Reading The Psalms Daily

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The Lord Jesus reigns in power that cannot be resisted. (1-7)


  1-7 Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Christ's government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to idol worship of every kind.

His care of his people, and his provision for them. (8-12)


8-12 The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad, because he is glorified; and whatever tends to his honour, is his people's pleasure. Care is taken for their safety. But something more is meant than their lives. The Lord will preserve the souls of his saints from sin, from apostasy, and despair, under their greatest trials. He will deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one, and preserve them safe to his heavenly kingdom. And those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them. Those that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly, body, soul, and spirit.

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Ps 98:1 ¶ <<A Psalm.>> Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

Ps 98:2 The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.

Ps 98:3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Ps 98:4 ¶ Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Ps 98:5 Sing to the LORD with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm,

Ps 98:6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.

Ps 98:7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it;

Ps 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together

Ps 98:9 before the LORD, (98:9) For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.

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The glory of the Redeemer. (1-3)


  1-3 A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, a mystery hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a new song, very different from what they had sung. If the grace of God put a new heart into our breasts, it will put a new song into our mouths. Let this new song be sung to the praise of God, in consideration of the wonders he has wrought. The Redeemer has overcome all difficulties in the way of our redemption, and was not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed him. Let us praise him for the discoveries made to the world of the work of redemption; his salvation and his righteousness fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. In pursuance of this design, God raised up his Son Jesus to be not only a Light to lighten the Gentiles, but the glory of his people Israel. Surely it behooves us to inquire whether his holy arm hath gotten the victory in our hearts, over the power of Satan, unbelief, and sin? If this be our happy case, we shall exchange all light songs of vanity for songs of joy and thanksgiving; our lives will celebrate the Redeemer's praise.

The joy of the Redeemer. (4-9)

 
4-9 Let all the children of men rejoice in the setting up the kingdom of Christ, for all may benefit by it. The different orders of rational creatures in the universe, seem to be described in figurative language in the reign of the great Messiah. The kingdom of Christ will be a blessing to the whole creation. We expect his second coming to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full. But sin and its dreadful effects will not be utterly done away, till the Lord come to judge the world in righteousness. Seeing then that we look for such things, let us give diligence that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

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Ps 99:1 ¶ The LORD reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved!

Ps 99:2 The LORD is great in Zion, And He is high above all the peoples.

Ps 99:3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name-He is holy.

Ps 99:4 The King's strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Ps 99:5 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool-He is holy.

Ps 99:6 ¶ Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.

Ps 99:7 He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.

Ps 99:8 You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds.

Ps 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy.

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The happy government God's people are under. (1-5)

1-5 God governs the world by his providence, governs the church by his grace, and both by his Son. The inhabitants of the earth have cause to tremble, but the Redeemer still waits to be gracious. Let all who hear, take warning, and seek his mercy. The more we humble ourselves before God, the more we exalt him; and let us be thus reverent, for he is holy.

Its happy administration. (6-9)


6-9 The happiness of Israel is made out by referring to the most useful governors of that people. They in every thing made God's word and law their rule, knowing that they could not else expect that their prayers should be answered. They all wonderfully prevailed with God in prayer; miracles were wrought at their request. They pleaded for the people, and obtained answers of peace. Our Prophet and High Priest, of infinitely greater dignity than Moses, Aaron, or Samuel, has received and declared to us the will of the Father. Let us not only exalt the Lord with our lips, but give him the throne in our heart; and while we worship him upon his mercy-seat, let us never forget that he is holy.

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Ps 100:1 ¶ <<A Psalm of Thanksgiving.>> Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Ps 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.

Ps 100:3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Ps 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Ps 100:5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

MHCC

An exhortation to praise God, and rejoice in him.
 
