engage his attention in comparison of such a sight ! David was sensible, that in the midst of all his spiritual distress he was not forgotten of his God ; but that he was, notwithstanding all . his unworthiness, an object of his paternal care'".]
What comfort must such a consideration afford him !
[Surely greater consolation could scarcely be conceived than that which would arise from this source. What must it be to have unsearchable wisdom contriving for his good!
almighty power ready to execute whatever Divine
wisdom should judge expedient ! unbounded mercy
pleading, that his sins and frailties may not provoke God to
withdraw his loving-kindness from him ! and, lastly,
unchanging faithfulness demanding on his behalf the accom- plishment of all the promises ! The consideration of
these things must of necessity check every desponding fear, and constrain him to exclaim, " Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God "." And every one who can realize this one consideration, has within himself an antidote for every fear, and a balm for every wound.]
Address —
1. Those who know little of David's experience —
[The generality of those who are called Christians would be ready to despise any one who should express himself like the inspired Psalmist. They would suppose that he was under the influence of a weak deluded mind. But let them not con- gratulate themselves on their fancied superiority ; for they only betray their own ignorance °. Let them rather seek to know themselves, that, being made sensible of their destitute condi- tion, they may be made rich in Christ Jesus p.]
2. Those whose feelings are like his —
[While you are complaining of your poverty, God is say- ing, "But thou art richi." The truth is, that the more we are sensible of our guilt and helplessness, the more ready God is to help and deliver us : " The hungry he filleth with good things ; but the rich he sends empty away." Indeed he paints the most destitute condition that can be imagined, on purpose that he may administer consolation to us under it^ If any then be cast down as though there were no hope, let them plead with him as David did^: and they shall soon find, by
m He knew it from both his past and present experience, Ps. xxxi. v. with ver. 5.
n Ps. xlii. 11. o Rev. iii. 17. with Mic. iv. 12.
p 1 Cor. i. 30. q Rev. ii. 9. >^ Isai. xH. 17, 18.
s Ps. cxlii. 1 — 7.