This psalm may be considered as an appendix to the two foregoing. Those represented the providence of God towards his chosen Israelites, who prefigured his gospel church: this, (1.) represents the providences of God to the children of men in general, and calls them to praise him for his kindness and mercy therein: particularly, 1. In directing and gathering travellers, whom he had justly dispersed, ver. 1-7. 2. In delivering prisoners, whom he had justly confined, ver. 8-14. 3. In healing the sick, whom he had justly plagued, ver. 15-22. 4. In relieving mariners, whom he had justly bestormed, ver. 23-30. 5. In changing the condition of territories, persons, and families, at his pleasure, to the comfort of his people, and the restraining of wickedness, ver. 31-42. (2.) It encourageth me to a careful observation of God's providences, ver. 43.
Let me sing this, with a heart deeply affected with the various providences of God towards myself and others, while we have walked by the way; been confined in prisons, or lain on beds of languishing; traversed the surface of the depths, or laboured in our respective employments. Let me be a careful observer of providences, and compare them with the oracles of God, with my behaviour, and my prayers, and also with one another: so shall I understand the loving kindness of the Lord.
1 Praise God, for he is good: for still
his mercies lasting be.
2 Let God's redeem'd say so, whom he
from th' en'my's hand did free;
3 And gather'd them out of the lands,
from north, south, east, and west.
4 They stray'd in desert's pathless way,
no city found to rest.
5 For thirst and hunger in them faints
6 their soul. When straits them press,
They cry unto the Lord, and he
them frees from their distress.
7 Them also in a way to walk
that right is he did guide,
That they might to a city go,
wherein they might abide.
8 O that men to the Lord would give
praise for his goodness then,
And for his works of wonder done
unto the sons of men!
9 For he the soul that longing is
doth fully satisfy;
With goodness he the hungry soul
doth fill abundantly.
10 Such as shut up in darkness deep,
and in death's shade abide,
Whom strongly hath affliction bound,
and irons fast have ty'd:
11 Because against the words of God
they wrought rebelliously,
And they the counsel did contemn
of him that is most High:
12 Their heart he did bring down with grief,
they fell, no help could have.
13 In trouble then they cry'd to God,
he them from straits did save.
14 He out of darkness did them bring,
and from death's shade them take;
These bands, wherewith they had been bound,
asunder quite he brake.
15 O that men to the Lord would give
praise for his goodness then,
And for his works of wonder done
unto the sons of men!
16 Because the mighty gates of brass
in pieces he did tear,
By him in sunder also cut
the bars of iron were.
17 Fools, for their sin, and their offence,
do sore affliction bear;
18 All kind of meat their soul abhors;
they to death's gates draw near.
19 In grief they cry to God; he saves
them from their miseries.
20 He sends his word, them heals, and them
from their destructions frees.
21 O that men to the Lord would give
praise for his goodness then,
And for his works of wonder done
unto the sons of men!
22 And let them sacrifice to him
off 'rings of thankfulness;
And let them shew abroad his works
in songs of joyfulness.
23 Who go to sea in ships, and in
great waters trading be,
24 Within the deep these men God's works
and his great wonders see.
25 For he commands, and forth in haste
the stormy tempest flies,
Which makes the sea with rolling waves
aloft to swell and rise.
26 They mount to heav'n, then to the depths
they do go down again;
Their soul doth faint and melt away
with trouble and with pain.
27 They reel and stagger like one drunk,
at their wit's end they be:
28 Then they to God in trouble cry,
who them from straits doth free.
29 The storm is chang'd into a calm
at his command and will;
So that the waves, which rag'd before,
now quiet are and still.
30 Then are they glad, because at rest
and quiet now they be:
So to the haven he them brings,
which they desir'd to see.
31 O that men to the Lord would give
praise for his goodness then,
And for his works of wonder done
unto the sons of men!
32 Among the people gathered
let them exalt his name;
Among assembled elders spread
his most renowned fame.
33 He to dry land turns water-springs,
and floods to wilderness;
34 For sins of those that dwell therein,
fat land to barrenness.
35 The burnt and parched wilderness
to water-pools he brings;
The ground that was dry'd up before
he turns to water-springs:
36 And there, for dwelling, he a place
doth to the hungry give,
That they a city may prepare
commodiously to live.
37 There sow they fields, and vineyards plant,
to yield fruits of increase.
38 His blessing makes them multiply,
lets not their beasts decrease.
39 Again they are diminished,
and very low brought down,
Through sorrow and affliction,
and great oppression.
40 He upon princes pours contempt,
and causeth them to stray,
And wander in a wilderness,
wherein there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high
from all his miseries,
And he, much like unto a flock,
doth make him families.
42 They that are righteous shall rejoice,
when they the same shall see;
And, as ashamed, stop her mouth
shall all iniquity.
43 Whoso is wise, and will these things
observe, and them record,
Ev'n they shall understand the love
and kindness of the Lord.
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