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1993-03-17
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EXPOSITION.
We now listen to a fresh prayer, based upon the avowal
which he has just made. We cannot pray too often, and when our
heart is true, we shall turn to God in prayer as naturally as the
needle to its pole.
"_Arise, O Lord, in thine anger_." His sorrow makes him
view the Lord as a judge who had left the judgment-seat and
retired into his rest. Faith would move the Lord to avenge the
quarrel of his saints. "_Lift up thyself because of the rage of
mine enemies_" -- a still stronger figure to express his anxiety
that the Lord would assume his authority and mount the throne.
Stand up, O God, rise thou above them all, and let thy justice
tower above their villainies. "_Awake for me to the judgment that
thou hast commanded_." This is a bolder utterance still, for it
implies sleep as well as inactivity, and can only be applied to
God in a very limited sense. He never slumbers, yet doth he often
seem to do so; for the wicked prevail, and the saints are trodden
in the dust. God's silence is the patience of longsuffering, and
if wearisome to the saints, they should bear it cheerfully in the
hope that sinners may thereby be led to repentance.
"_So shall the congregation of the people compass thee
about_." Thy saints shall crowd to thy tribunal with their
complaints, or shall surround it with their solemn homage: "_for
their sakes therefore return thou on high_." As when a judge
travels at the assizes, all men take their cases to his court
that they may be heard, so will the righteous gather to their
Lord. Here he fortifies himself in prayer by pleading that if the
Lord will mount the throne of judgment, multitudes of the saints
would be blessed as well as himself. If I be too base to be
remembered, yet "_for their sakes_," for the love thou bearest to
thy chosen people, come forth from thy secret pavilion, and sit
in the gate dispensing justice among the people. When my suit
includes the desires of all the righteous it shall surely speed,
for "shall not God avenge his own elect_?"
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS.
Verse 6.--"_The judgment which thou hast ordained." In
the end of the verse he shows that he asks nothing but what is
according to the appointment of God. And this is the rule which
ought to be observed by us in our prayers; we should in
everything conform our requests to the divine will, as John also
instructs us. #1Jo 4:14|. And, indeed, we can never pray in faith
unless we attend, in the first place, to what God commands, that
our minds may not rashly and at random start aside in desiring
more than we are permitted to desire and pray for. David,
therefore, in order to pray aright, reposes himself on the word
and promise of God; and the import of his exercise is this: Lord,
I am not led by ambition, or foolish headstrong passion, or
depraved desire, inconsiderately to ask from thee whatever is
pleasing to my flesh; but it is the clear light of thy word which
directs me, and upon it I securely depend.--^John Calvin.
Verse 7.--'_The congregation of the people:_" either, 1.
A great number of all sorts of people, who shall observe thy
justice, and holiness, and goodness in pleading my righteous
cause against my cruel and implacable oppressor. Or rather, 2.
The whole body of thy people Israel, by whom both these Hebrew
words are commonly ascribed in Holy Scripture. "_Compass thee
about_;" they will, and I, as their king and ruler in thy stead,
will take care that they shall come from all parts and meet
together to worship thee, which in Saul's time they have grossly
neglected, and been permitted to neglect, and to offer to thee
praises and sacrifices for thy favour to me, and for the manifold
benefits which they shall enjoy by my means, and under my
government. "_For their sakes_," or, _for its sake_, i.e., for
the sake of thy congregation, which now is woefully dissipated
and oppressed, and has in a great measure lost all administration
of justice, and exercise of religion. "_Return thou on high_,"
or, _return to thy high place_, i.e. to thy tribunal, to sit
there and judge my cause. An allusion to earthly tribunals, which
generally are set up on high above the people. #1Ki
10:19|.--^Matthew Pool, 1624-1679.
HINTS TO PREACHERS.
Verse 6.--How and in what sense divine anger may become
the hope of the righteous.
Fire fought by fire, or man's anger overcome by God's
anger.
Verse 7.--"_The congregation of the people_." 1. Who they
are. 2. Why they congregate together with one another. 3. Where
they congregate. 4. Why they choose such a person to be the
centre of their congregation.
Verse 7.--The gathering of the saints around the Lord
Jesus.
Verse 7 (last clause).--The coming of Christ to judgment
for the good of his saints.