Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

cute thy will in the volume of the book* [it is] written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart; I obey thee with pleasure, and am ready to fulfil what9 ever thou requirest. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou 10 knowest. I have no hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving kindness and thy truth from the great congregation; I have proclaimed thy righteousness and goodness to numerous assemblies with the greatest freedom, though doing so hath exposed me to sufferings and death. After this the psalmist 1 goes on to entreat God's mercy for himself and his friends. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me in all fu12 ture dangers. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquitiest have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: there13 fore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver

me: O LORD make haste to help me; I have no other helper but 14 thee. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek

after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and 15 put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame, who make a mock of my affliction, and my 16 trust in thee, and that say unto me, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee, that observe thy providence, and depend on thee alone, rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation, who take pleasure in seeing thee appear for the deliverance of thy people, say continually, The LORD be magnified; let them I have continual occasion to bless thee on that account. But I [am] poor and needy, destitute of human help; [yet] this is my comfort, the LORD thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God; as I depend on thee alone for deliverance, be pleased to send it speedily.

1.

W

REFLECTIONS.

E hence learn, under all our afflictions to trust in God, and wait patiently for him; this will be our wisdom and duty under the greatest distresses. Let us then not trust to ourselves, as proud men do, nor to others, who may imagine themselves able to help us; but have our eyes ever toward the Lord, and wait his time for deliverance. This will tend to compose the mind while deliverance is delayed; and at length he will bring us out of the horrible pit and the miry clay.

It is called the volume of the book, because the ancient books were written on long pieces of parchment, which we e roll d un to keep them clan. See a curious criticism of Mr. Hirm's on this text, Observations, Vol. III. in' lar. Edit.

If the whole psalm is applied to Christ, then iniquities here must signify calamities, as the word often does.

If these verses are applied to the Messiah, they must be considered as a prediction, and not as an imprecation.

2. We ought to admire the love of Christ, displayed in his submitting to labours and sufferings for our sakes. He came cheer. fully to accomplish the ancient prophecies, and to do God's will, though he knew that while he was on earth he should endure many afflictions, and at length die in a painful and ignominious manner. Let us show our gratitude, by learning and practising that righteousness, which he so plainly and faithfully preached.

3. Let us imitate his example, by cheerfully performing any ser vices and submitting to any sufferings which God may call us to, and with equal pleasure concur in every intimation of the divine will. In order to that, let us lay up his law in our hearts. Cheerful obedience to the divine will is the most acceptable sacrifice, and vill please the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

PSALM XLI.

To the chief musician, A Psalm of David.

Composed upon occasion of some sore disease or other affliction, in which he had met with very inhuman treatment from some person who pre tended great affection. It was probably written on the same occa. sion as the thirty eighth psalm, when Absalom took advantage of his sickness. To set off the contrast more forcibly, he begins the psalm with a reflection on the beauty of a compassionate spirit, and the happiness to which the possessors of it are entitled.

LESSED [is] he that considereth the poor, the weak, or

The

2 relief: the LogD will deliver him in time of trouble. LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; [and] he shall be blessed, be prosperous, upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver 3 him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; when afflictions come upon him through natural infirmities, God will strengthen him; or, as the word signifies, support and hold him up: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness; like a tender parent, or an affectionate friend, God will as it were assist in adjusting his bed, and making 4 it easy to him. In this confidence, when I was sick, I said, LORD, be merciful unto me; heal my soul; for I have sinned against 5 thee; pardon my sins, and deliver me out of this distress. Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? they think the distemper does its work too slowly, and 6 would be glad, if they durst to aid its victory by murder. And as for him who is my chief enemy, that is, Absalom, if he come to see [me,] under pretence of duty or affection, he speaketh vanity, that is, falsehood and lies: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; [when] he goeth abroad, he telleth [it ;] he makes malignant re

7 marks on my temper and conduct. All that hate me whisper 8 together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. An evil disease, [say they,] cleaveth fast unto him, as a peculiar judgment from heaven: and [now] that he lieth disabled in bed, 9 he shall rise up no more. Yea, mine own familiar friend, Ahithofhel, in whom I trusted, whom I depended upon for assisiance in my affairs, which did eat of my bread, had a place at my own table, hath lifted up [his] heel against me; like an ungrateful brute which strikes at his feeder, he hath endeavoured to do me 10 all the mischief in his power. But thou, O LORD, be merciful

unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them, punish them 11 according to their deserts. By this I know that thou favourest

me, because mine enemy doth not yet triumph over me, hath 12 not gotten me into his power. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever; as thou knowest my integrity, thou upholdest me in the midst of those dangers, and wilt restore and establish me; therefore I will 13 say, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen; let all the people concur with me in ascribing glory and pruise to thee."

REFLECTIONS.

1.

