od knows all things. (1-6) He is every where present. (7-16)
The psalmist's hatred to sin, and desire to be led aright.
(17-24)
Verses 1-6: God has perfect knowledge of us, and all our thoughts and
actions are open before him. It is more profitable to meditate
on Divine truths, applying them to our own cases, and with
hearts lifted to God in prayer, than with a curious or disputing
frame of mind. That God knows all things, is omniscient; that he
is every where, is omnipresent; are truths acknowledged by all,
yet they are seldom rightly believed in by mankind. God takes
strict notice of every step we take, every right step and every
by step. He knows what rule we walk by, what end we walk toward,
what company we walk with. When I am withdrawn from all company,
thou knowest what I have in my heart. There is not a vain word,
not a good word, but thou knowest from what thought it came, and
with what design it was uttered. Wherever we are, we are under
the eye and hand of God. We cannot by searching find how God
searches us out; nor do we know how we are known. Such thoughts
should restrain us from sin.
Verses 7-16: We cannot see God, but he can see us. The psalmist did not
desire to go from the Lord. Whither can I go? In the most
distant corners of the world, in heaven, or in hell, I cannot go
out of thy reach. No veil can hide us from God; not the thickest
darkness. No disguise can save any person or action from being
seen in the true light by him. Secret haunts of sin are as open
before God as the most open villanies. On the other hand, the
believer cannot be removed from the supporting, comforting
presence of his Almighty Friend. Should the persecutor take his
life, his soul will the sooner ascend to heaven. The grave
cannot separate his body from the love of his Saviour, who will
raise it a glorious body. No outward circumstances can separate
him from his Lord. While in the path of duty, he may be happy in
any situation, by the exercise of faith, hope, and prayer.
Verses 17-24: God's counsels concerning us and our welfare are deep,
such as cannot be known. We cannot think how many mercies we
have received from him. It would help to keep us in the fear of
the Lord all the day long, if, when we wake in the morning, our
first thoughts were of him: and how shall we admire and bless
our God for his precious salvation, when we awake in the world
of glory! Surely we ought not to use our members and senses,
which are so curiously fashioned, as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin. But our immortal and rational souls
are a still more noble work and gift of God. Yet if it were not
for his precious thoughts of love to us, our reason and our
living for ever would, through our sins, prove the occasion of
our eternal misery. How should we then delight to meditate on
God's love to sinners in Jesus Christ, the sum of which exceeds
all reckoning! Sin is hated, and sinners lamented, by all who
fear the Lord. Yet while we shun them we should pray for them;
with God their conversion and salvation are possible. As the
Lord knows us thoroughly, and we are strangers to ourselves, we
should earnestly desire and pray to be searched and proved by
his word and Spirit. if there be any wicked way in me, let me
see it; and do thou root it out of me. The way of godliness is
pleasing to God, and profitable to us; and will end in
everlasting life. It is the good old way. All the saints desire
to be kept and led in this way, that they may not miss it, turn
out of it, or tire in it.
od knows all things. (1-6) He is every where present. (7-16)
The psalmist's hatred to sin, and desire to be led aright.
(17-24)