[1.] The conclusion is drawn from the nature of God. There is forgiveness and redemption with him, and he will act towards his people suitably to his own nature. There is redemption with him, and therefore he will redeem; forgiveness with him, and therefore he will forgive. As the conclusion is certain and infallible, that wicked men, ungodly men, 'shall be destroyed, because God is right- eous and holy, his righteousness and holiness indispensably requiring
CIG AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM CXXX. [Ver.7,8.
their destruction; so is the redemption and salvation of all that be- lieve certain on this account, — namely, because there is forgiveness with him. He is good and gracious, and ready to forgive ; his good- ness and gTace requires their salvation.
[2.] The conclusion is certain upon the account of God's faithful- ness in his iwomises. He hath promised that those who Avait on him " shall not be ashamed/' — that their expectation shall not be disappointed ; whence the conclusion is certain that in his time and way they shall be redeemed.
(2.) There is the extent of this deliverance or redempti(m: " Shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities." It was showed, in the open- ing of the verse, that this word denotes either sin procuring trouble, or trouble procured by sin ; and there is a respect unto both sin and its punishment. From both, from all of both kinds, God will redeem his Israel; not this or that evil, this or that sin, but from all evil, all sin. He will take all sins from their souls, and wipe all tears from their eyes. Now, God is said to do this on many accounts: —
[1.] On the account of the great cause of all actual -deliverance and redemption, — the blood of Christ. He hath laid an assured foundation of the whole work; the price of redemption is paid, and they shall in due time enjoy the effects and fruits of it.
[2.] Of the actual communication of the effects of that redemp- tion unto them. This is sure to all the elect of God, to his whole Israel. They shall all be made partakers of them. And this is the end of all the promises of God, and of the grace and mercy promised in them, — namely, that they should be means to exhibit and give out to believers that redemption which is purchased and prepared for them. And this is done two ways: —
\st. Partially, initially, and gradually, in this life. Here God gives in unto them the pardon of their sins, being freely justified by his grace ; and, in his sanctification of them through his Spirit, gives them delivery from the power and dominion of sin. Many troubJes also he delivers them from, and from all as far as they are j^enal, or have any mixture of the curse in them.
'2dly. Completely, — namely, when he shall have freed them from sin and trouble, and from all the effects and consequents of them, by bringing them unto the enjoyment of himself in glory.
Thirdly, The words being thus opened, we may briefly, in the next place, consider what they express concerning the state, condi- tion, or actings of the soul, which are represented in this psalm.
Having himself attained unto the state before described, and being engaged resolvedly unto the performance of that duty which would assuredly bring him into a haven of fidl rest and peace, the i^salmist applies himself unto the residue of the Israel of God, to give them
Ver.7,8.] DOCTRINAL OBSERVATIONS. 647
encouragement unto tliis duty with himself, from the experience that he had of a blessed success therein. As if he had said unto them, " Ye are now in afflictions and under troubles, and that upon the account of your sins and provocations, — a condition, I confess, sad and dejjlorable; but j'et thei^e is hoj^e in Israel concerning these things. For consider how it hath been with me, and how the Lord hath dealt with me. I was in depths inexpressible, and saw for a while no way or means of delivery; but God hath been pleased gra- ciously to reveal himself uiito me, as a God pardoning iniquity, trans- gression, and sin. And in the consolation and supportment which I have received thereby, I am waiting for a full participation of the fruits of his love. Let me therefore prevail with you, wdio are in the like condition, to steer the same course with me. Only let your exjDoctations be fixed on mercy and sovereign grace, without any re- gard unto any privilege or worth in yourselves. Rest in the plen- teous redemption, those stores of grace which are with Jehovah ; and according to his faithfulness in his promises he will deliver you out of all perplexing troubles."
Having thus opened the words, I shall now only name the doc- trinal observations that are tendered from them, and so put a close to these discourses; as, —
Ohs. 1. The Lord Jehovah is the only hope for sin-distressed souls: " Hope in the Lord." This hath been sufficiently discovered and confirmed on sundry passages in the psalm.
Ohs. 2. The ground of all hope and expectation of relief in sin- ners is mere grace, mercy, and redemption : " Hope in the Lord : for with the Lord there is mercy." All other grounds of hope are false and deceiving.