Ver. 24. Yea, they despised the pleasant land; they believed not his word:] But when after this they despised (Numb. xii. 32.) that goodly country, to the borders of which he had brought them, (Deut. i. 19. 20.), which the spies themselves confessed was rich and desirable, (Numb. xiii. 27. xiv. 32.); and would not believe that God intended, or was able to perform his promise to them, Numb. xiii. 37.

Ver. 25. But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.] But murmured against Moses and Aaron in their tents, as if they had deluded them, (Numb. xiv. 1. 2. &c.), refusing to march, when the Lord commanded them to go up and take possession of it. Deut. i. 21. 26. 32.

Ver. 26. Therefore be lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness.] Then he solemnly sware, that not one of that wicked generation, who had so often rebelled against him, should ever come there; but all perish in the wilderness, Numb. xiv. 21. 22. 35. Deut. i. 34.

Ver. 27. To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.]. And some of them be overthrown by the heathen, whom the Lord would have delivered up into their hand, (Numb. xiv. 45.), and others dispersed in several parts of that country, which they despised, Numb. xxi. 1.

Ver. 28. They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.] Nor did they grow much better by these dreadful threatenings and executions; but not only most shamefully committed whoredom with the daughters of Moab, but embraced their religion; devoting themselves to the vile service of Baal, whose temple stood upon Mount Peor; and partaking with them in the sacrifices which they of fered to dead men, Numb. xxv. 1. 2. 3.

Ver. 29. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.] Which abominable wickedness incensed the divine displeasure to such a degree, that he commanded the offenders to be killed and hanged up in the face of the sun; and also sent a grievous plague among the people, Numb. xxv. 4. 5⋅ 9⋅

Ver. 30. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgement; and so the plague was stayed.] Which raged in the camp, till Phinehas, in a holy zeal, went as boldly to punish, as others did to commit their crimes; and thrust through the body one of the princes of the people, whom the judges feared to meddle withal; and then the plague ceased, Numb. xxv. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Ver. 31. And that was counted unto him for righteousness, unto all generations for evermore.] Which, seasonable piece of justice, the Lord not only approved as a praise-worthy act, but rewarded also with the promise of the priesthood: which he entailed upon his posterity, throughout all generations, Numb. xxv.

12. 13.

Ver. 32. They angered him also at the Waters of Strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:] And, before this, they had been so unbelieving and rebellious, as, having had long experience of God's

power and goodness in providing for them, to murmur for want of water, at that place which took its name from their quarrel with Moses, (Numb. xx. 3. 13.), who sadly suffered upon their account, Numb.

XX. 12.

Ver. 33. Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with bis lips.] For, being exasperated by their frequent mutinies, he let fall some passionate words; which expressed such distrust and impatience, as did not become so great a minister of Ged, (Numb. xx. 12.), who thereupon resolved, he should not have the honour to accomplish his promise, of bringing them to their rest, Numb. xxvii. 24. Deut. i. 37.

Ver. 34. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them.] In which being settled, they did not destroy those seven nations, (Judg. i. 21 i. 21. 27. 29. &c.), whose abominations were so foul, that the Lord gave them a strict charge, not to suffer them to live there any longer, Exod. xxiii. 30. 33. Deut. vii. 2.

Ver 35. But were mingled among the heathen, and harned their works.] But, quite contrary, they not only let them live, but, against God's express commandment, (Josh. xxiii 7. 12.), entered into familiarity, and made a covenant and, league with them, (Judg. ii. 1. 2.), and so at last learned to do as they did, and imitate their evil manners.

Ver. 36. And they served their idols; which were a snare unto them.] For they forsook the Lord, who had brought them thither; and worshipped the gods of those people whom they had conquered, (Judg. ii. 11. 12. iii. 5. 6.), which proved their utter ruin and destruction, Deut. vii. 16. 26. Judg. ii. 3.

Ver. 57. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils.] For they were so besotted with their idolatry, as to imitate their most barbarous rites; sacrificing to infernal spirits, not only their beas's, but (as the custom of that country was, Deut. xii. 30. 31.) their sons and their daughters.

