This psalm was probably penned by David, while he repaired and fortified Jerusalem, 2Sam. 5; and contains, (1.) Solemn calls to praise God, ver. 1, 7, 12, 20. (2.) Weighty reasons for praising God, viz. 1. That, as the God of nature, he is infinitely intelligent and great, and the sovereign manager of all creatures, ver. 4-5, 8-9, 15, 18. 2. As the God of grace, he tenderly comforts, and affectionately delights in his people, ver. 3, 6, 10-11. 3. As the God of Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion, he settles their civil and religious state, ver. 2, 13-14, 19-20.
When God manifests himself in so many things, be ashamed, my soul, that I discern him in so few. O to see God's power and glory in every work of his hand, and especially in every word of his mouth! And to be so affected with what he is, and hath done, and will do, as in every thing to give thanks.
1 Praise ye the Lord; for it is good
praise to our God to sing:
For it is pleasant, and to praise
it is a comely thing.
2 God doth build up Jerusalem;
and he it is alone
That the dispers'd of Israel
doth gather into one.
3 Those that are broken in their heart,
and grieved in their minds,
He healeth, and their painful wounds
he tenderly up-binds.
4 He counts the number of the stars;
he names them ev'ry one.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great pow'r;
his wisdom search can none.
6 The Lord lifts up the meek; and casts
the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord, and give him thanks;
on harp his praises sound;
8 Who covereth the heav'n with clouds,
who for the earth below
Prepareth rain, who maketh grass
upon the mountains grow.
9 He gives the beast his food, he feeds
the ravens young that cry.
10 His pleasure not in horses' strength,
nor in man's legs, doth lie.
11 But in all those that do him fear
the Lord doth pleasure take;
In those that to his mercy do
by hope themselves betake.
12 The Lord praise, O Jerusalem;
Sion, thy God confess:
13 For thy gates' bars he maketh strong;
thy sons in thee doth bless.
14 He in thy borders maketh peace;
with fine wheat filleth thee.
15 He sends forth his command on earth,
his word runs speedily.
16 Hoar-frost, like ashes, scatt'reth he;
like wool he snow doth give:
17 Like morsels casteth forth his ice;
who in its cold can live?
18 He sendeth forth his mighty word,
and melteth them again;
His wind he makes to blow, and then
the waters flow amain.
19 The doctrine of his holy word
to Jacob he doth show;
His statutes and his judgments he
gives Israel to know.
20 To any nation never he
such favour did afford;
For they his judgments have not known.
O do ye praise the Lord.
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