Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

Here is a happy state described, full of blessings. Blessings in the man himself: blessings in the wife of his bosom; blessings in his offspring; and all out of Zion, from the Lord.

A Song of Degrees.

Ps 128

The Reader will forgive me, if I observe once more, (and particularly upon this beautiful Psalm) that to see Jesus in it, will give a double sweetness to our afterwards viewing it as referring to the people of Jesus. Neither shall I think any apology necessary for the allusion, when I consider the authority of God's word upon this occasion, in numberless instances: for is not Christ expressly said to be the Husband of the Church? Doth he not himself say to the Church, I have betrothed thee to me forever? Nay, is it not said by his servant the Apostle, that Christ so loved the Church that he gave himself for it, that he might sanctify, and cleanse it with the washing, of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish? See Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19; Ephesians 5:25 to the end. When we consider the Son of God as having, by the assumption of our nature, wedded that nature into a more intimate and everlasting union than any other connexion possibly can be; it may serve to teach us, in some measure, how blessed the alliance, and how eternally secure. Hence therefore, may it not be said, "Blessed is the man Christ Jesus who hath feared the Lord, and accomplished redemption! He shall see therefore of the soul-travail he endured, and be satisfied." Isaiah 53:11. His wife the Church shall be to him most fruitful; even as the clusters of the vine, or as the dew drops of the morning, Psalms 110:3. And it is Jehovah himself, even the Father of mercies, and the God of all grace, that shall thus bless him: and bless him out of his own holy hill, Zion. Yea! he shall see it, and the Lord Jehovah will fulfil all his covenant promises, in pouring his Spirit upon his seed, and his blessing upon his offspring. There shall be showers of blessings! Such are the precious things contained in this Psalm, if we read with an eye to Jesus and his Church. And the Reader will not suppose the mercies to be lessened in this point of view, if, in consequence of our relation to Jesus, we behold also our interest in them. Isaiah 44:3-4; Psalms 72:6; Isaiah 59:21; Psalms 89:36-37.

REFLECTIONS

READER! do not hastily pass by the blessed view of Jesus as the Bridegroom and Husband of his Church; for sonic of the sweetest Views of happiness, even eternal happiness, are to be found in it. It is indeed a mysterious union; but it is a most blessed one; an indissoluble, eternal union. And as it is founded in the everlasting purposes and councils of Jehovah, it may well demand our greatest affection and regard! By virtue of this oneness with Christ, his people are interested in everything that concerns him as the Mediator. He hath paid our dreadful debt; he hath disannulled our former marriage with sin and the law; he hath entitled us to all dowry, and in his blessedness made all his people blessed. Oh! thou almighty Bridegroom! how gracious Nast thou been to our poor nature! Take, Lord, the whole hearts and affections of thy people in return, and let this be the highest desire of all thy redeemed to say with the Church, My beloved is mine, and I am his: my Maker is mine Husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; and my Redeemer, the Holy one of Israel, the God of the whole earth shall he be called?