bird; so “a sparrow alone upon the house top” is a very lonely picture. Yet it aptly describes us when in the grip of great sorrow.

(Verses 8 through 10) Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath: for Thou hast lifted me up and cast me down.

As we have often said, so we remind you again, our enemies are not always wicked people who are trying to destroy us, but very often they are the temptations, doubts , fears, etc., that Satan is constantly directing against us; and these will certainly increase when we are brought low by sorrow, and especially when that sorrow is repentance for our disobedience. Apparently that is what is under consideration in this text. It is because of the LORD’S indignation and anger against our sin that we are brought low. He has lifted us up by His grace that we might know His mercy; but we have disobeyed His word; and He has cast us down with His chastisement.

(Verses 11 and 12) My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. But Thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever: and Thy remembrance unto all generations.

Sometimes it takes such sorrow to bring us to a true realization of the contrast between us and God. When we honestly consider our lives, we find that our whole life span is like a shadow that fades away. Its duration is little more than that of the grass that withers away, and is forgotten. In the history of mankind there have been many, who in their day were considered great; and, although some have been blessed to accomplish things that are still beneficial to men, if we should ask the average man on the street, “Do you remember what Mr. _ _ _ is noted for? His answer would probably be, “Who was he?” This is how important our lives are: but “God shall endure for ever: and His remembrance unto all generations.”

(Verses 13 through 17) Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Zion : for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come. For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof. So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. When the LORD shall build up Zion , He shall appear in His glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer

As we consider this text it becomes apparent that it looks forward to a day that is yet to come: that day when, according to His promise, the LORD shall “build up Zion ,” that is, restore Israel . This He has promised, and regardless of all protestations of those who would try to take His promises from Israel , and give them to the gospel church, He will perform them to Israel , not to the church. If He did not fulfill that promise to Israel , no one could have any grounds upon which to depend upon any of His promises. It will not be done at a time of our choosing, but at “the time to favor her, yea, the set time.” If one will but open his eyes, he can see the signs of the approach of that time even today, although none can pin point it on the calendar. His servants even now are taking pleasure in her stones, and favoring her dust. When He does this, “the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.” Then “He will regard the prayer of the destitute,” those who have so long been cast off, and  scattered over the world: and He will “not despise their prayer.” The Apostle Paul likens this to the grafting in again of the branches that were broken off the good olive tree.

(Verses 18 through 22) This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death: to declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

Notice carefully the wording of verse 18: “This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.” This is not for the people of the time of the writer, nor, for that matter, is it for us today, except to assure us that, at “the set time” it will come to pass. It is for the generation to come, not even the generation immediately following that of the writer, but the one that shall come at the LORD’S “set time.” When it does come, “the people that shall be created shall praise the LORD.” All of this is because He has looked down from heaven, His sanctuary, and has beheld the earth; for the purpose of hearing, and of course, answering “the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death.” He does not mean those whom God has appointed to death, but those so appointed by men. If one has but kept up with current events for the past fifty years, he can readily see that these appointed to death are the Jews. The declared aim of every Arab nation has all that time been to “drive the Israelis into the sea, and destroy even the name of Israel .” However, the LORD has promised that, instead of suffering Israel to be destroyed, as the Arabs and their sympathizers desire, He will, at His set time restore her. His purpose in this is “To declare the name of the LORD in Zion , and His praise in Jerusalem ; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.” Notice that “kingdoms” is plural, and includes all the kingdoms of the world.

(Verses 23 and 24) He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations.

The psalmist says that the LORD has weakened his strength in the way, and has shortened his days. That which is done “in the way,” is done during the journey on which one is traveling. So, during the course of his travel through life, the LORD has weakened his strength, as is common to all humanity. As we grow older, we speak of our days being shortened; that is, our path ahead becomes shorter as that behind us grows longer. As the psalmist realized this, he prayed, “O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days.” Then he declares, “Thy years are throughout all generations.” We indeed have only a short span of life in this world; but our God is eternal.

(Verses 25 through 28) Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end. The children of Thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before Thee.

We usually consider the heavens and the earth as being permanent. As compared to man, they are; and men often think of them as lasting forever. Yet, when compared to God, they are but temporary. They are not so old as God: for they are the work of His hands. Also they shall perish, but He is eternal, and will endure forever. For God to lay aside the earth and the heavens is compared to a man’s laying aside a garment he has worn. The garment has become old, and, possibly, threadbare, but the man’s strength and vigor is as great as it has been. So also does the LORD continue to be God after the world is destroyed. He is forever the same, and His years shall have no end. He has also provided that “The children of Thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before Thee.” We are not of ourselves eternal, but the LORD has ordained that we shall continue, and be established before Him.