EE how amiable and happy a compassionate and char

or,

who considereth the poor. If we wish this to be our case, we must not turn away our eyes from the sick or the poor, but take notice of their cases; inquire into their circumstances; tenderly pity them, and do our utmost to relieve them. We may soon be in their situation, sick, if not poor. This psalm shows us, that even royal dignity cannot secure the continuance of health, nor the fidelity of friends. If we consider the poor, God will consider us, and comfort us under our afflictions; but we cannot expect his help if we are uncharitable; for his word declares, Prov. xxi. 13. Whoso stopfeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

2. It is cause of thankfulness if we have never experienced the infidelity of our friends; the most grievous circumstance in David's affliction. Had they quite deserted him, it would have been much better than to have visited him with the appearance of condolence and pity, but with words of falsehood, and designs of cruelty. If we have kind or faithful friends who visit us in our affliction, we should give God the glory of it, from whom all our blessings are derived, and all our support and counsels flow.

3. See the odious nature of ingratitude; the sting of it wounds deep. David felt it, when his intimate friend, yea, his own son, treacherously conspired against him. How base a disposition! Let us abhor it; be always careful to show gratitude and respect to whom they are due; and be sincere in all our expressions of good will. Our Lord applies these words of David to the treachery of

Judas, John xiii. 18. and it is applicable to all who profess his gospel (and more especially those who partake of his supper) and yet are disobedient to his laws; they eat of Christ's bread, and yet ungratefully and cruelly lift up the heel against him.

4. We should be careful under every affliction and ill usage to maintain our integrity, to do our duty, and keep a good conscience: this will be our rejoicing in the day of evil. When men reproach us and God afflicts us, we ought to depend upon him to uphold us in our integrity; else we shall fall from it; and often pray that integrity and uprightness may preserve us; for it is better to suffer any thing, and lose every thing, than give up that. If we retain it, God will set us before his face for ever; we shall behold his face in righteousness, and be satisfied with his likeness.

PSALM XLII.

To the chief musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.

Probably composed by David during Absalom's rebellion, when he was forced to fly beyond Jordan. He expresses earnest desire, deep sorrow, and cheerful hope, in mingled strains, without much method; for sorrow is not methodical.

1

2

S the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my

[ocr errors]

lý desires his favour; for the living God, the God of life and com fort when shall I come and appear before God? I long for 3 that happy time. My tears have been my meat day and night, I have no inclination to any thing but weeping, while they continually say unto me, Where [is] thy God? why doth he not appear 4 for thee? When I remember these [things,] I pour out my soul in me, in sad complaints and fervent prayers: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day; the recollection of this pleasure increases my distress, yet will 5 Inot despair; Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance; he will again look 6 favourably upon me, and with that look will send deliverance.

[ocr errors]

my God, notwithstanding the pains I take to keep up my spirits, my soul is cast down within me therefore, or, as it may be better rendered, nevertheless, will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar; I will think of thy power, goodness, and faithfulness in those countries beyond Jordan, whither I am forced to fly; though cut off from public ordinances, and wandering about, still I will remember thee. He then adds a most beautiful but melancholy account of his distress. 7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water spouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me; one distress

[ocr errors]

8 after another almost overwhelms me. [Yet] the LORD will com mand his loving kindness in the day time, he will restore me to a day of light and comfort, and in the night, this night of affliction, his song [shall be] with me, [and] my prayer unto the God of my life; I will sing of former mercies, and pray for those I want. 9 I will say unto God my rock, my refuge and security, Why hast thou forgotten me? why dost thou appear as if thou hadst deserted me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the 10 enemy? [As] with a sword in my bones, in the most cutting distressing manner, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where [is] thy God? But it is fit to turn the exIl postulation to myself, and chide away my anxious fears. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God; from whom, therefore, I have every thing to expect.

1.

WE

REFLECTIONS.

E are here taught to cherish ardent desires after God; of his favour, and uninterrupted communion with him; nothing is so delightful; nothing will make us so happy. We should long to appear before him, to pay our homage to him, to receive his orders; and join with the devout multitude in this blessed work. We should cultivate and cherish that love to ordinances, which David so pathetically expresses; and blush that we have so little of his de vout spirit, notwithstanding our superior privileges,

2. We have grcat reason to bless God that we are not driven from his house and our own. To be driven from our habitation, and forced to wander about, is afflictive; but to be driven from the house of God, and deprived of opportunities of attending tl.ere, is, to a pious soul, more afflictive. The remembrance of former enjoy. ments would in that case be painful, and add to the distress. May we therefore learn to value and improve our privileges, lest God should teach us their worth by the want of them.

3. When in the greatest difficulties, we should maintain our faith and continue instant in prayer. When waves and billows roll over us, and threaten to overwhelm us, let us have faith in God, and let our prayer be to him as the God of our life; maintaining a believing confidence in his power, goodness, and faithfulness, and casting all our care upon him.

4. Let us endeavour to reason ourselves out of those desponding thoughts which may sometimes rise in our bosoms, and chide our hearts when they are ready to sink. We should inquire what cause there is for despair or even dejection, and say, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Despon dency dishonours God, discourages others, and hurts ourselves. Let us therefore with David continue these reasonings, repeat our good thoughts, prayers, and resolutions, and God will at length appear as he health of our countenance, and our God.

« PreviousContinue »