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ps17.4
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1993-03-27
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EXPOSITION.
"_Concerning the works of men_." While we are in the
midst of men we shall have their works thrust under our notice,
and we shall be compelled to keep a corner in our diary headed
"concerning the works of men." To be quite clear from the dead
works of carnal humanity is the devout desire of souls who are
quickened by the Holy Spirit. "_By the word of thy lips I have
kept me from the paths of the destroyer_." He had kept the
highway of Scripture, and not chosen the bye-paths of malice. We
should soon imitate the example of the worst of men if the grace
of God did not use the Word of God as the great preservative from
evil. The paths of the destroyer have often tempted us; we have
been prompted to become destroyers too, when we have been sorely
provoked, and resentment has grown warm; but we have remembered
the example of our Lord, who would not call fire from heaven upon
his enemies, but meekly prayed, "Father, forgive them." All the
ways of sin are the paths of Satan,--the Apollyon or Abaddon,
both of which words signify the destroyer. Foolish indeed are
those who give their hearts to the old murderer, because for the
time he panders to their evil desires. That heavenly Book which
lies neglected on many a shelf is the only guide for those who
would avoid the enticing and entangling mazes of sin; and it is
the best means of preserving the youthful pilgrim from ever
treading those dangerous ways. We must follow the one or the
other; the Book of Life, or the way of death; the word of the
Holy Spirit, or the suggestion of the Evil Spirit. David could
urge as the proof of his sincerity that he had no part or lot
with the ungodly in their ruinous ways. How can we venture to
plead our cause with God, unless we also can wash our hands clean
of all connection with the enemies of the Great King?
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS.
Verse 4.--"_Concerning the works of men, by the word of
thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer_:" as if
he had said, Would you know how it comes to pass that I escape
those ungodly works and practices which men ordinarily take
liberty to do? I must ascribe it to the good word of God; it is
this I consult with, and by it I am kept from those foul ways
whereinto others, that make no use of the word for their defence,
are carried by Satan the destroyer. Can we go against sin and
Satan with a better weapon than Christ used to vanquish the
tempter with? And, certainly, Christ did it to set us an example
how we should come armed into the field against them; for Christ
could with one beam shot from his Deity (if he had pleased to
exert it), have as easily laid the bold fiend at his foot, as
afterward he did them that came to attack him; but he chose
rather to conceal the majesty of his Divinity, and let Satan come
up closer to him, that so he might confound him with the word,
and thereby give him a proof of that sword of his saints, which
he was to leave them for their defence against the same enemy.
The devil is set out by the leviathan (#Isa 27:1|), him God
threatens to punish with his strong sword; alluding to that great
fish, the whale, which fears no fish like the sword-fish, by whom
this great devourer of all other fish is so often killed; for,
receiving one prick from his sword, he hasteneth to the shore,
and beats himself against it till he dies. Thus the devil, the
great devourer of souls, who sports himself in the sea of this
world, as the leviathan in the waters, and swallows the greatest
part of mankind without any power to make resistance against him,
is himself vanquished by the word. When he has to do with a saint
armed with this sword, and instructed how to use this weapon, he
then, and not till then, meets his match.--^William Gurnall.
Verse 4.--"_By the word of thy lips_," etc. It is a great
relief against temptations to have the word ready. The word is
called, "The sword of the Spirit," #Eph 6:17|. In spiritual
conflicts there is none like to that. Those that ride abroad in
time of danger, will not be without a sword. We are in danger,
and had need handle the sword of the Spirit. The more ready the
Scripture is with us, the greater advantage in our conflicts and
temptations. When the devil came to assault Christ, he had
Scripture ready for him, whereby he overcame the tempter. The
door is barred upon Satan, and he cannot find such easy entrance
when the word is hid in our hearts, and made use of pertinently.
"I write unto you, young men, because ye are strong." Where lies
their strength? "And the word of God abideth in you, and ye have
overcome the wicked one." #1Jo 2:14|. Oh, it is a great advantage
when we have the word not only by us, but in us, engrafted in the
heart; when it is present with us, we are more able to resist the
assaults of Satan. Either a man forgets the word, or hath lost
his affection to it, before he can be drawn to sin.--^Thomas
Manton.
HINTS TO PREACHERS.
Verse 4.--The highway and the by-paths. _The world and
sin_. "The paths of the destroyer"--a significant name for
transgression.