(Verses 1 through 5) Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Of course, we understand that “bless,” when used as in this text, is not to be understood as conferring a blessing, but as rendering praise to the great God of heaven and earth. This we can do, while the former we can not: because in that respect the less is always blessed of the greater. So David calls upon his soul, and, literally, his entire being, to praise the LORD and His holy name. He also cautions himself, and us, to “forget not all His benefits.” Although he lists only a few of these benefits, it is easy to see that their scope covers every worthwhile thing we ever have had, have now, or ever will have, from the forgiveness of our iniquities to the renewing of our strength after we have been brought low, by whatever means. We neither have, nor can find, any good that derives from any other source. So let us praise and adore Him and His wonderful name.

(Verses 6 through 9) The LORD  executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel . The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide; neither will He keep His anger forever.

This wonderful LORD our God, Who has given us so many precious blessings, also executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. In this we see both a promise and a warning. The promise is that, if we, or anyone else, is oppressed, He will avenge the oppression; and the warning is that, if we practice oppression against others, He will also execute His righteous judgment against us, and set the oppressed free. He revealed His ways unto Moses, and His acts unto the children of Israel . It was a common manner of speaking among the Jews to say, “Moses has said,” when, in reality, they were referring to something set forth in the law; but it was really what God had said to Moses, and Moses had only repeated to them. Thus God showed Moses His ways, by giving to him commandments for the children of Israel . He also showed His acts, or works, to the children of Israel , beginning with the plagues He sent upon Pharaoh and his people, and extending through all their journeys. Of course, He has continued His miracles even to this day, but perhaps, not quite with the frequency shown in that era. If we had nothing but the wilderness experience upon which to base our judgment, we would have to come to the same conclusion David expresses in verses 8 and 9. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.” But does not our own experience teach us the same thing? How often He has, in mercy, forgiven our iniquities, turned away His wrath, and returned His smile upon us, undeserving though we are! Yet there is a warning for us. “He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.” We cannot expect to continue in our evil ways, and escape chastisement. He is merciful, but He will not let us go on disregarding Him and His commandments without showing us His anger, and bringing upon us proper chastisement.

(Verses 10 through 12) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

This is something of which we are all aware. “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Had He so dealt with us we all would long ago have been completely destroyed. Instead His mercy toward us is so great that, could we imagine such a thing as its being piled up in a heap, the top would reach beyond the heavens. Thus He deals with those who fear Him. And He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west: and these are completely opposite directions that can never be brought together.

(Verses 13 through 16) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Certainly a father’s pity for his children is accompanied by, and indeed, brought on by his love for them. So it is with the LORD in His dealings with those who fear Him. He also knows how frail and temporary we are. Therefore He knows that we cannot measure up to His perfection. Here David gives us a picture of man’s frailty. “As for man, his days are as grass: as the flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” It is to be kept in mind that this description of man is as he is contrasted to the LORD. Surely, some men live, even today, a hundred years, or more. But what is that to be compared with the eternity of God? It is no more than the time it takes for a blade of grass to grow up, and die down again, or for a flower to bloom and fade. The finality of man’s passing is set forth in verse 16. “For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Although, at the appointed time there shall be a resurrection of the dead, they will never come back to the place they occupied before death took them away.

(Verses 17 and 18) But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

In contrast to man’s short stay on earth, the LORD is eternal, His mercy is forever, and His righteousness extends through all generations, “unto children’s children.” But this mercy is to those who fear His name, keep His covenant, and do His commandments.

(Verses 19 through 22) The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure. Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Having called upon men to praise the LORD, and having shown the great contrast between them and GOD, David declares that the LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and from there rules over all, that is, over all places, all things, and all men. Then he calls upon all the angels, all the hosts of the LORD, all His ministers, (servants,) and all His works to praise the LORD. This ought to cause us to be aware of  how much greater God is than we are, or can ever imagine. Then he calls again upon his own soul to praise the LORD. We also need to constantly remind ourselves to praise Him: for He is the One Who keeps us, and provides for us under all circumstances. There is none else.

(Verses 1 through 5) Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: Who maketh the clouds His chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever.

