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Psalm Forty-six
Psalm 46
Chapter Contents
Confidence in God. (1-5) An exhortation to behold it.
(6-11)
Commentary on Psalm 46:1-5
(Read Psalm 46:1-5)
This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his
power and providence
and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of
times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies
and the encouragement we have
that
through Christ
we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help
a present
Help
a Help found
one whom we have found to be so; a Help at hand
one that
is always near; we cannot desire a better
nor shall we ever find the like in
any creature. Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters
who build
their confidence on a floating foundation; but let not those be alarmed who are
led to the Rock
and there find firm footing. Here is joy to the church
even
in sorrowful times. The river alludes to the graces and consolations of the
Holy Spirit
which flow through every part of the church
and through God's
sacred ordinances
gladdening the heart of every believer. It is promised that
the church shall not be moved. If God be in our hearts
by his word dwelling
richly in us
we shall be established
we shall be helped; let us trust and not
be afraid.
Commentary on Psalm 46:6-11
(Read Psalm 46:6-11)
Come and see the effects of desolating judgments
and
stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church
and is an
assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these
glorious days
and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our
almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this
that the Lord of hosts
the God of Jacob
has been
is
and will be with us; and will be our Refuge.
Mark this
take the comfort
and say
If God be for us
who can be against us?
With this
through life and in death
let us answer every fear.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Psalms》
Psalm 46
Verse 2
[2] Therefore will not we fear
though the earth be removed
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though — Though there should be nothing but confusion
and
desolations round about us: which are often expressed by such metaphors.
Verse 4
[4] There is a river
the streams whereof shall make glad
the city of God
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
A river — This may design the gracious presence
and blessing of
the Lord
which is frequently described under the name of waters.
Make glad — Shall not barely preserve it from
danger
but give great occasion for rejoicing and thanksgiving.
The city — Jerusalem
the place where God's holy tabernacle is
settled.
Verse 7
[7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our
refuge. /*Selah*/.
Raged — Against God
and against his people.
Uttered — He spake to them in his wrath.
The earth — The inhabitants of the earth were
consumed.
Verse 8
[8] Come
behold the works of the LORD
what desolations he
hath made in the earth.
Desolations — Among those who were vexatious to
God's people.
Verse 9
[9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he
breaketh the bow
and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in
the fire.
To cease — He hath settled as in a firm and well-grounded peace.
The land — Of Israel: from one end of it to the other.
The bow — The bows and spears
and chariots of their enemies.
Verse 11
[11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our
refuge. /*Selah*/.
Be still — Stir no more against my people.
God — The only true and almighty God; your gods are but dumb
and impotent idols.
Exalted — I will make myself glorious by my great and wonderful
works.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Psalms》
Exposition
Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings
Hints to the Village Preacher
TITLE. To the Chief
Musician. He who could sing other Psalms so well was fitly entrusted with this noble
ode. Trifles may be left to commoner songsters
but the most skilful musician
in Israel must be charged with the due performance of this song
with the most
harmonious voices and choicest music. For the Sons of Korah. One alone cannot
fulfil the praise
there must be picked choristers under him
whose joyful
privilege it shall be to celebrate the service of song in the house of the
Lord. As to why the sons of Korah were selected
see our remarks at the head of
Psalm 42. It may be well to add that they were a division of the Levites who
took their turn in serving at the temple. All the works of holy service ought
not to be monopolised by one order of talent
each company of believers should
in due course enjoy the privilege. None ought to be without a share in the
service of God.
A
Song upon Alamoth. Which may denote that the music was to be pitched high for
the treble or soprano voices of the Hebrew virgins. They went forth in their
dances to sing the praises of David when he smote the Philistine
it was meet
that they should make merry and be glad when the victories of Jehovah became
their theme. We need to praise God upon virgin hearts
with souls chaste
towards his fear
with lively and exalted expressions
and happy strains. Or
the word Alamoth may refer to shrill sounding instruments
as in 1Ch 15:20
where we read that Zechariah
and Eliab
and Benaiah were to praise the Lord
"with psalteries on Alamoth." We are not always
in a slovenly
manner
to fall into one key
but with intelligence are to modulate our praises
and make them fittingly expressive of the occasion and the joy it creates in
our souls. These old musical terms cannot be interpreted with certainty
but
they are still useful because they show that care and skill should be used in
our sacred music.
SUBJECT. Happen what
may
the Lord's people are happy and secure
this is the doctrine of the Psalm
and it might
to help our memories
be called THE SONG OF HOLY CONFIDENCE
were
it not that from the great reformer's love to this soul-stirring hymn it will
probably be best remembered as LUTHER'S PSALM.
DIVISION. It is divided
by inspired authority into three parts
each of which ends with Selah.
Verse
1. God is our refuge and strength. Not our armies
or our
fortresses. Israel's boast is in Jehovah
the only living and true God. Others
vaunt their impregnable castles
placed on inaccessible rocks
and secured with
gates of iron
but God is a far better refuge from distress than all these: and
when the time comes to carry the war into the enemy's territories
the Lord
stands his people in better stead than all the valour of legions or the boasted
strength of chariot and horse. Soldiers of the cross
remember this
and count
yourselves safe
and make yourselves strong in God. Forget not the personal
possessive word our; make sure each one of your portion in God
that you
may say
"He is my refuge and strength." Neither forget the
fact that God is our refuge just now
in the immediate present
as truly as
when David penned the word. God alone is our all in all. All other refuges are
refuges of lies
all other strength is weakness
for power belongeth unto God:
but as God is all sufficient
our defence and might are equal to all
emergencies. A very present help in trouble
or in distress he has so
been found
he has been tried and proved by his people. He never withdraws
himself from his afflicted. He is their help
truly
effectually
constantly;
he is present or near them
close at their side and ready for their succour
and this is emphasized by the word very in our version
he is more
present than friend or relative can be
yea
more nearly present than even the
trouble itself. To all this comfortable truth is added the consideration that
his assistance comes at the needed time. He is not as the swallows that leave
us in the winter; he is a friend in need and a friend indeed. When it is very
dark with us
let brave spirits say
"Come
let us sing the forty-sixth
Psalm."
