avid complains of great distress. (1-12) And begs for
succour. (13-21) He declares the judgments of God. (22-29) He
concludes with joy and praise. (30-36)
Verses 1-12: We should frequently consider the person of the Sufferer
here spoken of, and ask why, as well as what he suffered, that,
meditating thereon, we may be more humbled for sin, and more
convinced of our danger, so that we may feel more gratitude and
love, constraining us to live to His glory who died for our
salvation. Hence we learn, when in affliction, to commit the
keeping of our souls to God, that we may not be soured with
discontent, or sink into despair. David was hated wrongfully,
but the words far more fully apply to Christ. In a world where
unrighteousness reigns so much, we must not wonder if we meet
with those that are our enemies wrongfully. Let us take care
that we never do wrong; then if we receive wrong, we may the
better bear it. By the satisfaction Christ made to God for our
sin by his blood, he restored that which he took not away, he
paid our debt, suffered for our offences. Even when we can plead
Not guilty, as to men's unjust accusations, yet before God we
must acknowledge ourselves to deserve all that is brought upon
us. All our sins take rise from our foolishness. They are all
done in God's sight. David complains of the unkindness of
friends and relations. This was fulfilled in Christ, whose
brethren did not believe on him, and who was forsaken by his
disciples. Christ made satisfaction for us, not only by putting
off the honours due to God, but by submitting to the greatest
dishonours that could be done to any man. We need not be
discouraged if our zeal for the truths, precepts, and worship of
God, should provoke some, and cause others to mock our godly
sorrow and deadness to the world.
Verses 13-21: Whatever deep waters of affliction or temptation we sink
into, whatever floods of trouble or ungodly men seem ready to
overwhelm us, let us persevere in prayer to our Lord to save us.
The tokens of God's favour to us are enough to keep our spirits
from sinking in the deepest outward troubles. If we think well
of God, and continue to do so under the greatest hardships, we
need not fear but he will do well for us. And if at any time we
are called on to suffer reproach and shame, for Christ's sake,
this may be our comfort, that he knows it. It bears hard on one
that knows the worth of a good name, to be oppressed with a bad
one; but when we consider what a favour it is to be accounted
worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus, we shall see that
there is no reason why it should be heart-breaking to us. The
sufferings of Christ were here particularly foretold, which
proves the Scripture to be the word of God; and how exactly
these predictions were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, which proves
him to be the true Messiah. The vinegar and the gall given to
him, were a faint emblem of that bitter cup which he drank up,
that we might drink the cup of salvation. We cannot expect too
little from men, miserable comforters are they all; nor can we
expect too much from the God of all comfort and consolation.
Verses 22-29: These are prophecies of the destruction of Christ's
persecutors. Verses (22,23), are applied to the judgments of God
upon the unbelieving Jews, in (Ro 11:9,10). When the supports of
life and delights of sense, through the corruption of our
nature, are made the food and fuel of sin, then our table is a
snare. Their sin was, that they would not see, but shut their
eyes against the light, loving darkness rather; their punishment
was, that they should not see, but should be given up to their
own hearts' lusts which hardened them. Those who reject God's
great salvation proffered to them, may justly fear that his
indignation will be poured out upon them. If men will sin, the
Lord will reckon for it. But those that have multiplied to sin,
may yet find mercy, through the righteousness of the Mediator.
God shuts not out any from that righteousness; the gospel
excludes none who do not, by unbelief, shut themselves out. But
those who are proud and self-willed, so that they will not come
in to God's righteousness, shall have their doom accordingly;
they themselves decide it. Let those not expect any benefit
thereby, who are not glad to be beholden to it. It is better to
be poor and sorrowful, with the blessing of the Lord, than rich
and jovial, and under his curse. This may be applied to Christ.
He was, when on earth, a man of sorrows that had not where to
lay his head; but God exalted him. Let us call upon the Lord,
and though poor and sorrowful, guilty and defiled, his salvation
will set us up on high.
Verses 30-36: The psalmist concludes the psalm with holy joy and
praise, which he began with complaints of his grief. It is a
great comfort to us, that humble and thankful praises are more
pleasing to God than the most costly, pompous sacrifices. The
humble shall look to him, and be glad; those that seek him
through Christ shall live and be comforted. God will do great
things for the gospel church, in which let all who wish well to
it rejoice. A seed shall serve him on earth, and his servants
shall inherit his heavenly kingdom. Those that love his name
shall dwell before him for ever. He that spared not his own Son,
but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also
freely give us all things? Arise, thou great Restorer of the
ancient places to dwell in, and turn away ungodliness from thy
people.
avid complains of great distress. (1-12) And begs for
succour. (13-21) He declares the judgments of God. (22-29) He
concludes with joy and praise. (30-36)