Ver. 38. And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sucrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.] Whom they did not merely consecrate to the service of devils, but offered their blood, the blood of innocent babes, even of their own sons and daughters, (as I said), upon the altars of the idols of Canaan; profaning thereby the holy land with the most impious and unnatural murders.

Ver. 39. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a-whoring with their own inventions.] Besides other abominable works wherewith they defiled themselves; such as whoredom, and all manner of beastly lusts; which were the filthy vices of those nations, whom God cast out before them, Lev. xviii. 24. 25. 27. 28. &c.

Ver. 40. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.] And so contrary to nature, as well as his law, that the Lord was exceeding angry with them, (Judg. ii. 14. 2c.), and the more, because he

had made them his people, whom he now abominated as impure and unclean, though once they had been very dear unto him;

Ver. 41. And he gave them unto the hand of the hea. then; and they that hated them ruled over them.] And thereupon delivered them up to the power of those impious nations, with whom they contracted friendship, when they should have destroyed them, (Judg. iii. 3. 5. iv. 2. xiii. 1.), who, retaining still their ancient hatred, exercised a rigorous tyranny over them, Judg. iv. 3. Ver. 42. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.] And so did many other of their neighbouring enemies, the Mesopotamians and Moabites, (Judg. iii. 8.—12.), the Midianites and Amalekites, (vi. 2. 3. &c.), and such like, (x. 7. 8.), who not only grievously afflicted them, but deservedly made those their subjects, nay slaves, who would not serve their gracious God; Ver. 43. Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.] Who still continued so kind to them, that upon the first sign of their repentance, he constantly raised up the spirit of some great man or other, to rescue them from every one of these oppressors; though they as constantly provoked him again, by relapsing to their former idolatry, which in the issue brought them exceeding low, Judg. x. 8. 9. Ver. 44. Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:] And yet, such was his tender compassion towards them, he did not absolutely refuse to help even these base revolters, (Judg. x. 14. 15. 16.), when in their distress they made a lamentable moan, and promised amendment..

Ver. 45. And he remembered for them his covenant,

and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.] For he was not unmindful of the covenant he had made with their forefathers, (Levit. xxvi. 42. 44. 45. Deut. xxx. 1. 2. 3.), but let them reap the benefit of it, in ceasing to punish them, and, when they deserved to be utterly destroyed, bestowing many and exceeding great blessings on them.

Ver. 46. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. For he inclined the hearts, even of those who had subdued, and implacably hated them, unto some compassion towards them; so that they did not endeavour their total extirpation, Judg. xiii. 1. xiv. 2. xv. 9. 10. &c.

Ver. 47. Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give tha ks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.] And therefore we humbly hope still in the same great mercies; and beseech thee, O most mighty Lord, who hast been wont to do our nation good, to deliver us, how unworthy soever, from all our present enemies; and to restore such of us as are fallen into their hands, unto their own country; that they may join with us in giving thanks to thy incomparable goodness, and setting forth thy praises with the greatest joy and triumph, saying;

Ver. 48. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.] Let the great Lord of all the world, who hath been so gracious unto Israel, as to choose them for his own peculiar people, be most heartily blessed and praised: Let all generations bless him, as long as the world shall last, and unto all eternity; and let all his people concur in these desires, ▾ and wish it may be so; let them all praise the Lord, and desire he may be ever praised.

PSALM CVII.

THE ARGUMENT.-The fifth book of psalms (which consists mostly of praises and thanksgivings) begins here; with an exhortation to those whom God (according to the prayer foregoing, cvi. 47.) had delivered from pagan servitude, to acknowledge that singular benefit with their hearty thanksgivings; and thence to take occasion to magnify his merci. ful providence over all other men, not only of that, but of all nations, when they addressed themselves unto him in their distresses. For instance, travel

lers in the desart, who have lost their way, prisoners, sick people, mariners, husbandmen, even whole countries, the psalmist shews, are made strangely prosperous, if they have a regard to God; and on the other side, fall into great misery, if they neglect him. It had been endless to enumerate all other cases; but by these any man may understand, if he please, (as he observes in the conclusion), how good the Lord is, and ready to help those who fly unto him for succour, whatever their condition be. The author of the psalm is unknown; but if I have guessed aright at the connection of this with the foregoing psalm, it is most probable it was com

Ver. I.

