vouchsafed to the souls of men, and which was sha- dowed forth by that great event.
Let us consider from the passage,
I. The deliverance here celebrated —
Grievous beyond expression was Israel's captivity. They were treated with the utmost cruelty by their Babylonish oppressors'1: and their sufferings were greatly heightened by the derision with which their pious lamentations were regarded b. But in propor- tion to the greatness of their afflictions was their joy at the unexpected deliverance vouchsafed to them. Observe,
1. The feelings excited by it —
[Among the captives themselves the joy was so great, that they scarcely knew whether it were a reality or a dream. They were like Peter, when delivered from prison by an angel on the very night previous to his intended execution : " He went out and followed the angel ; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel ; but thought he saw a vision0." All their lamentations were instantly turned to joy: "their mouth was filled with laughter, and their tongue with singing." The sight of such an unprecedented event filled all the sur- rounding nations with astonishment, and constrained them to acknowledge that it was the work, not of man, but of God: " Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them." The Israelites themselves readily con- curred in this sentiment ; and, on hearing the congratulations offered them, thankfully replied, " The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."]
2. The supplications it drew forth —
[Though permission was given them to return to their own land, and every thing was provided for their sustenance by the way, and their assistance at the end of their journey, the Jews saw that there was a great and discouraging work before them: but, as nothing was impossible to Jehovah, they entreated him to perfect what he had begun, and " to turn again their capti- vity as the streams in the south." In the southern or hilly country of Judea there were, as in all mountainous countries, frequent and sudden inundations; which however as rapidly subsided, soon after the rains had ceased ; so that, where, but a few hours before, the country bore the aspect of universal desolation, it speedily assumed the most lovely and flourishing
a Ps. cxxxvii. 8, 9. b Ps. cxxxvii. 3, 4. c Acts xii. 9.