God has promised that the Church will be perpetuated even to
the end of the world, — a subject which was brought under our notice in the
preceding psalm, — this ought, in a special manner, to lead us in all the
prayers by which we commend the welfare of the Church to him, to include, at
the same time, our posterity who are yet unborn. Farther, the words glory
and beauty are to be particularly noticed: from which we learn that the
love which God bears towards us is unparalleled. Although, in enriching us with
his gifts he gains nothing for himself; yet he would have the splendor and
beauty of his character manifested in dealing bountifully with us, as if his
beauty were obscured when he ceases to do us good.
In the clause immediately succeeding, Direct the work of
our hands upon us, Moses intimates that we cannot undertake or attempt
anything with the prospect of success, unless God become our guide and
counsellor, and govern us by his Spirit. Whence it follows, that the reason why
the enterprises and efforts of worldly men have a disastrous issue is, because,
in not following God, they pervert all order and throw everything into
confusion.
Although God converts to good in the end whatever Satan and
the reprobate plot and practice against him or his people; yet the Church, in
which God rules with undisturbed sway, has in this respect a special privilege.
By his providence, which to us is incomprehensible, he directs his work in
regard to the reprobate externally; but he governs his believing people
internally by his Holy Spirit; and therefore he is properly said to order or
direct the work of their hands. (Commentaries)
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