EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS (3)

Our Saviour was so anointed, as to “fill all in all.” Eph. i. 23. He filleth all his members, and all their faculties, with all those measures of the Spirit, which they ever receive.—Condensed from John Hurrion, 1675-1731.

Verse 7.—“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”—About Michaelmas I was in the utmost extremity, and having gone out in very fine weather, I contemplated the azure heavens, and my heart was so strengthened in faith (which I do not ascribe to my own powers, but solely to the grace of God), that I thought within myself, “What an excellent thing it is when we have nothing, and can rely upon nothing, but yet are acquainted with the living God, who made heaven and earth, and place our confidence alone in him, which enables us to be so tranquil even in necessity!” Although I was well aware that I required something that very day, yet my heart was so strong in faith that I was cheerful, and of good courage. On coming home I was immediately waited upon by the overseer of the workmen and masons, who, as it was Saturday, required money to pay their wages. He expected the money to be ready, which he wished to go and pay, but enquired, however, whether I had received anything. “Has anything arrived?” asked he. I answered, “No, but I have faith in God.” Scarcely had I uttered the words when a student was announced, who brought me thirty dollars from some one, whom he would not name. I then went into the room again, and asked the other “how much he required this time for the workmen’s wages?” He answered, “Thirty dollars.” “Here they are,” said I, and enquired at the same time, “if he needed any more?” He said, “No,” which very much strengthened the faith of both of us, since we so visibly saw the miraculous hand of God, who sent it at the very moment when it was needed.—Augustus Herman Franke, 1663-1727.

Verse 7.—“Some trust in chariots,” etc.—Vain is the confidence of all wickedness. In war, chariots, horses, navies, numbers, discipline, former successes, are relied on; but the battle is not to the strong. “Providence favours the strong battalions” may sound well in a worldling’s ear, but neither Providence nor the Bible so teaches. In peace, riches, friends, ships, farms, stocks, are relied upon, yet they can neither help nor save. Let him that glorieth glory in the Lord.—William S. Plumer.

Verse 7.—“We will remember the name of the Lord our God.” By the name of God is generally understood, in Holy Writ, the various properties and attributes of God: these properties and attributes make up and constitute the name of God. As when Solomon says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” And, by remembering, considering, meditating upon this name of God, the Psalmist represents himself as comforted or strengthened, whatever might be the duties to which he was called, or the dangers to which he was exposed. Others were for looking to other sources of safety and strength, “some trusting in chariots, and some in horses;” but the Psalmist always set himself to the “remembering the name of the Lord our God:” and always, as it would seem, with satisfaction and success. And here is the peculiarity of the passage on which we wish to dwell, and from which we hope to draw important lessons and truths—the Psalmist “remembers the name of the Lord his God;” not any one property or attribute to God; but the whole combination of divine perfections. And he “remembers” this “name;” the expression implying, not a transient thought, but meditation—consideration; and yet the result of the recollection is gladness and confidence.—Henry Melvill.

Verse 7.—It is easy to persuade papists to lean on priests and saints, on old rags and painted pictures—on any idol; but it is hard to get a Protestant to trust in the living God.—William Arnot, 1858.

Verse 7.—Weak man cannot choose but have some confidence without himself in case of apparent difficulties, and natural men do look first to some earthly thing wherein they confide. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses,” some in one creature, some in another. The believer must quit his confidence in these things, whether he have them or want them, and must rely on what God hath promised in his word to do unto us. “But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”—David Dickson.

Verse 7.—They that “trust in chariots and horses,” will have no king but Cæsar; but the “armies in heaven” which follow thee have themselves no arms, and no strength but in following thee.—Isaac Williams.

Verse 7.—Numa being told that his enemies were coming upon him, as he was offering sacrifices, thought it was sufficient for his safety that he could say, I am about the service of my God. When Jehoshaphat had once established a preaching ministry in all the cities of Judah, then, and not till then, the fear of the Lord fell on the neighbouring nations, and they made no war; albeit, he had before that placed forces in all the fenced cities.—Charles Bradbury.

Verse 7:—

Verse 8.—“They are brought down” from their horses and chariots in which they trusted. Hebrew: they bowed down, as being unable to stand longer because of their mortal wounds. Compare Judges v. 27. “Stand upright.” Standing firmly upon our legs, and keeping the field, as conquerors use to do.—Matthew Poole.