Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

This psalm is descriptive of the going forth of Israel from Egypt; but as this was a transaction typical of the church being led forth by the great Captain of their salvation from the Egypt of sin and death, the whole ought to be read with reference to Christ in his victories for his people.

Psalms 114:1

That we may not lose sight, in the history of the church's first going forth from Egypt, of that far greater deliverance, the church's salvation by Jesus, one of the prophets was commissioned by the Holy Ghost, to tell the church, that it was out of Egypt God called his Son: and that, in that account, the church might view Christ. One of the Evangelists was commissioned, also, to tell the church that Christ immediately after his birth went into Egypt, to fulfil this prophecy. Compare Hosea 11:1, with Matthew 2:15. So that, if we needed it, here is a key to the whole psalm. Reader, let you and I go over it, with our whole attention directed to this one point, as we read this Exodus, this going forth of Israel out of Egypt. One of the first beauties of the psalm is, the manner of Israel's departure. Israel went out, and went out with a high hand; Egypt was nearly destroyed, and therefore Israel went forth as a conqueror. Reader, is it not so with the church at large, and every individual of the church? When the Lord Jesus rescues a poor sinner from the bondage of sin and Satan, doth he not lead him out with a high hand , and a stretched-out arm? Let us remark the striking expression concerning Egypt; The house of Jacob is taken from a people of strange language. Yes, as the Israelites, by the over-ruling power and providence of God, preserved the sacred language uncorrupted by the jargon of Egypt, so God's people now are, by grace, preserved, in the sacred language of praise and prayer, from using the profane tongue of the carnal. Oh! how blessed to be so distinguished! 2 Peter 2:7-8.

Reader, do not fail to remark, that when Israel was brought out of Egypt, the Lord set up his tabernacle among them, and manifested his presence to them. And when the Lord Jesus brings out his people from the Egypt of the world, doth he not still fulfil that sweet promise, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world? Is it not the privilege of his people, to live to him, to live with him, and to live upon him? Doth he not in every act declare, I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God. Matthew 28:20; Zechariah 13:9.

The Red Sea, and Jordan, both withdrew for Israel. Reader, recollect (for there is a great beauty in the reflection) that forty years intervened between the period of the Red Sea retiring, and that of the river Jordan stopping in its course; but as both were thus miraculously wrought upon by the power and presence of the same God, who was Judah's sanctuary, and Israel's dominion, the wonderful events are both recorded in the same song. Exodus 14:21-22; Joshua 3:13-17. And in both events what a beautiful type do we see of the passage of the church, through that new and living way, which the Lord hath opened for his people, through the veil of Christ's flesh? Hebrews 10:19-21.

The sacred writer is here triumphing in the grace and sovereignty of God, and demands by what power it was that the laws of nature should be so changed, in producing such wonders in creation? Moses sang to the same amount, when celebrating the event on the banks of the Red Sea. The Dukes of Edom (says he) shall be amazed, the mighty men of Moab, trembling, shall take hold of them: all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away, Exodus 15:15. And the Prophet, in ages after this, sang his song to the divine glory, upon the same subject, Habakkuk 3:3-16. But when we look beyond Israel's history, to the glorious subject of a far greater redemption, which this prefigured, even our redemption by Christ, how doth the subject rise in sublimity! What is it makes the mountains of sin to start from their centre, and the hills of corruption to flee away from the rocky minds of God's people? What is it that removes the tide of the world, and the torrent of ease and pride, ignorance, self-will, and the whole sea of evil, which covers the heart like the ocean, in the nature of man, while in a state of unawakened nature, and living in the Egypt of this life? What but the powerful voice of Him, who, when he speaks, maketh the dead to hear? John 5:25.

Here, the answer is given. As Sinai moved at God's presence, so mountains of sin, nations of idolatry, Satan, and all the powers of darkness, fall away beneath the sovereignty of Jesus, and his gospel. Yea, the very stony hearts of the most hardened transgressors, must become hearts of flesh, and every power of nature must bend to the power of his grace. When the eye is directed by sovereign love to Jesus, looking unto him whom they have pierced, they must mourn, and the waters of repentance shall gush out; Zechariah 12:10.

REFLECTIONS

READER, let you and I ponder over the solemn, though delightful reflections, suggested by this psalm. Behold in it the state of the church, and of every individual of that church, as they are, in a state of unregenerated nature, before the Lord brings them out of the Egypt of sin and corruption. We were by nature (saith the Apostle) children of wrath, even as others. Behold the distinguishing grace of God in Christ, which makes all the difference between a people of strange language, and those who can sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb. Behold the power and sovereignty of almighty grace! Who shall detain the Lord's Israel, when he brings them forth! What chains of sin or Satan shall bind such as the Lord makes free? Neither mountains of sin, nor seas of unbelief, shall be able to stand against Jesus and his army. Who art thou, O great mountain, may the believer say, before our glorious Zerubbabel? Thou shalt become a plain. He it is who shall bring forth the head-stone thereof, with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. And, oh! thou blessed, all-conquering Lord! thou who subduest the enemy before thy people, thou also wilt subdue the enmity in thy people. Yes, almighty Jesus! thou art exalted as a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. And, therefore, thou wilt turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. Thou wilt regenerate our nature, and make all things new, by thy sovereign all-creating power. Every eye shall be filled with the tear of love and repentance; every knee shall bow before thee; every tongue proclaim thy praise. The universal song of all thy ransomed children shall be, Salvation to God and the Lamb!