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v23700
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1994-03-01
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23701
- We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as
here, #Ps 57; 60|, to help our devotions, and enliven our
gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue,
being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of
the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in
God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured
faith and hope, for all the blessings of salvation; which are
secured to them by the faithful promise and covenant of God.
Then let them expect from him help in every trouble, and victory
in every conflict. Whatever we do, whatever we gain, God must
have all the glory. Lord, visit all our souls with this
salvation, with this favour which thou bearest to thy chosen
people.
23714
* David complains of his enemies. (1-5) He prophesies their
destruction. (6-20) Prayers and praises. (21-31)
#1-5. It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that
whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may
apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's
enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could not
laugh him out of it.
23719
#6-20 The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing
sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject
the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among
their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings
the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and
theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and
misery upon their posterity: it is sin, that mischievous,
destructive thing. And what will be the effect of the sentence,
"Go, ye cursed," upon the bodies and souls of the wicked! How it
will affect the senses of the body, and the powers of the soul,
with pain, anguish, horror, and despair! Think on these things,
sinners, tremble and repent.
23734
#21-31 The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a
very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was
wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness
in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to
have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was
ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we
need not care who curses us; for how can they curse whom God has
not cursed; nay, whom he has blessed? He pleads God's glory, and
the honour of his name. Save me, not according to my merit, for
I pretend to none, but according to thy mercy. He concludes with
the joy of faith, in assurance that his present conflicts would
end in triumphs. Let all that suffer according to the will of
God, commit the keeping of their souls to him. Jesus, unjustly
put to death, and now risen again, is an Advocate and
Intercessor for his people, ever ready to appear on their behalf
against a corrupt world, and the great accuser.
23745
* Christ's kingdom.
- Glorious things are here spoken of Christ. Not only he should
be superior to all the kings of the earth, but he then existed
in glory as the eternal Son of God. Sitting is a resting
posture: after services and sufferings, to give law, to give
judgment. It is a remaining posture: he sits like a king for
ever. All his enemies are now in a chain, but not yet made his
footstool. And his kingdom, being set up, shall be kept up in
the world, in despite of all the powers of darkness. Christ's
people are a willing people. The power of the Spirit, going with
the power of the world, to the people of Christs, is effectual
to make them willing. They shall attend him in the beautiful
attire of holiness; which becomes his house for ever. And he
shall have many devoted to him. The dew of our youth, even in
the morning of our days, ought to be consecrated to our Lord
Jesus. Christ shall not only be a King, but a Priest. He is
God's Minister to us, and our Advocate with the Father, and so
is the Mediator between God and man. He is a Priest of the order
of Melchizedek, which was before that of Aaron, and on many
accounts superior to it, and a more lively representation of
Christ's priesthood. Christ's sitting at the right hand of God,
speaks as much terror to his enemies as happiness to his people.
The effect of this victory shall be the utter ruin of his
enemies. We have here the Redeemer saving his friends, and
comforting them. He shall be humbled; he shall drink of the
brook in the way. The wrath of God, running in the curse of the
law, may be considered as the brook in the way of his
undertaking. Christ drank of the waters of affliction in his way
to the throne of glory. But he shall be exalted. What then are
we? Has the gospel of Christ been to us the power of God unto
salvation? Has his kingdom been set up in our hearts? Are we his
willing subjects? Once we knew not our need of his salvation,
and we were not willing that he should reign over us. Are we
willing to give up every sin, to turn from a wicked, ensnaring
world, and rely only on his merits and mercy, to have him for
our Prophet, Priest, and King? and do we desire to be holy? To
those who are thus changed, the Saviour's sacrifice,
intercession, and blessing belong.