God's Conduct of Our Affairs
Robert Hall, A. M. Psalm 47:4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. Allusion seems to be here made to the division of the earth among Noah's sons after the deluge (Deuteronomy 32:7-9). And like division by lot was observed in regard to the land of Canaan. Though the lot was cast into the lap, the whole disposing thereof was of the Lord. And still God graciously interferes in our affairs. I. THE MANNER OF GOD'S CONTROL. 1. The constant interference on the part of God regards everything relative to our condition in this finite state of being. All form parts of the Divine choosing, however hard it may be to reconcile superior deter-ruination with the free and unrestrained choice which every individual makes for himself. This superintendence is as extensive as it is minute. He telleth the number of the stars, and He counteth the hairs of our head. In its operation it touches the springs of human determination, without at all infringing on individual liberty; and directs man to the choice, while man chooses for himself. 2. It includes the special regards which God pays to tits own people. "This people have I formed for Myself," etc. 3. The Divine Spirit chooses our lot, by leading, directing, and regulating the choice we make for ourselves; not by a powerful and immediate control of the will, but by implanting those principles in the mind which, in their voluntary exercise, will form a choice agreeably to the Divine mind. "It is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure." II. THE PROPRIETY AND ADVANTAGE OF LEAVING THE CHOICE OF OUR INHERITANCE TO GOD. This is indeed nothing more than cheerfully recognizing the just exercise of His own prerogative: He will eventually do it, whether we will or not. But it is best voluntarily to leave it with God, because — 1. It is infinitely wise and fit that He should choose our inheritance for us. To show the propriety of such a disposition, Jeremiah drew his followers to the potter's field (Jeremiah 18:2-6). 2. This arrangement is infinitely best for ourselves. The task of first forming a human soul for glory, and then bringing that soul to its possession, is what none but God Himself could accomplish. (Robert Hall, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. WEB: He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.