The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 106

Vers. 73-96.-Buman need and the Divine sufficiency. 'l'hese verses bring out- I. 'l'IIE OREAT1''ESS OF OUR HUMAN NEED. The psalmist lingers over: 1. 'l'he evils which we suffer from persecution. The proud "deal perversely with us" (ver. 78); "they had almost consumed me" (ver. 87); "they persecute me wrongly" (ver. 86), The expressions cover all kinds of cmclty and injustice, as well as that which we understand by "persecutor," making us to suffer for our religious convictions. Man is t?e chief enemy of man, everywhere and always. 2. He indicates the extremity to which we may be reduced; his soul "faints for God's salvation" (ver. 81); he wonders at the long delay (ver. 82); his very life is endangered (ver. 77); he is ready to perish (ver. 92). 3. He is concerned lest he be put to shame, lest he fall into sin or into despair, and cause the enemy to triumph (ver. 80). 4. He finds that even the best prove to be in some respects unworthy (ver. 96). Our need is great, but we turn to-- II. THE SUFFICIENCY WHICH IS IN Goo. 1. His perfect knowledge of us, and his power over us. He who made us must know our nature and its needs, must be able to minister to us (ver. 73; see Ps. xciv. 9, 10). He "knows what is in man." 2. His promised help (vers. 76, 81; see preceding homily). 3, His succour granted through his people (ver. 79). Let the troubled servants of God turn to one and another who are known to honour him, and they will not seek a brother's sympathy in vain. If man is our enemy, man also is our friend. "A man shall be a co\"ert" (Isa. xxxii. 2). 3. His faithfulness (vers. 75, 86). God is not forgetful of us; he is not indifferent to our distress; he is not unmindful of our service (ver. 94); he does not overlook the fact that we are his own children, closely related to him in his Son (ver. 94); but he is seeking our highest good; he is caring for our spiritual advancement; he is purify- ing us from all <lross ; he is preparing us for higher service in a nobler sphere. He is redeeming his Word at the very time when, and by the very treatment in which, he seems to be breaking it (vers. 128, 138). 4. The unchangeableness of his Word (vers. 89-91). We may quote for our own and others' support any word of encouragement God has ever spoken at any time ; for " the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations" (Ps. x.xxiii. 11). What he was to our fathers in distant days, and has been to all those who came before us, he will be to us (see Ps. xc. 1 ; Heb. xiii. 8; Jas. i. 17). 5. The breadth of his Law (ver. 96). While the fact that his Law covers the entire range of human thought and action thus brings us into condemnation, on the other hand, the fulness and amplitude of his promises cover all our possible errors and wrong-doings, and leave the gateway into the kingdom wide open to all who approach it in the spirit of penitence and faith. Vere. 97-120.-Knowledge and action, Of God's Law these verses treat, calling our attention to- I. STUDY THAT LEADS TO LOVE. (Vera. 97-103.) A cursory view of God's ·word may have no result; but a serious study of it, a continuous and prayerful meditation upon it, will end in a strong attachment to it. It will become the source of perennial enjoyment; it will be prized above all price (see vers. 1-24). Indeed, so close will the heart cling to it that even the greatest danger will only suggest its truths (ver 109). Sickness will bring it near; death will turn towards it. As the value of other treasures lessens, its worth will be enhanced. II. KNOWLEDGE, (Vera. 98, 99, 105.) The study of the Word of God, of the will of Christ, will make the disciple to understand (1) what his enemies are ignorant of; (2) what is of greater intrinsic value than any science, or a.rt, or language; (3) what trauscends all traditionary lore, however venerable that may be (vers. 98-100). But of more account than this mental superiority is- III. PRACTICAL WISDOM, 1. 'l'bis begins in hatred of evil (ver. 104), having a sincere aversion to the various forms of iniquity. 2. It proceeds to perception of what is right and good (ver. 105), understanding the true character of human life, and know- ing what is the way in which to walk. 3. It continues in deHberate avoidance of evil (ver. 101). 4. Then determined loyalty to the truth and will of God under all pro- vocations to err (vers. 102, 110-112). However strong the pressure or clever the intrigue, the man who loves God's Law is constant in obedience, and refuses to leave the King's highway; he goes straight to the goal. 6. This ends in immunity from the sad penalties of sin which the guilty have, sooner or later, to pay (nrs. 118-120). P3, CXIX, 1-176.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 117