Psalms 146

Psalms 146:1

The Supremacy of the LORD

In the previous verses, four situations have made it clear that the LORD delivers from distress when His people cry out to Him. We have also seen these situations in Israel’s history, with the ultimate result of arriving at their desired haven, which is the promised land in the realm of peace.

In the section that now follows, the situation of God’s people is not viewed from the perspective of those who are in distress, but from the perspective of Him Who has everything in His hand and controls everything (Matthew 28:18; Deuteronomy 32:39). He is not only the Savior, He is also the exalted, almighty God. He is mighty in redemption, whereby He is also mighty in bringing destruction upon the enemies of His people who seek to keep them in bondage. To deliver His people from the power of Egypt, He changed rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into thirsty land (Psalms 107:33; Exodus 14:21; cf. Isaiah 50:3).

Once the people were in the land, He did the opposite: He changed “fruitful land into a salt waste because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it” (Psalms 107:34). What He did to Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of this. It was a prosperous land (Genesis 13:10), but the “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13). Therefore, God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole plain and made it a salt plain, making that area completely barren (Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13; 24-25).

Because of the people’s unfaithfulness – they violated the covenant and disobeyed the LORD – the fate of Sodom also became their fate. They have come into exile. That fate comes upon them as a result of the curse of the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:22-28).

For the faithful, He does the opposite (Psalms 107:35). For them “He changes a wilderness into a pool of water” and “a dry land into springs of water”. This will be seen in the realm of peace (Isaiah 35:6-7). Then there will not only be the fruitful rain from heaven, but fountains will spring up from the ground from which fresh water flows constantly.

The realm of peace is in every sense a time of refreshment (Acts 3:19). “The hungry” no longer wander hungrily and thirstily through a wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), but “dwell” in the land of refreshment (Psalms 107:36). In a spiritual sense, “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” are satisfied here (Matthew 5:6).

They also “establish an inhabited city” (cf. Psalms 107:7). They “establish” that city, that is, they made it habitable (cf. Isaiah 54:3). The cities were depopulated and turned into ruins by the unfaithfulness of God’s people. Now that the people are back with God, they can rebuild the cities and live there. To dwell means to enjoy the rest that has come after all the wanderings and hardships (cf. Isaiah 65:21-22).

Entering the realm of peace does not mean that there is no longer any need to work. It is a restoration of the situation in paradise, where there was also work. Work is a blessing. The curse has been removed from creation. Now the land can begin to give its full yield. To this end, they “sow fields and plant vineyards” (Psalms 107:37). Their work will be blessed, they will “gather a fruitful harvest”.

It is all due to the blessing of God. “He blesses them” (Psalms 107:38). Only because of this “they multiply greatly”. This is the blessing He has promised (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 32:12) and then gives. He also “does not let their cattle decrease”. Previously He had to do so because of their unfaithfulness, but now they are faithful to Him. This is because He has given them a new heart and written in it His law. As a result, they keep His commandments and He blesses them (Deuteronomy 28:1-12).

However, the time of the realm of peace has not yet arrived. There are periods when God blesses His people. This is the case when there is a faithful judge or a faithful king who governs God’s people according to His law. But then the people deviate again. Then “they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow” (Psalms 107:39). Then God must send enemies to afflict them, or crop failures, so that they will cry out to Him again in their distress.

Especially “the princes” will He make feel how much they have deviated (Psalms 107:40). “He pours contempt” upon them (cf. Job 12:21a). They have been especially privileged by Him in position and wealth, in order to do good to others with it. But they have used those privileges only for themselves. We see this in the future in the false shepherds and especially the false chief shepherd, the antichrist (Ezekiel 34:1-6; Zechariah 11:15-17).

Therefore, “He makes them wander in a pathless waste”. They return to a state of emptiness, displacement and hopelessness. It seems to refer to the world beyond the grave, the land of eternal darkness. There is no path for them. This is the horror of hell and the fate of all who have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Way to God. Those who do not have Him have no way, not now and not ever. This is what awaits the antichrist and with him the apostate masses of Israel.

Opposite the noble is “the needy” (Psalms 107:41). He has nothing on which to boast. He is dependent on grace. That grace God gives him. He delivers him “from affliction” because he has cried out to Him and sets him “securely on high [literally: in an inaccessibly high place]”. The poor, needy remnant He will deliver from their misery and set in a safe fortress. The final and complete fulfillment of this will be enjoyed by the remnant in the realm of peace.

And He does not stop there, for He “makes [his] families like a flock”. Within that secure, inaccessibly high place, God provides a numerous offspring. A large family is a special blessing from God to which great pleasure is attached.

“The upright see” the blessing with which the LORD showered them “and are glad” (Psalms 107:42a). In them, as in “the needy” of the previous verse, we recognize the faithful remnant who will be blessed after the great tribulation. They owe all their blessings to the favor of God.

The blessing that God gives to His people silences the wicked (Psalms 107:42b). Iniquity has long held sway and sought to silence God by oppressing and killing His own. The perpetrators of iniquity have arrogated to themselves the rights of God and have thought they can take possession of God’s kingdom. The time will come when God confronts them with the truth. Then they will have no defense and will be silent (Matthew 22:11-14).

Psalms 146:2

The Supremacy of the LORD

In the previous verses, four situations have made it clear that the LORD delivers from distress when His people cry out to Him. We have also seen these situations in Israel’s history, with the ultimate result of arriving at their desired haven, which is the promised land in the realm of peace.

