heart ; and to give to those who " mourn in Zion, to give," I say, " beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness"?" And, if the greatness of your past sins appear an obstacle in your way, has he not told you, that " where sin has abounded, his grace shall much more abound^?" Yield not, then, to desponding thoughts, nor limit the mercy of your God: but know assuredly, that he will " heal the broken in hearts," and that all who come unto the Saviour heavy-laden with their sins shall be par- takers of his promised rest^.]
u Isai. Ixi. 1 — 3. and Luke iv. 18. ^ Rom. v. 20, 21.
y Ps. cxlvii. 3. 2 Matt. xi. 28.
THE sinner's hope.
Ps. XXXV. 3. Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
SUSPENSE is extremely painful to the human mind, and the more so in proportion to the danger to which we are exposed. David experienced this in a very high degree. In the psalm before us he appears to have been greatly agitated with fear on account of the number and malignity of the enemies who sought his ruin, and were exulting in the expec- tation of his speedy fall. Seeing no hope for himself in the efforts of his adherents, he betook himself to prayer, and with most earnest importunity implored that help from his Creator which the creature was unable to afford. And as it was with an armed host that he was beset, he addressed the Lord under the character of a mighty warrior, to stand forth in his defence : " Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me : fight thou against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me : say unto my soul, I am thy salvation."
This last petition I propose to consider, L As offered by him —
Nothing could exceed the bitterness of David's enemies —
555.1 THE sinner's hope. 255
[If we mark the diversified expressions in this psalm, we shall have some idea of the danger to which he was exposed. Saul having determined if possible to destroy him, his subjects of every description leagued together to execute his will. " False witnesses rose up, and laid to David's charge things which he knew not ;" and, in confirmation of their accusations, declared that they were eye-witnesses of the acts imputed to him^. Among the number of these were many on whom he had con- ferred the greatest obligations^, and to whom he had given no just occasion of offence'^. " They devised deceitful matters against him*^:" " they hid a net for him, and digged a pit for his soul^." To encourage one another in their odious work, " they winked with their eye*^;" and, when they thought they had prevailed against him, " they rejoiced in his adversity S;" and "magnified themselves against himV' and "said in their hearts. Ah! so would we have it: we have swallowed him up'." The very abjects, encouraged by the example of their superiors, gathered themselves together against him, and tare him incessantly; whilst hypocritical mockers in their feasts, (pretending to more humanity,) yet " gnashed upon him with their teeth ^." In a word, all classes of the commmunity lay in wait for his soul', and, like lions prowling for their prey, sought to destroy and to devour him"^.]
Under these circumstances he cried to God for help —
[The particular expression in our text is worthy of notice, especially as shevnng what thoughts the Psalmist entertained of God. He believed that God was able to deliver him, how powerful soever his enemies might be. He knew, that if God was for him, " no weapon that was formed against liim could prosper." Nor did he doubt the goodness of God, as willing to hear and answer his petitions, and to afford him the protection which he so earnestly desired. But that which chiefly demands our attention is, his persuasion of the condescension of the Most High, in that he prayed, nor merely for deliverance, but for such an assurance of it to his soul, as should calm all the tumult of his mind, and fill him with perfect peace.