Psalms 89

The form of this psalm seems to be dramatical, and several parts of it

are spoken in the name of several persons; as it is in the book of the

Song of Solomon, and in one part of Ecclesiastes.

David speaks in his own name from the beginning to ver. 22, from

thence to ver. 25, in the name of the people; and thence to ver. 28,

in the name of the priests; and then concludes in his own name.

He calls upon all about him to praise God, ver. 1 - 4.

Encourages himself and others to trust in God, from the experience

he had had of his power and mercy, ver. 5 - 18.

He gives thanks for his advancement to the throne, as it was a figure

of the exaltation of Christ, ver. 19 - 23.

The people, the priests, and the psalmist himself triumph in the

prospect of the Redeemer's kingdom, ver. 24 - 29.

CHAPT.CXIX.

Because this psalm was very large, and the matter of it of the greatest

importance, the psalmist thought fit to divide it into two and twenty

several parts, according to the number of the Hebrew letters, that

he might both prevent tediousness, and fix it in the memory. Each part

consists of eight verses. All the verses of the first part beginning

with Aleph, all the verses of the second with Beth, and so on.

It is observable, that the word of God is here called by the names of

law, statutes, precepts or commandments, judgments, ordinances,

righteousness, testimonies, way and word. By which variety, he

designed to express the nature and perfection of God's word. It is

called his word, as revealed by him to us; his way, as

prescribed by him for us to walk in; his law, as binding us to

obedience; his statutes, as declaring his authority of giving us

laws; his precepts as directing our duty; his ordinances, as

ordained by him; his righteousness, as exactly agreeable to God's

righteous nature and will; his judgments, as proceeding from the

great judge of the world, and being his judicial sentence to which all

men must submit; and his testimonies, as it contains the witness of

God's will, and of man's duty. And there is but one of these one

hundred and seventy six verses, in which one or other of these titles

is not found. The general scope and design of this psalm is, to

magnify the law and make it honourable: to shew the excellency and

usefulness of divine revelation, and recommend it to us, by the

psalmist's own example, who speaks by experience of the benefits of it,

for which he praises God, and earnestly prays for the continuance of

God's grace, to direct and quicken him in his way.

CHAPT.CXX.

David prays against lying tongues, and denounces judgment against them,

ver. 1 - 4.

Complains of his wicked and unpeaceable neighbours, ver. 5 - 7.

A song of degrees.Title of the psalm. Of degrees - Or, of accents, as the word properly signifies. This title is given to this and the fourteen following psalms, probably because they were sung upon the fifteen degrees, steps, or stairs of the temple, which the Jewish writers mention.

CHAPT.CXXI.

David assures himself of help from God, ver. 1, 2.

He assures others of it, ver. 3 - 8.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXII.

This psalm seems to have been wrote for the use of the people, when

they came to Jerusalem at the three solemn feasts.

David here shews the joy with which they were to go up to Jerusalem,

ver. 1, 2.

The esteem they were to have of it, ver. 3 - 5.

The prayers they were to make for its welfare, ver, 6 - 9.

A song of degrees of David.

CHAPT.CXXIII.

The psalmist expresses and prays for deliverance from trouble,

ver. 1 - 4.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXIV.

David describes the danger he and his people had been in, ver. 1 - 5.

Blesses God for delivering them, ver. 6 - 8.

A song of degrees of David.

CHAPT.CXXV.

The safety of them that trust in God, and the fate of the wicked,

ver. 1 - 5.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXVI.

This psalm was probably composed by Ezra, at the return of Israel

from Babylon. Those who are returned, are called upon to be

thankful; those who still remain there, are prayed for and encouraged,

ver. 1 - 6.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXVII.

We must trust in God for success in all enterprizes, ver. 1, 2.

And for children, ver. 3 - 5.

A song of degrees of Solomon.

CHAPT.CXXVIII.

The happiness of them that fear God, ver. 1 - 6.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXIX.

The people of God commemorate their deliverance out of sore

afflictions, ver. 1 - 4.

The destruction of their enemies, ver. 5 - 8.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXX.

The psalmist confessing his sins, expresses his hope in God, ver. 1 - 6.

And exhorts Israel to hope in him, ver.7, 8.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXXI.