"A
fortress firm
and steadfast rock
Is God in time of danger;
A shield and sword in every shock
From foe well known or stranger."
Verse
2. Therefore. How fond the psalmist is of therefores! his
poetry is no poetic rapture without reason
it is as logical as a mathematical
demonstration. The next words are a necessary inference from these. Will not
we fear. With God on our side
how irrational would fear be! Where he is
all power is
and all love
why therefore should we quail? Though the earth
be removed
though the basis of all visible things should be so convulsed
as to be entirely changed. And though the mountains be carried into the
middle of the sea; though the firmest of created objects should fall to
headlong ruin
and be submerged in utter destruction. The two phrases set forth
the most terrible commotions within the range of imagination
and include the
overthrow of dynasties
the destruction of nations
the ruin of families
the
persecutions of the church
the reign of heresy
and whatever else may at any
time try the faith of believers. Let the worst come to the worst
the child of
God should never give way to mistrust; since God remaineth faithful there can
be no danger to his cause or people. When the elements shall melt with fervent
heat
and the heavens and the earth shall pass away in the last general conflagration
we shall serenely behold "the wreck of matter
and the crash of worlds
"for even then our refuge shall preserve us from all evil
our strength
shall prepare us for all good.
Verse
3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled. When all
things are excited to fury
and reveal their utmost power to disturb
faith
smiles serenely. She is not afraid of noise
nor even of real force
she knows
that the Lord stilleth the raging of the sea
and holdeth the waves in the
hollow of his hand. Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Alps and Andes may tremble
but faith rests on a firmer basis
and is not to be
moved by swelling seas. Evil may ferment
wrath may boil
and pride may foam
but the brave heart of holy confidence trembles not. Great men who are like
mountains may quake for fear in times of great calamity
but the man whose
trust is in God needs never to be dismayed. Selah. In the midst of such a hurly
burly the music may well come to a pause
both to give the singers breath
and
ourselves time for meditation. We are in no hurry
but can sit us down and wait
while earth dissolves
and mountains rock
and oceans roar. Ours is not the
headlong rashness which passes for courage
we can calmly confront the danger
and meditate upon terror
dwelling on its separate items and united forces. The
pause is not an exclamation of dismay
but merely a rest in music; we do not
suspend our song in alarm
but tune our harps again with deliberation amidst
the tumult of the storm. It were well if all of us could say
Selah
under tempestuous trials
but alas! too often we speak in our haste
lay our
trembling hands bewildered among the strings
strike the lyre with a rude
crash
and mar the melody of our life song.
Verse
4. There is a river. Divine grace like a smoothly flowing
fertilising
full
and never failing river
yields refreshment and consolation
to believers. This is the river of the water of life
of which the church above
as well as the church below partakes evermore. It is no boisterous ocean
but a
placid stream
it is not stayed in its course by earthquakes or crumbling
mountains
it follows its serene course without disturbance. Happy are they who
know from their own experience that there is such a river of God. The
streams whereof in their various influences
for they are many
shall
make glad the city of God
by assuring the citizens that Zion's Lord will
unfailingly supply all their needs. The streams are not transient like Cherith
nor muddy like the Nile
nor furious like Kishon
nor treacherous like Job's
deceitful brooks
neither are their waters "naught" like those of
Jericho
they are clear
cool
fresh
abundant
and gladdening. The great fear
of an Eastern city in time of war was lest the water supply should be cut off during
a siege; if that were secured the city could hold out against attacks for an
indefinite period. In this verse
Jerusalem
which represents the church of
God
is described as well supplied with water
to set forth the fact that in
seasons of trial all sufficient grace will be given to enable us to endure unto
the end. The church is like a well ordered city
surrounded with mighty walls
of truth and justice
garrisoned by omnipotence
fairly built and adorned by
infinite wisdom: its burgesses the saints enjoy high privileges; they trade
with far off lands
they live in the smile of the King; and as a great river is
the very making and mainstay of a town
so is the broad river of everlasting
love
and grace their joy and bliss. The church is peculiarly the City of
God
of his designing
building
election
purchasing and indwelling. It is
dedicated to his praise
and glorified by his presence. The holy place of
the tabernacle of the Most High. This was the peculiar glory of Jerusalem
that the Lord within her walls had a place where he peculiarly revealed
himself
and this is the choice privilege of the saints
concerning which we
may cry with wonder
"Lord
how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto
us
and not unto the world?" To be a temple for the Holy Ghost is the
delightful portion of each saint
to be the living temple for the Lord our God
is also the high honour of the church in her corporate capacity. Our God is
here called by a worthy title
indicating his power
majesty
sublimity
and
excellency; and it is worthy of note that under this character he dwells in the
church. We have not a great God in nature
and a little God in grace; no
the
church contains as clear and convincing a revelation of God as the works of
nature
and even more amazing in the excellent glory which shines between the
cherubim overshadowing that mercy seat which is the centre and gathering place
of the people of the living God. To have the Most High dwelling within her
members
is to make the church on earth like the church in heaven.