O GIVE thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.] O make your grateful acknowledgements to the great Lord of the world; of whose goodness you and your forefathers have had such long experience, that you may conclude his loving-kindness will extend itself to all succeeding ages.

Ver. 2. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom be bath redeemed from the band of the enemy.] Let them especially call upon one another to give thanks unto his goodness, whom the Lord hath graciously redeemed from a sad captivity, into which they were reduced by their prevailing enemies:

Ver. 3. And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.] And hath brought them back to their own country again, from all the lands, on every side, into which they were dispersed.

Ver. 4. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.] And they also, who, travelling through vast wildernesses and sandy desarts, lost their way, and could find no tract to lead them to a city inhabited;

Ver. 5. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.] But, in this perplexity, wandered up and down so long, that all their provision was spent, and they were ready to die with hunger and thirst:

Ver. 6. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.] Yet then, recommending themselves to the Lord, and earnestly imploring his help in this miserable strait, he mercifully delivered them out of it, and freed them from all their anxieties:

Ver. 7. And be led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.] Directing them, when they were in a maze, into the right path again; which brought them to a place inhabited, where they found relief for their necessities.

Ver. 8. 0 that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for Lis wonderful works to the children of men!] O that such men would never forget to make their thankful acknowledgements to the Lord for this singular kindness, but every where proclaim his wonderful works.

Ver. 9. For be satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.] Who thus seasonably preserved them from starving, by providing, in this languishing condition, drink to quench their thirst, VOL. III.

and plenty of good things to satisfy their hungry ap petite.

Ver. 10. Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron:] They also who have no other dwelling but a dark prison, nay, a horrible dungeon; where, to add to their affliction, they are loaded with iron manacles or fetters;

Ver. 11. Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the Most High:] As a just punishment for the crimes they had rebelliously committed against the express command of God, and the plain dictates and frequent checks of their own consciences; which were the voice of the Most High, giving them wholesome counsel, though they contemned and despised it:

Ver. 12. Therefore be brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.] And thereby provoked him to throw them into that miserable condition, to humble their proud hearts by the hardships of a tedious and painful imprisonment; in which they lay so dejected and helpless, that they saw no human means whereby they should be delivered. Ver. 13. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and be saved them out of their distresses.] Yet they then making their addresses to the Lord, and earnestly beseeching him to take pity upon their wretched estate, he was pleased mercifully to hear their prayers, and free them from those miserable straits:

Ver. 14. He brought them out of darkness, and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.] Bringing them out of their sad confinement in that dismal dungeon, and setting their hands and feet at liberty from the chains wherewith they were bound.

Ver. 15. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!] O that such men would never forget to make their thankful acknowledgements to the Lord for his singular kindness, but every where proclaim his wonderful works:

Ver. 16. For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.] Who, when their case was desperate, removed the greatest obstacles, and made even brazen gates, and iron bars, give way to their escape.

Ver. 17. Fool, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.] In like manner we see others, who, forgetting God, and sottishly giving themselves up to all kind of debauchery, in an irregular way of living, falling into grievous dis

eases:

to find relief from him, when no medicines whatsoever will avail them.

Ver. 20. He sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.] He orders their recovery, when all the prescriptions of physicians prove ineffectual; nay, when they are left for dead, raises them up to life and health again.

Ver. 21. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!] O that these men would be so grateful to the Lord, as never to forget his singular kindness to them, but every where proclaim such wonderful works as these!

