Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 33

1. REjoyce in the LORD , O ye righteous, for praise is comely for the upright .

Let his Excellency discovered in his works, be the Matter of your joy and praise.

It well becomes them, to Exercise themselves in this work. of praising and blessing of God, Partly, because they have such singular and abundant Obligations, and Occasions to do so; and Partly, because they will praise God worthily and Heartily, and with due Reverence and Thankfulness, as God requires, and deserves to be praised, whereas ungodly men do indeed disparage, and [illegible: 1 word] the Holy Name of God, while they [illegible: 1 word] to pra[illegible: 1+ letters], and therefore God rejects their Pra[illegible: 1+ letters]s and Prayers. See [illegible: 1 word]. 5[illegible: 1+ letters]. 16. and 109. 7. Prov. 28. 9.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1+ letters]sal. 147. 1.

2. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery, and an instrument of ten strings .

He mentions these Instruments, because they were used in the publick Worship, and Praises of God, in the Tabernacle.

Marginal references: Psal 92. 3.

3. Sing unto him a new song , play skilfully with a loud noise.

Either, 1. Newly Composed. As God gives you [illegible: 1 word] occasions, so do not you content your selves with the ol[illegible: 1+ letters] Songs or Psalms, made by the holy Men of God, but make New ones suited to the occasions. But neither had all the Rig[illegible: 1+ letters] ous, to whom he speaks, v. 1. the Gift of Composing Songs, nor was it of any Necessity or Importance, that they should make new Songs to praise God, at least for the Works here mentioned, when there were so many made by David, and other Holy Prophets, for the use of God's Church and People, when they had any such occasion. Or, 2. Renewed, or repeated, or sung again; in which Sence Iob saith, his G[illegible: 1+ letters]y was N[illegible: 1+ letters]w, or fresh in him, I[illegible: 1+ letters]b 29 20. (i. e.) Renewed, or continued from Day to Day, and the Command of Love is called New, Iob. 13. 34. because it was renewed and re-inforced by Christ. So this Song is here called N[illegible: 1+ letters]w, not so much from the Matter, as from the singing of it; because it was sung afresh, or again.

Marginal references: Psal. 96. 1. & [illegible: 1 word]. 1. 149. 1. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1+ letters]2. 10.

4. For the word of the LORD is right : and all his works are done in truth .

All God's Counsels and Commands, either contained in the Scriptures, Or given forth in his Providence, for the Government of the World are wise and Just, and Good, without deceit or defect.

(i. e.) All his works of Providence agree with his Word, and are no other then the accomplishment of his Promises or Threatnings, or other Declarations of his Mind, and Will in his Word, although sometimes for a season, they may seem contrary to it.

5. He loveth righteousness and judgment : the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD .

(i. e.) Just judgment, by a Figure called Hendyadis, as Ier. 22. 3. Or, Iustice relates to the Sentence, and Iudgment to the Execution of it. He not onely doth Justice to all men, as was implied, v. 6. but, which is more, he Loves it, and Delights in it.

He not onely doth no man wrong, but he is very kind and merciful to all Men in the World, to whom he gives many Favours and Invitations, to his Love and Service. See Mat. 5. 45. Act. 14: 17. Rom. 1. 20, 21.

Marginal references: Psal. 4[illegible: 1+ letters]. 7.; Psal 119. 64.; Or, mercy.

6. By the word of the LORD , were the heavens made: and all the host of them , by the breath of his mouth .

Either, 1. By the Hypostatical word, Christ, who is oft called God's Word, even by the Chaldee Paraphrast, as also Iohn, 1. v. 1, 2, 3. where he is said to be that [illegible: 1+ letters]rd, by whom all things were made. So that which is here spoken more darkly and doubtedly, according to that state of the Church, is more clearly declared in the New Testament. Or, 2. By his Will or Command, as this very Phrase is here used, v. 4. and as it seems to be explained, v. 9. And so it hath a great Emphasis in it, that God made this admirable structure of the Heavens, and all its glorious Stars; not with great pains and time, and help of many Artists and Instruments, as men do far meaner Works, but with one single Word; which is much to the Glory of the Creator.

The Angels: Or the Stars. See on Gen. 2. 1.

Either, 1. By the Holy Ghost, so called, Iob 33. 4. And so here are all the Persons of the Trinity I[illegible: 1+ letters]hovah, the Father, and the Word, and the Spirit; to each of which this Work of Creation is elsewhere ascribed, as was noted on Gen. 1. 26. Or, 2. By his Word, as it was expressed in the last Clause, which is so called, Isa. 11. 4. 2. T[illegible: 1+ letters]s. 2. 8.

Marginal references: Gen. 1. 6, 7. Heb. 11. 3. 2. Pet. 3. 5.; Job 26. 13.

7. He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as an heap : he layeth up the depths in store houses .

Or, gathered; For he speaks of the first Creation, when this was done, Gen. 1.

Either in the Clouds, or in the Bowels of the Earth: Whence he can draw them forth, when he sees fit.