Verse
5. God is in the midst of her. His help is therefore sure and
near. Is she besieged
then he is himself besieged within her
and we may be
certain that he will break forth upon his adversaries. How near is the Lord to
the distresses of his saints
since he sojourns in their midst! Let us take
heed that we do not grieve him; let us have such respect to him as Moses had
when he felt the sand of Horeb's desert to be holy
and put off his shoes from
off his feet when the Lord spake from the burning bush. She shall not be
moved. How can she be moved unless her enemies move her Lord also? His
presence renders all hope of capturing and demolishing the city utterly
ridiculous. The Lord is in the vessel
and she cannot
therefore
be wrecked. God
shall help her. Within her he will furnish rich supplies
and outside her
walls he will lay her foes in heaps like the armies of Sennacherib
when the
angel went forth and smote them. And that right early. As soon as the
first ray of light proclaims the coming day
at the turning of the morning
God's right arm shall be outstretched for his people. The Lord is up betimes.
We are slow to meet him
but he is never tardy in helping us. Impatience
complains of divine delays
but in very deed the Lord is not slack concerning
his promise. Man's haste is often folly
but God's apparent delays are ever
wise; and when rightly viewed
are no delays at all. Today the bands of evil
may environ the church of God
and threaten her with destruction; but ere long
they shall pass away like the foam on the waters
and the noise of their tumult
shall be silent in the grave. The darkest hour of the night is just before the
turning of the morning; and then
even then
shall the Lord appear as the great
ally of his church.
Verse
6. The heathen raged. The nations were in a furious uproar
they gathered against the city of the Lord like wolves ravenous for their prey;
they foamed
and roared
and swelled like a tempestuous sea. The kingdoms
were moved. A general confusion seized upon society; the fierce invaders
convulsed their own dominions by draining the population to urge on the war
and they desolated other territories by their devastating march to Jerusalem.
Crowns fell from royal heads
ancient thrones rocked like trees driven of the
tempest
powerful empires fell like pines uprooted by the blast: everything was
in disorder
and dismay seized on all who knew not the Lord. He uttered his
voice
the earth melted. With no other instrumentality than a word the Lord
ruled the storm. He gave forth a voice and stout hearts were dissolved
proud
armies were annihilated
conquering powers were enfeebled. At first the
confusion appeared to be worse confounded
when the element of divine power
came into view; the very earth seemed turned to wax
the most solid and
substantial of human things melted like the fat of rams upon the altar; but
anon peace followed
the rage of man subsided
hearts capable of repentance
relented
and the implacable were silenced. How mighty is a word from God! How
mighty the Incarnate Word. O that such a word would come from the excellent
glory even now to melt all hearts in love to Jesus
and to end for ever all the
persecutions
wars
and rebellions of men!
Verse
7. The Lord of hosts is with us. This is the reason for all
Zion's security
and for the overthrow of her foes. The Lord rules the angels
the stars
the elements
and all the hosts of heaven; and the heaven of heavens
are under his sway. The armies of men though they know it not are made to
subserve his will. This Generalissimo of the forces of the land
and the Lord
High Admiral of the seas
is on our side—our august ally; woe unto those who
fight against him
for they shall fly like smoke before the wind when he gives
the word to scatter them. The God of Jacob is our refuge
Immanuel is
Jehovah of Hosts
and Jacob's God is our high place of defence. When this glad
verse is sung to music worthy of such a jubilate
well may the singers pause
and the players wait awhile to tune their instruments again; here
therefore
fitly stands that solemn
stately
peaceful note of rest
SELAH.
Verse
8. Come
behold the works of the Lord. The joyful citizens of
Jerusalem are invited to go forth and view the remains of their enemies
that
they may mark the prowess of Jehovah and the spoil which his right hand hath
won for his people. It were well if we also carefully noted the providential
dealings of our covenant God
and were quick to perceive his hand in the
battles of his church. Whenever we read history is should be with this verse
sounding in our ears. We should read the newspaper in the same spirit
to see
how the Head of the Church rules the nations for his people's good
as Joseph
governed Egypt for the sake of Israel. What desolations he hath made in the
earth. The destroyers he destroys
the desolators he desolates. How
forcible is the verse at this date! The ruined cities of Assyria
Babylon
Petra
Bashan
Canaan
are our instructors
and in tables of stone record the
doings of the Lord. In every place where his cause and crown have been
disregarded ruin has surely followed: sin has been a blight on nations
and
left their palaces to lie in heaps. In the days of the writer of this Psalm
there had probably occurred some memorable interpositions of God against his
Israel's foes; and as he saw their overthrow
he called on his fellow citizens
to come forth and attentively consider the terrible things in righteousness
which had been wrought on their behalf. Dismantled castles and ruined abbeys in
our own land stand as memorials of the Lord's victories over oppression and
superstition. May there soon be more of such desolations.
"Ye
gloomy piles
ye tombs of living men
Ye sepulchres of womanhood
or worse;
Ye refuges of lies
soon may ye fall
And amid your ruins may the owl
and bat
And dragon find congenial resting place."
Verse
9. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth. His
voice quiets the tumult of war
and calls for the silence of peace. However
remote and barbarous the tribe
he awes the people into rest. He crushes the
great powers till they cannot provoke strife again; he gives his people
profound repose. He breaketh the bow
the sender of swift winged death
he renders useless. And cutteth the spear in sunder—the lance of the
mighty man he shivers. He burneth the chariot in the fire—the proud war
chariot with its death dealing scythes he commits to the flames. All sorts of
weapons he piles heaps on heaps
and utterly destroys them. So was it in Judea
in the days of yore
so shall it be in all lands in eras yet to come. Blessed
deed of the Prince of Peace! when shall it be literally performed? Already the
spiritual foes of his people are despoiled of their power to destroy; but when
shall the universal victory of peace be celebrated
and instruments of
wholesale murder be consigned to ignominious destruction? How glorious will the
ultimate victory of Jesus be in the day of his appearing
when every enemy
shall lick the dust!
