avid begins with prayer and complaint. (1-6) He concludes
with joy and praise. (7-11)
Verses 1-6: All David's dependence is upon God. The most eminent
believers need often repeat the publican's prayer, "God be
merciful to me a sinner." But if our souls trust in the Lord,
this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities
will at length be overpast, and in the mean time, by faith and
prayer, we must make him our refuge. Though God be most high,
yet he condescends so low, as to take care that all things are
made to work for good to his people. This is a good reason why
we should pray earnestly. Look which way we will on this earth,
refuge fails, no help appears; but we may look for it from
heaven. If we have fled from the wrath to come, unto Jesus
Christ, he that performed all things needful to purchase the
salvation of his people, will do for us and in us all things
needful for our enjoyment of it. It made David droop to think
there should be those that bore him so much ill-will. But the
mischief they designed against him, returned on themselves. And
when David was in the greatest distress and disgrace, he did not
pray, Lord, exalt me, but, Lord, exalt thine own name. Our best
encouragement in prayer, is taken from the glory of God, and to
that, more than to our own comfort, we should have regard in all
our petitions for mercy.
Verses 7-11: By lively faith, David's prayers and complaints are at
once turned into praises. His heart is fixed; it is prepared for
every event, being stayed upon God. If by the grace of God we
are brought into this even, composed frame of mind, we have
great reason to be thankful. Nothing is done to purpose, in
religion, unless it is done with the heart. The heart must be
fixed for the duty, put in frame for it; fixed in the duty by
close attention. Our tongue is our glory, and never more so than
when praising God; dull and sleepy devotions will never be
acceptable to God. Let us awake early in the morning, to begin
the day with God; early in the beginning of a mercy. When God
comes toward us with his favours, let us go forth to meet him
with our praises. David desired to bring others to join in
praising God; and in his psalms, he is still praising God among
the people, singing to Him among the nations. Let us seek to
have our hearts fixed to praise his boundless mercy and
unfailing faithfulness; and to glorify him with body, soul, and
spirit, which are his. Let us earnestly pray that the blessings
of the gospel may be sent through every land.
avid begins with prayer and complaint. (1-6) He concludes
with joy and praise. (7-11)