Psalms 100

To the chief Musician upon Mahalath. A Psalm of&avid. MaschiL This Psalm and the fourteenth differ so little, that it hath troubled interpreters to give a reason for the repetition of the same thing, almost in the same words. There is some variation, indeed, in every verse, but it is merely the change of one word for another of the same import: (as, for example, God for Lord, ver. 2. 4. 9.) except only * verse the fifth; where there is a much greater alteration; and the sixth wholly omitted; which makes it probable there was some new occasion for the using this hymn again, though an occasion exceeding like the former. What it was writers do but guess; and if I take the liberty also to interpose my conjecture, it will be nothing so remote as all those that I have met withal seem to be. If we suppose the defection of the people in the rebellion of Absalom, to have been the matter of his complaint in’, the fourteenth Psalm, then it looks like a probability, that the new revolt which the Israelites generally made, immediately after the other, before David had quite recovered Jerusalem, and his settlement there, was the oc- * casion of this.* For you read, that upon the quarrel which arose between the men of Judah and the men of Israel, •about precedency in bringing back the king, Sheba blew the trumpet of rebellion afresh; and it is said, that every man of Israel left David, and followed after him, (2 Sam. xx. 2.) This is the revolt, I apprehend, here spoken of, ver. 3. where the Psalmist says/ Every one of them is gone back. And a dangerous revolt it was, as David apprehended, more dangerous than the former, unless timely checked; (2 Sam. xx. G.) which made him, before all his army could be assembled, (ver. 5.) send his guards to pursue him speedily: (ver. 7.) as they did through all tho tribes of Israel, (ver. 14.) Who being afraid of the issue (ver. 5. of this Psalm), fell off from Sheba more and more, the farther he went, and left him at last to shift for himself, so that he was shut up in the city of Abel/ there. taken, and beheaded, (ver. 22.) After which, his body, it is likely, was exposed to the fowls of the air, or the wild beasts; insomuch that his bones were, /indeed, at last scattered, (as Jhe Psalmist here speaks, ver. 5.) and all his adherents made contemptible. This David desired should be commemorated together with his deliverance from Absalom’s rebellion; and therefore, making a review of the fourteenth Psalm. (wherein that distress is described), he delivered it again. to the master of the music (as appeared after the first collection of the book of Psalms was finished), with some small alterations, relating to this new business; desiring God, for instance, to give them still some farther and new salvation, (ver. G.) For the word here is in the plural number, but in the fourteenth Psalm in the singular; which hath made me render it here complete salvation, which he implores with the same earnestness he had done before, and orders also how the Psalm shall be sung upon Mahalath, or the hollow instrument (flute or pipe) to the tune of Maschil, (or as a caveat against re- * bejlion, see Psal. xxxii.) If any be not satisfied with this account of the Psalm, because of the word captivity, in the last verse, which they. may think ought to be taken properly; then they may suppose this Psalm to have been reviewed by Asaph the. seer, in the days of Hezekiah, when abundance of the people had been indeed carried captive, (Isa. v. 13.) But there is no need to have recourse to this: for the word captivity imports no more, in some places, but only great desolation; such as was made of Job’s estate and family, (xlii. 10.) and by the Philistines, when Shiloh was • destroyed, (Judg. xviii. 30, 31.) A Psalm of Praise. There is no other Psalm hath the like title with this; which is called A Psalm of Praise; or rather of Thanksgiving, and acknowledgment for Divine blessings, as the word is translated below, (ver. 4.) and in most other places. For which reason, I suppose, it is, that the Hebrews imagine (as the Chaldec Paraphrase, as well as others of their authors, tells us) it was peculiarly appointed to be sung, when their sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered; mentioned Lev. vii. 12, 13. The companies also, or choirs of thcin, who gave thanks to God, are called by this name, Nehem. xii. 31 — 38. Which makes it probable, that the Levites sung this song upon that occasion: which the Greeks think was made by David; who invites allthe world to join with the Israelites, in the service of Him, who was kind and gracious to them beyond expression. Accordingly wc Christians now properly use it, in acknowledgment of God’s wonderful love to us in Christ: by whom we offer up continually spiritual sacrifices; for redeeming us by the sacrifice he made of himself; for making the world anew, and creating us again unto good works; according to his faithful promises, which we may depend upon for ever. I do not know but the word nw<made (ver. 3.) may bo used here as it Isaiah 1 Sam. xii. 6., for advancing, raising, or preferring them (as he is there said to have done Moses and Aaron); making.them to be what they then were, a famous people, in a good land: Which £eems to agree best with the following words, and not we our* selves (and therefore I have not omitted that sense). For to deny that we created ourselves, is altogether needless; but that it is not to be ascribed to our industry or wit, that we arc raised to a happy condition, is a proper expression of humility.