- This song of praise should be considered as a prophecy, and even used as a prayer, for the coming of that time when all people shall know that the Lord he is God, and shall become his worshippers, and the sheep of his pasture. Great encouragement is given us, in worshipping God, to do it cheerfully. If, when we strayed like wandering sheep, he has brought us again to his fold, we have indeed abundant cause to bless his name. The matter of praise, and the motives to it, are very important. Know ye what God is in himself, and what he is to you. Know it; consider and apply it, then you will be more close and constant, more inward and serious, in his worship. The covenant of grace set down in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, with so many rich promises, to strengthen the faith of every weak believer, makes the matter of God's praise and of his people's joys so sure, that how sad soever our spirits may be when we look to ourselves, yet we shall have reason to praise the Lord when we look to his goodness and mercy, and to what he has said in his word for our comfort.

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Ps 101:1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

Ps 101:2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Ps 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.

Ps 101:4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

Ps 101:5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.

Ps 101:6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me.

Ps 101:7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.

Ps 101:8 Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.

MHCC

 David's vow and profession of godliness.
 
- In this psalm we have David declaring how he intended to regulate his household, and to govern his kingdom, that he might stop wickedness, and encourage godliness. It is also applicable to private families, and is the householder's psalm. It teaches all that have any power, whether more or less, to use it so as to be a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well. The chosen subject of the psalm is God's mercy and judgment. The Lord's providences concerning his people are commonly mixed; mercy and judgment. God has set the one over against the other, both to do good, like showers and sunshine. When, in his providence, he exercises us with the mixture of mercy and judgment, we must make suitable acknowledgments to him for both. Family mercies and family afflictions are both calls to family religion. Those who are in public stations are not thereby excused from care in governing their families; they are the more concerned to set a good example of ruling their own houses well. Whenever a man has a house of his own, let him seek to have God to dwell with him; and those may expect his presence, who walk with a perfect heart, in a perfect way. David resolves to practise no evil himself. He further resolves not to keep bad servants, nor to employ those about him that are wicked. He will not admit them into his family, lest they spread the infection of sin. A froward heart, one that delights to be cross and perverse, is not fit for society, the bond of which is Christian love. Nor will he countenance slanderers, those who take pleasure in wounding their neighbour's reputation. Also, God resists the proud, and false, deceitful people, who scruple not to tell lies, or commit frauds. Let every one be zealous and diligent to reform his own heart and ways, and to do this early; ever mindful of that future, most awful morning, when the King of righteousness shall cut off all wicked doers from the heavenly Jerusalem.

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Ps 102:1 ¶ <<A Prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD.>> Hear my prayer, O LORD, And let my cry come to You.

Ps 102:2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; Incline Your ear to me; In the day that I call, answer me speedily.

Ps 102:3 For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned like a hearth.

Ps 102:4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass, So that I forget to eat my bread.

Ps 102:5 Because of the sound of my groaning My bones cling to my skin.

Ps 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.

Ps 102:7 I lie awake, And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.

Ps 102:8 My enemies reproach me all day long, Those who deride me swear an oath against me.

Ps 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,

Ps 102:10 Because of Your indignation and Your wrath; For You have lifted me up and cast me away.

Ps 102:11 My days are like a shadow that lengthens, And I wither away like grass.

Ps 102:12 ¶ But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.

Ps 102:13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.

Ps 102:14 For Your servants take pleasure in her stones, And show favor to her dust.

Ps 102:15 So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, And all the kings of the earth Your glory.

Ps 102:16 For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.

Ps 102:17 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.

Ps 102:18 This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

Ps 102:19 For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; From heaven the LORD viewed the earth,

Ps 102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To release those appointed to death,

Ps 102:21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem,

Ps 102:22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

Ps 102:23 ¶ He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.

Ps 102:24 I said, "O my God, Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations.

Ps 102:25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Ps 102:26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed.

Ps 102:27 But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.

Ps 102:28 The children of Your servants will continue, And their descendants will be established before You."

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A sorrowful complaint of great afflictions. (1-11)

 
  1-11 The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, as often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has put words into our mouths. Here is a prayer put into the hands of the afflicted; let them present it to God. Even good men may be almost overwhelmed with afflictions. It is our duty and interest to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted spirit to unburden itself, by a humble representation of its griefs. We must say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, who both gives and takes away. The psalmist looked upon himself as a dying man; My days are like a shadow.


