Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 138

1 I Will praise thee with my whole heart, before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

Either, 1. before the Angels, who were represented by the Cherubims upon the Ark, who are called Gods, Psal. 8. 6. & 97. 7. Comp. with Heb. 1. 6. & 2. 7. who also are present in the congregations of Gods people[illegible: 1+ letters], 1 Cor▪ 11. 10. Or rather, 2. before Kings and Princes, by comparing this with v. 4. All Kings (provoked by my example) shall praise thee; and with Psal. 119. 46. I will speak of thy te[illegible: 1+ letters]monies before kings. And these are most commonly called Gods in Scripture, as Exod. 21. 6. & 23. 9, 28. comp. with Deut. 19. 17. Besides, David mentions this as something singular and extraordinary, and designed by him, whereas the doing of this before the Angels is common to all, and is unavoidably necessary.

Marginal references: Psal. 119. 46. Gr. before Angels.

2 I will worship towards thy holy temple , and praise thy Name, for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy Name .

Where the Ark was. He saith towards it, because he was not permitted to enter into it.

For thou hast glorified thy word or promise or thy faithfulness in fulfil[illegible: 1+ letters]ing thy promises to me more than any other of thy glorious perfections by which thou ar[illegible: 1+ letters] known. Not that one of Gods Attributes is really and in it self more great or glorious than another, or can be made so, but because one may be more celebrated and admi[illegible: 1+ letters]ed by men than another, as here Gods gracious promise made [illegible: 1+ letters]o David, and the wonderful accomplishment thereof in spight of all those difficulties which stood in the way, and which seemed▪ to men to be insuperable, was at this time more observed and admired than any other of his Attributes or actions. But here we must remember, that amongst the rest of the promises made to David, one was that the Messias should come out of his loyns, and that those parts of the promised mercies which David had actually received, were pledges to assure him that he should receive the rest in due [illegible: 1+ letters]ime, and especially that great and eminent word▪ of promise concerning the Mess[illegible: 1+ letters]s, which might well be said to be magnified above all Gods name.

3 In the day when I [illegible: 1+ letters]ried, thou answeredst me: and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul .

This last clause limits and explains the former, how God answered him so speedily, not by giving him the thing which he desired in that very instant, but by giving him inward support and patience to wa[illegible: 1+ letters]t Gods time, and to [illegible: 1+ letters]ear all his troubles chearfully in the mean time, which was a singular mercy, and indeed greater than the actual don[illegible: 1+ letters] of any temporal blessing.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth .

Either, 1. all neighbouring Kings: or, 2. the g[illegible: 1+ letters]rality of Kings and Princes upon earth. And so this is a Prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. Which seems to be co[illegible: 1+ letters] firmed by the next verse, which expresseth their extraordinary joy and a[illegible: 1+ letters] e[illegible: 1+ letters]inent advancement of Gods glory, which agrees much better to this great occasion, than to that of Davids exaltation to the Throne, wherein the other Kings of the earth were not much concerned.

Either, 1. thy promises declared unto them by me: or, 2. the Gospel preached among them.

5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD ; for great is the glory of the LORD.

Or, of, or, for or because of the ways of the Lord, i. e. his wonderful counsel and gracious providences towards themselves and others.

Or, great shall be. At that time the worship and glory of God shall not be confined to one small land as now it is, but shall be extended to all the parts of the world.

6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly ; but the proud he knoweth afar off .

Unto such as are mean and obscure in the world, to me a poor contemptible shepherd, whom he hath preferred before great Princes, and to such as are little in their own eyes.

But as for the great men of the world, who are lifted up in pride, he looks upon them as they do upon others, with s[illegible: 1+ letters]orn and contempt, and at a great distance, as disdaining to admit them into his presence. But the words may be, and by divers Interpreters are rendred otherwise, And he who is high or the lo[illegible: 1+ letters]ty one from afar (i. e. from his high and holy place, even the highest Heavens where he dwells, notwithstanding that distance) doth know them, or will owne them. So this is the repetition of the former sentence, as is very usual in this Book. And this seems best to suit as with the [illegible: 1+ letters]oregoing, so also with the following words, and thus all will be understood of one and the same sort of persons.

Marginal references: Psal. 113. 5, 6. Isa[illegible: 1+ letters]. 57. 15.; Heb. he seeth; Jam. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5.; Or, and.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble , thou wilt revive me : thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies , and thy right hand shall save me.

i. e. Be encompassed with dangers.

Thou wilt chear my spirit and preserve my life.

Put forth thy Almighty power.

To oppose and restrain their rage, and to save me from them, as it follows.

8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me : thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever : forsake not the works of thine own hands .

Will finish that great work of my deliverance and advancement, which he hath undertaken and carried on hitherto.

It is not inconstant and changeable, as mens affections are, but everlasting. And this may be either a proof of the foregoing assertion, the Lord will perfect, &c. or an argument to enforce the following petition, therefore forsake not, &c.

Or, leave not, or, do not desist from or give over.

The work of my salvation which is thus far advanced, not by any humane help, but by thine own extraordinary power and providence, and therefore it is not for thine honour to desert it at last. This he calls works in regard of the many and various parts and actions which concurred to this work.

Marginal references: Psal. 57. 2. Phil. 1. 6.; Or, for me.