Verse 1

CONTENTS

It should seem that, this Psalm was composed at a time when the church was oppressed, and the enemy triumphed; and silence at a throne of grace proved a sharp exercise to the people. The subject is of this kind. Here are complaints and petitions follow e d up with faith, that the Lord will hear, and in due time answer the cries of his afflicted.

Verses 1-7

It is always a mark of grace when the Lord's afflicted ones can commit their cause, be it what it may, into the hands of God. But though a believing soul can, and will refer all into the divine wisdom and justice, yet it is profitable to draw nigh to the Lord with our complaints, and to leave them there. It is one thing to complain of God, and another to complain to God. The Lord hath commanded his troubled ones to draw nigh unto him. Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will hear thee. And again, the Lord saith, For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord. Psalms 12:5.

Verses 8-11

This is a beautiful appeal to the oppressor. In the contemplation of the divine perfections, the oppressed believer points out how impossible it is for the wicked to escape the all-seeing eye and almighty arm of God. Reader! what a blessed thought is it to the true follower of Jesus, that "whoso toucheth one of Christ's little ones, toucheth the apple of his eye." Zechariah 3:8.

Verses 12-15

Here the subject takes a new turn. From appealing to men, the petitioner turns now unto the Lord; and he puts it down as an unquestionable truth, that, let men persecute how they may, or let the sorrows of God's afflicted ones be what they will, yet that man cannot fail to be blessed whom the Lord chasteneth. As many as I love, saith Christ, I rebuke and chasten. Revelation 3:19; Hebrews 12:5-9. Reader! do not fail to recollect this, in all thine afflicting exercises.

Verses 16-18

The Psalmist is looking round for help or assistance against the common enemy; but finding none, he looks to the Lord. It is blessed to be stripped of all creature-help and creature-confidence, that we may be constrained to look wholly unto the Lord!

Verse 19

This is a precious verse. Happy the soul that can adopt the same language! When carnal men are in trouble, they will be turning from one earthly comfort to another, to find relief. But when a child of God is in sorrow, he knows that nothing but the same hand that wounds can heal. Oh! what blessedness will he then find in that promise, brought home and applied to the soul by the Holy Ghost: I, even I, am he that comforteth you. Isaiah 51:12. How truly blessed is it in trouble to look to Christ and the rich consolations in him!

Verses 20-23

Here is the conclusion of every faithful follower of the Lord Jesus. Here he rests the ultimatum of all his exercises. Tell ye the righteous, it shall be well with him. He that rests in Christ, and his blood and salvation, rests in that which cannot fail. He that believeth shall not be ashamed, nor confounded, world without end. Oh! for grace to be found in Christ, and resting upon him: here cannot be a failure, but an everlasting security, and a good hope through grace: They shall be even as the mount Zion, which may not be removed, but standeth fast forever.

Verse 23

REFLECTIONS

How blessed it is, that the Lord hath reserved in his own hands the judgment and punishment of his enemies! And however we may be led to think that we are doing the cause of Christ good, when at any time we feel constrained to take vengeance of his enemies, yet here we learn to leave the whole with the Lord. Vengeance is mine, I will recompense, saith the Lord.

But amidst all the exercises with which the faithful are tried, from the oppression and malice of the world, what a blessed relief is it to have a covenant God to fly unto, and to lodge all complaints in his almighty hands. Precious Jesus! thy comforts are a rich cordial to the soul, amidst the host of sorrows with which thy people groan in the present state. Thy blood and righteousness, thy grace, and the sweet influences of thine Holy Spirit; the fulness, fitness, suitableness, and all-sufficiency that is in thee, become a most powerful balance to bear up the mind under all the pressure of the sins and sorrows of life. I bespeak, Lord, an interest in thee, and communion with thee, and every suited grace from thee, against a dark and trying hour. Do thou, gracious Lord, by thine Holy Spirit, grant me continual, daily, hourly relief, to bear up against all despondency. And oh! Lord, grant me such faith, and in such lively exercise, that my soul may at all times rejoice in the consolation! Give me to find comfort in thee, and then, sure I am, I shall find assurance in thy great salvation. Return to thy rest, O my soul (will then be the language of my heart) for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.