I. As a grateful acknowledgment —
It is not necessary to confine our attention to the immediate occasion of the words, since David uses nearly the same expression in reference to mercies received during the rebeUion of Absalom''.
Throughout the whole of his life, David received marvellous mercies at the hands of God —
[His temporal deliverances were great on numberless
occasions, from the persecutions of Saul the assaults
of enemies and the rebeUion of Absalom but
from all his troubles God had saved him ; and for this salvation he did well to offer to God his most grateful acknowledgments'^. But what shall I say of the spiritual mercies vouchsafed to him? These were beyond measure great, inasmuch as his ter- rors were sometimes of the most overwhelming nature ^
and his sijis, of almost unparalleled enormity^ But
from all of these had God delivered him, in answer to his prayers ; and for these merciful interpositions he most humbly and most thankfully adores his God^ ]
And have not we also innumerable mercies, both temporal and spiritual, to acknowledge ?
[True in respect of temporal afflictions, none of us can bear any comparison with him. But still there are few of us who have not experienced some deliverances; and not one who has not reason to bless God, with all possible ardovu-, for his forbearance, at least, if not also for his pardoning love. Let us call to mind the various interpositions of our God in times of sickness, or trouble, or danger. But more especially, if ever we have cried to God under a sense of our sins, and an apprehension of God's wrath, and have obtained mercy at his hands, what thanks should not we also render to him for such marvellous mercies ! Methinks if we do not call upon all that is within us to bless his holy name, " the very stones will cry out against us."]
But David intended these words to be considered, also,
II. As an instructive record —
The whole preceding part of the psalm shews that it was written by him with this view. '' I will bless the Lord at all times : his praise shall be continually
^ Ps. iii. 3, 4. with the title of that Psalm.
*= 2 Sam. xxii. 1 — 7. ^ Ps. vi. 1 — 6. and xl. 12. and xlii. 7.
e Ps. XXV. 11. f Ps. xl. 1—3.