Ver. 22. And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.] And not content themselves with the sacrifices of beasts, (which in their sickness they were apt to vow unto him), but offer those far more acceptable sacrifices of a grateful heart; acknowledging his goodness, and telling every body they meet withal, in such a manner as may express how much they are affected with it, what great things the Lord hath done for

them:

Ver. 23. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters ;] Who shews no less kindness to those that have occasion to be much upon the sea, to fish, or to traffic upon the main ocean.

Ver. 24. These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.] Where they behold remarkable acts of divine providence, in the wonderful alterations which he makes in that vast collection of waters.

Ver. 25. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.] For when they are smooth and still, a sudden tempest arises by his command; which puts them into such a rage, that they are turned into swelling waves and billows;

Ver. 26. They mount up to heaven, they go down again to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble.] On which the ships are sometimes mounted up as high as if they would touch the clouds, and then sink down as low as if they would be buried in the bottom of the sea; to the great astonishment of the passengers, who are ready to die with fear.

Ver. 27. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end.] For they are so tossed and whirled about, that as they are not able to stand upon the decks, so the most skilful mariners do not know which way to steer, or what course to take, to save themselves from perishing.

Ver. 28. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.] And yet, when in the midst of this great strait they make their addresses to the Lord, with earnest prayers for his protection, he is graciously pleased to hear the cry, and to free them from that anguish of mind which sorely oppresses them.

Vei. 29. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.] For he silences the blustering wind, and makes so great a calm, that the swelling waves lie quiet and still.

Ver o Then are they glad, because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.] Which

happy change turns their fear into joy; when they see not only the storm appeased, but gentle gales arising, to carry them directly to the port for which they are bound.

Ver. 31. 0 that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men] that they who are thus unexpectedly preserved, would never forget to make their thankful acknowledgements to the Lord for this singular kindness, but every where proclaim what wonders he hath done for them!

Ver. 32. Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.] Let them magnify his power and goodness in the greatest assemblies of the people, especially in his temple: let them praise him in the supreme court of the kingdom, that the judges and governors may be excited to make him their trust and confider.ce.

Ver. 33. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs into dry ground:] Who turns well watered countries into a mere wilderness, and makes moist and fertile soils become dry and barren ground.

Ver. 34. A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.] Where none of those fruits will grow, which before it plentifully yielded; because of the ill disposition of the inhabitants, who produce nothing but all manner of vice and wickedness.

Ver. 35. He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into water-springs.] And on the other side, he turns a barren desart (for none of these things come by chance) into rich and fruitful pastures, and sends such plenty of water into dry and sandy grounds,

Ver. 36. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation ;] That there they, who lived wretchedly before, find a comfortable habitation, and are invited to build towns and cities in those formerly desolate places :

Ver. 37. And sow the fulds, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.] Where they sow all manner of grain, and plant vineyards; which recompense their pains with a plentiful harvest, and a joyful vintage.

Ver. 38. He blesseth them also, so that they are mul tiplied greatly, and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.] His blessing also makes the inhabitants fruitful, as well as their ground; they grow exceeding populous, together with their flocks and their herds, which by the increase of people are not diminished.

Ver. 39. Again they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.] But when they prove ungrateful to him, he quite alters the course of his providence, and on a sudden sends some grievous pestilence, which lessens their numbers, or lays them low by tyrannical oppressors, (into whose hands he delivers them), by dearth, and other calamities, which make them pine away in grief and sorrow.

Ver. 40. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.] Their princes, and the most eminent per

sons in their country, are not able to preserve them selves fro. contempt and scorn, to which they are so openly exposed, that they who had troops of followers and attendants, are utterly deserted, and forced to walk in solitary places to hide their shame, without any means, that they can see, to recover their thrones, out of which they are disgracefully thrown.

Ver. 4. Yet setteth be the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.] Which he bestows upon some poor despicable person, whom, from a low condition, he raises to the highest dignity; and gives him a very numerous issue, to maintain and continue the honour he hath conferred on him.

