THE christian's DESIRE.
Ps. cvi. 4, 5. Remember me, 0 Lord, with the favour that thou hearest unto thy people : 0 visit me ivith thy salvation ; that I may see the good of thy chosen ; that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation ; that I may glory with thine inhe^ ritance !
THE Psalms, though in many parts historical, doctrinal, and preceptive, may yet be considered as differing materially from the rest of the Inspired Volume, inasmuch as while other books of Scripture inculcate religion, these exemplify its operations on the heart.
The words before us express the fervent desires of David's heart ; and give occasion for observing, that, I. The lot of God's people is truly desirable —
God " bears a peculiar favour" towards them — [He esteems them as " his chosen," " his people," " his inheritance^ j" and shews the same tender regard towards them as he did towards Israel of old ; guiding, protecting, and even bearing them as on eagles' wings''. Hence that congratulation given them by Moses, a congratulation applicable to them in eveiy age and place "^.j
He gives them to enjoy the truest " good" — •
[ The enemies of God often possess the greatest share of this world's goods'^ : but his own people have that which is really good% and which shall endure when all sublunary things are come to an end^ He " visits them with salvation," which com- prehends every solid good, whether for soul or body, whether for time or eternity.]
He fills them with '' gladness" and holy " glory- ing"—
[They are not indeed always joyful, because they have much, both within and without, which may well occasionally produce sorrow^: but they have seasons of joy, and sometimes are en- abled to rejoice with joy unspeakable*^. Even in the midst of .tribulations they can often glory', and shew to all around them, that they have supports and consolations which the world can
neither
* I Pet. ii. 9. •' Deut. xxxil. p — 13. Isai. Ixiii. 9.
" Deut. xxxiii. 29. '^ Ps. xvii. 14. & Ixxiii. 7. *" Isai. Iv. 2.
' Prov.viii. 18. "^ i Pet. i. 6. I" ib. 8. \, ,
' Rom. v. 3.