his psalm begins with expressions of devotion, which may be
applied to Christ; but ends with such confidence of a
resurrection, as must be applied to Christ, and to him only.
- David flees to God's protection, with cheerful, believing
confidence. Those who have avowed that the Lord is their Lord,
should often put themselves in mind of what they have done, take
the comfort of it, and live up to it. He devotes himself to the
honour of God, in the service of the saints. Saints on earth we
must be, or we shall never be saints in heaven. Those renewed by
the grace of God, and devoted to the glory of God, are saints on
earth. The saints in the earth are excellent ones, yet some of
them so poor, that they needed to have David's goodness extended
to them. David declares his resolution to have no fellowship
with the works of darkness; he repeats the solemn choice he had
made of God for his portion and happiness, takes to himself the
comfort of the choice, and gives God the glory of it. This is
the language of a devout and pious soul. Most take the world for
their chief good, and place their happiness in the enjoyments of
it; but how poor soever my condition is in this world, let me
have the love and favour of God, and be accepted of him; let me
have a title by promise to life and happiness in the future
state; and I have enough. Heaven is an inheritance; we must take
that for our home, our rest, our everlasting good, and look upon
this world to be no more ours, than the country through which is
our road to our Father's house. Those that have God for their
portion, have a goodly heritage. Return unto thy rest, O my
soul, and look no further. Gracious persons, though they still
covet more of God, never covet more than God; but, being
satisfied of his loving-kindness, are abundantly satisfied with
it: they envy not any their carnal mirth and delights. But so
ignorant and foolish are we, that if left to ourselves, we shall
forsake our own mercies for lying vanities. God having given
David counsel by his word and Spirit, his own thoughts taught
him in the night season, and engaged him by faith to live to
God.
Verses (8-11), are quoted by St. Peter in his first sermon,
after the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, (Ac
2:25-31); he declared that David in them speaks concerning
Christ, and particularly of his resurrection. And Christ being
the Head of the body, the church, these verses may be applied to
all Christians, guided and animated by the Spirit of Christ; and
we may hence learn, that it is our wisdom and duty to set the
Lord always before us. And if our eyes are ever toward God, our
hearts and tongues may ever rejoice in him. Death destroys the
hope of man, but not the hope of a real Christian. Christ's
resurrection is an earnest of the believer's resurrection. In
this world sorrow is our lot, but in heaven there is joy, a
fulness of joy; our pleasures here are for a moment, but those
at God's right hand are pleasures for evermore. Through this thy
beloved Son, and our dear Saviour, thou wilt show us, O Lord,
the path of life; thou wilt justify our souls now, and raise our
bodies by thy power at the last day; when earthly sorrow shall
end in heavenly joy, pain in everlasting happiness.
his psalm begins with expressions of devotion, which may be
applied to Christ; but ends with such confidence of a
resurrection, as must be applied to Christ, and to him only.