Verse
10. Be still
and know that I am God. Hold off your hands
ye
enemies! Sit down and wait in patience
ye believers! Acknowledge that Jehovah
is God
ye who feel the terrors of his wrath! Adore him
and him only
ye who
partake in the protection of his grace. Since none can worthily proclaim his
nature
let "expressive silence muse his praise." The boasts of the
ungodly and the timorous forebodings of the saints should certainly be hushed
by a sight of what the Lord has done in past ages. I will be exalted among
the heathen. They forget God
they worship idols
but Jehovah will yet be
honoured by them. Reader
the prospects of missions are bright
bright as the
promises of God. Let no man's heart fail him; the solemn declarations of this
verse must be fulfilled. I will be exalted in the earth
among all
people
whatever may have been their wickedness or their degradation. Either by
terror or love God will subdue all hearts to himself. The whole round earth
shall yet reflect the light of his majesty. All the more because of the sin
and obstinacy
and pride of man shall God be glorified when grace reigns unto
eternal life in all corners of the world.
Verse
11. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
It was meet to sing this twice over. It is a truth of which no believer
wearies
it is a fact too often forgotten
it is a precious privilege which
cannot be too often considered. Reader
is the Lord on thy side? Is Emmanuel
God with us
thy Redeemer? Is there a covenant between thee and God as between
God and Jacob? If so
thrice happy art thou. Show thy joy in holy song
and in
times of trouble play the man by still making music for thy God. SELAH. Here as
before
lift up the heart. Rest in contemplation after praise. Still keep the
soul in tune. It is easier to sing a hymn of praise than to continue in the spirit
of praise
but let it be our aim to maintain the uprising devotion of our
grateful hearts
and so end our song as if we intended it to be continued.
SELAH
bids the music rest.
Pause in silence soft and blest;
SELAH bids uplift the strain
Harps and voices tune again;
SELAH ends the vocal praise
Still your hearts to God upraise.
EXPLANATORY
NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS
TITLE. The LXX
referring to the notion of the theme (Mlu)
occultavit
render it uper
twn krufiwn
for the hidden; and the Latin
pro arcanis; and the
rest of the ancient interpreters take the same course; the Chaldee referring it
to Coreh
and those that were hidden
i.e.
swallowed up
by the
earth with him
whilst these sons of Coreh escaped; as if the mention of
the sons of Coreh in the title
by whom this song was to be sung
referred the whole Psalm to that story. Accordingly
verse 2
when the Hebrew
reads
"Though the earth be removed
"the paraphrase is
"When
our fathers were changed from the earth." Henry Hammond.
Title. The title is
peculiar
"Upon Alamoth
"suggesting "a choir of
virgins
"as if this virgin choir were selected to sing a Psalm that
tells of perils and fears and alarms abounding
in order to show that even the
feeble virgins may in that day sing without dread
because of "The
Mighty One" on their side. Andrew A. Bonar.
Title.—"Upon
Alamoth." (To be sung) en soprano. Armand de Mestral
quoted by
Perowne.
Whole
Psalm. We sing this Psalm to the praise of God
because God is with us
and powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his word
against all fanatical spirits
against the gates of hell
against the
implacable hatred of the devil
and against all the assaults of the world
the
flesh and sin. Martin Luther.
Whole
Psalm. Luther and his companions
with all their bold readiness for
danger and death in the cause of truth
had times when their feelings were akin
to those of a divine singer
who said
"Why art thou cast down
O my
soul?" But in such hours the unflinching Reformer would cheerily say to
his friend Melancthon
"Come
Philip
let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm;
and they could sing it in Luther's own characteristic version":—
A
sure stronghold our God is He
A timely shield and weapon;
Our help he will be
and set us free
From every ill can happen.
And were the world with devils filled
All eager to devour us
Our souls to fear shall little yield
They cannot overpower us.
—S. W. Christophers
in "Hymn Writers and their Hymns
" 1866
Verse
1. God is our refuge and strength
etc. It begins abruptly
but nobly; ye may trust in whom and in what ye please; but GOD (ELOHIM) is
our refuge and strength. A very present help. A help found to be
very powerful and effectual in straits and difficulties. The words are very
emphatic: (dam aumn twrub hrze)
ezrah betsaroth nimtsa meod
"He
is found an exceeding
or superlative
help in difficulties." Such we have
found him
and therefore celebrate his praise. Adam Clarke.
Verse
2. Though the earth be removed. John Wesley preached in Hyde
park
on the occasion of the earthquake felt in London
March 8
1750
and
repeated these words. Charles Wesley composed Hymn 67
Wesley's Collection
the
following lines of which illustrate this verse:
How
happy then are we
Who build
O Lord
on thee!
What can our foundation shock?
Though the shattered earth remove
Stands our city on a rock
On the rock of heavenly love.
Verses
2-3. The earth thrown into a state of wild confusion
the mountains
hurled into the mighty deep
the sea tossed into a tempest
and the everlasting
hills drifting on its foaming billows
are the vivid images by which the divine
judgments on wicked and persecuting nations are described in the language of
the prophets. John Morison.
Verses
2-3
5. Palestine was frequently subject to earthquakes
as might have
been expected from its physical character and situation; and it is a remarkable
circumstance
that although all other parts of the land seem to have been
occasionally the scene of those terrible convulsions
the capital was almost wholly
free from them. Mount Moriah
or the hill of vision
was so called from its
towering height
which made it a conspicuous object in the distance. It stands
in the centre of a group of hills
which surround it in the form of an
amphitheatre
and it was chiefly to this position
under the special blessing
of God
that it stood firm and immoveable amid the frequent earthquakes that
agitated and ravaged the Holy Land. Paxton's Illustrations of Scripture.
