he psalmist complains of the wickedness of the wicked. (1-11)
He prays to God to appear for the relief of his people. (12-18)
Verses 1-11: God's withdrawings are very grievous to his people,
especially in times of trouble. We stand afar off from God by
our unbelief, and then complain that God stands afar off from
us. Passionate words against bad men do more hurt than good; if
we speak of their badness, let it be to the Lord in prayer; he
can make them better. The sinner proudly glories in his power
and success. Wicked people will not seek after God, that is,
will not call upon him. They live without prayer, and that is
living without God. They have many thoughts, many objects and
devices, but think not of the Lord in any of them; they have no
submission to his will, nor aim for his glory. The cause of this
is pride. Men think it below them to be religious. They could
not break all the laws of justice and goodness toward man, if
they had not first shaken off all sense of religion.
Verses 12-18: The psalmist speaks with astonishment, at the wickedness
of the wicked, and at the patience and forbearance of God. God
prepares the heart for prayer, by kindling holy desires, and
strengthening our most holy faith, fixing the thoughts, and
raising the affections, and then he graciously accepts the
prayer. The preparation of the heart is from the Lord, and we
must seek unto him for it. Let the poor, afflicted, persecuted,
or tempted believer recollect, that Satan is the prince of this
world, and that he is the father of all the ungodly. The
children of God cannot expect kindness, truth, or justice from
such persons as crucified the Lord of glory. But this once
suffering Jesus, now reigns as King over all the earth, and of
his dominion there shall be no end. Let us commit ourselves unto
him, humbly trusting in his mercy. He will rescue the believer
from every temptation, and break the arm of every wicked
oppressor, and bruise Satan under our feet shortly. But in
heaven alone will all sin and temptation be shut out, though in
this life the believer has a foretaste of deliverance.
he psalmist complains of the wickedness of the wicked. (1-11)
He prays to God to appear for the relief of his people. (12-18)