In the section that now follows, the situation of God’s people is not viewed from the perspective of those who are in distress, but from the perspective of Him Who has everything in His hand and controls everything (Matthew 28:18; Deuteronomy 32:39). He is not only the Savior, He is also the exalted, almighty God. He is mighty in redemption, whereby He is also mighty in bringing destruction upon the enemies of His people who seek to keep them in bondage. To deliver His people from the power of Egypt, He changed rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into thirsty land (Psalms 107:33; Exodus 14:21; cf. Isaiah 50:3).

Once the people were in the land, He did the opposite: He changed “fruitful land into a salt waste because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it” (Psalms 107:34). What He did to Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of this. It was a prosperous land (Genesis 13:10), but the “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13). Therefore, God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole plain and made it a salt plain, making that area completely barren (Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13; 24-25).

Because of the people’s unfaithfulness – they violated the covenant and disobeyed the LORD – the fate of Sodom also became their fate. They have come into exile. That fate comes upon them as a result of the curse of the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:22-28).

For the faithful, He does the opposite (Psalms 107:35). For them “He changes a wilderness into a pool of water” and “a dry land into springs of water”. This will be seen in the realm of peace (Isaiah 35:6-7). Then there will not only be the fruitful rain from heaven, but fountains will spring up from the ground from which fresh water flows constantly.

The realm of peace is in every sense a time of refreshment (Acts 3:19). “The hungry” no longer wander hungrily and thirstily through a wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), but “dwell” in the land of refreshment (Psalms 107:36). In a spiritual sense, “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” are satisfied here (Matthew 5:6).

They also “establish an inhabited city” (cf. Psalms 107:7). They “establish” that city, that is, they made it habitable (cf. Isaiah 54:3). The cities were depopulated and turned into ruins by the unfaithfulness of God’s people. Now that the people are back with God, they can rebuild the cities and live there. To dwell means to enjoy the rest that has come after all the wanderings and hardships (cf. Isaiah 65:21-22).

Entering the realm of peace does not mean that there is no longer any need to work. It is a restoration of the situation in paradise, where there was also work. Work is a blessing. The curse has been removed from creation. Now the land can begin to give its full yield. To this end, they “sow fields and plant vineyards” (Psalms 107:37). Their work will be blessed, they will “gather a fruitful harvest”.

It is all due to the blessing of God. “He blesses them” (Psalms 107:38). Only because of this “they multiply greatly”. This is the blessing He has promised (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 32:12) and then gives. He also “does not let their cattle decrease”. Previously He had to do so because of their unfaithfulness, but now they are faithful to Him. This is because He has given them a new heart and written in it His law. As a result, they keep His commandments and He blesses them (Deuteronomy 28:1-12).

However, the time of the realm of peace has not yet arrived. There are periods when God blesses His people. This is the case when there is a faithful judge or a faithful king who governs God’s people according to His law. But then the people deviate again. Then “they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow” (Psalms 107:39). Then God must send enemies to afflict them, or crop failures, so that they will cry out to Him again in their distress.

Especially “the princes” will He make feel how much they have deviated (Psalms 107:40). “He pours contempt” upon them (cf. Job 12:21a). They have been especially privileged by Him in position and wealth, in order to do good to others with it. But they have used those privileges only for themselves. We see this in the future in the false shepherds and especially the false chief shepherd, the antichrist (Ezekiel 34:1-6; Zechariah 11:15-17).

Therefore, “He makes them wander in a pathless waste”. They return to a state of emptiness, displacement and hopelessness. It seems to refer to the world beyond the grave, the land of eternal darkness. There is no path for them. This is the horror of hell and the fate of all who have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Way to God. Those who do not have Him have no way, not now and not ever. This is what awaits the antichrist and with him the apostate masses of Israel.

Opposite the noble is “the needy” (Psalms 107:41). He has nothing on which to boast. He is dependent on grace. That grace God gives him. He delivers him “from affliction” because he has cried out to Him and sets him “securely on high [literally: in an inaccessibly high place]”. The poor, needy remnant He will deliver from their misery and set in a safe fortress. The final and complete fulfillment of this will be enjoyed by the remnant in the realm of peace.

And He does not stop there, for He “makes [his] families like a flock”. Within that secure, inaccessibly high place, God provides a numerous offspring. A large family is a special blessing from God to which great pleasure is attached.

“The upright see” the blessing with which the LORD showered them “and are glad” (Psalms 107:42a). In them, as in “the needy” of the previous verse, we recognize the faithful remnant who will be blessed after the great tribulation. They owe all their blessings to the favor of God.

The blessing that God gives to His people silences the wicked (Psalms 107:42b). Iniquity has long held sway and sought to silence God by oppressing and killing His own. The perpetrators of iniquity have arrogated to themselves the rights of God and have thought they can take possession of God’s kingdom. The time will come when God confronts them with the truth. Then they will have no defense and will be silent (Matthew 22:11-14).

Psalms 146:3

The Supremacy of the LORD

In the previous verses, four situations have made it clear that the LORD delivers from distress when His people cry out to Him. We have also seen these situations in Israel’s history, with the ultimate result of arriving at their desired haven, which is the promised land in the realm of peace.

In the section that now follows, the situation of God’s people is not viewed from the perspective of those who are in distress, but from the perspective of Him Who has everything in His hand and controls everything (Matthew 28:18; Deuteronomy 32:39). He is not only the Savior, He is also the exalted, almighty God. He is mighty in redemption, whereby He is also mighty in bringing destruction upon the enemies of His people who seek to keep them in bondage. To deliver His people from the power of Egypt, He changed rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into thirsty land (Psalms 107:33; Exodus 14:21; cf. Isaiah 50:3).