Verse
4. There is a river
the streams whereof shall make glad the city
of God. What is the river that makes glad the city of God? I answer
God himself is the river
as in the following verse
"God is in the
midst of her." 1. God the Father is the river: "For my
people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living
waters
and hewed them out cisterns
broken cisterns
that can hold no
water." Jer 2:13. 2. God the Son is the river
the fountain of
salvation: "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of
David
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." Zec
13:1. 3. God the Spirit is the river: "He that believeth on me
as
the Scripture hath said
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water." "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be a well of water
springing up into everlasting life." Joh 7:38 4:14. What are the streams
of this river? Answer—the perfections of God
the fulness of
Christ
the operations of the Spirit
and these running in the channel
of the covenant of promise. Ralph Erskine.
Verse
4. There is a river
etc. This is that flood which Ezekiel
beheld in vision
the waters that came down from the right side of the house
and rising first to the ankles—then as the prophet passed onward
to the
knees—then to the loins—became afterwards a river that he could not pass over;
for the waters were risen
waters to swim in
a river that could not be passed
over. Shall we see in this
with the angelic doctor
the river of grace which
burst forth from Mount Calvary? streams branching off hither and thither
the pelagim
of the Hebrew—"to satisfy the desolate and waste ground
and to cause the
bud of the tender herb to spring forth." Job 38:1-41. O "fountain of
gardens
""well of living waters
" "streams from Lebanon
"how do you
the "nether springs" of this world
bring to us
something of the everlasting loveliness and peace of those "upper springs
"by which the beautiful flock now feed and lie down
none making them afraid!
Or with S. Ambrose and S. Bernard
understand the verse of the "river of
water of life
clear as crystal
proceeding from the throne of God and of the
Lamb." And then the rivers of that flood shall indeed make glad the
city of God
the house not made with hands
eternal in the heavens
where
is the tree of life
that beareth twelve manner of fruits
and yieldeth her
fruit every month; that country and that river of which the old liturgies say
"They who rest in the bosom of Abraham are in the tabernacle of joy and
rest
in the dwellings of light
in the world of pleasure
in the church of the
true Jerusalem
where there is no place for affliction
nor way of sadness
where there are no wars with the flesh
and no resistance to temptation
where
sin is forgotten
and past danger is only remembered as a present
pleasure." Thomas Aquinas
Ambrose
and Bernard
in Neale's Commentary.
Verse
4. There is a river. The river of God that flows from his
throne. No enemy can cut off this stream from the church of Christ. Observe the
reference to Isa 36:2 37:25
compared with 2Ch 32:2-4. These gently flowing
but full streams
are contrasted with the roaring waves of the sea. T. C.
Barth.
Verse
4. There is a river
etc. The allusion is either to the river
Kidron
which ran by Jerusalem
or to the waters of Shiloah
which by different
courses and branches ran through the city of Jerusalem
and supplied the
several parts of it with water
to the joy and comfort of its inhabitants. But
the words are to be understood in a figurative sense
as applicable to gospel
times; and this river either designs the gospel
the streams of which are its
doctrines
which are living waters
that went out from Jerusalem
and which
publish glad tidings of great joy to all sensible sinners; or the Spirit and
his graces
which are compared to a well and rivers of living water
in the
exercises of which the saints have much joy and peace; or else the Lord
himself
who is the place of broad rivers and streams to his people
and is
both their refreshment and protection; or rather his everlasting love to them
is here intended. John Gill.
Verse
4. Compared with the waterless deserts around
Judaea and Jerusalem
were well watered
and drought pressed more severely on the besiegers than the
besieged. The allusion here is to the well known rill and pool of Siloam. So in
Isa 8:6
the blessing of God's protection is represented by the waters of
Shiloah
which go softly. From "The psalms Chronologically arranged. By
Four Friends
" 1867.
Verse
4. The city. The church of God is like a city
1. Because a
city is a place of security. 2. A place of society: what one
wants another supplies; they have mutual fellowship. 3. A place of unity
that people may therein live in peace and concord. 4. A place of trade
and traffic. Here is the market of free grace: "Ho
every one that
thirsteth
"etc. Here is the pearl of great price exposed for sale.
5. A place of freedom and liberty
freedom from the guilt of sin
wrath of God
curse of the law
present evil world
bondage to Satan
etc.
etc. 6. A place of order and regularity; it hath its
constitutions and ordinances. 7. A place of rest
and commodious to live
in
and thus it is opposed to the wilderness. 8. A place of privileges.
9. A place of pomp and splendour; there is the king
the court
the throne. 10. A place of pleasure and beauty; Ps 48:2.—Ralph
Erskine.
Verse
5. God is in the midst of her. It is the real presence of
Christ
and the supernatural power of his Spirit
which makes the church mighty
to the conquest of souls. The church spreads because her God is in the midst
of her. When at any time she has forgotten her dependence on the invisible
intercession of her Head
and the gracious energy of his Spirit
she has found
herself shorn of the locks of her great strength
and has become the laughing
stock of the Philistines. William Binnie
D.D.
Verse
5. God is in the midst of her
etc. The enemies of the church
may toss her as waves
but they shall not split her as rocks. She may be dipped
in water as a feather
but shall not sink therein as lead. He
that is a well of water within her to keep her from fainting
will also prove a
wall of fire about her to preserve her from falling. Tried she may be
but destroyed she cannot be. Her foundation is the Rock of Ages
and her
defence the everlasting Arms. It is only such fabrics as are bottomed upon the sand
that are overthrown by the wind. The adversaries of God's people will
push at them as far as their horns will go
but when they have scoured them by
persecution
as tarnished vessels
then God will throw such wisps into the
fire. William Secker.