Encouragement by expecting the performances of God's promises to his church. (12-22


12-22 We are dying creatures, but God is an everlasting God, the protector of his church; we may be confident that it will not be neglected. When we consider our own vileness, our darkness and deadness, and the manifold defects in our prayers, we have cause to fear that they will not be received in heaven; but we are here assured of the contrary, for we have an Advocate with the Father, and are under grace, not under the law. Redemption is the subject of praise in the Christian church; and that great work is described by the temporal deliverance and restoration of Israel. Look down upon us, Lord Jesus; and bring us into the glorious liberty of thy children, that we may bless and praise thy name.


The unchangeableness of God. (23-28)

23-28 Bodily distempers soon weaken our strength, then what can we expect but that our months should be cut off in the midst; and what should we do but provide accordingly? We must own God's hand in it; and must reconcile this to his love, for often those that have used their strength well, have it weakened; and those who, as we think, can very ill be spared, have their days shortened. It is very comfortable, in reference to all the changes and dangers of the church, to remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. And in reference to the death of our bodies, and the removal of friends, to remember that God is an everlasting God. Do not let us overlook the assurance this psalm contains of a happy end to all the believer's trials. Though all things are changing, dying, perishing, like a vesture folding up and hastening to decay, yet Jesus lives, and thus all is secure, for he hath said, Because I live ye shall live also.

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Ps 103:1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Ps 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Ps 103:3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

Ps 103:4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Ps 103:5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Ps 103:6 ¶ The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

Ps 103:7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

Ps 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Ps 103:9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

Ps 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

Ps 103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Ps 103:13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

Ps 103:14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Ps 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

Ps 103:16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

Ps 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,

Ps 103:18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

Ps 103:19 ¶ The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

Ps 103:20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

Ps 103:21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Ps 103:22 Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

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An exhortation to bless God for his mercy. (1-5)

 1-5 By the pardon of sin, that is taken away which kept good things from us, and we are restored to the favour of God, who bestows good things on us. Think of the provocation; it was sin, and yet pardoned: how many the provocations, yet all pardoned! God is still forgiving, as we are still sinning and repenting. The body finds the melancholy consequences of Adam's offence, it is subject to many infirmities, and the soul also. Christ alone forgives all our sins; it is he alone who heals all our infirmities. And the person who finds his sin cured, has a well-grounded assurance that it is forgiven. When God, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, recovers his people from their decays, and fills them with new life and joy, which is to them an earnest of eternal life and joy, they may then be said to return to the days of their youth, Job 33:25.

And to the church and to all men. (6-14)

6-14 Truly God is good to all: he is in a special manner good to Israel. He has revealed himself and his grace to them. By his ways we may understand his precepts, the ways he requires us to walk in; and his promises and purposes. He always has been full of compassion. How unlike are those to God, who take every occasion to chide, and never know when to cease! What would become of us, if God should deal so with us? The Scripture says a great deal of the mercy of God, and we all have experienced it. The father pities his children that are weak in knowledge, and teaches them; pities them when they are froward, and bears with them; pities them when they are sick, and comforts them; pities them when they are fallen, and helps them to rise; pities them when they have offended, and, upon their submission, forgives them; pities them when wronged, and rights them: thus the Lord pities those that fear him. See why he pities. He considers the frailty of our bodies, and the folly of our souls, how little we can do, how little we can bear; in all which his compassion appears.



 For the constancy of his mercy. (15-18)

15-18 How short is man's life, and uncertain! The flower of the garden is commonly more choice, and will last the longer, for being sheltered by the garden-wall, and the gardener's care; but the flower of the field, to which life is here compared, is not only withering in itself, but exposed to the cold blasts, and liable to be cropped and trod on by the beasts of the field. Such is man. God considers this, and pities him; let him consider it himself. God's mercy is better than life, for it will outlive it. His righteousness, the truth of his promise, shall be unto children's children, who tread in the footsteps of their forefathers' piety. Then shall mercy be preserved to them.