This really seems to be a continuation of the previous psalm, as the writer again calls upon his soul to praise the LORD. Then he continues speaking of God’s wonderful works and glory. Although it was necessary only that the Lord speak, and that which he spoke was done, the writer speaks of His works after the manner of a man, as he constructs a building. This is to show that in God’s planning of His works all things that one might imagine could affect them were taken into consideration before the project was ever begun. God even clothed Himself with light as a man clothes himself with a garment. He uses the clouds as a chariot, and walks “upon the wings of the wind.” He makes His angels spirits. Certainly they are endowed with the ability of assuming human form, but they can also move as spirits without being seen of men. He makes His ministers (His angels, or servants) “a flaming fire.” Nothing can stand before them, any more than it can before a consuming fire. He “laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever.” Surely He can, and at His appointed time, shall, remove the earth, as He has promised: but there is no other power that can do so.

(Verses 6 through 9) Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At Thy rebuke they fled: at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place, which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

Usually in scripture “the deep” is considered as “the abyss,” and is what we now call “outer space.” In Genesis 1:6-9 it is called “a firmament,” and in Genesis 1:9, God called it “Heaven.” He placed it “above,” or around the earth for a covering. Also He caused the water to cover the earth until He gave the command that the waters be gathered in one place, and that the dry land appear. The psalmist may also be referring to the flood in the days of Noah; for then they were fifteen cubits above the highest mountains. Nevertheless at the rebuke of the LORD they “fled” and “hasted away.” Then the LORD set a boundary for them that they shall never again flood the whole earth.

(Verses 10 through 12) He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: By them the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

Although God set a boundary beyond which the waves of the sea cannot go, He did not leave the earth without sufficient water to sustain the life of the creatures He had purposed to inhabit it. Evolutionists claim that the reason different types of animals inhabit different kinds of terrain is that through eons of time, by trial and error, they have developed the necessary equipment and bodily functions to adapt to their surroundings. Does it not seem far more reasonable that God prepared both the creature and the terrain that they might work together in harmony? He prepared the springs to provide water for the creatures He caused to live there, whether beasts of the field, or fowls of the air.

(Verses 13 through 15) He watereth the hills from His chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

Just as the LORD provides the springs in the valleys of the earth, He waters the hills from His chamber, the clouds of the heavens: and by this the earth is satisfied, or plentifully supplied. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle. not the cattle to evolve into grass eating animals because the grass was there. This they were made in the beginning. He also causes the herb to grow for the use of man; that, from the earth, man may bring forth food. After man’s disobedience to God, “the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.” (Genesis 3:23) So, in tilling the ground, man takes food from the earth. Yet one thing must be remembered. The LORD is He, Who causes the food to grow. Since both the vine and the olive tree grow from the ground, they are both made to grow by the power of God, just as are all other herbs, and as the wheat from which man gets bread. Therefore we must keep in mind that all good things are of the LORD, and of Him alone.

(Verses 16 through 18) The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted; where the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

The trees God has provided in various places are “full of sap.” Since the sap of a tree is its life blood, this no doubt means that they are vigorous, and grow up to fulfill the purpose for which He made them. The forests of Lebanon were famous for the building materials they provided, especially the cedars of Lebanon. The stork likes to build her nest on the top of a house, or in the top of a tall tree, such as the fir, while trees that are not so tall, are used by other birds. All are provided by the LORD to fit the use He purposed. The high hills, though they might pose a danger for man, or even for some animals, are a place of safety, a refuge, for the wild goats, as are the rocks for the conies or rabbits. The LORD has appointed all things for their proper use.

(Verses 19 through 23) He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening.

This surely needs little, if any, explanation, but one can hardly escape being awed by the exactness of God’s appointments. He has ordained that the moon be for indicating the seasons. And, although it passes through four different phases, they are so exactly established that even man, as foolish as he is, has, by the LORD been taught the timing of their occurrence so that he can predict exactly when the next one will occur. “The sun knoweth his going down.” With all the countless times the sun has arisen, and set, it has never missed its appointed place. The LORD has so ordered that when it does set, darkness creeps over the world, and predatory creatures, “the beasts of the forest,” come forth and seek their food from God. Indeed a few of them will come forth in the light of day, but most of them, at night. God is the One, Who provides their food, but they do not wait for Him to bring it to them. They go forth and look for it. When the sun comes up in the morning, they seek the privacy of their dens; and man comes forth to his work. Thus the confrontation between man and beast is reduced, as long as both follow the course God has ordained.

