_The Prophet exhorteth to praise God for his care of the church, his
power, and his mercy:—to praise him for his providence:—to praise him
for his blessings upon the kingdom, for his power over the meteors,
and for his ordinances in the church._
Praise ye the LORD: for _it is_ good to sing praises unto our God; for
_it is_ pleasant, _and_ praise is comely.
The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts
of Israel.
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by _their_
names.
Great _is_ our LORD, and of great power: his understanding _is_
infinite.
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the
ground.
Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving: sing praise upon the harp unto
our God:
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth,
who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
He giveth to the beast his food, _and_ to the young ravens which cry.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure
in the legs of a man.
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in
his mercy.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy
children within thee.
He maketh peace _in_ thy borders, _and_ filleth thee with the finest
of the wheat.
He sendeth forth his commandment _upon_ earth: his word runneth very
swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to
blow, _and_ the waters flow.
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto
Israel.
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and _as for his_ judgments, they
have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
This is a very blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for the various
unequalled and infinite mercies and gifts of God.
In the first place, it thanks him for that especial mercy—his
regarding in, and miraculously delivering out of, afflictions, the
nations of Israel, his peculiar people, and the city of Jerusalem,
though placed in the midst of Gentile enemies.
In the next place, it blesses God for that great and unspeakable
mercy, his giving throughout all the earth, to the godly and to the
ungodly, to the grateful and to the ungrateful, all necessary food and
gladness of heart, as Paul saith, Acts xiv. 17. “Filling the hearts of
men with food and gladness.”
And more especially the Psalmist renders thanks unto God for his
refreshing, reviving, and comforting with his consolations, the hearts
of the godly when distressed and weakened by the devil, and burnt up,
as it were, by the greatness of the temptations; and for helping them
in all times of their temptation, affliction, and labour.
Again, it thanks him for giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons,
both unto the evil and unto the good; and for giving food unto men and
unto all the beasts of the earth; even so, that he suffereth not even
the ravens to hunger.
And above all, the Psalmist gives thanks unto God, because he hears
and regards the godly, who call upon him; and that, especially in
Jerusalem; which is the place of his name and of his word; and because
he giveth Jerusalem, his city, civil peace, and a happy state of
government.
Further, the Psalmist praises God for health of body and his blessing
therein, and for the good bringing up of children, and domestic order
and prosperity. And also for defence against all outward enemies, and
for the preservation of the boundaries of their land, and for national
peace and happiness. And, finally, he blesses God for the richness and
fertility of the land of Judah, and for the abundance of its fruits.
The chosen people of God, and the elect places of his Zion have the
privilege, above all other nations, of being blessed with the word and
the worship of God. Wherefore they, above all others, show forth the
works of God and his wonders among the people. And all the creatures
of God, and his daily wonders, and blessings of rain, snow, dew,
frost, &c. are more clearly known where his word and worship are, than
among idolatrous nations, who have neither the prophets, nor the
Spirit, nor the word, nor see his works, though they daily enjoy his
creatures and all his heavenly gifts and mercies; on all which
abundant gifts and mercies they feed like swine; for as they are
ignorant of the word, they are altogether ignorant of God.