Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 111

1 PRaise ye the LORD, I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright , and in the congregation.

Of the sincere Worshippers of God, of the Israel of God, as this very word is explained, Numb. 23. 10. where they who are called Israel in one clause are called righteous or upright in the next. And this title he gives to the Assembly or Congregation of Israelites, partly because many of them were such, and he was obliged in charity to judge all of them to be so, of whom he had no evidence to the contrary; partly because upright persons do most exercise and delight themselves in this duty of praising God, and hypocrites, though sometimes they give themselves to prayer, yet are very apt to neglect the duty of thanksgiving; partly because this duty of praise is most comely for the upright, Psal. 33. 1. and partly because Davids heart was most united to the sincere Israelites, and his desire was, as far as he could, to associate himself with such in the worship and service of God.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]

2 The works of the LORD are great , sought out of all them that have pleasure therein .

Either, 1. the works of Creation: or rather, 2. the works of his Providence in the World, and especially in and for his Church and people; of which he speaks in the rest of the Psalm.

For the infinite power and wisdom and goodness manifested in them.

Highly valued and regarded, as this very word and phrase is used Deut. 11. 12. Isa. 62. 12. or frequently called to mind, and diligently meditated upon, when others either never regard them, or instantly forget them: or, found out, as this word is taken Isai. 65. 1. the antecedent being put for the consequent, which is frequent in Scripture, as Rom. 12. 2. where proving or trying (for so the Greek word there signifies) is put for approving, which follows after it. And, found out, i. e. truly and throughly understood, both as to the nature of them, and Gods counsels and ends in them; whereas the works of God are oft-times not apprehended or minded, or are mistaken and misconstrued, by ungodly men.

Of all them who take delight in observing and considering the works of God.

3 His work is honourable and glorious : and his righteousness endureth for ever .

Either all his works, of which see the Note [illegible: 1 word] v. 2. or that eminent branch of those works, his providence towards his people, as it is expressed afterwards.

Becoming the Divine Majesty, and bringing glory to him from all that observe and consider it.

His justice or faithfulness in performing his word.

Hath always been and will still be evident to his people in all generations and in all conditions, even when he afflicts them, and seems to deal most severely, and to break his promise with them.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. honour [illegible: 1 word] glory.

4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred : the LORD is gracious and full of compassion .

Either, 1. by those memorials which he hath left of them in his Word: or rather, 2. by their own wonderful nature, and the lasting effects and benefits flowing from them, which are such as cannot easily be forgotten.

Towards his people, as appears from his works and carriage towards us, in sparing and pardoning and restoring and preserving us when we have deserved to be utterly destroyed.

5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him : he will ever be mindful of his covenant .

Which includes all necessary provisions for their being and well-being. The word signifies spoil, and so may relate to the spoil of the Egyptians, granted by God to the Israelites; but it is sometimes used for food, as Prov. 31. 15. Mal, 3. 10.

To the Israelites, the onely people in the world which feared and worshipped the true God according to his will; and especially to those among them that truly feared God, and, for their sakes, to the body of that Nation, as well in the Wilderness, as in their following straits and miseries.

Or, he hath ever been; for both in the first branch of this verse, and in the foregoing and following verses he is speaking of the former works of God. So the Future tense is put for the past, as it is frequently, and as on the contrary the past tense is oft put for the Future.

Which he made with Abraham and with his seed for ever; whereby he obliged himself to be their God, and to provide all necessaries for them.

Marginal references: Heb. prey.

6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works , that he may give them the heritage of the heathen .

Not onely by words, but by his actions.

His mighty power in his works, and especially in that which here follows.

The land of Canaan, which had been possessed and inherited by the heathens.

7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment ; all his commandments are sure .

All that he doth either on the behalf of his people, or against his or their enemies; of both which sorts of works he spoke in the foregoing verse.

Are exactly agreeable to his word or promises, and to the rules of justice.

Either, 1. his Laws given to the Israelites, especially the Moral Law considered with its sanction, the promises made to the observers of it, and the threatnings denounced against transgressors. Or, 2. his works, as it is in the first clause, called his Commands, because they are done by virtue of his decree, and by his power and authority; as in like manner God is said to command those blessings which he purposeth to give, and doth effectually procure, as Deut. 28. 8. Psal. 42. 9. & 68. 28. & 133. 3. and to command those creatures which he moveth and acteth as he pleaseth, as 1 Kings 17. 4. Mat. 8. 27.

Or faithful or certain, constant and unchangeable, as his Laws are, being grounded upon the immurable rules of justice or equity; infallible and irresistible, as his counsels and ways are.

Marginal references: Psal. 19. 7.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness▪

Heb. They are established upon the sure foundations of truth and uprightness, as it follows.

Constituted or ordered.

Marginal references: Isa. 40. 8. Mat. 5. 18.; Heb. are established.

9 He sent redemption unto his people, he hath commanded his covenant for ever : holy and reverend is his name.

That deliverance out of Egypt, which was a type and pledge of that greater and higher redemption by Christ.

i. e. Appointed or established firmly by his power and authority. And so this word is oft used, as Psal. 33. 9. & 42. 9. & 105. 31. 34. See also before on v. 7. the ground of which signification may be taken from hence, that the command of a sufficient authority concerning any thing, doth commonly establish and effect it.

Through all successive generations of his people to the end of the world; for the Covenant is the same for substance in all, and differeth onely in circumstances.

Terrible to his enemies, and venerable in his peoples eyes, and holy in all his dealings with all men.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom : a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth for ever.

Piety or true Religion, which consists in the fear or worship and service of God.

Is the onely foundation of and introduction to all true wisdom. Or, is the chief part of wisdom, those things which are most excellent in their kinds being oft said to be first, to wit, in dignity, as Numb. 24. 20. Deut. 18. 4, &c. and in other Authors. And the first command, Mark 12. 28. is called the greatest command, Mat. 22. 36.

Heb. that do them, to wit, Gods commands, or the things which the fear of God requireth.

Marginal references: Deut. 4. 6. Job 28. 28. Prov. 1. 7. & 9. 10. Eccles. 12. 13.; Or, good success.; Heb. that do them. Psal. 19. 9.