Heaven addressing us in such terms of grace and mercy. But his ancient people, listening only to their own desponding fears, complained, as it were, of him, as if he had become regardless of their cries, and in- different to their welfare. This was not well. Yet as, on the whole, their importunity was pleasing unto God, I shall consider the words before us,
I. As expressing the desires of God's ancient Church —
The Jewish Church .are here represented as in a most disconsolate state, under the pressure of severe trials, and under the apprehension of yet more griev- ous oppressions. And they call on God, in the most urgent manner, to interpose for their deliverance.
The terms they use are not in themselves im- proper—
[Certainly, at first sight, it appears irreverent to speak of God as though he needed to be "awaked" from sleep. But this is a mere figure of speech ; importing only a desire that he would, after the example of former times, exert his power in their behalf. David expresses the idea yet more fully, when he says, "Awake; why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise; cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face ; and for- gettest our affliction and oppression0?" What David meant by these strong expressions, appears from the first verse of that very psalm : " We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what thou didst in their days, in the times of old." Bearing in mind God's wonders of old time, he was anxious to have them renewed at the period wherein he lived. " Our soul (like that of our forefathers) is bowed down to the dust : our belly cleaveth unto the earth : arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' saked."]
Nor was there any thing unbecoming in their pleas —
[In the language of Scripture, Egypt is often called " Rahab ;" and Pharaoh is characterized as " a dragon e." Against these God has exerted his power to their utter destruc- tion ; whilst, for the effectual deliverance of his people, he had " dried the waters of the great deep, and made the depths of the sea a way for his ransomed to pass over." A similar interposition they needed yet again in Babylon ; as they do
c Ps. xliv. 23, 24. A Ps. xliv. 1, 25, 26.
e Ps. lxxxvii. 4. Ezek. xxix. 3.