This Psalm shows us that the first concern of all that fear and know God should be the preservation of a place for the ministration of the word, and for the true religion and true worship of God. For, as here, when Jerusalem is destroyed, Babylon and Edom, and all other wicked nations rejoice, and triumph over the grief and the tears of the people of God, which adds great bitterness to their afflictions. But such enemies shall never enjoy their triumph unpunished of God. They themselves shall be laid waste in their appointed time, and shall be utterly overthrown and laid in ruins and in ashes; their flourishing youth shall be destroyed by the sword, their children shall be dashed against the stones, and neither age nor sex shall find mercy. But Israel and the people of God shall remain for evermore. In this manner fell Babylon, that queen of nations: and in the same manner also shall fall all the Babylonians and Edomites in our day, who rejoice, like their forefathers, in the afflictions and calamities of the true church of God. PSALM CXXXVIII. _David praiseth God for the truth of his word.—He prophesieth that the kings of the earth shall praise God.—He professeth his confidence in God._ A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, _and_ strengthenedst me _with_ strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great _is_ the glory of the LORD. Though the LORD _be_ high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect _that which_ concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, _endureth_ for ever: forsake not the work of thine own hands. This is a Psalm of general thanksgiving unto God for all his help against enemies: and it prays that the kingdom of Christ may come; and it prophesies also that even kings and nations shall hear the gospel, shall render thanks unto God for the same, and shall know and worship him in truth; and shall acknowledge the eternal kingdom of Christ, namely, his exaltation over all things, and over every name that is named; and that he succours, helps, and saves humble, tempted, and afflicted sinners. In the conclusion of the Psalm, the Psalmist prays, “Forsake not the work of thine own hands;” that is, Raise up, establish, and preserve this promised kingdom of Christ, for the sake of which thou hast chosen this people. PSALM CXXXIX.