Verse
5. When the Papists were in their ruff
and Melancthon began
sometimes to fear lest the infant Reformation should be stifled in the birth
Luther was wont to comfort him with these words: "Si nos ruemus
ruet
Christus und
scilicet ille regnator mundi
esto ruat
malo ego cum Christo
rures
quam cum Caesare stare; "that is
If we perish
Christ must
fall too (he is in the midst of us)
and if it must be so
be it so; I had
rather perish with Christ
that great Ruler of the world
than prosper with
Caesar. John Collings.
Verse
5. And that right early. Therefore
notice that all the great
deliverances wrought in Holy Scripture
were wrought so early
as to
have been brought to pass in the middle of the night. So Gideon
with his
pitchers and lamps against the Midianites; so Saul
when he went forth against
Nahash
the Ammonite; so Joshua
when he went up to succour Gibeon; so Samson
when he carried off in triumph the gates of Gaza; so also the associate kings
under the guidance of Elisha
in their expedition against the Moabites
when
they
according to God's command
filled the wilderness with ditches
and then
beheld their enemies drawn to their destruction
by the reflection of the
rising sun upon the water. Michael Ayguan.
Verse
5. Right early. Rather
with the margin
when the morning
appeareth. The restoration of the Jews will be one of the first things at
the season of the second advent. It will be accomplished in the very dawning of
that day
"when the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing on his
wings." Samuel Horsley.
Verse
7. The Lord of hosts is with us. There be three sorts of
God's special presence
all which may be justly accounted the church's privilege.
First
his glorious presence
or his presence testified by eminent
glory
and the residence thereof. Thus God is said to be in heaven
differentially
so as he is not anywhere else; and heaven is therefore called
his throne or dwelling place 1Ki 8:39; as a king is nowhere so majestically as
upon his throne
or in his chair of state; and this is so great a privilege of
the church as that she comes not to enjoy it
unless she be triumphant in
heaven
and therefore is not the presence here intended. Secondly
his gracious
presence
or his presence testified by tokens of his grace and favour toward a
people
whether visible as in the temple where he chose to place his name
and
wherein above all places he would be worshipped
in which respect he is said to
dwell between the cherubim 2Sa 6:2; or spiritual tokens of his grace
as
assistance and acceptance in the duties of his worship
together with enjoyment
and benefit of his ordinances. Thus he is present with his church and people in
times of the gospel: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name
there am I in the midst of them." Mt 18:20. This kind of presence is a
privilege of the church militant
that he will be with her in holy and
spiritual administrations and ordinances; yet this is not the presence
principally intended here. Thirdly
the providential presence
or his
presence testified by acts of special providence
wherein the power
wisdom or
any other of God's attributes are eminently put forth
either by way of
assistance or defence fro a people. Thus the Lord was present with Israel in
the wilderness by the pillar of fore and of a cloud Ex 13:21; "And the
Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud
to lead them the way; and by
night in a pillar of fire
to give them light." And as this presence was
intended for a guide
so was it also for a defence to his people against their
enemies
and at which their enemies the Egyptians were troubled. Ex 15:20. By
this kind of presence the Lord is with his church militant
in reference to her
external regiment
and more especially in her warfare
standing up for her and
with her against her enemies; and this is the church's privilege in these
words
The Lord of hosts is with us. John Strickland
B.D. (1601-1670)
in a
Sermon
entitled
"Immanuel
"1644.
Verse
7. The God of Jacob. If any shall ask me
Why then the God of
Jacob more than the God of Isaac? Though it might suffice that the Spirit of
God is pleased so to speak
yet Mr. Calvin gives this reason
the covenant of
grace was more solemnly made and publicly ratified with Abraham and Jacob
than
it was with Isaac
and therefore when he will be looked upon as a God in
covenant with his people
he holds forth himself more frequently by the name of
the God of Abraham
and the God of Jacob
than of the God of Isaac; albeit
sometimes he is pleased to take upon him that style also. John Strickland.
Verse
7. Our refuge. Our refuge
or stronghold
where the church
as a ship in quiet haven
amy anchor and ride safe; or it may be a metaphor
from the dens or burrows
where weaponless creatures find shelter
when they
are hunted and pursued by their enemies
as Pr 30:26
"The conies are
but a feeble folk
yet make they their houses in the rocks." They are
safe in the rock if they can get thither
though never so weak in themselves.
So the church
though pursued by bloody enemies
and though weak in herself
if
yet she get under the wing of the God of Jacob
she may be fearless
for she is
safe there. He is our refuge. It were to undervalue God
if we should
fear the creatures
when he is with us. Antigonus
when he overheard his
soldiers reckoning how many their enemies were
he steps in unto them suddenly
demanding
"And how many do you reckon me for?" John Strickland.
Verse
8. Come
behold the works of the Lord. Venito
videto. God
looks that his works should be well observed
and especially when he hath
wrought any great deliverance for his people. Of all things
he cannot abide to
be forgotten. John Trapp.
Verse
8. What desolations he hath made in the earth. We are here
first invited to a tragical sight. We are carried into the camera di morte
to see the ghastly visage of deaths and desolations all the world over; than
which nothing can be more horrible and dreadful. You are called out to see piles
of dead carcasses; to see whole basketfuls of heads
as was presented to Jehu:
a woeful spectacle
but a necessary one. See
therefore
what
desolation the Lord hath wrought in all the earth. Desolations by wars: how
many fields have been drenched with blood
and composted with carcasses; how
many millions of men have been cut off in all ages by the edge of the sword!
Desolations by famine; wherein men have been forced to make their bodies one
another's sepulchres
and mothers to devour their children of a span long.