David testifies his humility, and exhorts Israel to trust in God,

ver. 1 - 3.

A song of degrees of David.

CHAPT.CXXXII.

Probably this psalm was wrote by Solomon to be sung at the

dedication of the temple, of which he desires God would come and take

possession, ver. 8, 9, 10.

With these words he concluded his prayer, 2 Chronicles 6:41,42.

He pleads David's piety towards God, ver. 1 - 7.

And God's promise to David, ver. 11 - 18.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXXIII.

The happiness of brotherly love, ver. 1 - 3.

A song of degrees of David.

CHAPT.CXXXIV.

In this psalm the priests or Levites who watched all night in the

temple, exhort one another, and pray for one another, ver. 1 - 3.

A song of degrees.

CHAPT.CXXXV.

An exhortation to praise God for his greatness and mighty works,

ver. 1 - 7.

For destroying his enemies, ver. 8 - 11.

For his mercy toward Israel, ver. 12 - 14.

The vanity of idols, ver. 15 - 18.

Another exhortation to praise God, ver. 19 - 20.

CHAPT.CXXXVI.

We must praise God as great and good in himself, ver. 1 - 3.

As the Creator of the world, ver. 4 - 9.

As Israel's God, ver. 10 - 22.

As our Redeemer, ver. 23, 24.

As God over all, ver. 25, 26.

CHAPT.CXXXVII.

Probably this psalm was wrote toward the end of the Babylonish

captivity. Herein the captives complain of the scoffs of their

enemies, yet remember Jerusalem, and foresee the downfall of

Babylon, ver. 1 - 9.

CHAPT.CXXXVIII.

David praises God for his goodness, and foretells that other kings

will praise him, ver. 1 - 5.

He rejoices in hope of still greater blessings, ver. 6 - 8.

A psalm of David.

CHAPT.CXXXIX.

This psalm is, by many of the Jewish doctors, esteemed the most

excellent in the whole book.

The omniscience of God is here asserted, ver. 1 - 6.

Proved by two arguments; That he is every where present, ver. 7 - 12.

And that he made us, ver. 13 - 16.

This may fill us with pleasing admiration of God, ver. 17, 18.

With an holy hatred of sin, ver. 19 - 22.

And with an holy satisfaction in our own integrity, ver. 23, 24.

To the chief musician, A psalm of David.

CHAPT.CXL.

David prays and hopes for deliverance from his enemies, ver. 1 - 7.

Foretells their destruction, ver. 8 - 13.

To the chief musician, A psalm of David.

CHAPT.CXLI.

David prays for acceptance and assistance, ver. 1 - 6.

For the deliverance of himself and friends, ver. 7 - 10.

A psalm of David.

CHAPT.CXLII.

David complains to God and trusts in him, ver. 1 - 7

Maschil of David; A prayer when he was in the cave.

CHAPT.CXLIII

David complains and prays for pardon and help, ver. 1 - 12.

A psalm of David.

CHAPT.CXLIV.

David blesses God for his mercies, ver. 1 - 4.

Prays against his enemies, ver. 5 - 8.

Promises to praise him, ver.9 - 11.

The happiness of those who serve God, ver. 12 - 15.

A psalm of David.

CHAPT.CXLV.

This also is an alphabetical psalm.

In it David praises God for his greatness, ver. 1 - 7.

For his goodness and everlasting kingdom, ver. 8 - 13.

For his providence, ver. 14 - 16.

For his mercy to his servants, ver. 17 - 21.

David's psalm of praise.

CHAPT.CXLVI.

The psalmist praises God, and exhorts all to trust in him alone,

ver. 1 - 5.

Because of his power, faithfulness and everlasting kingdom, ver. 6 - 10.

CHAPT.CXLVII.

The psalmist praises God for his care over the church, ver. 1 - 14.

His government over all, ver. 15 - 18.

His giving his word to Israel, ver. 19, 20.

CHAPT.CXLVIII.

An exhortation to all creatures in heaven and earth, man especially,

to praise God, ver. 1 - 14.

CHAPT.CXLIX.

An exhortation to praise God for his love to his people, ver. 1 - 5.

And for enabling them to overcome their enemies, ver. 6 - 9.

CHAPT.CL.

An exhortation to praise God with all sorts of musical instruments,

ver. 1 - 6.