are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing : I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying : my throat is dry : mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink : let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the water- flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up ; and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. I am poor and sorrowful : let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high." Having thus pleaded with God, and obtained an answer of peace, he adds, for the encouragement of all future suppliants, " The humble shall see this, and be glad ; and your heart shall live that seek God : for the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners*." " Hear ye this," then, all ye who, from whatever circumstances, are brought into deep waters! " Call upon the Lord out of the depths s ;" and you shall soon be able to adopt the grateful recollections of David, and say, " The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of un- godly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about ; the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God : he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."
But let me more particularly call your attention to the con- solatory voice of God in my text: " Fear not." Were you really in the hands of your enemies, you might well fear : but they, as well as you, are in the hands of God, who can " make even the wrath of man to praise him." Here is " a weapon formed against you," and " a waster" ready to wield it for your destruction : but they can effect nothing without God ; since the very smith who formed the weapon, and the waster that threatens your destruction, are the work of his hands, and owe to him all the skill and power of which they are possessed. What then can they do against Him ; or against those who are under his protection* ? Know, that to every soul that trusteth in him is this word addressed; " Fear thou not; for I am with thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."]
» Ps. lxix. 1, 2, 3, 14, 15, 29, 32, 33. ■ IV cxxx. 1.
1 Isai. liv. 15 — 17.
z 2