Once the people were in the land, He did the opposite: He changed “fruitful land into a salt waste because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it” (Psalms 107:34). What He did to Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of this. It was a prosperous land (Genesis 13:10), but the “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13). Therefore, God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole plain and made it a salt plain, making that area completely barren (Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13; 24-25).

Because of the people’s unfaithfulness – they violated the covenant and disobeyed the LORD – the fate of Sodom also became their fate. They have come into exile. That fate comes upon them as a result of the curse of the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:22-28).

For the faithful, He does the opposite (Psalms 107:35). For them “He changes a wilderness into a pool of water” and “a dry land into springs of water”. This will be seen in the realm of peace (Isaiah 35:6-7). Then there will not only be the fruitful rain from heaven, but fountains will spring up from the ground from which fresh water flows constantly.

The realm of peace is in every sense a time of refreshment (Acts 3:19). “The hungry” no longer wander hungrily and thirstily through a wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), but “dwell” in the land of refreshment (Psalms 107:36). In a spiritual sense, “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” are satisfied here (Matthew 5:6).

They also “establish an inhabited city” (cf. Psalms 107:7). They “establish” that city, that is, they made it habitable (cf. Isaiah 54:3). The cities were depopulated and turned into ruins by the unfaithfulness of God’s people. Now that the people are back with God, they can rebuild the cities and live there. To dwell means to enjoy the rest that has come after all the wanderings and hardships (cf. Isaiah 65:21-22).

Entering the realm of peace does not mean that there is no longer any need to work. It is a restoration of the situation in paradise, where there was also work. Work is a blessing. The curse has been removed from creation. Now the land can begin to give its full yield. To this end, they “sow fields and plant vineyards” (Psalms 107:37). Their work will be blessed, they will “gather a fruitful harvest”.

It is all due to the blessing of God. “He blesses them” (Psalms 107:38). Only because of this “they multiply greatly”. This is the blessing He has promised (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 32:12) and then gives. He also “does not let their cattle decrease”. Previously He had to do so because of their unfaithfulness, but now they are faithful to Him. This is because He has given them a new heart and written in it His law. As a result, they keep His commandments and He blesses them (Deuteronomy 28:1-12).

However, the time of the realm of peace has not yet arrived. There are periods when God blesses His people. This is the case when there is a faithful judge or a faithful king who governs God’s people according to His law. But then the people deviate again. Then “they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow” (Psalms 107:39). Then God must send enemies to afflict them, or crop failures, so that they will cry out to Him again in their distress.

Especially “the princes” will He make feel how much they have deviated (Psalms 107:40). “He pours contempt” upon them (cf. Job 12:21a). They have been especially privileged by Him in position and wealth, in order to do good to others with it. But they have used those privileges only for themselves. We see this in the future in the false shepherds and especially the false chief shepherd, the antichrist (Ezekiel 34:1-6; Zechariah 11:15-17).

Therefore, “He makes them wander in a pathless waste”. They return to a state of emptiness, displacement and hopelessness. It seems to refer to the world beyond the grave, the land of eternal darkness. There is no path for them. This is the horror of hell and the fate of all who have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Way to God. Those who do not have Him have no way, not now and not ever. This is what awaits the antichrist and with him the apostate masses of Israel.

Opposite the noble is “the needy” (Psalms 107:41). He has nothing on which to boast. He is dependent on grace. That grace God gives him. He delivers him “from affliction” because he has cried out to Him and sets him “securely on high [literally: in an inaccessibly high place]”. The poor, needy remnant He will deliver from their misery and set in a safe fortress. The final and complete fulfillment of this will be enjoyed by the remnant in the realm of peace.

And He does not stop there, for He “makes [his] families like a flock”. Within that secure, inaccessibly high place, God provides a numerous offspring. A large family is a special blessing from God to which great pleasure is attached.

“The upright see” the blessing with which the LORD showered them “and are glad” (Psalms 107:42a). In them, as in “the needy” of the previous verse, we recognize the faithful remnant who will be blessed after the great tribulation. They owe all their blessings to the favor of God.

The blessing that God gives to His people silences the wicked (Psalms 107:42b). Iniquity has long held sway and sought to silence God by oppressing and killing His own. The perpetrators of iniquity have arrogated to themselves the rights of God and have thought they can take possession of God’s kingdom. The time will come when God confronts them with the truth. Then they will have no defense and will be silent (Matthew 22:11-14).

Psalms 146:4

The Supremacy of the LORD

In the previous verses, four situations have made it clear that the LORD delivers from distress when His people cry out to Him. We have also seen these situations in Israel’s history, with the ultimate result of arriving at their desired haven, which is the promised land in the realm of peace.

In the section that now follows, the situation of God’s people is not viewed from the perspective of those who are in distress, but from the perspective of Him Who has everything in His hand and controls everything (Matthew 28:18; Deuteronomy 32:39). He is not only the Savior, He is also the exalted, almighty God. He is mighty in redemption, whereby He is also mighty in bringing destruction upon the enemies of His people who seek to keep them in bondage. To deliver His people from the power of Egypt, He changed rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into thirsty land (Psalms 107:33; Exodus 14:21; cf. Isaiah 50:3).

Once the people were in the land, He did the opposite: He changed “fruitful land into a salt waste because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it” (Psalms 107:34). What He did to Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of this. It was a prosperous land (Genesis 13:10), but the “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13). Therefore, God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole plain and made it a salt plain, making that area completely barren (Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13; 24-25).

Because of the people’s unfaithfulness – they violated the covenant and disobeyed the LORD – the fate of Sodom also became their fate. They have come into exile. That fate comes upon them as a result of the curse of the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:22-28).

