The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 111

kindness will shine forth in giving protection and deliverance (vers. 6-12) to those who love him and hope in his mercy. He will be their Refuge and Defence againRt c~cry foe. V17ith tender care and never-failing prayer, he will keep them from the evil. If. TnAT GoD WILL DISAPPOINT TIIE PERSECUTOR, WHILE BE WILL ABUNDANTLY SATISFY THE DESIRES OF TIIE HUMDLE, (Vers. 13-15.) When David was pursued by the forces of Saul, and in sore straits in the wilderness of Maon, God in a wonderful way brought him deliverance (1 Sam. xxiii, 25). So we may expect that God will meet the enemies of his people, front to front, and cast them down. There are mar- vellous deliveranc-es wrought by God in behalf of his children (2 Pet. ii. 9; 2 'l'hess. i. 6-10). But God does far more than deliver-he satisfies. The heart is ever yearnina after some unattained possession and enjoyment. "Man never is, but always to b~ blessed." The children of this world have their desires, and, though they may so fa.- be successful, though they may gain wealth, and have sons to bear their name and inherit their possessions, yet for all this they are not satisfied. Their blessings, through their own perversity, are turned to curses. But in bright contrast with these men of carnal minds, is the man who loveth God and worketh righteousness, "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likcness."-W. F. . Ver. 3.-The visits of God in the night. The psalmist seems to have been one of the children of Israel scattered abroad. From the midst of a strange country he looks with a wistful eye towards the far-off land of his youth. Tried and persecuted by the worldly and profane, he takes refuge under the sheltering wings of Jehovah, his father's God. If he was not David, he has the spirit of Da.vid. There are foreshadow- ings and foregleams of gospel times, in the ideas as to "the world," the "loving- kindness," and saving power of the Lord; and the blessed hope of satisfaction in God. This verse leads us to consider the visits of God in the night. I. REFBE1>HMENT. 'l'he divisions of time have to do with man (Gen, L 5; Ps, civ. 20), "'God has set laboar and rest, .As day and night to men successive, And the timely dew of sleep." 11, When night comes, 'it brings, not only relief from toil, but needed rest in sleep. In this we see the mercy of God. Like the sunshine and the rain, sleep is a common gift from God to men. Sleep also often brings return of health. How often is it said of some beloved one, with trembling hope, "If he sleep, he shall do well" (John xi. 12) ! II. PnoTECTION. We associate the day with safety (John xi. 9). On the other hand, night is the season when not only wild beasts, but lawless men, seek their prey (Ps. civ. 20, 21; Job xxiv. 1'1-17; 1 Thess. iii. 7). There may he dangers unseen and unknown (Ps. xci. 5, 6). Besides, there are perils from evil thoughts and the wiles of the wicked one. But come what will, God is our sure Defence. He visits us in lovo and mercy. He watches over us with untiring vigilance (Ps. cxxi. 3). 'l'he angel of jud•,ment may be abroad, but under the shelter of the blood of the covenant we are sar:. Even thouuh 0 God should say, "This night thy soul shall be required of theo," it will be in Jove, and not in wrath. Even should we be taken away in our sleep, it will be to light, and not to darkness. Hence we may say, "I will lay me down in peace and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety" (Ps. iv. 8). III'. !KSTRUCTIOS. God has access to us at all times. He speaks to us continua.Uy Ly day, when our ears are open; but he also speaks to us, as he sees cause, by night, in dreams and visions, and when he holds our souls waking. Of this we have many example~ in the Bible, and who is there who has not bad some knowledge of this in his 01m experience? Dreams and visions are, for the most part, vain things; but there are even dreams and visions that have been found to be visits of God and turning- points in life. But it is when we have hours of sleeplessness that precious oppor- tunities occur of communing in our hearts with God. 'l'hen there is not only quietness, but solitude. We are alone with God, and if we recognize his presence and hearken to his Word, we shall have cause to say, with thankfulness, "Thou haHt visited mo in the PB, xvn. 1-16.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 118