The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 121

Vers. 89-96.-.A gratefu,l ronfession of Divine aid. How fitly this section follows o:i the foregoing one I There was darkness, indeed ; but here is light. The psalmist celebrates-let us do so with him-the help of God. l. fr IS SETTLED IN IIEAVEN FOR EVER TIIAT SUCH AID SHALL BE FODTHCOMING, (Ver. 89.) Therefore: 1. No power of man can hinder it. It is "settled." 2. Nor any lapse of time. Generations may come and go, but that matters not. God's promise abides, even as the earth which he has established. 3. Nor any events or changes what- soever. (Ver. 91.) Divine decrees have ordained them, and all have to serve and minister thereto. Here is great consolation for the tried soul. II. IT SUSTAINS THE SERVANT OF Goo IN UTTERMOST PERIL. (Ver. 92.) But for God's settled love, which was full of delight for his servant, he could not have lived. God bas ways and means by his Holy Spirit to so write bis Word on our hearts, that they shall be filled with delight, and all the power of hell cannot destroy us. So was it here; so will it be with all like-minded men. III. THE EXPERIENCE OF ITS POWER MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOil THE MEMORY TO LET IT Go. (Ver. 93.) If we have been "quickened" by it, as was the psalmist, memory and heart and will cleave to it with a tenacity which never relaxes, but ever tightens its hold. Nothing but the experience of religion in the heart will do this. Creeds and rituals and sacraments, religious profession and work, have all been proved frail and feeble in this respect; but he who knows by actual experience bow God can quicken his soul will simply never leave him. IV. AND LEADS TO ABSOLUTE SELF-SUDRENDER .AND CONFIDENT TRUST. (Ver. 94.) "I am thine." The man is no longer his own. "Save me "-I know thou wilt; such is the implied meaning. V. Is AN ANTIDOTE TO ALL FEAR. (Ver. 95.) What matters it that the wicked wait, etc.? He will consider the testimonies of God, those borne to him by redeemed souls, those borne by them in the psalmist's own soul. Such considering banishes fear. VI. THEnE IS NOTHING LIKE IT. All human schemes and teachings are nought compared with thy commandment.-S. C. Vers. 97-104.-" 0 !tow love I thy Law/" Then follows a·series ofreasons why. I. IT FURNISHES HIM WITH llAPPY THOUGH'!' ALL THE DAY LONG. (Ver. 97.) It is good to cultivate the habit of turning our thoughts to the things of God as they llre tolrl of in bis Word. The habit is not natural to us, but God, by his Spirit, will help us to cultivate it. And how full of help and blessedness it is, none but those who have &09.uired it can declare; but such have declared this, as the psalmist here, again and agam. IL WITH PllACTICAL WISDOM, BO THAT HE CAN ODDED HIS WAY ARIIJHT. This is what is meant here by "wisdom" and "understanding." ~y means of it be. cnn : 1. Outwit hu enemies (ver. 98), no matter how crafty their policy. 2. Become wiser than his teachers. They may be full of sound doctrine, but the soul that is pllrtaker of God's grace is wiser than they. 3. Understands more titan the men of olden time. "Under• standing gotten by the precepts of the Word. is better than that gotten by long experience." Ill HoLos HIM BACK FROM BIN. (Ver. 101.) He bas come to love righteousness and bate iniquity; but be knows that if be is to keep in this mind he must refrnin, etc. He that will go into sin grieves and banishes from his soul the Spirit of God. Many people desire to be holy, but they desire ever so many other things lllong with it,- PB. CXIX. 1-176.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 135