Interpret → Preach
For the service
John Wesley’s own Explanatory Notes Upon the Old and New Testament on the day’s readings — his verse-by-verse commentary, not a summary of it. Read the full edition ↗
first Deuteronomy 8:7-18
- v.7Depths — Deep wells or springs, or lakes, which were numerous and large.
- v.9Whose stones are iron — Where are mines of iron in a manner as plentiful as stones, and upon which travelers must tread, as in other parts they do upon stones.
- v.10Bless the Lord — Solemnly praise him for thy food; which is a debt both of gratitude and justice, because it is from his providence and favour that thou receivest both thy food and refreshment and strength by it. The more unworthy and absurd is that too common profaneness of them, who, professing to believe a God, from whom all their comforts come, grudge to own him at their meals, either by desiring his blessing before them, or by offering due praise to God after them.
- v.14Lifted up — As if thou didst receive and enjoy these things, either, by thy owns wisdom, and valour, and industry, or for thy own merit.
- v.16That he might humble thee — By keeping thee in a constant dependence upon him for every day's food, and convincing thee what an impotent, helpless creature thou art, having nothing whereon to subsist, and being supported wholly by the alms of divine goodness from day to day. The mercies of God, if duly considered, are as powerful a mean to humble us as the greatest afflictions, because they increase our debts to God, and manifest our dependance upon him, and by making God great, they make us little in our own eyes. To do thee good - That is, that after he hath purged and prepared thee by afflictions, thou mayest receive and enjoy his blessings with less disadvantage, whilst by the remembrance of former afflictions. thou art made thankful for them, and more cautious not to abuse them. A promise of Canaan, ver. 1-3. A caution, not to ascribe this to their own merit, ver. 4-6. A rehearsal of their various rebellions, ver. 7-24. and of Moses's intercession for them, ver. 25-29.
psalm Psalm 65
- v.4Approach — To draw near to God in his house and ordinance, by prayer and praise, and other acts of communion with him. Satisfied - With the blessings there conferred upon thy people, the favour and fellowship of God, remission of sins, renovation of heart and life, joy and peace, and well-grounded assurance of eternal life.
- v.5Righteousness — By virtue of thy faithfulness, and goodness. Wilt thou - Thou wilt graciously answer our prayers. The confidence - Thou art the stay and support of all mankind, by thy powerful and gracious providence.
- v.7Tumult — No less wild and impetuous.
- v.8Thy tokens — Terrible thunders and lightnings, and earthquakes, and comets or other strange meteors, or works of God in the air. Morning - The successive courses of the morning and evening; or of the sun and moon which go forth at those times. Thus the whole verse speaks of the natural works of God, the former clause, of such as are extraordinary and terrible, the latter of such as are ordinary and delightful.
- v.9River — With rain, which he very significantly calls a river for its plenty, and the river of God, of God's immediate providing. Them - The inhabitants of the earth. Provided - Or, disposed, the earth, which without this would be hard and barren.
- v.10Bringest down — For the rain dissolves the high and hard clods of earth.
- v.12Wilderness — Which though neglected by men, are furnished with food for beasts.
- v.13Sing — They are abundantly satisfied with thy goodness, and in their manner sing forth the praise of their benefactor. The psalmist calls on all people to praise God, for his sovereign power over the whole creation, ver. 1-7. For his special favour to his people, ver. 8-12. Praises him for his goodness to himself in particular, ver. 13-20. To the chief musician, A song or psalm.
second 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
- v.6He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully — A general rule. God will proportion the reward to the work, and the temper whence it proceeds.
- v.7Of necessity — Because he cannot tell how to refuse.
- v.8How remarkable are these words! Each is loaded with matter and increases all the way it goes. All grace — Every kind of blessing. That ye may abound to every good work - God gives us everything, that we may do good therewith, and so receive more blessings. All things in this life, even rewards, are, to the faithful, seeds in order to a future harvest. Prov. xxii, 9
- v.9He hath scattered abroad — (A generous word.) With a full hand, without any anxious thought which way each grain falls. His righteousness - His beneficence, with the blessed effects of it. Remaineth forever - Unexhausted, God still renewing his store. Psalm cxii, 9
- v.10And he who supplieth seed — Opportunity and ability to help others. And bread - All things needful for your own souls and bodies. Will continually supply you with that seed, yea, multiply it to you more and more. And increase the fruits of your righteousness - The happy effects of your love to God and man. Isaiah lv, 10
- v.11Which worketh by us thanksgiving to God — Both from us who distribute, and them who receive, your bounty.
- v.13Your avowed subjection — Openly testified by your actions. To all men - Who stand in need of it.
- v.15His unspeakable gift — His outward and inward blessings, the number and excellence of which cannot be uttered.
gospel Luke 17:11-19
no note on this passage