Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also
of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. (Psalm 18:7)
David, convinced that the aid of God, which he had
experienced, was of such a character, that it was impossible for him to extol
it sufficiently and as it deserved, sets forth an image of it in the sky and
the earth.
If natural things always flowed in an even and uniform
course, the power of God would not be so perceptible. But when he changes the
face of the sky by sudden rain, or by loud thunder, or by dreadful tempests,
those who before were, as it were, asleep and insensible, must necessarily be
awakened, and be tremblingly conscious of the existence of a presiding God.
Such sudden and unforeseen changes manifest more clearly the presence of the
great Author of nature.
No doubt, when the sky is unclouded and tranquil, we see in
it sufficient evidences of the majesty of God, but as men will not stir up
their minds to reflect upon that majesty, until it come nearer to them, David,
the more powerfully to affect us, recounts the sudden changes by which we are
usually moved and dismayed, and introduces God at one time clothed with a dark
cloud,—at another, throwing the air into confusion by tempests,—now rending it
by the boisterous violence of winds,—now launching the lightnings,—and anon
darting down hailstones and thunderbolts.
In short, the object of the Psalmist is to show that the God
who, as often as he pleases, causes all parts of the world to tremble by his
power, when he intended to manifest himself as the deliverer of David, was
known as openly and by signs as evident as if he had displayed his power in all
the creatures both above and beneath. (Commentaries)
NOTE: The next installment will be delayed until May 21st.
No comments:
Post a Comment