Ver. 42. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.] Which is a great encouragement to the righteous, who herein behold with joy the wise and just providence of Almighty God; but gives the wicked (who under those bad princes were insolent, and full of proud boasts) such a rebuke, that they hang down their heads, and are confoundedly put to silence.

Ver. 43. Vhoso is wise, and will observe those things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the LORD] And therefore, whosoever will be truly wise, ought to mark and ponder such passages as these in the divine government; that they may make others, who are less considerate, understand how very kind and gracious the Lord is to those who study to please him, and to obtain his favour by dutiful obedience and humble submission to him.

PSALM CVIII.

A Song or Psalm of David.

THE ARGUMENT.-The title tells us, this song-psalm (see the reason of this name upon Psal. lxvii.) was made by David; and was placed here, as I conjecture, because now he was in a hopeful way to perfect some victories which he had begun to win; whereby some of those captives in strange lands, (mentioned ver. 2. and 3. of the foregoing psalm), were rescued and set at liberty. What those nations were, over whom he was about to triumph, see in the title of Psalm 1x. For the latter part of this psalm, from ver. 6. to the end, is the very same (with some light variations) with the eight last verses of that; as the former part of it is very little different from the five last verses of Psalm lvii. Which the psalmist, I suppose, here placed instead of those wherewith the 60th begins, (though he retains all the latter end of it), because now, as I said, he had made some progress in those wars, which he was but entering upon, when he made that 60th psalm. And therefore, here he begins with thanks to God for his mercy, as there he laments the ill condition wherein he found the affairs of the kingdom, when

he came to the crown.

Ver. I.

solved, to give thee most solemn thanks; my tongue also, wherewith I ought to glorify thee, shall sing of thy goodness, and, with all the expressions of joy, set forth thy praise.

Ver. 2. Awake, psaltery and harp; I myself will awake early] Nor shall any of the instruments of music be silent, but accompany my hymns, which I will sing unto thee so early, that I will prevent the rising of the sun.

Ver. 3. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people; and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.] Nor will I merely make thee my private acknowledgements, but publish thy praise in the greatest assemblies of thy people, among whom this song shall be sung; yea, other nations shall read therein, how thankful I am for what thou hast begun to do for us.

Ver. 4. For thy mercy is great above the heavens; and thy truth rea beth unto the clouds.] For it is fit my thankfulness should be as boundless as thy mercy; which infinitely transcends all my expressions, and hath nothing equal to it, but thy faithfulness and truth. Vir 5 Be thou exalted. O God, above the heavens ; and thy gy above the earth; } Be thou more and more exalted in these, O God, and raise to thyself thereby the highest praises; spread the fame of them every where, that thou mayest be glorified throughout the world. Ver. 6. That my beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and answer me.] Especially now, I beseech thee to grant my humble petitions, that by thy mighty power accompanying my arms, I may be an instrument of delivering thy beloved people from their oppressors.

Ver. 7. God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.] Why should I doubt of it, and not rather rejoice in assured hope of a perfect victory? since God, who is most holy, and cannot lie, hath said he will deliver them by my hand, (2 Sam. iii. 18.), and hath already put me in possession (as he also promised, ver. 2.) of all the country about Samaria; which I will distribute under such officers as I think fit to set over

them.

Ver. 8. Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver.] Gilead also, and Manasseh, who were lately under another king, (2 Sam. ii. 9.), have submitted themselves to me; and so hath the tribe of Ephraim, which is a main support of my authority; these, and all the rest of the tribes of Israel, are united to the royal tribe of Judah, which (according to the prophecy of our forefather, Gen. xlix. 10.) supplies me with wise and able men to administer the laws, and order the affairs of my kingdom;

Ver. 9. Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.] Which shall now extend itself beyond the bounds of this country; for I will tread the Moabites under my feet, and reduce them to the vilest servitude, (2 Sam. viii, 2.); I will trample also upon the Edomites, and make them my slaves, (2 Sam. viii. 14.); the Philistines also, whom I have begun to smite, (2 Sam, v.

O GOD, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.] My heart is ready, O most gracious God, it is firmly re