Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 89
Overview:
God's
Mercy and
Truth, and his
Covenant.
(1-4) The
Glory and
Perfection of
God.
(5-14) The happiness of those in
Communion
with him.
(15-18) God's
Covenant with
David, as a
Type of
Christ.
(19-37) A calamitous state lamented,
Prayer for redress.
(38-52)
1-4 Though our expectations may be disappointed, yet
God's
promises are established in the heavens, in his eternal
counsels; they are out of the reach of opposers in
Hell and
Earth. And
Faith in the boundless
Mercy and
Everlasting Truth of
God, may bring comfort even in the deepest trials.
5-14 The more
God's
Works are known, the more they are admired.
And to praise the
Lord, is to acknowledge him to be such a one
that there is none like him. Surely then we should feel and
express reverence when we
Worship God. But how little of this
appears in our congregations, and how much cause have we to
humble ourselves
On this account! That almighty power which
smote
Egypt, will scatter the enemies of the
Church, while all
who trust in
God's
Mercy will rejoice in his name; for
Mercy and
Truth direct all he does. His counsels from eternity, and their
consequences to eternity, are all
Justice and
Judgment.
15-18 Happy are those who
So know the joyful sound of the
Gospel as to obey it; who experience its power upon their
hearts, and bring forth the
Fruit of it in their lives. Though
believers are nothing in themselves, yet having all in
Christ
Jesus, they may rejoice in his name. May the
Lord enable us to
do
So. The joy of the
Lord is the strength of his people;
whereas unbelief dispirits ourselves and discourages others.
Though it steals upon us under a semblance of
Humility, yet it
is the very essence of pride.
Christ is the Holy One of
Israel;
and in him was that
Peculiar people more blessed than in any
other blessing.
19-37 The
Lord anointed
David with the holy
Oil, not only as an
emblem of the graces and
Gifts he received, but as a
Type of
Christ, the
King Priest, and
Prophet, anointed with the Holy
Ghost without
Measure.
David after his anointing, was
persecuted, but none could gain advantage against him. Yet all
this was a faint
Shadow of the
Redeemer's sufferings,
deliverance,
Glory, and authority, in whom alone these
predictions and promises are fully brought to pass. He is the
mighty
God. This is the
Redeemer appointed for us, who alone is
able to complete the work of our
Salvation. Let us seek an
interest in these blessings,
By the
Witness of the Holy
Spirit
in our hearts. As the
Lord corrected the posterity of
David for
their transgressions,
So his people shall be corrected for their
sins. Yet it is but a rod, not a
Sword; it is to correct, not to
destroy. It is a rod in the
Hand of
God, who is
Wise, and knows
what he does; gracious, and will do what is best. It is a rod
which they shall never feel, but when there is need. As the
Sun
and
Moon remain in
Heaven, whatever changes there seem to be in
them, and again appear in due season;
So the
Covenant of
Grace
made in
Christ, whatever alteration seems to come to it, should
not be questioned.
38-52 Sometimes it is not easy to reconcile
God's providences
with his promises, yet we are sure that
God's
Works fulfil his
Word. When the great Anointed One,
Christ himself, was upon the
Cross,
God seemed to have cast him off, yet did not make void
his
Covenant, for that was established for ever. The honour of
the
House of
David was lost. Thrones and crowns are often laid
in the
Dust; but there is a
Crown of
Glory reserved for
Christ's
spiritual seed, which fadeth not away. From all this complaint
learn what work
Sin makes with families, noble families, with
families in which religion has appeared. They plead with
God for
Mercy.
God's unchangeableness and faithfulness assure us that He
will not cast off those whom he has
Chosen and covenanted with.
They were reproached for serving him. The scoffers of the latter
days, in like manner, reproach the footsteps of the
Messiah when
they ask, Where is the promise of his coming? 2Pe 3:3,4. The
records of the
Lord's dealings with the family of
David, show us
his dealings with his
Church, and with believers. Their
Afflictions and distresses may be grievous, but he will not
finally cast them off. Self-deceivers abuse this doctrine, and
others
By a careless walk bring themselves into
Darkness and
distress; yet let the true believer rely
On it for encouragement
in the path of duty, and in bearing the
Cross. The psalm ends
with praise, even after this sad complaint. Those who give
God
thanks for what he has done, may give him thanks for what he
will do.
God will follow those with his mercies, who follow him
with praises.