Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

In this Psalm here is a twofold subject: encouragement held forth to the faithful, in the assurance of God's love; and discouragement to the unbelieving, in the assurance of God's displeasure: It forms altogether, though short, yet a blessed view of divine faithfulness, in proving, what the prophet in after ages was commissioned to tell the church, that it should be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked.

To the chief musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David,

Whether we behold Christ in the first place, or David, as a member of Christ, in the next point of view; or whether we consider the whole body of Christ in any of the exercised members of Jesus in his body, which is the church, as we read these words; still in every sense they will be blessed to our meditation. Christ had an eye to the support of the Father in all his sufferings. Psalms 22:19; Psa_89:20, etc. The words imply a silent, patient waiting. So all God's people should manifest their sure dependence, for he that believeth shall not make haste; Isaiah 28:16. Reader, if you and I peruse these precious words with reference to Christ, think what a double blessedness is in them, not only in having an interest in Christ's salvation, but Christ himself for our salvation!

Here is a beautiful breaking off of the subject, but in reality carrying on the same glorious confidence, in this striking remonstrance with the enemies of God and of Christ. It is as if the soul in her triumphs exclaimed, How utterly fruitless, ye followers of sin, must be your attempts against the man settled in, and united to, the God of his salvation. All your efforts to cast him down are alike vain; but ye yourselves, like a wall out of its perpendicular, and whose foundation is in the dust, must assuredly fall, and be buried in your own ruin.

Reader, do not fail to remark how quickly the soul of the faithful returns again to the God of his confidence. We may spare a moment to admonish the ungodly, but our own joy must not be long broken in upon; we are to hold fast, and, like the dove of Noah, return back to the ark, even Christ Jesus, the sole joy of our salvation. And, Reader, do observe further, how the expressions of this holy confidence are repeated, and with every pleasing variety, that may denote the comfort of the heart. Pause, and ask yourself, Are such views of Christ, your views of him? Do you know him in those covenant characters? Is Jesus your rock, your salvation, your defense?

He now addressed the people of God, as he had before expostulated with the ungodly. And the sum and substance of his advice is, to proclaim the certainty of their interest in a covenant God in Christ, from the evidence of his faithfulness. Not only to a general trust, but a constant, special, particular trust; not only now and then, but at all times, and upon all occasions. And not only to a trust, but an acquaintance with the Lord; nay, to pour out the heart, to tell the Lord all that passeth in the soul. Reader, do not overlook the Selah of this sweet precept: pray observe it, and may the Lord give us both grace to perform it.

Here are additional reasons urged for our firm reliance on the Lord, because all other trusts must deceive, and prove vain. And the Psalmist takes an instance, in proof, from the deceitfulness of riches. If men of the world would but keep in remembrance the solemn words of Christ, how contemptible would then appear that folly which is directed to the gaining of the world, with the loss of the soul? Oh! what a dreadful sentence must that be, when heard by the dying sinner; Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? Luke 12:20; Mark 8:36-37.

What particular reference the Psalmist hath to God's speaking, is not said; but surely never did the Lord give a more decided evidence of his power, than in speaking in and by his Son in the redemption of sinners. God's word, and God's oath, and both in Christ, are those immutable things which poor sinners have as a strong consolation to flee unto, in the blessed assurance of redemption by Jesus. Hebrews 6:17-18.

REFLECTIONS

OH! the blessedness of having a God in covenant to trust in, and that God ever to look up to, and to lean upon, in and through a Mediator, who hath, by his perfect obedience and death, completed the salvation of his people. My soul, art thou so looking to him, so depending upon him, as to make him thine only rock, thine only defense and salvation? Manifest then the firmness of thy trust, in a silent, patient, submissive waiting. Recollect at all times, that the Lord's time of deliverance is the best time, and learn to say upon every occasion of trial, He will come, he will be found of them that seek him; for the Lord waiteth to be gracious, he hateth putting away, he resteth in his love. I will trust, and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength, and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Oh! ye sons of men, who know not my God, what think ye must be the final issue of despising such great salvation? Oh! think, before it be too late, what a tottering foundation ye rest all your hopes upon? Surely the rock of the ungodly, is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. Oh! kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.