02-20-2007, 01:43 AM
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Edmund Calamy the Elder, The Godly Man's Ark (re Psalm 119.92): Quote: |
This psalm, out of which my text is taken, exceeds all the other psalms, not only in length but in excellency, so far (in the judgment of Ambrose) as the light of the sun excels the light of the moon. As the book of Psalms is styled by Luther, "An epitome of the Bible, or a little Bible," so this psalm may fitly be called an epitome of the book of Psalms. It was written (as is thought) by David in the days of his banishment under Saul, but so penned, that the words thereof suit the condition of all saints. It is a public storehouse of heavenly doctrines, distributing fit and convenient instructions to all the people of God, and therefore should be in no less account with those who are spiritually alive, than is the sun, air, and fire, with those who are naturally alive. It is divided into twenty-two sections, according to the Hebrew alphabet, and therefore fitly called, "A holy alphabet for Zion's scholars," and the ABC's of godliness. Sixtus Sensius calls it, "An alphabetical poem." The Jews are said to teach it to their little children the first thing they learn, and therein they take a very right course, both in regard of the heavenly matter, and plain style fitted for all capacities. The chief scope of it is to set out the glorious excellencies of the law of God. There is not a verse (except one only, say some learned men, in print, but are therein deceived, but I may truly say, except the 122d and the 90th verses) in this long psalm, wherein there is not mention made of the law of God, under the name of law, or statutes, or precepts, or testimonies, or commandments, or ordinances, or word, or promises, or ways, or judgments, or name, or righteousness, or truth.
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Andrew
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