For the government of the world. (19-22)

19-22 He who made all, rules all, and both by a word of power. He disposes all persons and things to his own glory. There is a world of holy angels who are ever praising him. Let all his works praise him. Such would have been our constant delight, if we had not been fallen creatures. Such it will in a measure become, if we are born of God. Such it will be for ever in heaven; nor can we be perfectly happy till we can take unwearied pleasure in perfect obedience to the will of our God. And let the feeling of each redeemed heart be, Bless the Lord, O my soul.

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Ps 104:1 ¶ Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty,

Ps 104:2 Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

Ps 104:3 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind,

Ps 104:4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.

Ps 104:5 You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever,

Ps 104:6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters stood above the mountains.

Ps 104:7 At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away.

Ps 104:8 They went up over the mountains; They went down into the valleys, To the place which You founded for them.

Ps 104:9 You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth.

Ps 104:10 ¶ He sends the springs into the valleys, They flow among the hills.

Ps 104:11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

Ps 104:12 By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches.

Ps 104:13 He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.

Ps 104:14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth,

Ps 104:15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart.

Ps 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,

Ps 104:17 Where the birds make their nests; The stork has her home in the fir trees.

Ps 104:18 The high hills are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers.

Ps 104:19 ¶ He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its going down.

Ps 104:20 You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the beasts of the forest creep about.

Ps 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.

Ps 104:22 When the sun rises, they gather together And lie down in their dens.

Ps 104:23 Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening.

Ps 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions-

Ps 104:25 This great and wide sea, In which are innumerable teeming things, Living things both small and great.

Ps 104:26 There the ships sail about; There is that Leviathan Which You have made to play there.

Ps 104:27 These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season.

Ps 104:28 What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good.

Ps 104:29 You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

Ps 104:30 You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.

Ps 104:31 ¶ May the glory of the LORD endure forever; May the LORD rejoice in His works.

Ps 104:32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke.

Ps 104:33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Ps 104:34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.

Ps 104:35 May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

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God's majesty in the heavens, The creation of the sea, and the dry land. (1-9)

 1-9 Every object we behold calls on us to bless and praise the Lord, who is great. His eternal power and Godhead are clearly shown by the things which he hath made. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. The Lord Jesus, the Son of his love, is the Light of the world.

His provision for all creatures. (10-18)

10-18 When we reflect upon the provision made for all creatures, we should also notice the natural worship they render to God. Yet man, forgetful ungrateful man, enjoys the largest measure of his Creator's kindness. the earth, varying in different lands. Nor let us forget spiritual blessings; the fruitfulness of the church through grace, the bread of everlasting life, the cup of salvation, and the oil of gladness. Does God provide for the inferior creatures, and will he not be a refuge to his people?

The regular course of day and night, and God's sovereign power over all the creatures. (19-30)

 
19-30 We are to praise and magnify God for the constant succession of day and night. And see how those are like to the wild beasts, who wait for the twilight, and have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Does God listen to the language of mere nature, even in ravenous creatures, and shall he not much more interpret favourably the language of grace in his own people, though weak and broken groanings which cannot be uttered? There is the work of every day, which is to be done in its day, which man must apply to every morning, and which he must continue in till evening; it will be time enough to rest when the night comes, in which no man can work. The psalmist wonders at the works of God. The works of art, the more closely they are looked upon, the more rough they appear; the works of nature appear more fine and exact. They are all made in wisdom, for they all answer the end they were designed to serve. Every spring is an emblem of the resurrection, when a new world rises, as it were, out of the ruins of the old one. But man alone lives beyond death. When the Lord takes away his breath, his soul enters on another state, and his body will be raised, either to glory or to misery. May the Lord send forth his Spirit, and new-create our souls to holiness.

A resolution to continue praising God. (31-35)


31-35 Man's glory is fading; God's glory is everlasting: creatures change, but with the Creator there is no variableness. And if mediation on the glories of creation be so sweet to the soul, what greater glory appears to the enlightened mind, when contemplating the great work of redemption! There alone can a sinner perceive ground of confidence and joy in God. While he with pleasure upholds all, governs all, and rejoices in all his works, let our souls, touched by his grace, meditate on and praise him

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Ps 105:1 ¶ Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Ps 105:2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!

