Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 95

In a peculiar manner; and therefore it will be most unreasonable and abominable for us to forsake him when the Gentiles submit to his law.

Whom he feedeth and keepeth in his own proper Pasture, or in the land which he hath appropriated to himself.

Which are under his special care and conduct or government, which is oft expressed by the hand, as Numb. 4. 28. and 31. 49. Judg. 9. 29.

i. e. Forthwith or presently, as this word is used Deut. 4. 4, 8. and 27. 9. Ios. 22. 16, 18, &c. Or this day, in this solemn day of grace or of the Gospel, which the Psalmist speaks of as present according to the manner of the Prophets. And this word though belonging to the following clause, as appears from Heb. 3. 7. may seem to be thus placed to shew that it had some respect to the foregoing words also. For the sence of the place may be this. We (Jews) are or shall be the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand, God will still own us for his people this day, i. e. in the days of the Messiah, if this day or in that time we shall hear his voice. Otherwise God will reject us and receive the Gentiles in our stead.

If you will hearken to his call and obey his further commands. Which may be added as a necessary caution and admonition to the Israelites, that they might understand and consider that Gods presence and favour was not absolutely, necessarily, and everlastingly fixed to them, as they were very apt to believe, but was suspended upon the condition of their continued obedience, which if they violated they should be rejected, and the Gentiles performing it should be received to his mercy. And this clause may be connected either 1. with the former words, as the condition of their interest in God as their God, as was now said. Or 2. with the following Verse, If you are willing to hearken to Gods call delivered by his Son, take the following counsel.

Marginal references: Psal. [illegible: 1+ letters]9. 1[illegible: 1+ letters] & 80. 1. & 10[illegible: 1+ letters] 3.; Heb. 3. 7. 4. 7.

Or, In which place. Which may belong either to Meribah and Massah; or to the Wilderness last mentioned. Or, Surely, as this word is oft used in Scripture, as hath been observed once and again.

Or, Although or After that they saw or had seen. Which is added as a just and great aggravation of their unbelief after such a sensible and evident experience of Gods power and goodness to them.

Both my works of mercy which gave them abundant cause to trust me; and my works of justice, for which they had reason to fear and please me. Heb. my work, to wit, that great and stupendous work of bringing my people out of Egypt with a strong hand, and of conducting them safely through the Red Sea into the Wilderness, and of destroying the Egyptians. For not many more of Gods great works were done before they came to Meribah.

Or rather, with that generation which then lived, who were your Ancestors.

They do not onely sin through infirmity and the violence and surprizal of temptations, but their hearts are unsincere and inconstant, and given to backsliding, and therefore there is no hopes of their amendment. Compare Psal. 78. 8.

Or, they do not know, to wit, with a practical and useful knowledge, as that word commonly notes in Scripture. They did not rightly understand nor duly consider, nor seriously lay to heart. They remain ignorant after all my teachings and discoveries of my self to them.

Either 1. my laws or statutes, which are frequently called Gods ways. Or rather 2. my works, as it is expressed, v. 9. which also are commonly so called. They did not know, nor consider and remember, those great things which I had wrought for them and among them.

Being full of just wrath against them I passed an irreversible sentence and confirmed it by an Oath; of which we read Numb. 14.

Into the promised land, which is called the rest, Deut. 12. 9. See also 1 Chron. 23, 25. Psal. 132. 14. And this History the Psalmist propounds to the men of his Age, not as a matter of meer speculation, but as an instruction for all after Ages, and particularly for those Israelites who should live in the times of the Messias, that they should take heed of falling after the same example of unbelief, as the Apostle insers from this place, Heb. 4. 11.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] ▪ if they [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] my [illegible: 1 word]