(Verses 24 through 29) O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom Thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

Both the earth and the sea are filled with the great and wonderful works of God. The sea is so filled with all creatures small and great, from plankton to whales, that it makes a wonderful textbook from which to study the works of God. Man sends forth his ships upon the sea, while in its waters are all these innumerable creatures, all of which must depend upon the LORD, not only for their food, which He supplies, but even for breath, and life itself.

(Verses 30 through 32) Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the LORD shall endure forever: the LORD shall rejoice in His works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: He toucheth the hills, and they smoke.

Just as when the LORD takes away the breath of all creatures they die, so when He sends forth His Spirit new ones are brought forth, and the face of the earth is renewed. Although these things are temporary, His glory is eternal, and the LORD shall rejoice in His works. He can, by looking at the earth, cause it to tremble, and by touching the hills cause them to smoke.

(Verses 33 through 35) I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

This is the determination that behooves all of us: to sing His praise as long as we live, and meditate sweetly on Him and His wonderful works, and be glad in Him. This should occupy all our time and energy. The psalmist prays that the wicked be consumed out of the earth, and be no more: and this too shall be done at God’s appointed time. Therefore we ought to praise the LORD.

(Verses 1 through 6) O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy name: let the hearts of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and His strength: seek His face evermore. Remember His marvelous works that He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth; O ye seed of Abraham His servant, ye children of Jacob His chosen.

We have to go down to verse 6 to identify those to whom this psalm is addressed. There we find them to be the “seed of Abraham,” and the “children of Jacob;” both of which are the same persons: and in the light of what the Apostle Paul has told us in the Roman Epistle, we can say that it embraces all who are of the same faith as Abraham, whether fleshly descendants of him or not. The instruction of these verses is that we give thanks to the LORD, make known His deeds among the people, sing praise unto Him, and talk of all His wondrous works. We are to glory in His holy name, seek the LORD, and rejoice in Him, while also remembering the wonders and marvelous works He has done, as well as the judgments He has spoken. Thus our time will be taken up with things that are beneficial to ourselves and those around us, while at the same time it will be the most pleasant occupation we can have.

(Verses 7 through 12) He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered His covenant forever, the word which He has commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan , the lot of your inheritance: when they were but few in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

He Whom we have been instructed to seek, and to praise, is the LORD our God, Whose judgments are in all the earth, and Who made a covenant with Abraham and Isaac, and has confirmed it by a law to Jacob. This covenant is made to last forever; and by it the land of Canaan was given to Abraham and his seed in perpetuity. This covenant was made when they were only a few men in number, not even a nation, but were wandering from place to place, and from one kingdom to another. Yet it is so confirmed that it can not be broken.

(Verses 13 through 19) When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, He reproved kings for their sakes; saying, Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm. Moreover He called for a famine upon the land: He brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in irons: until the time that His word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

The psalmist here gives what may be called a thumbnail sketch of the history of Israel from the calling of Abraham to Joseph’s being sold into Egypt , declaring it all to be the work of the LORD. Verses 18 and 19 show very clearly that even unpleasant things are sometimes brought upon the servants of God, not for their faults, but to bring about some purpose of the LORD. Thus it was with Joseph. “Until the time His word came; the word of the LORD tried him.”

(Verses 20 through 22) The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: to bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

This is given in much more detail in Genesis 41:1-44. Joseph was in prison, but Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt , sent and set him free. Then, because of the wisdom God had given Joseph, Pharaoh made Him the highest official in Egypt except himself. All others had to bow before him.

(Verses 23 through 27) Israel also came into Egypt ; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham . And He increased His people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal subtilly with His servants. He sent Moses His servant; and Aaron whom He had chosen. They shewed His signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham .

This is a very quick and abbreviated look at the time of Israel ’s four hundred year sojourn in Egypt . This is also given in much more detail in Genesis 47:1 through Exodus 7:13. After all that Joseph had done for Pharaoh and the Egyptian people, after his death there arose other rulers, who did not know him and his works. They made slaves of the Israelites, and very badly oppressed them until God sent Moses and Aaron to set His people free. They showed wonderful miracles of God before Pharaoh and the people to make them let Israel go.

(Verses 28 through 36) He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against His word. He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. Their land brought frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. He smote their vines also and their fig trees, and brake the trees of their coasts. He spake, and the locusts came, and the caterpillars, and that without number, and did eat up all the herbs of the land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. He smote also all the firstborn of their land, the chief of all their strength.

