he designs of the enemies of Israel. (1-8) Earnest prayer for
their defeat. (9-18)
Verses 1-8: Sometimes God seems not to be concerned at the unjust
treatment of his people. But then we may call upon him, as the
psalmist here. All wicked people are God's enemies, especially
wicked persecutors. The Lord's people are his hidden one; the
world knows them not. He takes them under his special
protection. Do the enemies of the church act with one consent to
destroy it, and shall not the friends of the church be united?
Wicked men wish that there might be no religion among mankind.
They would gladly see all its restraints shaken off, and all
that preach, profess, or practise it, cut off. This they would
bring to pass if it were in their power. The enemies of God's
church have always been many: this magnifies the power of the
Lord in preserving to himself a church in the world.
Verses 9-18: All who oppose the kingdom of Christ may here read their
doom. God is the same still that ever he was; the same to his
people, and the same against his and their enemies. God would
make their enemies like a wheel; unsettled in all their counsels
and resolves. Not only let them be driven away as stubble, but
burnt as stubble. And this will be the end of wicked men. Let
them be made to fear thy name, and perhaps that will bring them
to seek thy name. We should desire no confusion to our enemies
and persecutors but what may forward their conversion. The
stormy tempest of Divine vengeance will overtake them, unless
they repent and seek the pardoning mercy of their offended Lord.
God's triumphs over his enemies, clearly prove that he is,
according to his name JEHOVAH, an almighty Being, who has all
power and perfection in himself. May we fear his wrath, and
yield ourselves to be his willing servants. And let us seek
deliverance by the destruction of our fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul.
he designs of the enemies of Israel. (1-8) Earnest prayer for
their defeat. (9-18)