But like many other passages of Scripture, the psahn admits also of an interpretation, which is,]
3. Spiritual, as it relates to the people of God in all ages —
[The circumstance of its having been altered, and set apart for the use of the Church, shews, that, in substance, it exhibits the dealings of God with his people in all ages. They, like David, and like their blessed Lord and Master, have their trials, their deliverances, their ti'iuniphs; in all of which God is greatly glorified, and for which he ought ever to be adored. Who amongst us that has ever been oppressed with a sense of guilt, and with a fear of God's wrath ; who that has felt the tranquillizing influence of the Redeemer's blood sprinkled on his conscience, and speaking peace to his soul ; who that has been enabled to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to serve his God in newness of heart and life ; who, I say, that has experienced these things, does not find, that the language of this psalm, figuratively indeed, but justly, depicts
the gracious dealings of God towards him? Methinks,
the sentiment that is uppermost in the mind of every such j)erson is, " Who is God, save the Lord ? or who is a rock, save our God^?"]
But this part of our subject will receive fuller illustration whilst we notice the psalm in reference to,
n. The use we should make of it —
The practical use of Scripture is that to which we should more particularly apply ourselves ; and espe- cially should we keep this in view in reading the Psalms, which, beyond any other part of the sacred volume, are calculated to elevate our souls to heaven, and to fill us with delight in God. From this psalm in particular we should learn,
1. To glorify God for the mercies he has vouch- safed unto us —
[We should never forget what we were, whilst dead in trespasses and sins, and what we are made by the effectual working of God's grace in our souls. The change is nothing less than " passing from death unto life," and " from the power of Satan unto God:" and when we contemplate it, we should be filled with wonder and with love on account of the stupen- dous mercies we have received. We should ever remember, " Who it is that has made us to differ " from those who are yet
P ver. 31.