In verse 28, when he says, “and they rebelled not against His word, apparently the reference is to Moses and Aaron, whom God sent to work His wonders among the Egyptians. All other references of “they,” “them,” and “their” are to the Egyptians, upon whom the LORD sent all these plagues. This is only a brief listing of these plagues. For more information see Exodus 5:1 through Exodus 13:22. A careful reading of that selection will give some idea of God’s protection over His people.

(Verses 37 through 42) He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. He spread a cloud for covering; and a fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and He brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.

The psalmist is only giving us a quick reminder of the wonders that God worked for Israel as He brought them out of Egypt , and led them through the wilderness. See the books of Exodus and Numbers for greater detail. As we see from the present text, He did this, not for the sake of those He led, but because “He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.” So it is also with us. He delivers us, not for our sakes, but because of His holy covenant, and His holy Son Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Verses 43 through 45) And He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness: He gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labor of the people; that they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws. Praise the LORD.

Through and by all these wonderful works, the LORD did indeed bring Israel out of bondage, and establish them in the land of Canaan , “That they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws.” And the psalmist calls upon them to Praise the LORD. Surely, if He has brought us forth from death in sin to life in Christ the Son of God, we too ought to praise Him.

Chapter 106

(Verses 1 through 3) Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can shew forth all His praise? Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.

This psalm is a song of praise to the LORD. The first thing it contains is a commandment for us to praise Him. We are to do this because He is good, His mercy endures forever, and none can declare all His mighty works or show forth all His praise. Such a task is beyond human ability to accomplish. Then the psalmist declares that they who keep the judgment of God, and do righteousness at all times are blessed characters.

(Verses 4 and 5) Remember me, O LORD, with the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people: O visit me with Thy salvation; that I may see the good of Thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation, that I may glory with Thine inheritance.

Now the psalmist sets forth a prayer. He makes two requests: that the LORD remember him with the favor He bears to His people; and that He visit him with His salvation. The result of this would be: “That I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation, that I may glory with Thine inheritance.” Moses says, (Deuteronomy 32:9) “For the LORD’S portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.” So the psalmist’s desire is that he may be made to rejoice with Jacob (or Israel ). For this to take place, Israel must also be made to rejoice. Otherwise he could not rejoice with Israel .

(Verses 6 through 8) We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fathers understood not the wonders in Egypt ; they remembered not the multitude of Thy mercies; but provoked Him at the sea, even the Red Sea . Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power known.

Notice the difference between what the psalmist says in verse 6 and what our Lord said to the scribes and Pharisees, (Matthew 23:29-33) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” The psalmist has here confessed that, although it was our fathers who sinned in the wilderness, we also have sinned with them, because, as the writer of the Hebrew Epistle says, we were “in the loins of our fathers” when they committed the sin. Therefore we also are guilty. This is a doctrine. which was commonly accepted among the Jews; and it is also sanctioned by the word of God, inasmuch as it declares us to be sinners by nature, by reason of our descent from Adam. Yet those hypocrites our Lord addressed claimed they would not have been partakers with their fathers in the blood of the prophets, if they had been there, in spite of the fact that they were there, in the loins of their fathers, and were just as guilty as they. Had they confessed their sins, it would have indicated their repentance. John tells us, (I John 1:7) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” A confessed sin is a forgiven sin. The psalmist is confessing his part in the sins of the fathers, which shows that the LORD has given him repentance. Our fathers neither understood the wonders of God, nor remembered His mercies; but provoked Him at the Red Sea . We, as their children, are guilty with them, and must have God’s forgiveness, or perish. In spite of their sins, He saved them “for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known.”

(Verses 9 through 12) He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up: so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. And He saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Then believed they His words; they sang His praise.

The fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of Exodus will give the details of this wonderful work. Finally, after the LORD delivered them through the Red Sea , they believed His word and His power, and sang the great song of deliverance. But, Oh how short their memory, and ours!

(Verses 13 through 15) They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.

How sad it is that, after God has done something for us that is beyond our wildest imagination, we, because of the weakness of the flesh, forget that work! That is exactly what Israel did. So in all these centuries people have not changed. We still act in the same manner. They still lusted after things of the flesh; and God even gave them exactly what they asked for. Nevertheless, because of their lusts and their sins, He brought destruction upon many of them.

(Verses 16 through 18) They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

The incident mentioned here is the uprising of the rebels under Dathan and Abiram, when they purposed to take for themselves the leadership of Israel , which God had placed upon Moses and Aaron. A review of Numbers 16 will be beneficial at this point.

