Psalms 106:47. And gather us— The opinion of those who imagined this psalm to have been made in the time of the captivity of Babylon, Bishop Patrick thinks to have been very weak; for, says he, this verse upon which they ground that conjecture, may have another construction, and mean no more than this; that God would be pleased, when the nation or any part of it should be carried into captivity, to take pity on them, and to restore them again to their country; or rather, says he, in my opinion, it refers to those who in the days of Saul, or before, were taken prisoners by the Philistines or other nations; whom David prays God to gather to their own land again, that they might worship him in that place which he had prepared for the ark of his presence.
REFLECTIONS.—This psalm begins, as the foregoing concluded, with Hallelujah; for praise is always comely; and amidst every complaint we have to make, it becometh well the just to be thankful.
1. The Psalmist calls on us to bless God, for he is good, essentially so in himself, and manifesting it to us in acts of kindness surpassing great: for his mercy endureth for ever, to everlasting his faithful people will experience his regard, and therefore are bound to render him the tribute of praise: through who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord, recount the innumerable instances of his kindness and wondrous interpositions? who can shew forth all his praise? alas! our utmost efforts come infinitely short, and the best of our songs are scarcely the lispings of infancy.
2. He pronounces a blessing on God's believing people. Blessed are they that keep judgment, make God's word their rule, and desire to walk according thereunto; and he that doeth righteousness at all times; with steady integrity and simplicity seeking before God and man to approve himself in all his ways, and at all seasons.
3. He prays for himself, that by divine grace he may be enabled to approve his fidelity to God, and partake of the blessedness of his people. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people. O visit me with thy salvation! for this cometh from God alone, and is to be received as the gift of his boundless favour and free grace; and possessed of this, he may hope to share in the felicity of God's faithful people, to partake in their eternal inheritance, and join their everlasting songs around the throne of glory. May this be my prayer and my portion for ever!