Prayer, as Psalm iii. bellion of Absalom. PSALM LXI. Written, probably, by David during the re (I. Prayer.) 1 Hear my cry, O God, Attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, When my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (II. Trust from past experience.) 3 For Thou hast been a shelter for me, I will trust in the covert of Thy wings. 6 Thou wilt prolong the King's life : And his years as many generations. 7 He shall abide before God for ever: Oh prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. (III. Resolve.) 8 So will I sing praise unto Thy Name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows. REFLECTIONS. 1. When the good man is overwhelmed in the day of trouble, faith looks to the Rock of ages, and devotion prays that the soul may be established upon it. 2. The Christian has found God to be his strength and comfort, and therefore determines to trust in Him and to worship Him. The divine favour is his portion; future glory is his inheritance: and in the contemplation and persuasion of these, he rejoices with unfeigned gratitude. He looks to Christ, the everliving King of his Church: prays for the experience of the divine mercy and truth; and encourages himself with the delightful thought, that he shall abide before God for ever. 3. And let such be our resolve and our conduct. God has dealt bountifully with us: and shall not we delight to praise Him? We have made vows: and shall we not carefully perform them? PRAYER. O gracious God, when our hearts are overwhelmed, may we look to Thee, the rock of our salvation, call upon Thee, and put all our trust in Thee. Give us, we beseech Thee, the heritage of those that fear Thy Name and while we experience Thy mercy and truth, may we declare Thy praise, perform our vows, and so live in faith and obedience that we may abide before Thee for ever, through the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. Praise as Psalm iii. Written, probably, by David, on the same occasion as the preceding Psalm. (I. Confidence in God.) 1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: From Him cometh my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. (II. Conduct of the wicked.) 3 How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? Ye shall be slain all of you: As a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. 4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: They delight in lies: They bless with their mouth, But they curse inwardly. (III. An act of faith.) 5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; For 6 He only is my rock and my salvation : He is my defence; I shall not be moved. my expectation is from Him. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (IV. Admonition.) 8 Trust in Him at all times, ye people, Pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. (V. No trust in worldly things.) 9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, They are altogether lighter than vanity. 10 Trust not in oppression, And become not vain in robbery: If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. (VL. Power and mercy belong to God.) 11 God hath spoken once; Twice have I heard this; That power belongeth unto God. 12 Also unto Thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy : For Thou renderest to every man REFLECTIONS. 1. Here we see the faith, patience, and confidence of the truly good man. He knows God; looks to Him; waits upon Him; and enjoys the persuasion that he shall not be greatly moved, not overthrown. 2. The Church has her enemies, and they are full of hypocrisy, falsehood, and evil devices. But those who oppose God and His people will not long prosper: confusion and ruin lie before them. 3. A soul that is strong in faith will encourage itself in God, from whom is all its expectation of support and deliverance, and whom it magnifies with adoring praise. If, O Lord, we have the believer's troubles, may we also have the believer's peace and joy. Always to 4. What is the Christian's assurance? God is our refuge. What is the Christian's duty? believe, and earnestly to pray. 5. If we trust in men, whether low or high; if we trust in oppression and injustice; if we set our hearts on increasing wealth as our security and glory; we shall soon find that we have only prepared shame and confusion for ourselves; for the time will come when the vanity of all such confidence must be felt. 6. God hath spoken to us in His word again and again and what do we learn from it? That power, mercy, and justice belong to Him. Power protects us; mercy pardons us; and justice renders to every man according to his work. PRAYER. O blessed God, whatever be our troubles in this sinful world, grant us grace to look to Thee, to wait upon Thee, and to expect all good from Thee. Deliver us from all vain confidences. To Thy almighty power may we look for protection: to Thy mercy in Christ Jesus may we look for pardon: and help us so to live in holiness, and obedience, that, when Thou shalt render to every man according to his work, we may stand approved in Thy sight, through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. N |