Ps. 115:0 THE ARGUMENT The occasion of this Psalm was to manifest some eminent danger or distress of the people of Israel from some idolatrous nations; but whether it was that mentioned 2 Chron. 20:0, or what other, is but matter of conjecture, and not worth our inquiry.

As we entreat thy favour and aid, and that thou wouldst work gloriously on our behalf to bring us out of our present straits and extremities; so we do not desire this out of a vain-glorious humour, as usually men do in such cases, that we may get renown by the conquest of our proud and mighty…

Wherefore should the heathen say? why dost thou suffer them, or give them any colour or occasion, to say or think so, by conniving at their wickedness, and by giving thy people into their hands? Where is now their God? he is no where; he is lost, or at a loss, either unable, or unwilling, or not at…

Our God; whom, notwithstanding your reproaches, we are not ashamed to own for our God. Is in the heavens; although he have no visible shape nor bodily presence with us here upon earth, as your idols have, which is a certain proof of their baseness and weakness, yet he hath a certain and a glorious…

Thus glorious and powerful is our God, O ye heathens, of whom you so boldly ask who and where he is; but as for your gods or idols, they have no power nor worth in them but what is taken from their materials.

For although the blind heathen are by their idolatrous priests made to believe otherwise concerning their idols, in regard of the spirits which they pretend to dwell in them, yet this is the truth of the matter, and confirmed by long and constant experience, that they are but vain and senseless…

Speak, or mutter, or make a noise, as this word signifies, Isa. 10:14. They are so far from speaking with their throat and other instruments of speech as men do, that they cannot make such an inarticulate and senseless sound with them as the beasts do.

They that make them; or, they that observe or worship them. For the psalmist’s quarrel was not so much with those few artists who formed the images, as with all the adorers of them.

O Israel, do not thou follow the example of these brutish idolaters, but serve the Lord only. Their help; who trust in God, as he now required. Or their is put for your by a change of persons, which is most frequent in Scripture, and especially in these books.

You priests and Levites proceeding from Aaron, or related to him, who have special reason and many obligations to do it, who have a more distinct knowledge of God, which is the foundation of trust, Ps.

All and every one of you who worship the true God, not only Aaronites and Israelites, but even Gentile proselytes, who are said to come to trust under the wings of the God of Israel, Ruth 2:12.

Hath been mindful of us in our former straits and calamities, and therefore we trust he will still bless us, & c. as it follows. Or, is or will be mindful of us. Though he hath chastened us sore, yet he hath not yet cast us out of the care of his providence.

Either in age or condition, of whatsoever quality, high and low, rich and poor; for he is no respecter of persons.

Shall increase you in number, notwithstanding all the attempts of your enemies to diminish and destroy you. Or, shall add to you, to wit, further and greater blessings.

Who therefore can bless you indeed in spite of all your enemies curses and oppositions; and not of an impotent idol, that can do you neither good nor hurt.

Are the Lord’s, to wit, in a peculiar manner, where he dwelleth in that light and glory to which no man can approach, and whence he beholdeth and disposeth all persons and things upon earth. But the earth hath he given to the children of men, for their habitation, possession, and use.

The dead; such as we shall suddenly be, if thou dost not succour us. Into silence; into the place of silence, the grave.

But we will bless the Lord; but we hope for better things, that notwithstanding our present and urgent danger, yet thou wilt deliver us, and so give us occasion to bless thy name; whereby thou wilt have the praise and glory of our deliverance.