(Verses 19 through 22) They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped their molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. They forgot God their Savior, Which had done great things in Egypt ; wondrous works in the land of Ham , and terrible things by the Red Sea .

This is, of course, a reference to the golden calf they had Aaron make for them, while Moses was on Mt, Sinai with the LORD, to receive the law for Israel . They, thinking Moses had been gone too long, became fearful that he would not return to them. So they had Aaron make the molten calf, and declare it their god.

(Verses 23 through 27) Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He should destroy them. Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not His word: they murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore He lifted up His hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness; to overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.

The making of the golden calf, their worshipping it, God’s threat to completely destroy them, and Moses’ intercession for them, are all fully documented in Exodus 32. In this instance, Moses is a special type of our Lord Christ Jesus, as He makes intercession for us. He it is, Who stands in the breach for us, and turns away the wrath of God. Otherwise, we must long ago have been destroyed.

(Verses 28 through 31) They joined themselves unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.

The Baal-peor incident is recorded in detail in Numbers 25. The first two verses of that chapter tell what were the sins of Israel in the matter, and it takes the remaining fifteen verses to give the results of their action. This is only one of the many instances of Israel ’s turning aside from God. As a lesson, it ought to teach us that even if God does forgive our sins, there may still be consequences to pay for disobedience.

(Verses 32 and 33) They angered Him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with His lips.

This is the incident that cost Moses entrance into the Promised Land. He was permitted to view it from the top of Mt Pisgah, and God buried him in a valley in the land of Moab : but he was not permitted to enter Canaan .

(Verses 34 through 39) They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: but were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of  Canaan : and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a-whoring with their own inventions.

Human nature never learns. We would like to say that we would not follow the pattern of the Israelites. We want to think that we are better than they: but the facts will not support such a claim. After God had done so many wonderful works for them, had chastised them for disobedience, forgave their iniquities, delivered them from the Egyptian bondage, and led them all the way to the land of Canaan, “the land that flows with milk and honey,” as He had promised, they still turned aside, and followed idols to their own sorrow. We, just as they, have that same weakness of the flesh.

(Verses 40 through 46) Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against His people, insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance, and He gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did He deliver them; but they provoked Him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry: and He remembered for them His covenant, and repented according to the multitude of His mercies. He made them also to be pitied by all those that carried them captives.

This is the history of Israel . Many times have they been turned over to their enemies as chastisement for their disobedience to the LORD. When they cried to Him, He heard them, and delivered them. Then, for a time, they would walk in His ways: but, alas, they soon would turn aside again, and bring on another round of chastisement. It would be difficult to count up all these cycles that have occurred in their history. At present, they are in the low side of the longest one they have ever had. However, the LORD has not suffered, nor will He suffer, them to be utterly destroyed: He has promised to restore the kingdom to Israel at His set time.

(Verses 47 and 48) Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

This is a most fitting prayer for Israel today. God has promised to answer it. “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then shall I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 37:24-28.) This promise He will keep.

(Verses 1 through 3) O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of their enemy: and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

The LORD is always good, and His mercy endures forever. This all can witness, who have experienced His love and care. Because of this we all ought to give thanks to Him. The psalmist then calls upon the redeemed of the LORD to give this testimony. All whom He has redeemed ought to render this praise. Nevertheless the redemption mentioned here is a special redemption; not the redemption of our souls from sin by the sacrifice of our Lord on Calvary , but the bringing these back from the captivity of the enemy in all the “lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. “This without controversy looks forward to the re-gathering of Israel from the Diaspora. This is being done, even today, but it is not finished. When it is finished, they will thank the LORD for His goodness, and for His mercy, which endures forever.

(Verses 4 Through 7) They wandered in the wilderness  in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation

Some will, no doubt, say that this is a description of Israel , as they wandered for forty years in the wilderness, while others will make other applications of it. But it appears to very adequately describe the wanderings of the Jews since the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A. D. In all their wanderings, they have been persecuted in nation after nation, finding “no city to dwell in.” But God has promised to bring them back to Jerusalem , “a city of habitation.” And bring them He will, whether we believe it or not. The psalmist speaks prophetically of it as already done, because the LORD has given His word, and it cannot fail.

(Verses 8 and 9) Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

It appears that the psalmist was up against the same thing that we face today: men are too busy praising the works of man, to have any time for praising the LORD. So he laments, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” But among men few have time for this. All are too busy trying to gain more of the things of this world, and forgetting that, “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

(Verses 10 through 12) Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help.

