The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 126

II. ITs PETITION. "Save me" (ver. 146). We know not what -the nature of the peril was in which be then was, but it was evidently very great. This petition, tbouuh very concise, is very complete and direct and definite. We have many such pray;'rs recorded. Blessed is it when the soul seeks to be saved-seeks with a cry like this told of here! If we knew our need of salvation, there would be more such crying unto the Lord. III. ITs BEA80N8 OF UTTERANCE. (Vers. 147, 148.) Very untimely they seem. Sleep, surely, should have claimed such seasons. Very early in the morning, in the dim twilight, and through the silent watches of the uight. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence," etc. (Matt. xL 12). Here was one of these violent ones. Blessed is the soul that is stirred to such intensity of earnest seeking as this man wa3 ! IV. lTs TRUSTED PLEA. "Thy loving-kindness." (Ver. 149.) As b'llppliants for mercy, not as demanders of right due to us, must we come to God. As the publican, not the Pharisee. V. ITS PROMPTING MOTIVE. (Ver. 150.) 'l'he drawing nigh of ungodly men. When we are going into the company of such, as we often have to do, we should specially seek for grace to be faithful and true. Here is a fit preparation for such a peril. VI. !Ts ENCOURAGEMENT. (Ver. 151.) 'l'rue, they that follow after mischief are drawing nigh, but then, thou, Lord, art nigh likewise. Blessed recollection is this. It has helped God's people many a time, and ever will. VII. ITS UNDERLYING CONVICTION .AND SUPPORT. (Ver. 152.) He who possesses this will go to Goel, not as one who thinks his prayer may possibly do some good, there is just a chance-what a vast deal of prayer is of this sad sort I-but as one who knows that he cannot seek the Lord in vain. VIII. ITS SUPREME .AND CONSTANT .AIM-HOLINESS OF HEART .AND LIFE. See in every verse of the section how this aim is directly or indirectly avowed. To be right with God was his abiding desire.-S. C. Vers. i53-160.-God'e quicl,ening graa the real help in affe,iction. It is evident from these verses that- I. AFFLICTION WAS ADUNDANTLY PRESENT. (Ver~.153, 154, 157.) He prays God to consider it, to deliver him from it, and he tells how that it was caused by runny persecntors aud enemies. Hence, here as throughout the ps,\lm we have presented to ns tae case of a man much troubled, but also much helped of God by means of hi~ Word; and who can over-estimate the worth of this portraiture to the troubled children of God, who have needed his comfort in all the ages of the Church's history (2 Cor. i. 4)? II. 'l'HE RESORT OF THE .AFFLICTED SOUL WAS TO Goo. He prays God to "con- sider," etc., that is, as of old he considered the affliction of Israel when iu Egypt, and in many like distresses since, for such considering ever led to his delivering them. The psalmist trusts to no stratagem, or clever policy, or armed force for his help, but to God alone. III. THAT WHICH HE ESPECIALLY DESIRED OF Goo WAS ms QUICKENING GRACE. "Quicken me" is the repea.ted prayer of this section, as indeed of the whole psalm, where it occurs nine times, three of which are in these verses before us (vcrs. 154, 15G, IG9). 1. It does not imply that there was no spiritual life. He was not dead in trespasses and sins, so that be needed to be quickened from that; unconverted, unre- generate men do need this, but the psalmist was not such as t.hey. For he possessed a true and deep spiritual life, as all this psalm testifies (see here, vers. 153, 157-159). 2. But what he craved was a renewed and intensified life. More, for more of what he had already-that "more abundant life." which our Lord said ha ea.me to give: he would be "filled with the Spirit." IV. THIS DESmE MOST REASONABLE. For if it were granted : 1. He wottld be strong for his burden. It would not matter how heavy that burden, if he had-as he would have if this quickenerl life were given him-the strength to sustain it. 2. lle would be able to rise above his affliction. His soul would mount up on wings as eagles, he would be able to run and nc t be weary, to walk and not faint. This is one of the choice present privileges of the soul that is fi'.led with the Spirit of God. Often and often has it be<!n proved (cf. Rom. viii., at end). 3. lie would be able to enjoy God in the 1i.1dst of it. Many such a one as himself had done so. God and his Word had  140 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS. CXIX. 1-176,