For the faithful, He does the opposite (Psalms 107:35). For them “He changes a wilderness into a pool of water” and “a dry land into springs of water”. This will be seen in the realm of peace (Isaiah 35:6-7). Then there will not only be the fruitful rain from heaven, but fountains will spring up from the ground from which fresh water flows constantly.

The realm of peace is in every sense a time of refreshment (Acts 3:19). “The hungry” no longer wander hungrily and thirstily through a wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), but “dwell” in the land of refreshment (Psalms 107:36). In a spiritual sense, “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” are satisfied here (Matthew 5:6).

They also “establish an inhabited city” (cf. Psalms 107:7). They “establish” that city, that is, they made it habitable (cf. Isaiah 54:3). The cities were depopulated and turned into ruins by the unfaithfulness of God’s people. Now that the people are back with God, they can rebuild the cities and live there. To dwell means to enjoy the rest that has come after all the wanderings and hardships (cf. Isaiah 65:21-22).

Entering the realm of peace does not mean that there is no longer any need to work. It is a restoration of the situation in paradise, where there was also work. Work is a blessing. The curse has been removed from creation. Now the land can begin to give its full yield. To this end, they “sow fields and plant vineyards” (Psalms 107:37). Their work will be blessed, they will “gather a fruitful harvest”.

It is all due to the blessing of God. “He blesses them” (Psalms 107:38). Only because of this “they multiply greatly”. This is the blessing He has promised (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 32:12) and then gives. He also “does not let their cattle decrease”. Previously He had to do so because of their unfaithfulness, but now they are faithful to Him. This is because He has given them a new heart and written in it His law. As a result, they keep His commandments and He blesses them (Deuteronomy 28:1-12).

However, the time of the realm of peace has not yet arrived. There are periods when God blesses His people. This is the case when there is a faithful judge or a faithful king who governs God’s people according to His law. But then the people deviate again. Then “they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow” (Psalms 107:39). Then God must send enemies to afflict them, or crop failures, so that they will cry out to Him again in their distress.

Especially “the princes” will He make feel how much they have deviated (Psalms 107:40). “He pours contempt” upon them (cf. Job 12:21a). They have been especially privileged by Him in position and wealth, in order to do good to others with it. But they have used those privileges only for themselves. We see this in the future in the false shepherds and especially the false chief shepherd, the antichrist (Ezekiel 34:1-6; Zechariah 11:15-17).

Therefore, “He makes them wander in a pathless waste”. They return to a state of emptiness, displacement and hopelessness. It seems to refer to the world beyond the grave, the land of eternal darkness. There is no path for them. This is the horror of hell and the fate of all who have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Way to God. Those who do not have Him have no way, not now and not ever. This is what awaits the antichrist and with him the apostate masses of Israel.

Opposite the noble is “the needy” (Psalms 107:41). He has nothing on which to boast. He is dependent on grace. That grace God gives him. He delivers him “from affliction” because he has cried out to Him and sets him “securely on high [literally: in an inaccessibly high place]”. The poor, needy remnant He will deliver from their misery and set in a safe fortress. The final and complete fulfillment of this will be enjoyed by the remnant in the realm of peace.

And He does not stop there, for He “makes [his] families like a flock”. Within that secure, inaccessibly high place, God provides a numerous offspring. A large family is a special blessing from God to which great pleasure is attached.

“The upright see” the blessing with which the LORD showered them “and are glad” (Psalms 107:42a). In them, as in “the needy” of the previous verse, we recognize the faithful remnant who will be blessed after the great tribulation. They owe all their blessings to the favor of God.

The blessing that God gives to His people silences the wicked (Psalms 107:42b). Iniquity has long held sway and sought to silence God by oppressing and killing His own. The perpetrators of iniquity have arrogated to themselves the rights of God and have thought they can take possession of God’s kingdom. The time will come when God confronts them with the truth. Then they will have no defense and will be silent (Matthew 22:11-14).

Psalms 146:5

The Supremacy of the LORD

In the previous verses, four situations have made it clear that the LORD delivers from distress when His people cry out to Him. We have also seen these situations in Israel’s history, with the ultimate result of arriving at their desired haven, which is the promised land in the realm of peace.

In the section that now follows, the situation of God’s people is not viewed from the perspective of those who are in distress, but from the perspective of Him Who has everything in His hand and controls everything (Matthew 28:18; Deuteronomy 32:39). He is not only the Savior, He is also the exalted, almighty God. He is mighty in redemption, whereby He is also mighty in bringing destruction upon the enemies of His people who seek to keep them in bondage. To deliver His people from the power of Egypt, He changed rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into thirsty land (Psalms 107:33; Exodus 14:21; cf. Isaiah 50:3).

Once the people were in the land, He did the opposite: He changed “fruitful land into a salt waste because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it” (Psalms 107:34). What He did to Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of this. It was a prosperous land (Genesis 13:10), but the “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13). Therefore, God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole plain and made it a salt plain, making that area completely barren (Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13; 24-25).

Because of the people’s unfaithfulness – they violated the covenant and disobeyed the LORD – the fate of Sodom also became their fate. They have come into exile. That fate comes upon them as a result of the curse of the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:22-28).

For the faithful, He does the opposite (Psalms 107:35). For them “He changes a wilderness into a pool of water” and “a dry land into springs of water”. This will be seen in the realm of peace (Isaiah 35:6-7). Then there will not only be the fruitful rain from heaven, but fountains will spring up from the ground from which fresh water flows constantly.

The realm of peace is in every sense a time of refreshment (Acts 3:19). “The hungry” no longer wander hungrily and thirstily through a wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), but “dwell” in the land of refreshment (Psalms 107:36). In a spiritual sense, “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” are satisfied here (Matthew 5:6).

