‏ Psalms 115

* Glory to be ascribed to God. (1-8) by trusting in him and

praising him. (9-18)1-8 Let no opinion of our own merits have any place in our

prayers or in our praises. All the good we do, is done by the

power of his grace; and all the good we have, is the gift of his

mere mercy, and he must have all the praise. Are we in pursuit

of any mercy, and wrestling with God for it, we must take

encouragement in prayer from God only. Lord, do so for us; not

that we may have the credit and comfort of it, but that they

mercy and truth may have the glory of it. The heathen gods are

senseless things. They are the works of men's hands: the

painter, the carver, the statuary, can put no life into them,

therefore no sense. The psalmist hence shows the folly of the

worshippers of idols. 9-18 It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to

trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those

that trust in him. Wherever there is right fear of God, there

may be cheerful faith in him; those who reverence his word, may

rely upon it. He is ever found faithful. The greatest need his

blessing, and it shall not be denied to the meanest that fear

him. God's blessing gives an increase, especially in spiritual

blessings. And the Lord is to be praised: his goodness is large,

for he has given the earth to the children of men for their use.

The souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the

burdens of the flesh, are still praising him; but the dead body

cannot praise God: death puts an end to our glorifying him in

this world of trial and conflict. Others are dead, and an end is

thereby put to their service, therefore we will seek to do the

more for God. We will not only do it ourselves, but will engage

others to do it; to praise him when we are gone. Lord, thou art

the only object for faith and love. Help us to praise thee while

living and when dying, that thy name may be the first and last

upon our lips: and let the sweet savour of thy name refresh our

souls for ever