This identifies those whom, in verse 9, he calls “the longing soul,” and the “hungry soul.” Notice the description he gives of them, as well as the reason he gives for their being in such a condition. They seem to be hopelessly entangled because of their own sin: but no situation is hopeless to those who are brought to repentance, as he shows in the next verse.

(Verses 13 and 14) Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands asunder.

No matter how dark and hopeless a situation may seem, even if one seems to be in the very shadow of death and bound with unbreakable chains, it is still not beyond the reach and power of the LORD. Those who cry to Him in their trouble will find their longing soul satisfied, and their hungry soul filled with good. He will also deliver them out of their distresses, out of the darkness of the shadow of death, and will break their bands asunder. 

(Verses 15 and 16) Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron asunder.

The only difference between this text and verses 8 and 9 is that, instead of speaking of how the LORD has satisfied the longing soul, and filled the hungry soul, he tells us that the LORD has set the prisoners free. He has broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron that held them in prison.

(Verses 17 and 18) Fools because of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; they draw near unto the gates of death.

“Fools,” in this text, probably does not have the same connotation as it does in some of David’s references. He has said, “The fool saith in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Here, however, in the light of verses 19 and 20, it seems only to mean those of little understanding. And because of their lack of understanding, they are disobedient, and bring trouble upon themselves. When this occurs, they are brought down in such sorrow that they don’t even want to eat; and they feel that they are almost ready to die. “They draw near unto the gates of death.”

(Verses 19 and 20) Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saveth them out of all their distresses. He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

So even when they are, by their own iniquities, brought down so that they feel they are about to be destroyed, He is still merciful to them. He sends His word, and saves them from their distresses, and delivers them out of all their troubles. In this, we too can find comfort; for we also are often in trouble by reason of our lack of understanding.

(Verses 21 and 22) Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.

Again the psalmist voices his lament that men do not praise the LORD as they ought. He instructs us how to worship Him. “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.” In the law provision was made for “Thank offerings.” They were sacrifices brought to the altar, and offered in thanksgiving to God. Since Jesus has fulfilled the law of sacrifices and burnt offerings, as ordered by the law, we are now to offer to Him continual praise and thanksgiving. The writer of the Hebrew Epistle says, in Hebrews 13:15-16, “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” So our sacrifices of thanksgiving are that we continually praise and thank Him; and help those who are in need. This is what the writer means by, “to do good and communicate.” And this we are to do with rejoicing.

(Verses 23 through 27) They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.

This hardly needs any explanation. He starts out by saying that, those who go down to the sea in ships “see the works of the LORD and His wonders in the deep.” Then he describes the experience of a sailor in a terrible storm at sea. Those who have been in such storms, even in the great ships of today, know something of this experience; but even they can only imagine what it must have been in the day of this writing, with the small ships of the times. One must also remember that they had no early warning systems to help them avoid the storms, as we do now. When the sailor comes to his wit’s end, there is nothing left to do but call upon the LORD, for no man can help him.

(Verses 28 through 30) Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Whether or not we have ever been in a storm at sea, we have experiences in life that seemed just as threatening. When we were brought to realize that nothing we could do, would make any difference in the situation, we could only call upon the LORD, and He calmed our storm. There may have been a single incident, or it may have been a series of them, such that, before we recovered from one, the next one struck us. When they come thus, it is like the waves of the sea: but God is still able to calm our storm, and deliver us. Then will our experience be like that of the sailors, who have weathered the storm, and are now faced by a calm sea. “Then are they glad because they (the waves) be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.”

(Verses 31 through 35) Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth the wilderness into standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

Again the Psalmist wishes that men would praise the LORD for His goodness and His wonderful works for men. They ought to exalt Him, both among the common people, and among the rulers, or elders. He is so great that He can change the whole face of nature, by turning the springs of water into dry ground, and making rivers into desert, or, by reversing the process, He can turn the desert into a swamp, or the dry ground to springs of water. And He can, and will, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants, turn a fruitful land into a barren place. Why would anyone not want to praise such a great and wonderful God?

(Verses 36 through 38) And there He maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; and sow fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Not only does the LORD turn the desert into a place of standing water, and the dry land into water springs, but He takes a starving people, and makes a place for them to dwell in this refreshed land. There He causes them to prepare a place for habitation, and sow fields and plant vineyards, which He blesses to bring forth abundantly. He blesses them, and all they own. This picture is being fulfilled today in Israel .

