Geneva Study Bible O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto {a} the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
(a) This notable sentence was in the beginning used as the foot or tenor of the song, which was often repeated. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; Let the {b} redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
(b) As was true in the Jews, so there is not one of God's elect who does not feel his help in their necessity. And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. {c} Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
(c) He shows that there is no affliction so grievous out of which God will not deliver us, and also exhorts them who are delivered to be mindful of so great a benefit. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Because they {d} rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
(d) Then the true way to obey God is to follow his express commandment: also by this all are exhorted to descend into themselves as none are punished but for their sins. Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. Then they {e} cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
(e) He shows that the reason God punishes us extremely is because we can be brought to him by no other means. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. For he hath broken the {f} gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
(f) When there seems to man's judgment no recovery, but all things are brought to despair, then God chiefly shows his mighty power. Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. {g} Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
(g) They who have no fear of God, by his sharp rods are brought to call on him, and so find mercy. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. {h} He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their {i} destructions.
(h) By healing them he declares his good will toward them. (i) Meaning their diseases, which had almost brought them to the grave and corruption. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of {k} thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
(k) Praise and confession of God's benefits are the true sacrifices of the godly. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; They that go down to the {l} sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
(l) He shows by the sea what care God has over man, for when he delivers them from the great danger of the sea, he delivers them as it were from a thousand deaths. These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is {m} melted because of trouble.
(m) Their fear and danger is so great. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and {n} are at their wits' end.
(n) When their art and means fail them, they are compelled to confess that only God's providence preserves them. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Then are they glad because they be {o} quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
(o) Though before every drop seemed to fight one against the other, yet at his command they are as still as if they were frozen. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. Let them exalt him also in the {p} congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
(p) This great benefit should not only be considered particularly, but magnified in all places and assemblies. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. He {q} turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
(q) For the love that he bears to his Church, he changes the order of nature for their convenience. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of {r} increase.
(r) Continual increase and yearly. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. {s} Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
(s) As God by his providence exalts man, so he also humbles them by afflictions to know themselves. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. He poureth {t} contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
(t) For their wickedness and tyranny he causes the people and subjects to contemn them. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. The {u} righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
(u) They whose faith is lightened by God's spirit, will rejoice to see God's judgments against the wicked and ungodly. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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