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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:13

Verse 13 He says, both the small with the great, by which circumstance he magnifies God’s paternal regard the more, showing that he does not overlook even the meanest and most despised, provided they cordially invoke his aid. Now, as there is no acceptance of persons before God, our low and abject condition ought to be no obstruction to our drawing near to him, since he so kindly invites to approach him those who appear to be held in no reputation. Moreover, the repetition of the word bless is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 115:15

Verse 15 15.Ye are blessed of Jehovah In the preceding verse the prophet had given them the hope of uninterrupted happiness, arising from God’s infinite resources never failing, however liberally and largely he bestows, and from his never ceasing to enrich those whom he hath admitted as sharers of his bounty. In confirmation of this doctrine, he declares that the children of Abraham were separated from other nations; so that, relying upon this privilege, they might unhesitatingly and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-11

True and false worship. In strong, nervous language we have here presented to us— I. THE MAJESTY AND THE POWER OF GOD . ( Psalms 115:3 .) The heathen, in their ignorance, want to know where Jehovah is ; they cannot see him. The reply is that he does not dwell in temples made with hands; that he is not confined to one building, larger or smaller; that no earthly trappings or grandeurs in any sacred city give any notion of his state. " Our God is in the heavens;" he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

Metrically, the psalm falls into four stanzas or strophes—the first of three verses ( Psalms 115:1-3 ), and the other three of five verses each ( Psalms 115:4-8 ; 9-13; 14-18). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The heathen taunt, and what came of it. To Israel, recently returned from exile, that taunt still seemed to sound in their ears. In this psalm, apparently a liturgical one, and used at high festivals in the service of the second temple, the mocking question of those who had held them in captivity—"Where is now their God?" was yet audible, through the keenness with which it was remembered. The sting and anguish of it still rankled in their hearts; and this psalm is the result of it.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:1-18

The honor due to God. A call to the God of Israel, the living God, to rescue the honor of his Name from the reproach of the heathen. I. GOD IS WORTHY OF THE HIGHEST HONOR . In contrast to heathen idols. 1. Because of his loving-kindness or mercy . ( Psalms 115:1 .) 2. Because of his truth or faith fullness . ( Psalms 115:1 .) Emphatically "truth and grace came by Jesus Christ." 3. Though invisible , he reigns and rules from the exalted heaven ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:9-11

The idols and the idol-worshippers having been sufficiently scorned; the latter especially, for their "trust" in idols, Israel is exhorted to trust in the only sure Object of confidence, Jehovah. Three several times the leader of the choir gives forth the call—" Trust in the Lord "—and three several times the choir responds with the acknowledgment that he, and he alone, "is their Help and Shield." The exhortation seems to be addressed, first, to the lay people generally ( Psalms 115:9 );... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:11

Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord . Professor Cheyne explains this of proselytes, the σεβόμενοι of the Acts; but surely the order followed is one of climax—first, ordinary Israelites; next, those officially holy, the priests; finally, those actually holy, the truly faithful Israelites. He is their Help and their Shield . It would have been better in every case to have kept the Hebrew order of the words—"Their Help and their Shield is he." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:12

The Lord hath been mindful of us (comp. Psalms 98:4 ; Psalms 136:23 ). He will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel (comp. Psalms 115:10 ). He will bless the house of Aaron (comp. Psalms 115:11 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 115:12

Looking back and looking on: a new year's sermon. There never has been a year in which, when we look back, we have been unable to say, "The Lord hath been mindful of us." And we may be sure there never will be a year of which, when we look forward to it, we may not say, "The Lord will bless us." The psalmist is quite sure about this: may we be so likewise! But— I. LET US LOOK BACK ALONG THE COURSE OF THE OLD YEAR . 1. We affirm our conviction that we all... read more

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