Commentari biblici

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will [God] appoint [for] walls and bulwarks.

In that day. — Before the morrow, and while the mercy was yet fresh. We are not to take day for return of thanks, but to do it forthwith.

In that same day shall this song be sung. — As an evidence and effect of their spiritual joy and security, mentioned Isaiah 25:9 . "Is any man merry? let him sing psalms," James 5:13 and so set an edge upon his praises and thanksgivings. Thus Israel sang, Exodus 15:1 Numbers 21:7 "Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it." Thus, in the apostles’ times, Romans 15:9 and afterwards Justin, Tertullian, Athanasius, others, voce praeiverunt, they go before with voices, gave the note. Constantine and Theodosius ever sang psalms with their soldiers before they gave battle. They knew that it is a good thing to sing praises to our God; it is pleasant, and praise is comely. Psalms 147:1 Socrates, lib. vii. cap. 22.

We have a strong city. — The Church is invincible; hell gates cannot demolish it, whatever become of Moab’s munitions. Isaiah 25:12

Salvation will God appoint. — All manner of health, help, and safety. Satan cannot have so many means to foil and spoil the saints as Jesus - to whose sweet name our prophet here and elsewhere oft alludeth, as much delighted therewith - hath means to keep and hold them up.

For walls and bulwarks. — Pro muris et antemurali, for walls and rampart, or counterscarp. So Scipio was said to be fossa et vallum, the wall and trench to the Romans against Hannibal. If salvation itself cannot save Jerusalem, let her enemies triumph and take all. If her name be Jehovahshammah, as Ezekiel 48:35 , "The Lord is there," let her enemies do their worst.

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Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.

Open ye the gates. — Room for the righteous, for such only are freemen of this city; Revelation 22:14 such only are written among the living in Jerusalem. Isaiah 4:3-4 Psalms 118:19 And this seemeth spoken to those doorkeepers, the ministers, to whom God hath committed the keys of his kingdom, setting them as upon a watch tower to keep out enemies, and to let in the true citizens.

That the righteous nation which keepeth the truth. — Heb., The truths, or faiths, as Peter hath "godliness," 2 Peter 3:11 that both observeth Christ’s law and preserveth it; "striving together for the faith of the gospel," Philippians 1:27 and accounting every particle of truth precious. Judges 1:3 And here we have a true definition of a right Church member. Civil righteousness is but a beautiful abomination. If men lay not faith for a foundation to their virtue, 2 Peter 1:5 it is no better than a glistering sin.

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Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace. — Heb., Peace, peace - that is, a multiplied peace with God, with himself, and with others; or a renewed, continued peace, or a perfect, sheer, pure peace, as one senseth it. What the old translator here meaneth by his Vetus error abiit, is hard to say. An excellent description of true saving faith may be taken from this text; and Mr Bolton maketh mention of a poor distressed soul relieved by fastening steadfastly in his last sickness on these sweet words, saying that God had graciously made them fully good to him.

Because he trusteth in thee. — So far as a soul can stay on and trust in God, so far it enjoyeth a sweet peace and calm of spirit; perfect trust is blessed with perfect peace. We have a famous instance for this in our blessed Saviour. John 12:27-28 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind; be sober, and hope perfectly for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13

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Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH [is] everlasting strength:

Trust in the Lord for ever. — To trust in God is to be unbottomed of thyself and of every creature, and so to lean upon God, that if he fail thee thou sinkest.

For in the Lord Jehovah. — Heb., For in Jah Jehovah; in him who is the all-powerful Essentialor and faithful promise keeper, … Here, then, look not downward, saith one, upon the rushing and roaring streams of miseries and troubles which run so swiftly under us, for then we shall be taken with a giddiness, …, but steadfastly fasten on the power and promise of Jah Jehovah and ye shall be established.

Is everlasting strength. — Heb., The rock of ages, or, The old rock, so called of old, Deuteronomy 32:4 ; Deuteronomy 32:18 ; Deuteronomy 32:31 and so found to be from the beginning. Et quia in aeternum non mutat aut nutat ergapios, lieet montes et colles nutent Isaiah 54:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; Proverbs 18:10 a munition of rocks; Isaiah 33:16 rocks so deep no pioneer can undermine them; so thick, no cannon can pierce them; so high, no ladder can scale them.

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For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he bringeth it [even] to the dust.

For he bringeth down those that dwell on high. — Even all adverse power, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. 2 Corinthians 10:5

The lofty city he layeth it low. — This Museulus understands of Babylon, that towering city; as also of Rome, that spiritual Babylon, to which it was long since said -

“ Versa eris in cineres quasi nunquam Roma fuisses. ”

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The foot shall tread it down, [even] the feet of the poor, [and] the steps of the needy.

The foot shall tread it down. — He saith not the hand shall beat it down, but the foot shall spurn down this lofty city, even the feet of the poor and abject ones, as once Samson dealt by the Philistines, Judges 15:8 and as men use to spurn base and peasantly fellows that stand in their way. God can, and sometimes doth, to show his power and wisdom, make desolation itself to scale a fort. Amos 5:10 Men thrust through, to rise up and set whole cities afire, Jeremiah 37:10 bring to pass mighty things by base and abject means.

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The way of the just [is] uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

The way of the just is uprightness. — Heb., Uprightnesses - that is, just and straight courses. They turn not aside to crooked and wry ways, as do the workers of iniquity, Psalms 125:5 but hold on in an even way, without windings or writhings; Proverbs 4:26-27 the king’s highway to heaven is their road, and this leadeth them to that city of God. Isaiah 26:1-2

Thou most upright dost weigh the path of the just. — Or, Thou dost by levelling make the just man’s path even. By thy preventing grace thou makest him just and upright, and by thy subsequent grace thou strengthenest and directest him, that he may run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

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Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.

Yea, in the way of thy judgments. — Rough though it be and rugged; even when thou hast wrought against us in the rigour of thy punishments, as one paraphraseth it; in the discipline of thy chastisements, as another. There are those who by this phrase understand the doctrine of the gospel, which teacheth another way of judging of a righteous man than the law doth, and such as the Church trusteth to alone, and to none other, scil., justification by faith in Christ Jesus.

And to the remembrance of thee, — i.e., to all the signs, gauges, and tesitimonials which thou hast given us of thy grace by thy word, sacraments, and work. Diod.

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