Psalms 68

Psalms 68:1

A new song - Renewed or continued from day to day.

Psalms 68:2

The word - All God’s counsels and commands are wise, and just, and good. His works - All his works of providence agree with his word, and are the accomplishment of his promises or threatenings.

Psalms 68:3

Goodness - He not only doth no man wrong, but he is kind and merciful to all men.

Psalms 68:4

The word - God made this admirable structure of the heavens, and all its glorious stars; not with great pains and time, but with one single word. Host - The angels: or the stars.

Psalms 68:5

Store - houses - Either in the clouds, or in the bowels of the earth.

Psalms 68:8

The Lord - Thus he passes from the work of creation, to the works of providence, and from the instances of his power, in senseless and irrational creatures, to his power in over - ruling the thoughts and wills, and actions of men, whether single or united.

Psalms 68:9

The Counsel - All his purposes and designs are always successful.

Psalms 68:11

All men - Although he hath a relation to Israel, yet he hath a general care over all mankind, all whose hearts and ways he observes.

Psalms 68:13

Fashioneth - Having said that God sees and observes all men, he now adds, that he rules and governs them; yea, even the hearts which are most unmanageable, he disposes and inclines according to the counsel of his will. Alike - Or, equally, one as well as another: whether they be Jews or Gentiles, princes or peasants; all are alike subject to his jurisdiction. Their works - Both outward and inward, all the workings of their minds and actions, and all their endeavours and actions.

Psalms 68:14

No king - He instances in these, as the most uncontrollable persons in the world, and most confident of themselves. By which he strongly proves his general proposition, of God’s powerful providence over all men. By an host - But only by God’s providence, who disposes of victory and success, as he pleases, and that frequently to the weakest side.

Psalms 68:15

An horse - Though he be strong and fit for battle, or for flight, if need requires. And so this is put for all warlike provisions. Vain things - Heb. a lie; because it promises that help and safety which it cannot give.

Psalms 68:16

The eye - Whosoever therefore would have safety, must expect it only from the watchful eye, and almighty hand of God. That fear - These are the chief objects of his care and favour. Hope - That place their hope and trust, and happiness, not in any creature, but only in God, and in his mercy and blessings.

Psalms 68:23

Shall boast - Shall glory in this, that I have so powerful and so gracious a master. The humble - The righteous.

Psalms 68:24

Together - Not in place, for David was now banished from the place of God’s publick worship, but in affection: let our souls meet, and let our praises meet in the ears of the all - hearing God.

Psalms 68:26

Lightened - Comforted and encouraged. Ashamed - They were not disappointed of their hope.

Psalms 68:27

This man - David.

Psalms 68:28

The angel - The angels, the singular number being put for the plural.

Psalms 68:29

O taste - Make trial, of it by your own experience of it. Good - Merciful and gracious.

Psalms 68:30

Fear - Reverence, serve, and trust him: for fear is commonly put for all the parts of God’s worship.

Psalms 68:33

Life - A long and happy life, begun in this world and continued for ever in the next. Good - In which he may enjoy good, prosperity or happiness.

Psalms 68:34

Evil - From all manner of evil speaking, from all injurious, false and deceitful speeches.

Psalms 68:35

Depart - From all sin. Do good - Be ready to perform all good offices to all men. Seek - Study by all means possible to live peaceable with all men. Pursue it - Do not only embrace it gladly when it is offered, but follow hard after it, when it seems to flee away from thee.