Israel’s history is here written with the view of showing human sin. It is, in fact, a national confession, and includes an acknowledgement of the transgression of Israel in Egypt. In the wilderness, and in Canaan – together with devout petitions for forgiveness. This rendered the psalm suitable for use in all succeeding generations, and especially in times of national captivity.
While we are studying this holy psalm, let us all along see ourselves mirrored in the Lord's ancient people, and bemoan our own provocations of the Most High; at the same time admiring His infinite patience, and adoring Him because of it. May the Holy Spirit sanctify it to the promotion of humility and gratitude.
Verses 1 & 3. “Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; … Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.”? This is real and substantial praising of God. Thanksdoing is the proof of thanksgiving. The good life of the thankful man is the life of thankfulness.
Verse 6. “We have sinned with our fathers …” Let us look far back to the age of sin; even as far back as the “original” from which come all the copy of imitation. Be they never so new in act, they are old in example. “We have sinned with our fathers;” antiquity is no infallible argument of goodness, for iniquity can plead antiquity. He that commits a new act of murder finds it old in the example of Cain. Drunkenness can be fetched from Noah; contempt of parents from Ham; women’s shamelessness from the daughters of Lot. There is no sin but has white hairs upon it and is exceeding old. Yet let us look back even further still – even to Adam. There is no age to sin.
Verse 7. “Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies.” Because they “understood not His wonders,” therefore they “remembered not His mercies.” A shallow understanding causes a short memory.
Verses 12-13. “… They sang in his praise. They soon forgat his works ….” The chapter which contains the portion of the children of Israel’s history here alluded to, (Exodus 15,) begins with rapturous expressions of gratitude, and ends with the murmurs of discontent – both uttered by the same lips and within the space of three short days! Their expressions of gratitude were called forth by that wonderful display of the divine perfections, which delivered them from the host of Pharaoh and destroyed their enemies. Their murmurs were caused by a mere trifling inconvenience, which in a few hours was removed – when they found the waters of Marah bitter to their taste. Indeed, although they “sang his praises, they soon forgat his works.”
Verse 13. “They soon forgat his works …” As it is with a sieve, the good corn and fine flour goes through, but the light chaff and coarse bran remains behind. Or as a strainer, when the sweet cordial is strained out, but the dregs are left behind. Or as a grate, that lets the pure water run away but if there be any straws, sticks, mud or filth, those it holds. So, it is with most men’s memories, so that the vain conceits of men are apt to be held in, when the divine instructions of God and His gracious promises run through. Like Israel, “They soon forgat his works.”
Verse 21. “They forgat their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt.” Israel is now accused for the third time of forgetting God. In verse 7; afterwards, in verse 13; and now in verse 21. And that he might show the greatness of this forgetfulness, the psalmist does not simply say, they forgot God, but adds, “their saviour” – “they forgat God their Saviour.” And not just the Saviour of their fathers in former times, but their Saviour – their own Saviour.
Verse 24. Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word.” One great bar to salvation is spiritual sloth. It is here said of Israel, “they despised the pleasant land.” What could be the reason for that? Canaan was a paradise of delight, a type of heaven. Aye, but they thought that it would cost them a great deal in the getting, by way of trouble and hazard, and so, they would rather go without it. Are there not millions who would rather go sleeping to hell than sweating to heaven?
(to be concluded)