Psalms 144

Some of the Hebrews conceive (as I observed upon Psal. xc.) that Hoses was the author of this, as wellas the rest of these Psalms which want an inscription. And, indeed, he excelled in this faculty of composing hymns, as we learn from Exod. xv. and Deut. xxxii. and might upon some other occasion, as well as the overthrow of Pharaoh in the Red Sea, make a song of triumph, after some of those great victories which God gave them over their enemies. Which was a thing in use before his time, as it appears by the fragments of ancient songs recorded in his books: particularly that lirivUtov made by some poet among the Amorites, after Sihon-.had taken Heshbon from the Moabites, to whom it fprmerly belonged; wherein they triumph over their god Chemosh, as unable to deliver his worshippers, (Numb. xxi. 27, &c.) • And if we could be sure this Psalm was made by Moses, I should think it to have been composed after the Israelites had conquered Sihon and his land: over whom they triumphed, as he had done over the former possessors of that country. But the Psalm seems so plainly to have been composed in pursuance of what was said, in the foregoing Psalm, that the Lord reigneth 2 and is king/ 1S4 [psAur xcvii. not only over Israel, but all (ho earth, that one cannot but think they had the same author:.who shews the truth of that by (lie illustrious victories which God, as their king, had given them over all those that opposed them. For the eighth verse makes it manifest that this Psalm hath respect to some conquests they had lately made over the heathen: which, I suppose, were no other than those which David won over divers nations; not long after (1 Chron. xviii. 1.) he had brought the ark to Zion, and delivered the foregoing hymn to be sung, to put the Israelites in hope, and their enemies in fear, of the great things which should, ensue, upon this special presence of God among them. Which moved the. Greeks to call this A Psalm of David, aft er his Land was restored unto him: that is, after he was made master of all those countries which God anciently designed to be the inheritance of Israel. Forthatitshould relate to the restoring his kingdom to him after Absalom’s rebellion, is not probable; because the mention of idolaters and of their gods;* ver, 7. seems to determine it to other countries. In the subduing of which, God, it is likeiy, fought for them by some such tempest as we read of, 2 Sam. v. 20.24. whereby their enemies’ armies were shattered, and so terrified, that they not only fled, but left (heir images behind them (such was their haste), and gave (he Israelites an easy victory over them. But whatever was the carnal sense, it belongs, in the diviner meaning, to Christ’s triumph over the grave, and all the powers of darkness, at his resurrection and ascension to his throne in heaven: as appears by those words which the apostle to the. Hebrews alleges out of the seventh verse, and applies to Christ’s royal power and authority over angels. Which the Hebrew doctors themselves, as Kimchi confesses, take to be there. intended: and may be farther justified from that exposition which we meet withal in Midrasch Tcnchuma, of (he words of the prophet Isaiah, lii. 13. " Behold, my servant shall prosper: he shall be exalted and extolled, and he very high/’ This is tjie king Messiali, says that gloss, who shall be exalted above Abraham, and extolled above Moses, and be very high above the angels of the ministry. A Psalm of David. The inscription will not let us doubt that David was the author of this Psalm; but that it was a triumph after his victory over Goliath (as the Vulgar Latin hath it), is asserted without ground. For though some Greek copies have such an addition to the inscription; yet Theodoret says, that as he could not find it in the Hebrew, so it was not to be met withal in any other interpreters/no, not in the LXX. in the Hexaplus. And it plainly appears by the second verse, that it was composed after he came to the kingdom; and not then, till he had got some victories over those that opposed him. Nay, there are so many expressions here like to those we meet withal in Psalm xviii. that it hath inclined some to think it was made at the same time, and for the same purpose, with that; of which it looks like a compendium, and might be intended for a short form of thanksgiving for his deliverance from all his enemies. But if the expressions be carefully examined; their opinion will appear to be truer,’. who think it was composed, not after God had given him rest from all his enemies, but after those two victories over the Philistines, mentioned 2 Sam. v. if not before them: for as he still mentions more opposers who were" unsubdued, (ver. 7. 11.) so he doth not say, as in Psalm xviii. that God had cast forth lightnings, and shot his arrows against them, &c. but desires him here (ver. 5,6.) that he would appear in that manner for him: acknowledging, that not only his kingdom, but his courage, his victories, and successes, were all to be ascribed unto God.

Psalms 144:1

J. HE Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad thereof. The Lord, it is manifest, is the sovereign of the world: under whose happy government, not only we, and they who are already become subject to him in other places, ought to rejoice;.but the most distant countries have the greatest reason to be glad thereof., ■ JlSlESSED be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.] Praised be the Lord, by me, and by all men else; by whom I have been kept in safety, as in an impregnable fortress: and who hath given me both strength and skill to handle my arms, whensoever I engaged, either in a single combat or in battles.

Psalms 144:2

Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. His majesty is most dreadful; and hath appeared in great terror against those that oppose him: whom, as he will not wrong, so he.will certainly punish; for he maintains his authority, and supports his government, by doing exact and equal justice. My goodness, and my fortress; my high toiver, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; tvho subdueth my people under me.] I ever found him very merciful unto me, when I was in any danger; for he still preserved me as in a strong hold; nay, set me out of the reach of the most potent enemies; either making a way for my escape when they surrounded me, or protecting me in their most furious assaults upon me: and, as I reposed a constant trust in him, so he hath never failed my expectation; but, after long contests, made all Israel submit themselves unto my empire, (2 Sam. v. 1, &c.)