(Verses 39 through 41) Again they are minished and brought low, through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. Yet setteth He the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.

Verse 39 seems to be, not so much a sequel to verses 36 through 38, as a conclusion to the whole matter from verse 17 on. When he says, “Again,” it seems that his meaning is that he will repeat very briefly what he has already said. People are brought down through oppression, affliction, and sorrow; and even princes, or rulers, are not exempt from such. God is able to make even them wander in the desert, where there is no road, and contempt is heaped upon them. At the same time, He sets the poor, the one who is under oppression and affliction, “on high from affliction.” He is delivered from that: and though his friends may have been few, as they usually are for the poor, “He maketh him families like a flock.” Thus he will have many friends.

(Verses 42 and 43) The righteous shall see it and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the LORD.

God’s power in bringing down the proud, (“the princes”) and raising up the poor, shall be seen by the righteous, and will be a cause of rejoicing to them. All who are wise, and shall observe what is here set forth, shall understand the loving kindness of the LORD. What a gracious promise!

Chapter 108

(Verses 1 through 4) O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise Thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations. For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

David declares that his heart is fixed, that is, he has an unmovable determination to sing and give praise to God. So he calls for both psaltery and harp to accompany him, as he sings. This is not just something he will do when he has time, as we so often do. Instead, he will awake early in order to get started with it. Not only will he praise the LORD “among  the people,” the people of Israel , but even among the nations, or the heathen. This is called for by reason of the fact that the mercy of God is so great that it reaches even to the clouds and to the heavens.

(Verses 5 and 6) Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and Thy glory above all the earth; that Thy beloved may be delivered: save with Thy right hand, and answer me.

He declares that God is to be exalted, or praised, even to the heavens, and His glory above all the earth. He then prays that God will save with His right hand, and answer his prayers; that the LORD’S beloved may be delivered. Certainly, in this reference, the “LORD’S beloved” are His people. Some might consider this as a reference to the Christ; but if it is, it is a very short one, and totally isolated. So it seems better to consider it as His people.

(Verses 7 through 9) God hath spoken in His holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth . Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the strength of Mine head; Judah is My lawgiver; Moab is My washpot: over Edom will I cast out My shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.

This text, together with the remainder of this psalm, is almost identical with verses 6 through 13 of Psalm 60. God has spoken, and the message He gives is that all these places here mentioned belong to Him, and He will divide and measure them as He sees fit. Although the land of Moab is a large place in the eyes of men, to God it is no more than a wash pot. Another large place is Edom ; but when set before God, it is so small that, should He shake the sand out of His shoe, the fall out would cover the entire area. Philistia, from time to time, gave Israel much trouble, but He declares that He will triumph over it. Judah is His lawgiver, not that Moses was of the tribe of Judah , for he was of Levi; but David was the king God chose for Israel , and of his lineage, according to the flesh, came our Lord the Christ.

(Verses 10 and 11) Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom ? Wilt not Thou, O God, Who hast cast us off? And wilt not Thou. O God, go forth with our hosts.

David knows that the LORD has “cast off” Israel temporarily: but he also knows that it is because of their iniquities. So he prays that the same great God, Who has cast them off, will go forth with their army, and lead them against the strong city, and against Edom . He knows that only thus can they overcome their enemies.

(Verses 12 and 13) Give us help from troubles: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.

He prays for help from God because he knows that the help of man is worthless. Only through God can we overcome our enemies: for the LORD will destroy them.

Chapter 109

(Verses 1 and 2) Hold not Thy peace, O God of my praise; for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

While this Psalm may be a description of some experiences and desires of David himself, much of it seems to be prophetic of the sufferings of the Christ, as He endured the mock trials before the chief priests, and Pilate, and Herod. It also gives His sentence against the evil ones engaged in bringing about His crucifixion. We must remember that, although all things were done exactly according to the purpose of God, that in no wise reduced the responsibility of those wicked ones who did that evil deed. In this text, He prays that God the Father will not hold His peace, as wicked and false witnesses speak against Him with their lying tongues.

(Verses 3 through 5) They compassed Me about also with words of hatred, and fought against Me without a cause. For My love they are My adversaries: but I give Myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love.

This very closely describes the situation as it is recorded in the gospel records, The entire ministry of Jesus was spent in teaching the truth, and working miracles for the benefit of the people. He showed His love for them in everything He did. He did indeed give Himself to prayer. Even as He was being put on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” Yet for that love they returned hatred and lying accusations.