Ver. 1. Praise ye the Lord] Though scattered among the heathen, and in a sorrowful condition, Psalms 106:47. In prosperity praise the Lord, saith Austin, and it shall increase upon thee. In adversity praise him, and it shall be better with thee. O give thanks unto the Lord, &c.] This verse was, say some, the foot or tenor of the song in many sacred hymns. For his mercy endureth for ever] Even to those also that have sinned against his goodness.
Ver. 2. Who can utter, &c.] i.e. To the just worth of them; none can: they are fitter to be admired than possible to be uttered. It is enough that we do what we can toward the work. God accepteth according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not, 2 Corinthians 8:12; he taketh it for no small praise when we thus acknowledge him to be above all praise. Who can show forth all his praise?] Quis fando exprimat? Surely none can. David saith he will, Psalms 9:1, but soon found his utter inability; for according to thy name, O Lord, so is thy praise, saith he in another psalm. The best way is, as here in the ensuing verses, to submit to God’s justice, and to implore his mercy, and to study integrity, Psalms 106:3-6.
Ver. 3. Blessed are they that keep judgment, &c.] That are of right principles and upright practices; this is real and substantial praising of God. Thanks doing is the proof of thanksgiving; and the good life of the thankful is the life of thankfulness. Those that say God a-thank only, and no more, are not only contumelious, but injurious. And he that doth righteousness] So preaching forth the virtues (or praises) of God who hath called him into his marvellous light, 1 Peter 2:9, and composing his whole course, velar spectatum aliquod simulaehrum et documentum laudis eius constans atque perpetuum (Jun.).
Ver. 4. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour, &c.] The psalmist would have favour, and special favour, mercies, and sure mercies, proper to God’s peculiar, and with these he would be remembered; grace he would find, such as might help in time of need, Hebrews 4:16. “God remembered Noah,” Genesis 8:1. “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things,” Matthew 6:32. Though our ark be driven in a tempestuous sea, yet it shall neither sink nor split while we sail in the thoughts of God. O visit me with thy salvation] A gracious spirit will not be satisfied with low things, common mercies,
Ver. 5. That I may see the good of thy chosen] Ut videam in bonum, that I may see it, and partake of it, have both the vision and fruition of thy great goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, Psalms 31:19, giving them a taste thereof aforehand, as a few grapes of that promised Canaan. Of thy nation] i.e. By this name God’s elect are here and elsewhere styled, and therefore the Jews have no reason to reproach us, as they do, by it; calling us Gel, and Mamzer-goi, bastard heathens.
Ver. 6. We have sinned with our fathers] Adding to their heap, and making up their measure, Matthew 23:32. People think the example of their fathers a sufficient excuse. Jerome once (but not well) desired leave of Austin to err with seven Fathers whom he found of his opinion. I will follow my forefathers, saith Cicero, although I fall together with them. See Jeremiah 44:17. But so would not these good souls, as neither Jeremiah, Jeremiah 3:25, nor Daniel, Daniel 9:5, whose confession suiting and symbolizing with this (together with that we read Psalms 106:47), maketh some think that this psalm was penned for his people’s use then when they were captives in Babylon. We have committed iniquity, &c.] Sin must be confessed with utmost aggravation. I will hear how full in the mouth these are against themselves, laying on load, while their sins swell as so many toads in their eyes.
Ver. 7. Our fathers understood not] i.e. They weighed them not, improved them not, but as the dull earth is surrounded by the heavens, yet perceiveth it not; so were these with miracles and mercies, yet understood them not. Even at the Red Sea] Not only while they were on the bank they feared to enter, but also even when they were passing and walking over that dry land made for them by a miracle, they did still continue their murmurings and mutinings.
Ver. 8. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake] Here he comes, in with a Non-obstante. So Isaiah 57:17. Now, if God will save for his name’s sake, what people is there whom he may not save? That he might make his miqhly power to be known] The Lord hath other things to look unto than presently to punish his people when they most deserve it.
Ver. 9. He rebuked the Red Sea also] Ingentia beneficia, flagitia, supplicia, as appeareth in the subsequent verses. So he led them through the depths] Inter duas aquarum congeries, between two mountains of waters, which stood on each hand of them as a wall, and made a lane. Every main affliction is our Red Sea; which while it threateneth to swallow us up, preserveth us.