Either in the Clouds, or in the Bowels of the Earth: Whence he can draw them forth, when he sees fit.

n By which Expression he brings to our Minds this great work of God, that the Sea which is lighter and higher than Earth, is yet Confined within its Bounds, that it might not over[illegible: 1+ letters]ow the Earth.

Marginal references: Gen. 1. [illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1 word] 26. 1[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]8. 8.; Psal. 78. 1[illegible: 1+ letters].

8. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world, stand in awe of him.

All the people of the Earth, as the next Clause expounds this; not only Iews, but Gentiles, who equally enjoy the Benefit of this great and glorious work of God.

9. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast r.

The work here mentioned, v. 6, 7. Or, stood forth, as a Servant at his Masters Command, Or, was, or did exist.

Marginal references: Psal. 148. 5.

10. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Or, of the Nations; though Nations combine themselves and their Counsels together, yet he defeats them when he pleaseth Thus he passeth from the work of Creation, to the works of Providence, and from the Instances of his Power, in Sensless and unreasonable Creatures, to manifest his power in over-ruling the Thoughts and Wills, and Actions of all Men, whether single or united.

Marginal references: Isa. 19. 3.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

11. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever , the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

All his Purposes and Designs, and especially those which concern his choseh people, of whom he speaks in the next Verse, are always successful and irresistible.

Marginal references: Prov. 19. 2[illegible: 1+ letters]. Isa. 46. 10.; Heb. to Generation and Generation.

12. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance .

Seeing the Lord is so great and glorious in Wisdom, and Power, and Goodness, as hath been hitherto said, as they must needs be very miserable, who are Strangers or Enemies to him, so thrice Happy is that people of Israel, who, though they be despised by the Gentiles, are chosen by this Almighty God, to be his peculiar Portion, and Friends, and Servants.

Marginal references: Psal 65. 4. &c. 94. 14. & 144. 15.

13. The LORD looketh from heaven: he beholdeth all the sons of men .

Although he hath a special Relation to Israel, yet he hath a general Care and Inspection over all Mankind, all whose Hearts and Ways he discerns and observes.

Marginal references: 2 Chr. 16. 9. Job. 28. 24. Psal. 11. 4.

15. He fashioneth their hearts alike : he considereth all their works .

Or, fashioned, or made: Or, formeth. For this may relate Either, 1. To the work of Creation. So he proves what he said, v. 13, 14. that God beheld all men, because he made them; yea, even their Hearts, the most secret piece of them. Or, 2. To the works of his Providence. Having said that God sees and observes all Men, he now addes that he Rules and Governs them; yea, even their Hearts which are most Masterless and unmanageable, and yet he frameth and disposeth and inclineth them, this way or that according to the Counsel of his Will. See Exod. 34. 24. Psal. 105. 25.

Or, equally, one as well as another: Whether they be Iews or Gentiles, Bond or Free, Princes or Peasants: all are alike subject to his Jurisdiction.

Both outward and inward, all the workings of their Minds and Affections, and all their Indeavours and Actions.

16. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host : a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

He instanceth in these, as the most potent and uncontroll able persons in the World, and most Confident of themselves, and least sensible of their Dependence upon God. By which he strongly proves his general Proposition, of God's powerful Providence over all Men.

But only by God's Providence, who disposeth of Victory and Success, as he pleaseth, and that frequently to the weakest, and most foolish side, Eccles. 9. 11.

17. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

Though he be strong, Iob 39. 19. &c. and fit for Battel, Prov. 21. 31. Or, for flight, if need requires. And so this is put for all Warlike provisions; of which Horses were, and are a very Considerable part.

Heb. a Lye; because it promiseth, that help and safety, which it cannot give.

Marginal references: Psal. 147. 10. Prov. [illegible: 1+ letters]1. 31.; Heb. a Lye.

18. Behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him : upon them that hope in his mercy .

Whosoever therefore would have Safety and Deliverance, must seek and expect it only from the watchful Eye, and Almighty hand and mercy of God.

These are the chief Object of his Care and Favour.

That place their Hope and Trust, and Happiness not in any Creature, but only in God and in his Mercy, and Blessings. The Conjunction and Order of these two qualifications of the Person, whom God careth for is observable here, they must be such as fear God, and so make Conscience of keeping his Commands, Eccles. 12. 13. and then they may and must hope in, Or, relye upon his Mercy, for their Safety and Happiness.

Marginal references: Job 36. [illegible: 1+ letters]: Psal. 34. 15: 1, pet. 3. 12.

19. To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famin.

(i. e.) Their Life, when he sees it to be expedient for them: sometimes it is better for them, to dye than to Live▪ as both good and bad Men have declared, and when it is so, it is known to God, but not to us. And therefore the constant Accomplishment of this and the like promises in a literal Sence, is not to be expected, nor simply desired, but with Submission to God's wise and gracious Will.

Marginal references: Job. 5. [illegible: 1+ letters]. Psa. 37. 19.

20. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

The help of us Israelites, to whom he hath made many Promises, and glorious Discoveries of his Goodness.

21. For our heart shall rejoyce in him: because we have trusted in his holy name.

Or, Therefore: for this seems to be an Inference, Either from the foregoing, or from the following Sentence.