avid's confidence in God. (1-7) No trust to be put in worldly
things. (8-12)
Verses 1-7: We are in the way both of duty and comfort, when our souls
wait upon God; when we cheerfully give up ourselves, and all our
affairs, to his will and wisdom; when we leave ourselves to all
the ways of his providence, and patiently expect the event, with
full satisfaction in his goodness. See the ground and reason of
this dependence. By his grace he has supported me, and by his
providence delivered me. He only can be my Rock and my
salvation; creatures are nothing without him, therefore I will
look above them to him. Trusting in God, the heart is fixed. If
God be for us, we need not fear what man can do against us.
David having put his confidence in God, foresees the overthrow
of his enemies. We have found it good to wait upon the Lord, and
should charge our souls to have such constant dependence upon
him, as may make us always easy. If God will save my soul, I may
well leave every thing else to his disposal, knowing all shall
turn to my salvation. And as David's faith in God advances to an
unshaken stedfastness, so his joy in God improves into a holy
triumph. Meditation and prayer are blessed means of
strengthening faith and hope.
Verses 8-12: Those who have found the comfort of the ways of God
themselves, will invite others into those ways; we shall never
have the less for others sharing with us. the good counsel given
is, to trust wholly in God. We must so trust in him at all
times, as not at any time to put that trust in ourselves, or in
any creature, which is to be put in him only. Trust in him to
guide us when in doubt, to protect us when in danger, to supply
us when in want, to strengthen us for every good word and work.
We must lay out wants and our wishes before him, and then
patiently submit our wills to his: this is pouring out our
hearts. God is a refuge for all, even for as many as will take
shelter in him. The psalmist warns against trusting in men. The
multitude, those of low degree, are changeable as the wind. The
rich and noble seem to have much in their power, and lavish
promises; but those that depend on them, are disappointed.
Weighed in the balance of Scripture, all that man can do to make
us happy is lighter than vanity itself. It is hard to have
riches, and not to trust in them if they increase, though by
lawful and honest means; but we must take heed, lest we set our
affections unduly upon them. A smiling world is the most likely
to draw the heart from God, on whom alone it should be set. The
consistent believer receives all from God as a trust; and he
seeks to use it to his glory, as a steward who must render an
account. God hath spoken as it were once for all, that power
belongs to him alone. He can punish and destroy. Mercy also
belongs to him; and his recompensing the imperfect services of
those that believe in him, blotting out their transgressions for
the Redeemer's sake, is a proof of abundant mercy, and
encourages us to trust in him. Let us trust in his mercy and
grace, and abound in his work, expecting mercies from him alone.
avid's confidence in God. (1-7) No trust to be put in worldly
things. (8-12)