But, in the next place, it will be proper to check these desponding fears. The text is not a mere inquiry, but an expostulation ; and such an expostulation as you should address to your own souls. For, what benefit can accrue from such a frame ? It only weakens your hands, and discourages your heart, and dishonours your God. We do not say that there are not just occasions for disquietude : but this we pay, that instead of continuing in a dejected state, you should return instantly to God, who would " give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness^."
But, above all, " encourage yourself in God." This is what David did in the text, and on another most memorable occasion^ And while there is an all-sufficient God on whom to rely, you need not fear though earth and hell should be combined against you-^.j
2. Those who are entire strangers to disquietude and dejection —
[We are far from congratulating you on your exemption from such feelings as these. On the contrary, we would propose to you, in reference to that exemption, the very same things as we recommended to others in reference to their distresses.
First, inquire into the reason of your never having experienced such feelings. " Why art thou not cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou not disquieted within me?" Does it not proceed from an ignorance of your own state, and from an unconcern about that account which you must soon give of yourself at the
judgment-seat of Christ ?
Next,
•^ Heb, xii. 6. " Isai. Ixi. 3. ^ 1 Sam. xxx. 1— 0. ^ Ps. -xi. 1,4. & xxvii. 1,3. & cxxv. 1.
'154 PSALMS, xLv. 7. [365.
Next, expostulate ivith yourself', " O my soul, why art thou thus callous and insensible ? Will not thy contempt of God's
judgments issue in thy ruin? It must not, it shall not
be: thou hast neglected thine eternal interests long enough: thou shalt, God helping thee, bend thine attention to them from this time : for if thou be summoned before thy God in thy present state, it had been better for me that I had never been born."
But you also, no less than the disconsolate, must found your hopes on God. All your expectation must be from Him " with whom there is mercy and plenteous redemption." If you will but turn to him in earnest, you have nothing to fear : for his word to you is, '* Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him 5 and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."]