Matthew Poole's Commentary O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. THE ARGUMENT The matter of this Psalm is the same with the former, only it is a little more fitted to the use and service of the temple, by the continued repetition of that solemn clause, For thy mercy endures for ever, which was much used by the sacred singers. See 2 Chronicles 7:3 20:21. The psalmist exhorteth all to praise God, for his power and wisdom in creating and governing the world, Psalm 136:1-9; for delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, and bringing them to the Promised Land, Psalm 136:10-26. No text from Poole on this verse. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. The God of gods; who is infinitely superior to all that are called gods, whether angels, or princes, or idols. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. No text from Poole on this verse. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. Him who alone; he and none else. Or, he without the help of any other person or thing; whereas no other being can do any thing alone or without his help. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. By wisdom, to wit, by eminent and admirable wisdom, far exceeding the capacity of all human or angelical creatures. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. Stretched out the earth above the waters; of which See Poole "Genesis 1:9"; See Poole "Psalm 24:2". To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day; of which phrase and the like in the next verse, See Poole "Genesis 1:16". The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. No text from Poole on this verse. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. No text from Poole on this verse. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: To pass through the midst of it, to wit, without fear or danger, by comparing this with the next verse. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. No text from Poole on this verse. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. Through the wilderness; through that vast howling wilderness, where there was neither way nor provision; through which none but the Almighty God could have safely conducted them. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Israel his servant; he speaks of all that people as of one man, because they were united together in one body, in the worship of one and the same God. Thus God calleth them all his first-born, Exodus 4:22. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: No text from Poole on this verse. And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. No text from Poole on this verse. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. To all flesh; either to all mankind, or to all living creatures. For which God deserves great praises, which the psalmist by his example teacheth us to render to God for them, because those who are most concerned either cannot or do not perform this duty. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. No text from Poole on this verse. |
    |