The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 371

EXPOSITION. PSALM CV. aro full of gratitude to God for o.ll his mercies that he has vouchsafed them cannot THIB is sometimes called a "Hallelujnh refrain from speaking of his goodness when psalm," siuce it ends with tha.t phrase. It they converse with others. iB a song of praise to God for his dealings Ver. 3.-Glory ye in his holy Name (comp. Pa. xxxiv. 2, "My soul shall glory in the with his people, resembling in its general Lord"). As worldly men glory in their cliaracter Ps. lxx,·iii. The opening passage strength a.nd riches, so the saints of God is nenrly idcnticnl with 1 Chron. xvi. 8-22, glory in God. Let the heart of them rejoioe and is thought to have been the original that seek the Lord (comp. Pa. x.xxiii. 21). from which that passage was taken (Hcng- Ver. 4.-Seek the Lord, and hi~ strength: seak his face evermore. Tum ta the Lord, steuberg, Cheyne). The first six versee are not/rom him; seek his favour, his suppori, an exhortation to praise, and constitute the light of his countena.uce. tile "introduction." The remainder is an Ver. 5.-Remember his marvellous wo1·ks account of God's mercies to Israel as a th.a.t he hath done (see ver. 2). 'l'hoso nation, traced historically from the time of "wondrous works " ere apter than anythiug else to stir up the heart to gratitude Rnd the covenant with Abraham to the occu- thankfulness to God; and therefore they pation of the land of Canaan. naturally lead on to the utterance of praise The ••introduction" forms a strophe by and thanksgiving. Bis wonders ; or, itself. It is nsuo.l to divide the historical "miracles "--ro. -rlpa.-ro, a.~-rov, LXX.--Bnch as those touched on in ver~. 27-36 and portion into strophes; but this can only be 39-41. And the judgments of his mouth. done arbitrarily, there being no really His sentences upon sinners, as npon the ma.rked divisions. Egyptians (vers. 28, et seqq.) and npon the Yers. 1-6.-Tbe psa.lmist exhorts the Canaanites (vers. 11, U). seed of Abraham (ver. 6) to give thanks to Ver. 6.-0 ye seeil: of Abraham his &erve.nt; i e. " his faithful• and obedient God and call upon his Name (vers. 1-3); follower" (see below, ver. 42; and comp. to make him known among the Gentiles Gen. xxvi. 24; Gal. iii. 9). Ye children of (ver. lb); to seek him and bis strength .Jacob his chosen ; rather, his chosen ones. (ver. 4); and to bear in mind his marrnllous The word is in the plura.l, and must works (ver. 5). The " works" intended be referred, not to ••Ja.cob," but to " children." are those of his providentio.l government of Ver. 7.-He is the Lord our God i ratlwr, mankind, and especially those of his rule he, Jeho11ah, is our God. The psnlmi;;t and government over his people Israel now commeoces the praise of Jehovr.h in his own person, acti:::.g as spokesman for Ver. 1.-0 give thanks unto the Lord bis people; and fir~t of all declares his (comp. Pss. cvi l; cvii 1; cxi. 1; cxuvi Godhead; next, his universal dominion. 1; c:n.xviii 1). Ce.11 upon his Name; i.e. His judgments are in all the earth j i.e. call upon him with prayer and prai,;e, "ac- "hid sentences, decrees, laws, have a cording 10 his historically manifested glory" universal range, and command the obedience (Hengsienberg). Make known his deed& (or, of all men." •• his doings") among the people; rather, Ver. 8.-He h.a.th remembered his cove- among the peop/,e,; i.e. the heathen nations nant for ever. 'l'hirdly, the psalmist prnises (comp. Pas. xviii. 49; lvii. 9; Isa. xii 4). God's faithfulness. God entered into ll Ver. 2.-Sing unto him, Bing psalms unto covenant with Israel, and that covenant him; or," muke melody unto him" (Cheyne); still holds good. He ha.s not forgotten it, i.e. pr11U1e his Name (ver. 1) with song and will never forget it. It is the word o.nrl music. Talk ye of e.11 bis wondrous which he commanded to a thousand gene- works (comp. P1. cxix. 27, 46). Those who ratioD.ll_ (comp; Deut. vii. 9). Professor rd. cv. l-4G.J nm BOOK 01<' PSALMS. 4l5