They also “establish an inhabited city” (cf. Psalms 107:7). They “establish” that city, that is, they made it habitable (cf. Isaiah 54:3). The cities were depopulated and turned into ruins by the unfaithfulness of God’s people. Now that the people are back with God, they can rebuild the cities and live there. To dwell means to enjoy the rest that has come after all the wanderings and hardships (cf. Isaiah 65:21-22).

Entering the realm of peace does not mean that there is no longer any need to work. It is a restoration of the situation in paradise, where there was also work. Work is a blessing. The curse has been removed from creation. Now the land can begin to give its full yield. To this end, they “sow fields and plant vineyards” (Psalms 107:37). Their work will be blessed, they will “gather a fruitful harvest”.

It is all due to the blessing of God. “He blesses them” (Psalms 107:38). Only because of this “they multiply greatly”. This is the blessing He has promised (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 32:12) and then gives. He also “does not let their cattle decrease”. Previously He had to do so because of their unfaithfulness, but now they are faithful to Him. This is because He has given them a new heart and written in it His law. As a result, they keep His commandments and He blesses them (Deuteronomy 28:1-12).

However, the time of the realm of peace has not yet arrived. There are periods when God blesses His people. This is the case when there is a faithful judge or a faithful king who governs God’s people according to His law. But then the people deviate again. Then “they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow” (Psalms 107:39). Then God must send enemies to afflict them, or crop failures, so that they will cry out to Him again in their distress.

Especially “the princes” will He make feel how much they have deviated (Psalms 107:40). “He pours contempt” upon them (cf. Job 12:21a). They have been especially privileged by Him in position and wealth, in order to do good to others with it. But they have used those privileges only for themselves. We see this in the future in the false shepherds and especially the false chief shepherd, the antichrist (Ezekiel 34:1-6; Zechariah 11:15-17).

Therefore, “He makes them wander in a pathless waste”. They return to a state of emptiness, displacement and hopelessness. It seems to refer to the world beyond the grave, the land of eternal darkness. There is no path for them. This is the horror of hell and the fate of all who have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Way to God. Those who do not have Him have no way, not now and not ever. This is what awaits the antichrist and with him the apostate masses of Israel.

Opposite the noble is “the needy” (Psalms 107:41). He has nothing on which to boast. He is dependent on grace. That grace God gives him. He delivers him “from affliction” because he has cried out to Him and sets him “securely on high [literally: in an inaccessibly high place]”. The poor, needy remnant He will deliver from their misery and set in a safe fortress. The final and complete fulfillment of this will be enjoyed by the remnant in the realm of peace.

And He does not stop there, for He “makes [his] families like a flock”. Within that secure, inaccessibly high place, God provides a numerous offspring. A large family is a special blessing from God to which great pleasure is attached.

“The upright see” the blessing with which the LORD showered them “and are glad” (Psalms 107:42a). In them, as in “the needy” of the previous verse, we recognize the faithful remnant who will be blessed after the great tribulation. They owe all their blessings to the favor of God.

The blessing that God gives to His people silences the wicked (Psalms 107:42b). Iniquity has long held sway and sought to silence God by oppressing and killing His own. The perpetrators of iniquity have arrogated to themselves the rights of God and have thought they can take possession of God’s kingdom. The time will come when God confronts them with the truth. Then they will have no defense and will be silent (Matthew 22:11-14).

Psalms 146:6

The Supremacy of the LORD

In the previous verses, four situations have made it clear that the LORD delivers from distress when His people cry out to Him. We have also seen these situations in Israel’s history, with the ultimate result of arriving at their desired haven, which is the promised land in the realm of peace.

In the section that now follows, the situation of God’s people is not viewed from the perspective of those who are in distress, but from the perspective of Him Who has everything in His hand and controls everything (Matthew 28:18; Deuteronomy 32:39). He is not only the Savior, He is also the exalted, almighty God. He is mighty in redemption, whereby He is also mighty in bringing destruction upon the enemies of His people who seek to keep them in bondage. To deliver His people from the power of Egypt, He changed rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into thirsty land (Psalms 107:33; Exodus 14:21; cf. Isaiah 50:3).

Once the people were in the land, He did the opposite: He changed “fruitful land into a salt waste because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it” (Psalms 107:34). What He did to Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of this. It was a prosperous land (Genesis 13:10), but the “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13). Therefore, God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole plain and made it a salt plain, making that area completely barren (Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13; 24-25).

Because of the people’s unfaithfulness – they violated the covenant and disobeyed the LORD – the fate of Sodom also became their fate. They have come into exile. That fate comes upon them as a result of the curse of the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:22-28).

For the faithful, He does the opposite (Psalms 107:35). For them “He changes a wilderness into a pool of water” and “a dry land into springs of water”. This will be seen in the realm of peace (Isaiah 35:6-7). Then there will not only be the fruitful rain from heaven, but fountains will spring up from the ground from which fresh water flows constantly.

The realm of peace is in every sense a time of refreshment (Acts 3:19). “The hungry” no longer wander hungrily and thirstily through a wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), but “dwell” in the land of refreshment (Psalms 107:36). In a spiritual sense, “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” are satisfied here (Matthew 5:6).

They also “establish an inhabited city” (cf. Psalms 107:7). They “establish” that city, that is, they made it habitable (cf. Isaiah 54:3). The cities were depopulated and turned into ruins by the unfaithfulness of God’s people. Now that the people are back with God, they can rebuild the cities and live there. To dwell means to enjoy the rest that has come after all the wanderings and hardships (cf. Isaiah 65:21-22).

