For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
Ver. 3. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, &c.] Men are apt to arrogate to themselves, and say, as Luther hath it, Hoc ego feci. I made this, Sesostris, king of Egypt, when he had conquered any country, was wont to set up pillars, and thereupon to engrave these words, This land I got in possession by my own power, he was afterwards slain by his own servants (Herod. lib. 2).
But thy right hand] Quia per eam praelia et opera facta sunt, saith Kimchi. God is the great doer in all achievements.
And the light of thy countenance] i.e. Illustris praesentia tua qua praeivisti et praeluxisti eis, thy gracious presence and conduct (Junius).
Because thou hadst a favour unto them] Free grace was the fundamental cause of all their felicity. God loved them because he loved them, Deuteronomy 7:7. He chose them of his love, and then loved them for his choice.