The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 50

Ycrse indicates this, although we have· no means of knowing who the "Cush" might be that brought forward these charges. It is no uncommon thing for good men to find themselves the victims of false accusations. Such accusations, however false will do injury, since (1) some one or other will be sure to believe them, even in tho nb;once of proof; :md (2) no man can prove a negative, i.e. he cannot show wliat lie lias not done. This rule, that no one is expected to prove a negative, holds good in logic nnd it ought to be regarded in other departments also; but., unfortunately, people ar~ not as careful as they should be about screening another's reputation. Unspeakable distress may thereby be occasioned to innocent men. 3. The psalmist knows these charges are false; and therefore, though appeal to man is vain, be can and does appeal to God (vcrs. 3, 4). 4. Notwithstanding this, liis enemy's rage is actually threatening his life. (See ver. 2.) It is bad to plot against life; it is equally bad to poison a man's reputa- tion; yea, worse. Let those who are slandered read such psalms as this over and over again, that they may see how the saints of old were tried in like manner, and what 1rns the course they pursued. II. U:i-.'DER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE BELIEVER :MAKES GoD ms REFUGE, (See ,er. 1, Revised Version margin, "In thee do I take refuge.") 'While the storm is raging without, the believer is hiding in his God. "Thou wilt hide me in thy presence from the pride of man ; thou wilt keep me secretly in thy pavilion from the strife of tongues." The attributes of God, which are a terror to the wicked, are the shelter of 1l:c righteous. 1. God's righteousness. (Ver. 11.) 2. His searching the reins and hearts. (Ver. 9.) 3. Bis commanding jwigment, either in the way of precept, by laws which may not be slighted, or in the way of administration, by chastisements which cannot be evaded. Even so these features of the Divine character and administration are the joy of injured innocence (ver. 10, "My shield is with God," Revised Version). And in a case like this, the saint can say, in faith, hope, and love, " 0 Lord my God." To know this-that God is ours-and that sooner or later he will set us right, is of inr.alculable value in such sore distresses. Ill. IT IS WELL IF IN SUCH CASES THE PLEADING o'NE CAN ASSERT DEFORE Gon ms OWN Th"TEGBITY, The third, fourth, and fifth verses ought not to be regarded either as assertion of perfect righteousness, nor yet as the utterances of conceit; 1 nor should we be warranted in regarding even the eighth verse as an indication of self- rigbteoosness. Not by any means. Let us take the psalm for what it manifestly is, and all is clear, It is the appeal of a slandered man to God; it is tho appeal of ono who knows that, so far as the charges of his enemy are concerned, he is innocent (cf. 1 Sam. xxiv., xxvi.), and that thereforo he may with confidence refer his cnse to the tribunal which is infinitely above those of earth (Ps. xviii. 18-24). Noto: There is a very wide difference between the self-righteousness which regards itself as blame- less before God, and the conscious integrity which can look any man in the face without flinching. Of the former the psalmist had none (cf. Pss. xxv. 7, 11; cxliii, 2). It would be wicked to pretend innocence before God; but, in a case like the psalmisL's, it would be unmanly not to assert it before men. Cromwell said, "I know that God is above all ill reports, and that he will in his own time Yindicate me." IV, UNDER SUCH PRESSURE FROM WITHOUT THE PRAYER IS DIRECT, POINTED, AND cLEAB. The psalmist does not deem it needful to cover the whole ground of possible prayer on each occasion. He lays the burden of the moment before God, and leaves it 1herc. His petitions are fivefold. 1. Arise, 0 Lordi (Ver. 6.) 2, Save me/ (Ver. 1.) 3. Vindicate me! (Ver. 8.) 4. Bri11g wickedness to an end I (Ver. 9.) 6. Establish the just I (Ver. 9.) Note: When the heart is overweighted with sorrow and anxiety, let us always tell our God exactly the state of the case. ,ve need not go over all points of religion or theology in every prayer; let us just tell God the matter of immediate 1,ressure (cf. Pss. cxlii. 2; xxxiv. 4, 6; Phil. iv. 6, 7). Such petitions as are forced out by sorrow ruay be sent up in all loving confidence to our Father in heaven. He will excuse all their mistakes, and answer them in the fulness of love. V. '1'1rnBE IS INDICATED A FULL ABBUilANCE OF GoD'B APPEARING FOR JUDGMENT. We do not now refer to" the last judgment," but to thoso judgmcnts which nro often manifest in the providence of God (cf. Isa. xxvi. V, latter part). And ho who studios history, and observes the times with a view to watching the movements of God in the ' It is strange that Dr. Cheyne should so entirely hove missed the meaning here, PS, VII, 1-17,] THE DOOK OF PSALMS. 47