Entering the realm of peace does not mean that there is no longer any need to work. It is a restoration of the situation in paradise, where there was also work. Work is a blessing. The curse has been removed from creation. Now the land can begin to give its full yield. To this end, they “sow fields and plant vineyards” (Psalms 107:37). Their work will be blessed, they will “gather a fruitful harvest”.

It is all due to the blessing of God. “He blesses them” (Psalms 107:38). Only because of this “they multiply greatly”. This is the blessing He has promised (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 32:12) and then gives. He also “does not let their cattle decrease”. Previously He had to do so because of their unfaithfulness, but now they are faithful to Him. This is because He has given them a new heart and written in it His law. As a result, they keep His commandments and He blesses them (Deuteronomy 28:1-12).

However, the time of the realm of peace has not yet arrived. There are periods when God blesses His people. This is the case when there is a faithful judge or a faithful king who governs God’s people according to His law. But then the people deviate again. Then “they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow” (Psalms 107:39). Then God must send enemies to afflict them, or crop failures, so that they will cry out to Him again in their distress.

Especially “the princes” will He make feel how much they have deviated (Psalms 107:40). “He pours contempt” upon them (cf. Job 12:21a). They have been especially privileged by Him in position and wealth, in order to do good to others with it. But they have used those privileges only for themselves. We see this in the future in the false shepherds and especially the false chief shepherd, the antichrist (Ezekiel 34:1-6; Zechariah 11:15-17).

Therefore, “He makes them wander in a pathless waste”. They return to a state of emptiness, displacement and hopelessness. It seems to refer to the world beyond the grave, the land of eternal darkness. There is no path for them. This is the horror of hell and the fate of all who have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Way to God. Those who do not have Him have no way, not now and not ever. This is what awaits the antichrist and with him the apostate masses of Israel.

Opposite the noble is “the needy” (Psalms 107:41). He has nothing on which to boast. He is dependent on grace. That grace God gives him. He delivers him “from affliction” because he has cried out to Him and sets him “securely on high [literally: in an inaccessibly high place]”. The poor, needy remnant He will deliver from their misery and set in a safe fortress. The final and complete fulfillment of this will be enjoyed by the remnant in the realm of peace.

And He does not stop there, for He “makes [his] families like a flock”. Within that secure, inaccessibly high place, God provides a numerous offspring. A large family is a special blessing from God to which great pleasure is attached.

“The upright see” the blessing with which the LORD showered them “and are glad” (Psalms 107:42a). In them, as in “the needy” of the previous verse, we recognize the faithful remnant who will be blessed after the great tribulation. They owe all their blessings to the favor of God.

The blessing that God gives to His people silences the wicked (Psalms 107:42b). Iniquity has long held sway and sought to silence God by oppressing and killing His own. The perpetrators of iniquity have arrogated to themselves the rights of God and have thought they can take possession of God’s kingdom. The time will come when God confronts them with the truth. Then they will have no defense and will be silent (Matthew 22:11-14).

Psalms 146:7

Who Is Wise?

In all the events described we see both the failure and weakness of man and the work of God in forgiveness, deliverance and restoration. We see that God is above everything and accomplishes His work even where it seems that man makes it impossible for Him. It is precisely there that He shows how much He is exalted above man.

True wisdom is found where there is insight into the ways of God with His people and with man (cf. Hosea 14:9; Deuteronomy 32:29; cf. James 3:13-17). He who is wise will “give heed to these things”, which are the things described in this psalm. Insight into the ways of the LORD comes through contemplation of those ways, especially by seeing events from a heavenly perspective (Psalms 107:33-42). The Lord Jesus addresses these wise men in His end time speech (Matthew 24:15).

Whoever gives heed to this will perceive that God is a merciful God. No one can study the works of God without seeing that there are countless institutions and statutes in His creation that have no other purpose than to make man happy.

In all His dealings with man, His lovingkindness is manifested. Those who are wise will “consider” this and let it affect them. God’s lovingkindness is the basis of all the blessings that will be enjoyed by man in fullness during the realm of peace.

The psalm begins with a call to give thanks to the LORD because of His lovingkindness, His covenant faithfulness. The psalm ends with a call to pay attention to the favors – or covenant faithfulness, based on the blood of the new covenant, the same word as in Psalms 107:1 – of the LORD. If we have seen and taken in those favors in the ways of God, in His government in this world, we will be able to praise Him even more.

In Psalms 106 we see that the people of Israel did not consider the kindnesses of the LORD (Psalms 106:7), so they failed to gain wisdom and remained foolish (Psalms 107:17). In this sense, Psalms 107 is not just a psalm of praise, for the psalm ends as a wisdom psalm with teaching for the maskilim, that is, for those who are wise and want to become even wiser. This applies to the faithful remnant.

For us New Testament believers, this is true to a much greater degree. We are already blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). When we are with the Lord Jesus in the Father’s house, we will come to know the full extent of this even more. There we will see everything as God has always seen it. That prospect will help us to go the way God now has for us on earth, with all the questions that go with it, to which He has the answer.

For us, too, pondering the Word of God regarding God’s ways and counsel will cause us to grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding (Ephesians 1:3-21; Colossians 1:9-29).

Psalms 146:9

Introduction

After the return from exile described in the previous psalm, the remnant will multiply greatly (Isaiah 49:19-21; cf. Ezekiel 36:37-38). The distress in which the remnant has been in the great tribulation will be answered by the LORD by giving Israel the full inheritance as He promised it to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). Psalms 108:7b-9 in this psalm describe the expansion of Israel’s borders to the river Euphrates to accommodate this population growth.

