But though these ideas are certainly comprehended in the text, its more immediate scope is to declare,
II. Our security in God —
We have already observed, that the words of the text were introduced by David as a consolatory reflection, under the cruel treatment which he had received from friends and enemies. We are there- fore taught by them to assure ourselves,
1. That none can destroy us before our time —
[We appear to be, yea, we really are, in the midst of many and great dangers. But however we may be encompassed with enemies, they cannot prevail against us till the Lord's time for our removal is come. David was continually exposed to the rage and jealousy of Saul, who repeatedly cast a javelin at him, and hunted him incessantly with armed hosts " like a partridge upon the mountains." Yet though he was often in the most imminent danger", and certainly would have been betrayed by the men of Keilah'', yet God watched over him, and kept him in perfect safety. Many sought to apprehend our Lord ; but " they could not lay hands on him till his hour was comey;" and even then Pilate " could have had no power against him, unless it had been given him from above ^." Paul was in perils innumerable, "and in deaths oft*:" once he was stoned, and even left for dead^; but none could take away his life, till he had finished the course marked out for him. Thus we also are. immortal, till our work is done. We are sur- rounded with " chariots of fire, and horses of fire "^i" yea, " God himself is a wall of fire round about us*^." And sooner shall successive bands of enemies be struck dead upon the spot by fire from heaven^, than one of the Lord's littleones shall perish^."]
2. That none shall hurt us without his permission —
[As we depend on God for our happiness as well as for our existence, so are both our being and our well-being secured by him. Satan could not touch the person or the property of Job, till he had obtained leave of God to do so^. '.'Nor can any weapon that is formed against us, prosper''," any further than
t Acts xvii. 28. " 1 Sam. xxiii. 26. ^ 1 Sam. xxiii. 11, 12,
y John vii. 30. and viii. 20. Luke xiii. 33. ^ John xix. 11.
^ 2 Cor. xi. 23 — 27. ^ Acts xiv. 19, 20. <= 2 Kings vi. 17.
^ Zech. ii. 5. e 2 Kings i. 10— 12. f Matt, xviii. 14,
e Jobi. 12. andii. G. '' Isai. liv. 17.