Bible Commentaries

O give thanks unto ^a the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

(a) This notable sentence was in the beginning used as the foot or tenor of the song, which was often repeated.

Let the ^b redeemed of the LORD say [so], whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

(b) As was true in the Jews, so there is not one of God's elect who does not feel his help in their necessity.

^c Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

(c) He shows that there is no affliction so grievous out of which God will not deliver us, and also exhorts them who are delivered to be mindful of so great a benefit.

Because they ^d rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

(d) Then the true way to obey God is to follow his express commandment: also by this all are exhorted to descend into themselves as none are punished but for their sins.

Then they ^e cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses.

(e) He shows that the reason God punishes us extremely is because we can be brought to him by no other means.

For he hath broken the ^f gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

(f) When there seems to man's judgment no recovery, but all things are brought to despair, then God chiefly shows his mighty power.

^g Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

(g) They who have no fear of God, by his sharp rods are brought to call on him, and so find mercy.

^h He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their ⁱ destructions.

(h) By healing them he declares his good will toward them.

(i) Meaning their diseases, which had almost brought them to the grave and corruption.

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of ^k thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

(k) Praise and confession of God's benefits are the true sacrifices of the godly.

They that go down to the ^l sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

(l) He shows by the sea what care God has over man, for when he delivers them from the great danger of the sea, he delivers them as it were from a thousand deaths.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is ^m melted because of trouble.

(m) Their fear and danger is so great.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and ⁿ are at their wits' end.

(n) When their art and means fail them, they are compelled to confess that only God's providence preserves them.

Then are they glad because they be ^o quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

(o) Though before every drop seemed to fight one against the other, yet at his command they are as still as if they were frozen.

Let them exalt him also in the ^p congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

(p) This great benefit should not only be considered particularly, but magnified in all places and assemblies.

He ^q turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

(q) For the love that he bears to his Church, he changes the order of nature for their convenience.

And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of ^r increase.

(r) Continual increase and yearly.

^s Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

(s) As God by his providence exalts man, so he also humbles them by afflictions to know themselves.

He poureth ^t contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, [where there is] no way.

(t) For their wickedness and tyranny he causes the people and subjects to contemn them.

The ^u righteous shall see [it], and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

(u) They whose faith is lightened by God's spirit, will rejoice to see God's judgments against the wicked and ungodly.