This psalm is composed of the end of Psalm 57 (Psalms 108:1-5; Psalms 57:7-11) and the end of Psalm 60 (Psalms 108:6-13; Psalms 60:5-12). The fact that the two parts are brought together here in one psalm means that there is a connection between the two parts. The first part is a song of praise to God for His lovingkindness and faithfulness (Psalms 108:4). In the second part, we hear God’s response to it, which He gives in His sanctuary. He declares His dominion over all nations, a right He will claim through His people (Psalms 108:13). The result is that His glory will be above all the earth, which the remnant, His beloved, have asked for (Psalms 108:5-6).

Both Psalms 57 and Psalms 60, from which this ‘mosaic’ psalm is composed, are written by David. There is a difference, however: in Psalms 57 we read “Lord”, Adonai (Psalms 57:9), while Psalms 108 speaks of “LORD”, Yahweh (Psalms 108:3).

Psalms 57 is in the second book of psalms. That book describes that the remnant has fled abroad and is in exile, as it were. Therefore, the name LORD, Yahweh, is missing. Psalms 108 is in the fifth book of psalms. In it we see the remnant who have returned to the promised land where the LORD is present. Therefore, it says here LORD, Yahweh, instead of Lord, Adonai.

Psalms 57 and Psalms 60 speak of the ways of God, with the first half of each psalm containing the exercises and trials, and the second half the results. Psalms 108 takes from both psalms only the second half because in this ‘Deuteronomy-psalm’ the experiences of the wilderness journey, the trials, are all over. The remnant is now looking forward to the realm of peace.

Praise and Prayer

For “a Song” (Psalms 108:1a) see at Psalms 65:1 and Psalms 92:1.

For “a Psalm of David” see at Psalms 3:1.

This is the first psalm of the fifteen psalms in this fifth book of Psalms that have David’s name in the heading.

After contemplating the many lovingkindnesses of the LORD about which the psalmist wrote in the previous psalm (Psalms 107:43), the heart has come to rest (Psalms 108:1b). His “heart is steadfast”, it is ready, it is able to sing, yes, sing praises to the glory of God. The glory [“my soul” is literally “my glory”] he has received from God as king over His people is not to his own glory, but is to the glory of God. It is the response to the exhortation in Psalms 107 to praise the LORD because of His lovingkindness and faithfulness. He proceeds to do so with a song of praise (Psalms 108:3) accompanied by harp and lyre (Psalms 108:2).

A new day or a new period has begun in his life (Psalms 108:2). Psalms 57 has two sections: one is about ‘going to sleep’ (Psalms 57:2-7) and one is about ‘waking up’ (Psalms 57:8-11). As mentioned, Psalms 108 only takes up the second part, which is the part about the dawn, a new day. The night of exile is over, “the sun of righteousness” has risen (Malachi 4:2), the new day has arrived.

He wants to begin that new day, that new period, with a song accompanied by “harp and lyre”. He speaks to these instruments to awake, to break their silence. During the exile, the remnant hung their harps on the willows (Psalms 137:2). But that time has passed, and now they can make their euphonious tones heard. With this, he wants to, as it were, “awaken the dawn”. It is a warm welcome to the shining morning light of the new day (Proverbs 4:18).

That new day dawns not only in his life and for his people, but also for the nations (Psalms 108:3; Malachi 1:11). The thanksgiving to the LORD must also sound “among the peoples”. The praises he sings to the LORD must also be heard “among the nations” (cf. Ezekiel 36:35-36). This will be so in the realm of peace.

The occasion for these expressions of joy – shown by the word “for” – are God’s “lovingkindness” and “truth” (Psalms 108:4). The lovingkindness of God is “great”, that is, extensive and high. It does not only go to the heavens, but “above the heavens”. The psalmist comes to this conclusion because he considered the lovingkindnesses of the LORD (Psalms 107:43). Then he discovered that the LORD’s lovingkindness is so great that it is higher than the heavens. We see this lovingkindness in the Lord Jesus. He “ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10).

Directly attached to His lovingkindness is again His truth. His lovingkindness always goes together with His truth, with faithfulness to His truth. His truth reaches to the skies or the clouds. The clouds are ruled by Him. They bring blessing where He wants and judgment where it is needed.

From the assurance of the exaltedness of God (Psalms 99:2), the psalmist asks God to show His great lovingkindness and truth by delivering His people. In doing so, the world will see His exaltation (Psalms 108:3). The psalmist asks God to exalt Himself, that is, to act in accordance with it (Psalms 108:5). He asks this not primarily in view of his own need, although that aspect also plays a role, as the next verse indicates, but so that God’s honor or glory will be visible “above all the earth”.

The only real source of comfort is the awareness that the well-being of the universe and of His people depends on God. God’s lovingkindness and truth are more important to the universe and to us than the success of our plans, our health, our prosperity, or our lives. If that is our first thought, we are then given the assurance that He cares about our fate on earth and will provide for deliverance and salvation, as we hear in the next verse.

When God’s glory is over all the earth, it means the end of all enmity against God and His beloved (Psalms 108:6). The psalmist speaks to God of His people as “Your beloved” (cf. Deuteronomy 7:8; Jeremiah 31:3). He appeals to God from the awareness that God loves His people. God will deliver His beloved when He exalts above the heavens in His lovingkindness and truth. Then His power, of which His right hand speaks, becomes manifest for the salvation of His people and the answer to the prayer of His own in their distress is given.

Psalms 146:10

Introduction

After the return from exile described in the previous psalm, the remnant will multiply greatly (Isaiah 49:19-21; cf. Ezekiel 36:37-38). The distress in which the remnant has been in the great tribulation will be answered by the LORD by giving Israel the full inheritance as He promised it to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). Psalms 108:7b-9 in this psalm describe the expansion of Israel’s borders to the river Euphrates to accommodate this population growth.

