he general prevalence of wickedness. (1-7) Reliance on God,
and triumph over enemies. (8-13) Promises and encouragements for
Israel. (14-20)
Verses 1-7: The prophet bemoans himself that he lived among a people
ripening apace for ruin, in which many good persons would
suffer. Men had no comfort, no satisfaction in their own
families or in their nearest relations. Contempt and violation
of domestic duties are a sad symptom of universal corruption.
Those are never likely to come to good who are undutiful to
their parents. The prophet saw no safety or comfort but in
looking to the Lord, and waiting on God his salvation. When
under trials, we should look continually to our Divine Redeemer,
that we may have strength and grace to trust in him, and to be
examples to those around us.
Verses 8-13: Those truly penitent for sin, will see great reason to be
patient under affliction. When we complain to the Lord of the
badness of the times, we ought to complain against ourselves for
the badness of our hearts. We must depend upon God to work
deliverance for us in due time. We must not only look to him,
but look for him. In our greatest distresses, we shall see no
reason to despair of salvation, if by faith we look to the Lord
as the God of our salvation. Though enemies triumph and insult,
they shall be silenced and put to shame. Though Zion's walls may
long be in ruins, there will come a day when they shall be
repaired. Israel shall come from all the remote parts, not
turning back for discouragements. Though our enemies may seem to
prevail against us, and to rejoice over us, we should not
despond. Though cast down, we are not destroyed; we may join
hope in God's mercy, with submission to his correction. No
hinderances can prevent the favours the Lord intends for his
church.
Verses 14-20: When God is about to deliver his people, he stirs up
their friends to pray for them. Apply spiritually the prophet's
prayer to Christ, to take care of his church, as the great
Shepherd of the sheep, and to go before them, while they are
here in this world as in a wood, in this world but not of it.
God promises in answer to this prayer, he will do that for them
which shall be repeating the miracles of former ages. As their
sin brought them into bondage, so God's pardoning their sin
brought them out. All who find pardoning mercy, cannot but
wonder at that mercy; we have reason to stand amazed, if we know
what it is. When the Lord takes away the guilt of sin, that it
may not condemn us, he will break the power of sin, that it may
not have dominion over us. If left to ourselves, our sins will
be too hard for us; but God's grace shall be sufficient to
subdue them, so that they shall not rule us, and then they shall
not ruin us. When God forgives sin, he takes care that it never
shall be remembered any more against the sinner. He casts their
sins into the sea; not near the shore-side, where they may
appear again, but into the depth of the sea, never to rise
again. All their sins shall be cast there, for when God forgives
sin, he forgives all. He will perfect that which concerns us,
and with this good work will do all for us which our case
requires, and which he has promised. These engagements relate to
Christ, and the success of the gospel to the end of time, the
future restoration of Israel, and the final prevailing of true
religion in all lands. The Lord will perform his truth and
mercy, not one jot or tittle of it shall fall to the ground:
faithful is He that has promised, who also will do it. Let us
remember that the Lord has given the security of his covenant,
for strong consolation to all who flee for refuge to lay hold on
the hope set before them in Christ Jesus.
he general prevalence of wickedness. (1-7) Reliance on God,
and triumph over enemies. (8-13) Promises and encouragements for
Israel. (14-20)