Desolations by plagues and pestilence; which have swept away
as our story
tells us
eight hundred thousand in one city. Desolations by inundations of
waters; which have covered the faces of many regions
and rinsed the earth of
her unclean inhabitants. Desolations by earthquakes
which have swallowed up
whole cities; and those great and populous. Desolations wrought by the hand of
his angels; as in Egypt; in the tents of the Assyrians
one hundred and eighty
five thousand in one night; in the camp of Israel
in David's pestilence.
Desolations wrought by the hand of men
in battles and massacres. Desolations
by wild beasts; as in the colonies of Ashur planted in Samaria. Desolations by
the swarms of obnoxious and noisome creatures; as in Egypt
and since in
Africa: "He spoke the word
and the grasshoppers came
and caterpillars
innumerable
"Ps 105:34. In so much as
in the consulship of M. Fulvius
Flaccus
after the bloody wars of Africa
followed infinite numbers of locusts;
which
after devouring of all herbs and fruit
were
by a sudden wind
hoised
into the African sea: infection followed upon their putrefaction
and thereupon
a general mortality: in number
four score thousand died: upon the sea coast
betwixt Carthage and Utica
above two hundred thousand. Desolations every way
and by what variety of means soever; yet all wrought by the divine hand; What
desolations he hath wrought. Whoever be the instrument
he is the Author. Joseph
Hall (Bishop.)
Verse
8. Doth not God make great desolations
when he makes that man that
counted himself a most religious man
to confess himself not sufficient for one
good thought? As it was with Paul
does he not make wars to cease when he turns
the heart of a persecutor
earnestly to seek peace with God and man
yea
with
his very enemies? Doth he not break the bow and all weapons of war asunder
and
that in all the earth
when he proclaims peace to all that are far off and
near
professor and profane
Jews and Gentiles? Richard Coore.
Verses
8-10. Come
behold the works of the Lord. What works? ruining works. What
desolations he hath made in the earth. God made strange work in the world
at that time. Those countries which before were as the garden of God
became
like a desolate wilderness: who was able to bear this with patience? Yet the
Spirit of God saith in the next words
it must be patiently borne. When God
lets men strive and war with one another to a common confusion
yet no man may
strive with God about it: and the reason given why no man may
is only this
(which is indeed all the reason in the world)
He is God. So it follows
in the Psalm; Be still
and know that I am God; as if the Lord had said
Not a word
do not strive nor reply; whatever you see
hold your peace; know
that I
being God
give no account of any of my matters. Joseph Caryl.
Verses
8-10. Come
behold the works of the Lord.
Verse
10. Be still
and know that I am God. The great works of God
wherein his sovereignty appeared
had been described in the foregoing verses.
In the awful desolations that he made
and by delivering his people by terrible
things
he showed his greatness and dominion. Herein he manifested his power
and sovereignty
and so commands all to be still
and know that he is God.
For says he
I will be exalted among the heathen
I will be exalted in the
earth. In the words may be observed
1. A duty described
to be still
before God
and under the dispensations of his providence; which implies that
we must be still as to words; not speaking against the sovereign dispensations
of Providence
or complaining of them; not darkening counsel by words without
knowledge
or justifying ourselves and speaking great swelling words of vanity.
We must be still as to actions and outward behaviour
so as not to
oppose God in his dispensations; and as to the inward frame of our hearts
cultivating a calm and quiet submission of soul to the sovereign pleasure of
God
whatever it may be. 2. We may observe the ground of this duty
namely
the
divinity of God. His being God is a sufficient reason why we should be still
before him
in no wise murmuring
or objecting
or opposing
but calmly and
humbly submitting to him. 3. How we must fulfil this duty of being still before
God
namely
with a sense of his divinity
as seeing the ground of this duty
in that we know him to be God. Our submission is to be such as becomes
rational creatures. God doth not require us to submit contrary to reason
but
to submit as seeing the reason and ground of submission. Hence
the bare
consideration that God is God may well be sufficient to still all
objections and oppositions against the divine sovereign dispensations. Jonathan
Edwards.
Verse
10. Be still
and know that I am God. This text of Scripture
forbids quarrelling and murmuring against God. Now let me apply as I go along.
There are very few
and these very well circumstanced
that find themselves in
no hazard of quarrelling with God. I think almost that if angels were on earth
they would be in hazard of it. I will assure you
there are none that have corruption
but they have need to be afraid of this. But many give way to this quarrelling
and consider not the hazard thereof. Beware of it
for it is a dreadful thing
to quarrel with God: who may say unto him
"What doest thou?" It is a
good account of Aaron
that when God made fire to destroy his sons
he held his
peace. Let us then
while we bear the yoke
"sit alone and keep silence
and put our mouths in the dust
if so be there may be hope." La 3:28-29.
Ye know
the murmuring of the children of Israel cost them very dear. Be
still
that is
beware of murmuring against me
saith the Lord. God gives
not an account of his matters to any; because there may be many things ye
cannot see through; and therefore ye may think it better to have wanted them
and much more
for the credit of God and the church. I say
God gives not an
account of his matters to any. Beware
then
of drawing rash conclusions. Richard
Cameron's Sermon
preached July 18th
1680
three days before he was killed at
Airsmoss.
Verse
10. Be still and know that I am God. Faith gives the soul a
view of the Great God. It teacheth the soul to set his almightiness against
sin's magnitude
and his infinitude against sin's multitude; and so quenches
the temptation. The reason why the presumptuous sinner fears so little
and the
despairing soul so much
is for want of knowing God as great; therefore
to
cure them both
the serious consideration of God
under this notion
is
propounded: Be still
and know that I am God; as if he had said
Know
O
ye wicked
that I am God
who can avenge myself when I please upon you
and
cease to provoke me by your sins to your own confusion; and again
know
ye
trembling souls
that I am God; and therefore able to pardon the greatest sins
and cease to dishonour me by your unbelieving thoughts of me. William
Gurnall.