This psalm is composed of the end of Psalm 57 (Psalms 108:1-5; Psalms 57:7-11) and the end of Psalm 60 (Psalms 108:6-13; Psalms 60:5-12). The fact that the two parts are brought together here in one psalm means that there is a connection between the two parts. The first part is a song of praise to God for His lovingkindness and faithfulness (Psalms 108:4). In the second part, we hear God’s response to it, which He gives in His sanctuary. He declares His dominion over all nations, a right He will claim through His people (Psalms 108:13). The result is that His glory will be above all the earth, which the remnant, His beloved, have asked for (Psalms 108:5-6).

Both Psalms 57 and Psalms 60, from which this ‘mosaic’ psalm is composed, are written by David. There is a difference, however: in Psalms 57 we read “Lord”, Adonai (Psalms 57:9), while Psalms 108 speaks of “LORD”, Yahweh (Psalms 108:3).

Psalms 57 is in the second book of psalms. That book describes that the remnant has fled abroad and is in exile, as it were. Therefore, the name LORD, Yahweh, is missing. Psalms 108 is in the fifth book of psalms. In it we see the remnant who have returned to the promised land where the LORD is present. Therefore, it says here LORD, Yahweh, instead of Lord, Adonai.

Psalms 57 and Psalms 60 speak of the ways of God, with the first half of each psalm containing the exercises and trials, and the second half the results. Psalms 108 takes from both psalms only the second half because in this ‘Deuteronomy-psalm’ the experiences of the wilderness journey, the trials, are all over. The remnant is now looking forward to the realm of peace.

Praise and Prayer

For “a Song” (Psalms 108:1a) see at Psalms 65:1 and Psalms 92:1.

For “a Psalm of David” see at Psalms 3:1.

This is the first psalm of the fifteen psalms in this fifth book of Psalms that have David’s name in the heading.

After contemplating the many lovingkindnesses of the LORD about which the psalmist wrote in the previous psalm (Psalms 107:43), the heart has come to rest (Psalms 108:1b). His “heart is steadfast”, it is ready, it is able to sing, yes, sing praises to the glory of God. The glory [“my soul” is literally “my glory”] he has received from God as king over His people is not to his own glory, but is to the glory of God. It is the response to the exhortation in Psalms 107 to praise the LORD because of His lovingkindness and faithfulness. He proceeds to do so with a song of praise (Psalms 108:3) accompanied by harp and lyre (Psalms 108:2).

A new day or a new period has begun in his life (Psalms 108:2). Psalms 57 has two sections: one is about ‘going to sleep’ (Psalms 57:2-7) and one is about ‘waking up’ (Psalms 57:8-11). As mentioned, Psalms 108 only takes up the second part, which is the part about the dawn, a new day. The night of exile is over, “the sun of righteousness” has risen (Malachi 4:2), the new day has arrived.

He wants to begin that new day, that new period, with a song accompanied by “harp and lyre”. He speaks to these instruments to awake, to break their silence. During the exile, the remnant hung their harps on the willows (Psalms 137:2). But that time has passed, and now they can make their euphonious tones heard. With this, he wants to, as it were, “awaken the dawn”. It is a warm welcome to the shining morning light of the new day (Proverbs 4:18).

That new day dawns not only in his life and for his people, but also for the nations (Psalms 108:3; Malachi 1:11). The thanksgiving to the LORD must also sound “among the peoples”. The praises he sings to the LORD must also be heard “among the nations” (cf. Ezekiel 36:35-36). This will be so in the realm of peace.

The occasion for these expressions of joy – shown by the word “for” – are God’s “lovingkindness” and “truth” (Psalms 108:4). The lovingkindness of God is “great”, that is, extensive and high. It does not only go to the heavens, but “above the heavens”. The psalmist comes to this conclusion because he considered the lovingkindnesses of the LORD (Psalms 107:43). Then he discovered that the LORD’s lovingkindness is so great that it is higher than the heavens. We see this lovingkindness in the Lord Jesus. He “ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10).

Directly attached to His lovingkindness is again His truth. His lovingkindness always goes together with His truth, with faithfulness to His truth. His truth reaches to the skies or the clouds. The clouds are ruled by Him. They bring blessing where He wants and judgment where it is needed.

From the assurance of the exaltedness of God (Psalms 99:2), the psalmist asks God to show His great lovingkindness and truth by delivering His people. In doing so, the world will see His exaltation (Psalms 108:3). The psalmist asks God to exalt Himself, that is, to act in accordance with it (Psalms 108:5). He asks this not primarily in view of his own need, although that aspect also plays a role, as the next verse indicates, but so that God’s honor or glory will be visible “above all the earth”.

The only real source of comfort is the awareness that the well-being of the universe and of His people depends on God. God’s lovingkindness and truth are more important to the universe and to us than the success of our plans, our health, our prosperity, or our lives. If that is our first thought, we are then given the assurance that He cares about our fate on earth and will provide for deliverance and salvation, as we hear in the next verse.

When God’s glory is over all the earth, it means the end of all enmity against God and His beloved (Psalms 108:6). The psalmist speaks to God of His people as “Your beloved” (cf. Deuteronomy 7:8; Jeremiah 31:3). He appeals to God from the awareness that God loves His people. God will deliver His beloved when He exalts above the heavens in His lovingkindness and truth. Then His power, of which His right hand speaks, becomes manifest for the salvation of His people and the answer to the prayer of His own in their distress is given.