10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High: 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; They fell down, and there was none to help. 13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bands in sunder. 15 O that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder. 17 Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted. 18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat, And they draw near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses. 20 He sent his word, and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. 21 O that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with 'rejoicing. 23 They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters, 24 These see the works of the LORD, And his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and 'raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof. • Luke 1. 79. See Job 8. 5. f Psa. 78. 24. Luke 7. 80. Acts 20. 27. 8 Acts 12. 7, &c. and 16. 26, &c. h 2 Kings 20.4, 5. Psa. 147. 15, i Lev. 7. 12. Psa. 50. 14. Heb. 13. 15. 2 Heb. singing. * Heb. maketh to stand, Jonah 1. 4. 26 They mount up to the heaven, They go down again to the depths, Their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wit's end. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet, 31 So he bringeth them unto their desired haven. O that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! 32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the 33 people, And praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And the water-springs into dry ground; 34 A m fruitful land into 'barrenness, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein. 35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, And dry ground into water-springs. 36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, That they may prepare a city for habitation; 37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, Which may yield fruits of increase. 38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And suffereth not their cattle to decrease. 39 Again, they are diminished and brought low Through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. 40 He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. 41 Yet 'setteth he the poor on high 'from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock. 42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth. 43 Whoso tis wise, and will observe these things, Even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the ON THE ERECTION OF THE GREAT ALTAR AT JERUSALEM, AFTER THE RETURN OF THE EXILES. The Psalmist, by his example, inciteth others to praise God for his glorious, 1-4, and his gracious works, 5-9; the fear of the Lord produceth true wisdom, 10. 1 'Praise ye the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honourable and glorious, And his righteousness endureth forever. 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He hath given 'meat unto them that fear him; He will ever be mindful of his covenant. 'Heb. hallelujah. Job xxxviii to xli. Psa. 92. 5; 189.14. Rev. 15. 3. Hob. prey. Mat. 6. 26, 33. 6 He hath showed his people the power of his works, That he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; All his commandments are sure. 8 They 'stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. He hath commanded his covenant forever; Holy and reverend is his name! 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 'A good understanding have all they 'that do his commandments; His praise endureth forever. b Rev. 15. 3. Heb. are established, Isa. 40. 8. Mat. 5. 18. c Psa. 19. 9. Rev. 15. 3. d Mat. 1. 21. Luke 1. 68. e Luke 1. 49. f Job 28. 28. Prov. 1. 7; 9. 10. Or, good success. When the Jews had returned to their native land, they found the favour shown to them by the Persian government had excited the envy of the surrounding tribes, who, to prevent their being restored to the rank of a nation, now annoyed and vexed them with all sorts of opposition. In Ezra iii, 3, it is said, "They set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries." Psalm cxii seems to have an eye especially to these wicked opposers. See verse 10. PSALM CXII. ON THE ERECTION OF THE GREAT ALTAR AT JERUSALEM, AFTER THE RETURN OF THE EXILES. Godliness hath the promise of this life, 1-3, and of the life which is to come, 4–9; the envious wicked shall perish, while the righteous shall be satisfied, 10. 1 'Praise ye the LORD! Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, That delighteth greatly in his commandments! 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth; The generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house, And his righteousness endureth forever. 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man showeth favour, and lendeth; He will guide his affairs with 'discretion. 6 Surely he shall not be moved forever; The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; His horn shall be exalted with honour. |