Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 117
Overview:
It is good to trust in the
Lord.
(1-18) The
Coming of Christ
in his kingdom.
(19-29)
1-18 The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is
very applicable to
Christ: many hated him without a cause; nay,
the
Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and
Put him
to grief, that
By his
Stripes we might be healed.
God is
sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song;
they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual
delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the
Everlasting Goodness and
Mercy of
God, or whether he looks
forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant
cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is an
evidence that the
Lord is
On our side; and then we need not fear
what
Man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty
to all, and trust in him alone to accept and
Bless us. Let us
seek to live to declare the
Works of
God, and to encourage
others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of
the Son of
David, in the
Assurance that the good pleasure of the
Lord should prosper in his
Hand.
19-29 Those who saw
Christ's
Day at
So great a distance, saw
cause to praise
God for the prospect. The
Prophecy, ver.
22,23, may refer to
David's preferment; but principally to
Christ. 1. His humiliation; he is the
Stone which the builders
refused: they would go
On in their
Building without him. This
proved the ruin of those who thus made
Light of him. Rejecters
of
Christ are rejected of
God. 2. His exaltation; he is the
chief Cornerstone in the foundation. He is the chief Top-
Stone,
in whom the
Building is completed, who must, in all things, have
the pre-eminence.
Christ's name is Wonderful; and the
Redemption
he wrought out is the most amazing of all
God's wondrous
Works.
We will rejoice and be glad in the
Lord's Day; not only that
such a
Day is appointed, but in the occasion of it,
Christ's
becoming the Head.
Sabbath days ought to be rejoicing days, then
they are to us as the days of
Heaven. Let this
Saviour be my
Saviour, my Ruler. Let my soul prosper and be in health, in that
peace and
Righteousness which his government brings. Let me have
victory over the lusts that
War against my soul; and let Divine
Grace subdue my
Heart. The duty which the
Lord has made, brings
Light with it, true
Light. The duty this privilege calls for, is
here set forth; the sacrifices we are to offer to
God in
gratitude for redeeming
Love, are ourselves; not to be slain
upon the
Altar, but living sacrifices, to be bound to the
Altar;
spiritual sacrifices of
Prayer and praise, in which our hearts
must be engaged. The psalmist praises
God, and calls upon all
about him to give thanks to
God for the glad tidings of great
joy to all people, that there is a
Redeemer, even
Christ the
Lord. In him the
Covenant of
Grace is made sure and
Everlasting.