trouble. (Ver. 1.) Does not qualify tho prayer, but eeeke 11bsolute deliverance. It was to him an unqualified evil, and, as evil, he had no thought it could be working any good for him. So the Lord's Pmyer, " Deliver us from evil," woull be put to sbam<J if not delivered. 2. He prays/or protedion and defence. (Ver. 2.) He apart from God was weak _against the united power of his enemies. '' If God be for us, who can be against us" with any success? 3. He prays for leading and guidance. (Ver. 3.) That he may see and feel the way of s11fety amid the bewildering dangers of bis path. Christ is our great Leader, " the Beginner and Finisher of our faith." Striking description of Christ. 4. Be prays that he may escape out of the secret snares that weu set/or him. (Ver. 4.) We cannot fight against hidden dangers. II. THE EXULTING FAITH IN WHICH HE PLEADS WITH Gon. He trusts: 1. In Goas righteousness. (Ver. 1.) God's righteousness demands that he shonld not give him over to the unrighteous. He could not doubt that. 2. He knew that God was his Strength and Refuge. (Vers. 3, 4.) Prove thyself to be to me what I know thou art-my Rock and House of defence. "Thou art my Strength." 3. lie knew that God had redeemed him. (Ver. 6.) And therefore he surrenders his spirit into bi8 keepin)l:, knowing him to be a God of truth, i.e. faithful to bis word aud to his work. "He who hath begun a good work," etc.; "Perfect that which concemeth me." 4. Re knew that God saw his trouble and adversities. (Ver. 7.) And that therefore out of merciful compassion be would interpose to rescue him. "Like as a father pitieth bis children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him," etc. 5. He enjoys deliverance already by anticipation. (Ver. 8.) "Thou hast set my feet in wide, open spaces," where I can roam at liberty. Faith like this removes mountains of diOiculties- " Laughs at impossibilities, And so.ys, 'It shall be done."' B. Vers. 9-18.-A story of suffering and sorrow. The psalmiot now, in tbo spirit of heartfelt trust in the helping grace of God, proceeds first to de~cribe at length his trouble (vers. 9, 13); and second, to pray for deliverance (vers. 14-18). I. CAUSES OF TROUllLE. (Vers. 9, 13.) 1. Consciousness of sin. (Vere. 9, 10.) This was the constant lifelong grief. None but good men feel their siufulne~s so acutely. 2. Loss of reputation. (Vars. 11, 12.) "A fear to mine acquaintance;" so that they avoided him. "Like a broken vessel;" equivalent to "an object of contempt." 3. Stood in constant danger of his life. (Ver. 13.) 'l'hrough slander anu. misrepresenta- tion, he was in constant fear and dread. Like some kings who live in constant dread of assassination. II. THE cnY FOn DELIVERANCE. (Vere. 14-18.) 1. Seelcs to reassure himself of kis personal relation to God. (Ver. 14.) Nothing more difficult, when we see our faith despised by the whole world, than to rest on the testimony of our own conscience tbnt "God is our God," 2. Because his times were in God:s hand, he was not left to the mercy of his enemies. (Ver. 15.) God could transform evil into good, and danger into safety, 3, He was God's servant, and on that ground he cried for protection. (Ver. 16.) "Make thy face to shine." '!'he good Master would be merciful "for bis own sake" towards his servant. 4. .God would not allow his faith ill him to be put to shame. (Ver.17.) He puts God in remembrance of his promise that he will hear nnd help those who ca11 upon him with heartfelt confidence. He prays that his enemies may be struck dumb with the silence of the grave, so that they rno.y be no longer able to slander him (ver. 18). His faith in God reached thus to all the dilliculties of his life, and might be called a working fnith.-S. Vars. 19-24.-Praise and thanlcsgiving. From ver. 1 to ver. 8 tbo Lord may, must, and will help him in bi~ trouble, becauso he is his God. From ver. 9 to ver. 18 ho describes nt length hi~ trouble, and briugs it to God. From ver. 19 to vcr. 2,1- I. TIIE PSALMIST OBTAINS FROM GOD THE HEARTl'ELT ASSURANCE OF HELP, AND PRAISES GoD FOR IT. 1. God's goodne.~s is a treasure laid up for f utare as well U! present use and blessing. (Isa. !xiv. 4; 1 Cor. ii. 9.) Samo thought in suhstance in all theso passa;::es. Compare with the parable of "the treasure." 2. God hides and protects those who trust in him-o.s in a royal pavilion (ver. 20). 3, God wm to th• 236 THE BOOK OF PSALMS, [PS. XXXII. 1-11,
psalmist what a strong city is to those who seek safety. (Ver, 21,) 4. Go.rs greal goodness wa.s shown to him openly and secretly. (Vers. 19, 20.) 'l'he former to discomfit his enemies, and the latter for his own comfort and faith. II. MAN'S UNDELIEF AND THE DIVINE FAITHFULNESS. (Ver. 22.) 1. He was in haste, flying from his enemies, when he said this. We sny and do things in paniG which we disown in calmer hours. "He that believeth shall not make haste." 2. Bui God pardoned ht$ unbelief, and answered the inarticulate cry of the heart. III. LESSONS ADDRESSED TO THE CHURCH, DRAWN FROM HIS OWN EXI'ERIENCE. (Vers. 23, 2i.) 1. What love and reverence we owe to God because of his retributive work/ (Ver. 23.) He preserveth the faithful, and rewardeth the proud. This is good and just. 2. With what courage we slwuld l1ope in God I (Ver. 24.) He strongthens us by bis Spirit to hope anrl trust in him. From him must be derived the power for every duty and every difficulty, This must be the ground of our courage.--S.