Psalms 100:1

JL HE fool hath said in his heart, TJiere is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. Though the wicked are not yet so impudent as openly to deny God with their mouths; yet such is their abominable filthiness, so shameless are they in their wickedness, so universally depraved, that their secret thoughts sure are, God takes no notice of what they do, or that he will not judge them for it. JJJLAKE ajoyfulnoise unto the Lord, allye lands.] Let all the people of the earth lift up their voices, in triumphant songs, to the honour of the Lord; who deserves all our praises.

Psalms 100:2

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. But let them know that he exactly observes them, and all the ways of the sons of men, which. are naked and bare before his eyes; though, alas! there is nothing now to be seen but ignorance and contempt of his majesty. Serve the lArd with gladness; come before his presence with singing.] Make the service of the Lord your delight, nay, greatest pleasure; and when you approach into his tabernacle, shout for joy that you are admitted into his blessed presence, to praise him with your cheerful hymns.

Psalms 100:3

Every one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. The Israelites have made a new separation, and are entirely revolted; being like a body without spirit, so rotten and putrefied, that it is hard to find so much as one that hath any kind of goodness in him. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.] Consider that the Lord, whom you worship, is the creator and governor of the world; who gave us our being, and all the good things wc enjoy: his wc arc, and by his power and goodness, not our own, we are become so great and mighty a nation; whom, out of his own mere good-will alone, he hath made his peculiar people, of whom he takes a tcuder care.

Psalms 100:4

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. Strange, that they should still be thus senseless! and (after such a defeat as they have lately received) continue to work iniquity; nay, to be cruel and void of all pity and compassion to my poor people; the reason is, they have no religion. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.’] When you enter therefore into the gates of his sanctuary, present him not merely with the sacrifices of beasts, but with the most acceptable sacrifice of hearty thanksgiving; and as you stand in his courts, attending on him, cease not to sing his praises: thank him, I say, for all his benefits, and praise his incomparable perfections.

Psalms 100:5

There were they in great fear, where no fear was; for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast pat them to shame, because God hath despised them. And none more cowardly than such atheistical wretches; whose courage so soon failed them, that a panic fear seized them before my forces could approach them: for they ran away, and dispersed themselves, when I sent but a small party after them. God, O my soul, hath broken him in pieces, and his bones lie scattered on the ground, who thought to oppress thee: thou hast obtained this favour of him, to put them to shame; for he despised those who had so little regard to his majesty. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth mdureth to all generations.] For as his power is transcendent, so is his gopdness; as appears by his never-failing bounty towards us, and his steadfast faithfulness to his word: for the mercy promised to our forefathers he hath exactly fulfilled in our days; and will continue to all succeeding generations,

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out, of Zion! Wlien Godbringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. And he is mighty to save (whatsoever such wicked people think), and resides, by a special token of his presence there, on Mount Zion: O that it might please him to complete our deliverance from thence; and restore us all again to the happy enjoyment of that place, from whence we have been banished! it would turn our sad lamentations into the most cheerful thanksgivings; and fill not only Judah, but all the tribes of Israel, with joy and gladness.