Verse
10. Be still
and know that I am the Lord. Not everyone is a
fit scholar for God's school
but such as are purified according to the
purification of the sanctuary. Carnal men are drowned in fleshly and worldly
cares
and neither purged nor lifted up to receive the light of God
or else
indisposed by prejudice or passion
that they cannot learn at all. We will
never savingly know him
till our souls be free of these indispositions. Among
all the elements the earth is fitted to receive seed of the sower; if he cast
it into the fire
it burneth; if in the air
it withereth; if in the waters
it
rots
the instability of that body is for producing monsters
because it closes
not straitly the seeds of fishes. Spirits of a fiery temper
or light in
inconstancy
or moving as waters
are not for God's lessons
but such as in stayed
humility do rest under his hand. If waters be mixed with clay in their
substance
or their surface be troubled with wind
they can neither receive nor
render any image; such unstable spirits in the school of God lose their time
and endanger themselves. William Struther.
Verse
10. Be still
and know
etc. As you must come and see
Ps 46:8
so come and hear what the Lord saith to those enemies of yours.
John Trapp.
Verse
11. The Lord of hosts is with us. On Tuesday Mr. Wesley could
with difficulty be understood
though he often attempted to speak. At last
with all the strength he had
he cried out
"The best of all is
God is
with us." Again
raising his hand
and waving it in triumph
he exclaimed
with thrilling effect
"The best of all is
God is with us." These
words seem to express the leading feature of his whole life
God had been with
him from early childhood; his providence had guided him through all the devious
wanderings of human life; and now
when he was entering the "valley of the
shadow of death
"the same hand sustained him. From "Wesley and
his Coadjutors. By Rev. W. C. Larrabee
A.M. Edited by Rev. B. F. Tefft
D.D.
Cincinnati. 1851."
Verse
1. The song of faith in troublous times.
1. Our
refuge. Our only
impregnable
accessible
delightful place of retreat is
our God.
2. Our
strength. Our all sufficient
unconquerable
honourable
and emboldening
strength is our God.
3. Our
help. Ever near
sympathising
faithful
real
and potent is our God.
Verse
1. A very present help in trouble. Religion never so valuable
as in seasons of trouble
sickness
and death. God is present helping us to bear
trouble
to improve it
and to survive it. Present by gracious communications
and sweet manifestations; present most when he seems absent
restraining
overruling
and sanctifying trouble. Trust and wait. James Smith.
Verse
2. The reasons
advantages
and glory of holy courage.
Verses
2-3.
1.
The great and many causes for fear.
(a)
What might come—mountains
waters
etc.
persecution
pestilence
etc.
(b)
What must come—afflictions
death
judgment.
2.
The great and one cause for not fearing. Fearlessness under such circumstances
should be well grounded. God himself is our refuge
and we confiding in him are
fearless. G. Rogers.
Verse
4. Glad tidings in sad times; or
the city of God in the times of
trouble and confusion
watered with the river of consolation. Ralph Erskine.
Verse
4. What can this river be but that blessed covenant to which
David himself repaired in the time of trouble? ...And what are the streams
of this river
but the outgoings and effects of this divine constitution?
1.
The blood of Jesus.
2. The influences of the Holy Spirit.
3. The doctrines and promises of the gospel.
4. The ordinances of religion.
5. All the means of grace. W. Jay.
Verse
4. Make glad the city of God. There are four ways in which
the streams of a river would gladden the citizens.
1.
The first regards prospect.
2. The second regards traffic.
3. The third regards fertility.
4. The fourth regards supply. W. Jay.
Verse
4. City of God. The church may be called "the city of
God" because
1. He dwells in it (see Ps 44:5). 2. He founded
it and built it. 3. It derives all privileges and immunities
from him. 4. He is the chief Ruler or Governor there. 5. It is his property. 6.
He draws the rent of it. Ralph Erskine.
Verses
4-5. To the church
Joy
Establishment
Deliverance.
Verse
6. What man did and what God did.
Verse
8. Behold the works of the Lord.
1.
They are worth beholding
for they are like himself; well becoming his infinite
power
wisdom
justice
2.
Our eyes were given us for this very purpose—not for the beholding of vanity
not for the ensnaring or wounding of the soul; but for the use and honour of
the Creator.
3.
The Lord delights to have his works beheld; he knows their excellency and
perfection
and that the more they are seen and noted the more honour will
accrue to the Maker of them.
4.
None but we can do it; there is great reason then that we should carefully behold
etc.
5.
This shall be of great benefit to ourselves. Bishop Hall.
Verse
8. The desolations of the Lord
the consolation of his saints.
1.
A declaration of what has happened.
2.
A promise of what shall be achieved. Spurgeon's Sermons
No. 190.
Verse
9. The Great Peacemaker
or the principle of the gospel our only
hope
for the total abolition of war.
Verse
10. Be still
and know that I am God. The sole consideration
that God is God
sufficient to still all objections to his sovereignty. Jonathan
Edwards.
Verse
10. I am God. 1. In that he is God
he is an absolutely and
infinitely perfect being. 2. As he is God
he is so great
that
he is infinitely above all comprehension. 3. As he is God
all things are his own.
4. In that he is God
he is worthy to be sovereign over all things. 5.
In that he is God
he will be sovereign
and will act as such. 6.
In that he is God
he is able to avenge himself on those who oppose his
sovereignty. Jonathan Edwards.
── C.H. Spurgeon《The Treasury of David》