BOOK 5
BOOK 5
In Psalm 107 we get the celebration of the ways of the Lord in the restoration of His people (it is not what they are looking for), which they are specially called to notice; together, with Psalm 108, the celebration of His praises as their Redeemer.
We have then, Psalm 109, at once introduced the sufferings of Christ under the apostasy, whether of Judas or Antichrist: while, in Psalm 110, He is called to sit at Jehovah’s right hand, until He makes His enemies His footstool, for the accomplishment of the purposes of this redemption — when His power shall go forth from Zion — while, because of His humiliation, He is exalted for the destroying of him who elevates himself against Him.
Psalm 110: 6. “He shall wound the head over a great country.”
Psalms 111, 112. Then the Lord is praised for this redemption, and the display of His character in it; and the portion of the righteous consequently.
His majesty and grace are celebrated in Psalm 113, as high above all, extending everywhere, and considering the poor and needy. In Psalm 114 God’s presence is the real strength of His people. Psalm 115: in contrast with idols, all the glory is given to His name.
Psalm 116. The afflicted one now praises the Lord before all, whom he had trusted in the time of his distress, when brought low. The Spirit of Christ, in the midst of His people, is especially shewn.
Psalm 116: 10. In the presence of death, He goes in and speaks. So Paul in 2 Corinthians 4.
Psalm 117. The nations are then summoned to praise the Lord, because of His abiding mercy and truth to Israel.
In Psalm 118 Christ takes up the son of Israel in the great congregation, declaring that “His mercy endureth for ever.” The enemies encompassed Him, the adversary beset Him, Jehovah had chastened Him, but not given Him up. Israel now owns that the stone which the builders had rejected has become the Head of the corner, and their heart is prepared to say, “Save now,” “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah”; and they worship with joy.
Psalm 119. The law is written in Israel’s once wandering heart.
Psalms 120-134. Then we get, in the Psalms of Degrees, various thoughts and feelings of Israel as now restored, whether as looking back and enjoying the blessing; or under the conviction of sin; or as David (that is, really Christ) establishing the sign of Jehovah’s presence in full blessing in Israel — the people being gathered in unity — closing with the blessing of Jehovah from the sanctuary.
Psalm 130. In this psalm they get into the depths, not from circumstances, but from sin. Instead of speaking of enemies as in Psalm 124 (”when man rose up against us”), it is between him and God. It is after the new moon they have the day of atonement.
In Psalms 135 and 136, we have the celebration of Jehovah’s praise for His election of Israel, in connection, on the one hand, with the original promise to Abraham, and the mercy connected with His judgments on the other (compare Exodus 3 and Deuteronomy 32); with the formal declaration that His mercy endures for ever.
[p. 137] Psalm 137. Babylon and Edom come up in judgment before God; and Psalm 138, God’s word, the confidence of His people, is glorified in His ways towards them.
Psalm 139. None can escape the searching out of God; but if God creates for blessing, we can praise Him.
Psalm 139. The searchings of God throw you back on the thoughts that God had in meeting you in grace; and therefore you can ask God to “search,” etc. We are the creatures of His thoughts, as well as the subject of them.
Psalm 140. We have the cry for deliverance from the evil and violent man; the head of the faithful is covered in the day of his conflict, for God maintains his cause, and delivers him.
Psalm 141. The Lord is trusted to guide them — that is, the poor — in a right path, according to His mind, so as to avoid the snares of the wicked. In the utmost desolation he trusts Him. Then, Psalm 142, however overwhelmed, God knows his path.
Psalm 143. He pleads not to enter into judgment, for no man can be justified, for the enemy has trodden down his soul; but he still looks to the Lord, and trusts that He will guide him in uprightness, and looks to Him in mercy, to cut off all his enemies, that, Psalm 144, full blessing may come in.
Psalm 144 is different from Psalm 18 in not having the death of Christ as a centre; and, moreover, the heathen are not brought in.
Psalm 145. Messiah describes the millennium in the interchange of Jehovah’s praises between Him and the people that are blessed.
Then we get the great Hallel.
Psalm 146. Jehovah is praised as the God of Jacob, as the Creator of all things, the Keeper of truth, the Deliverer of the oppressed, and of all from affliction and distress. He shall reign as the God of Zion through all generations.
Psalm 147. Then He is praised as the Builder up of Jerusalem, taking pleasure in them that fear Him, ruling every element by His word; but giving His word, His statutes, and His judgments, to Israel.
[p. 138] Psalm 148. All creation is called upon to praise Him; who exalts the horn of His people (Israel) — a people near unto Him.
Psalm 149. Israel, above all, is called to praise Him in a new song. judgment is put into their hands.
The last Psalm 150, is a kind of chorus. In His sanctuary, the firmament of His power, everything that has breath is called to praise Him.
In this book we have either the explanation of the Lord’s ways, or hallelujahs. It is a kind of sermon.