Ps 105:3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

Ps 105:4 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

Ps 105:5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

Ps 105:6 O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

Ps 105:7 He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

Ps 105:8 ¶ He remembers His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,

Ps 105:9 The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac,

Ps 105:10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant,

Ps 105:11 Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance,"

Ps 105:12 When they were few in number, Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

Ps 105:13 When they went from one nation to another, From one kingdom to another people,

Ps 105:14 He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,

Ps 105:15 Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm."

Ps 105:16 Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread.

Ps 105:17 He sent a man before them-Joseph-who was sold as a slave.

Ps 105:18 They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons.

Ps 105:19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.

Ps 105:20 The king sent and released him, The ruler of the people let him go free.

Ps 105:21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions,

Ps 105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom.

Ps 105:23 Israel also came into Egypt, And Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham.

Ps 105:24 He increased His people greatly, And made them stronger than their enemies.

Ps 105:25 ¶ He turned their heart to hate His people, To deal craftily with His servants.

Ps 105:26 He sent Moses His servant, And Aaron whom He had chosen.

Ps 105:27 They performed His signs among them, And wonders in the land of Ham.

Ps 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; And they did not rebel against His word.

Ps 105:29 He turned their waters into blood, And killed their fish.

Ps 105:30 Their land abounded with frogs, Even in the chambers of their kings.

Ps 105:31 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, And lice in all their territory.

Ps 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land.

Ps 105:33 He struck their vines also, and their fig trees, And splintered the trees of their territory.

Ps 105:34 He spoke, and locusts came, Young locusts without number,

Ps 105:35 And ate up all the vegetation in their land, And devoured the fruit of their ground.

Ps 105:36 He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their strength.

Ps 105:37 He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes.

Ps 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed, For the fear of them had fallen upon them.

Ps 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night.

Ps 105:40 The people asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

Ps 105:41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river.

Ps 105:42 For He remembered His holy promise, And Abraham His servant.

Ps 105:43 He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness.

Ps 105:44 He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations,

Ps 105:45 That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the LORD!

commentary on following page.

[airIam2worship]

MHCC

A solemn call to praise and serve the Lord. (1-7)

 1-7 Our devotion is here stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Seek his strength; that is, his grace; the strength of his Spirit to work in us that which is good, which we cannot do but by strength derived from him, for which he will be sought. Seek to have his favour to eternity, therefore continue seeking it while living in this world; for he will not only be found, but he will reward those that diligently seek him.


His gracious dealings with Israel. (8-23)

8-23 Let us remember the Redeemer's marvellous works, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. Though true Christians are few in number, strangers and pilgrims upon earth, yet a far better inheritance than Canaan is made sure to them by the covenant of God; and if we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, none can do us any harm. Afflictions are among our mercies. They prove our faith and love, they humble our pride, they wean us from the world, and quicken our prayers. Bread is the staff which supports life; when that staff is broken, the body fails and sinks to the earth. The word of God is the staff of spiritual life, the food and support of the soul: the sorest judgment is a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Such a famine was sore in all lands when Christ appeared in the flesh; whose coming, and the blessed effect of it, are shadowed forth in the history of Joseph. At the appointed time Christ was exalted as Mediator; all the treasures of grace and salvation are at his disposal, perishing sinners come to him, and are relieved by him.


Their deliverance from Egypt, and their settlement in Canaan. (24-45)


24-45 As the believer commonly thrives best in his soul when under the cross; so the church also flourishes most in true holiness, and increases in number, while under persecution. Yet instruments shall be raised up for their deliverance, and plagues may be expected by persecutors. And see the special care God took of his people in the wilderness. All the benefits bestowed on Israel as a nation, were shadows of spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ Jesus. Having redeemed us with his blood, restored our souls to holiness, and set us at liberty from Satan's bondage, he guides and guards us all the way. He satisfies our souls with the bread of heaven, and the water of life from the Rock of salvation, and will bring us safely to heaven. He redeems his servants from all iniquity, and purifies them unto himself, to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works.