Luther’s Works, Vol. 35, p.253,  Preface to the Psalter

The Psalter ought to be a precious and beloved book, if for no other reason than this: it promises Christ’s death and resurrection so clearly—and pictures his kingdom and the condition and nature of all Christendom—that it might well be called a little Bible. In it is comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entre Bible. It is really a fine enchiridion or handbook. In fact, I have a notion that the Holy Spirit wanted to take the trouble himself to compile a short Bible and book of examples of all Christendom or all saints, so that anyone who could not read the whole Bible would here have anyway almost an entire summary of it, comprised in one little book….

A human heart is like a ship on a wild sea, driven by the storm winds from the four corners of the world. Here it is stuck with fear and worry about impending disaster; there comes grief and sadness because of present evil. Here breathes a breeze of hope and of anticipated happiness; there blows security and joy in present blessings. These storm winds teach us to speak with earnestness, to open the heart and pour out what lies at the bottom of it. He who is stuck in fear and need speaks of misfortune quite differently from him who floats on joy; and he who floats on joy speaks and sings of joy quite differently from him who is stuck in fear. When a sad man laughs or a glad man weeps, they say, he does not do so from the heart; that is, the depths of the heart are not open, and what is in them does not come out.

What is the greatest thing in the Psalter but this earnest speaking amid these storm winds of every kind? Where does one find finer words of joy than in the psalms of praise and thanksgiving? There you look into the hearts of all the saints, as into fair and pleasant gardens, yes, as into heaven itself. There you see what fine and pleasant flowers of the heart spring up from all sorts of fair and happy thoughts toward God, because of his blessings. On the other hand, where do you find deeper, more sorrowful, more pitiful words of sadness than in the psalms of lamentation? There again you look into the hearts of all the saints, as into death, yes, as into hell itself. How gloomy and dark it is there, with all kinds of troubled forebodings about the wrath of God! So, too, when they speak of fear and hope, they use such words that no painter could so depict for you fear or hope, and no Cicero or other orator so portray them.

And that they speak these words to God and with God, this, I repeat, is the best thing of all. This gives the words double earnestness and life. For when men speak with men about these matters, what they say does not come so powerfully from the heart; it does not burn and live, is not so urgent. Hence it is that the Psalter is the book of all saints; and everyone, in whatever situation he may be, finds in that situation psalms and words that fit his ease, that suit him as if they were put there just for his sake, so that he could not put it better himself, or find or wish for anything better.

14. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has made it so in order that MEN SHOULD FEAR BEFORE HIM.

That is: “I have seen that everything God does lasts forever, but our works are unsure and vain.” And one must note the antithesis. He says that only God can carry out His counsels and set a definite time for them. To whom He has given this gift of finding enjoyment in the present, he has it. He is faithful and sure; whatever He gives, no one takes away. If He grants life, no one snatches it away, even though the world and Satan should rage; for He is sure and eternal. If He gives me good eyes, I shall keep them, even though Satan should sprinkle all the dust of the earth into them. If He gives me healthy and robust arms or legs, no one will deprive me of them. All our works have their appointed time, which we do not set. Who sets it, then? God Himself determines this time—not fortune or fate, as the philosophers suppose. When He who made the time permits it to come, then it comes.

Why, therefore, does He afflict men with this vain supposition when He has reserved the appointed time for things to Himself? For this reason, he says, in order that men should fear, that we should not be rash in our works or attempt things proudly and presumptuously as though they came from us. Thus also Paul teaches (Rom. 9:16; Phil. 2:12–13): “Walking in fear, so that you know that it does not depend upon man’s will or exertion, because He Himself is at work both to will and to work.” Anyone who believes this, that matters have not been placed into our hands, will not do anything rashly, but will attribute everything to God in His working and will expect everything from Him. If He grants it, he enjoys it; if He does not, he does without it; and if He takes it away, he bears it. Thus there abide the glory of God and our humiliation and the true worship of God among us. This is what it means to fear God: to have God in view, to know that He looks at all our works, and to acknowledge Him as the Author of all things, both good and evil. (Luther’s Works, v.15 p.54-55)

Therefore he draws the same conclusion that he drew in the preceding chapter.

12. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13. also that it is God’s gift to man that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil.

This can be understood satisfactorily on the basis of what has been said above. He wants to say: There is nothing better for a man in such a disastrous business than to enjoy the things that are present and to have a happy and joyful heart, without anxiety and care about the future. But the ability to do this is a gift of God. “I can teach this,” Solomon says, “but it is not in my ability to do it or to grant that it be done.” He shows what is to be done, and at the same time he teaches where it is to be obtained. He teaches that our cares only bring affliction, but he urges that we call upon God to take away these cares and to give success and peace of heart. (Luther’s Works, v.15 p.54)