Psalms 144:3

Afire goeth before him, and burnetii np his enemies round about. Let none therefore resist him, forflames of fire proceed from his presence; which make the battle too hot jbr his enemies: who can turn no way but they feel them flasUing in their faces. Lord, ivhat is man, that thott takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!] I am astonished, Lord, at this thy wonderful goodness; and. know not what to say, but only admire that thou shouldest take such care of so poor a thing as man is,’ at the best: especially of me, a miserable wretch; whom thou hast honoured with most glorious successes.

Psalms 144:4

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. It was his thunder and lightning, the brightness of which the world lately saw; and were so amazed, that shivering pains took hold upon them, as upon a woman in her travail. Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.] Man, alas! is but a breath which presently vanishes: what a marvel is it then, that I should have strength to achieve such things! His life is exceeding short and uncertain; and yet, such is thy stupendous goodness, I am not only alive, notwithstanding all the hazards through which I have run; but, in a little time, have performed such memorable acts, that the fame of them will last for ever.

Psalms 144:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The hearts of the stoutest kings and captains failed them; and melted like wax before the fire, at Ibis terrible appearance of the Lord: at the appearance of him whose dominion extends over all the earth. Boiv thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch

Psalms 144:6

The heavens declare his righteousness, • and all the people see his glory. For he is the Lord of the heavens: which have declared, by this dreadful tempest (excited hy his angelical ministers), his severity against his enemies; and made all the people sensible of the incomparable, splendour of his majesty. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.] And then I feel my fainting spirits return again; and though I despair of human help, I make my prayer unto thee, with a cheerful confidence for thy relief; which I long for, and expect with as eager desire as the parched ground gasps for a refreshing shower.

Psalms 144:7

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship hint, all ye gods. Which may well make them all ashamed (and they shall, be confounded by him, if they will not renounce their errors) who worship graven images, (though of gold and silver, 2 Sam. v. 21.) and boast themselves in vain gods, who can do nothing for them: lct,all that are called gods, whether princes on earth, or angels in heaven, bow down to him, as the only Saviour, (Heb. i. 6.) and acknowledge his supreme, authority over them all. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into thepit.] Do not delay it, O Lord, I most earnestly beseech thee; for i am not able to hold out much longer in this great extremity: deny not my humble request, lest I be utterly lost (as lam in danger), without all hope of recovery, (2 Sam. xvii. 1G.)

Psalms 144:8

Zion heard, and was glad; and the.daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord. Jeru-, salcm, the mother-city, hath received the news of thy victories with a joyful heart:, after whose example, all the other, cities of Judah are exceeding glad, O Lord; hecause thou bast judged righteously, in destroying our idolatrous, enemies, and defending thy faithful servants. • Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning;for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein J should walk; for J lift up my soul unto thee.] Though this night be very sad, yet let me hear (according to the confidence I repose in thy mercy) better news, and see my affairs in a more comfortable posture, in the morning, (2 Sam. xvii. 22, 23.) Shew me which way I shall direct my course, and provide for my safety, (ver. 24. 27.) for I depend entirely upon thee.

Psalms 144:9

For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth; thoti art exalted far above all gods. AYhose hearts are filled with the greater joy, because thou, O Lord, hast manifested thyself hereby, to be the supreme and only potentate: who rulest over all the earth, and. art infinitely supe-. rior to all that have the name of gods., Deliver me, O Lord/ from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.] Let me not fall into the hand of my enemies, from whom I am now flying; but know not whither to go, but only to thee, for shelter and protection.

Psalms 144:10

Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. But do not content yourselves merely with, this passion of joy: if you truly love the Lord, hate every thing which you know is displeasing to him: so shall you have the Lord of all things for your continual keeper; who, preserves the lives of sincerely pious mpn, and watches^ over them with such a careful providence, that when they, are in the power of the wicked, he will not suffer them to. destroy them. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.’] Whose guidance I beseech, as well as defence, that I may do nothing (no, not for my preservation) but What is perfectly agreeable to thy laws; for thy favour is my security, which I know is not otherways to be obtained: and therefore I desire the conduct of thy good Spirit (which is ready to assist those that seek it), as well to lead me in the plain path of justice and piety, as to suggest to me the ways and means of escaping the snares of my enemies; and of coming into an honest country, where I may be free from the fear of being betrayed to them.

Psalms 144:11

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the npi’ight in heart. Be not discouraged, though the world should frown upon you; but rest assured, that God designs you, in due time, more cheerful and happy days: which, if you continue faithful, and serve him with upright hearts, shall as certainly come, as the corn at last springs up after it hath lain all winter in the ground. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness 9 sake bring my soul out of trouble/] I have nothing to move thee to it, but only the honour it will be unto thy majesty; in respect to which I hope, O Lord, thou wilt preserve me from perishing, and restore me again to thy kingdom: for though my straits are so great that my life is in extreme danger, yet nothing can hinder the performance of thy just and faithful promise to me.

Psalms 144:12

Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Let all truly good men rely on this, and rejoice in their worst estate; that they serve such a gracious Lord: let them give thanks unto him for his benefits, and gratefully commemorate how And of thy mercy ait off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for J am thy servant.] Thy mercy also surpasses all the malice of my enemies; whom I trust thou wilt cut off and destroy, rather than let me continue in these hazards: for I am thy minister,, and, though never so unworthy, am appointed by thee to govern thy people; in which office I will do thee all faithful service.