reduced to euch distress ae that described in the text; yet it does occur; troubles do sometimes accumulate where they seem least deserved or least necessary. But if not found in this degree, yet they are found in company with: l. Bodily pain (ver. 3), or weakness, or lingering disease, or some form of physical privation. There may be associated: 2. Depression of spirit; eo that food is distasteful (ver. 4), an<l the simple comforts of life bring no enjoyment; fair scenes give no pleasure to the eye, sweet eoundH have no charm for the ear. There may be added : 3. Lor,eUness; either because (1) friends have lost faith, and have deserted; or (2) because the dejtcted spirit rleclines all human fellowship, and retires to a disconsolate obscurity (vers. 6, 7). 4. Added to these may be positive enmity and oppositi()'TI, (ver. 8). Perhaps the evil which is hardest to be borne is the accusation or the insinuation of misconduct made by former friends, who are now the most cruel of enemies, and who use the language of reproach or innuendo. Beside all this is: 5. A painful sense of departure (vers. 3, 11). 'fhe mind is oppressed by the thought that, like the lessening shadow, life is going; the opportunity for clearing reputation, for doing good work, for taking a good position, for reaping any of the fruits of toil, is rapidly being consumed; it will soon be gone, and then the beet of life will have been lost. It is the servant of God who is sometimes called upon to "eat ashes like bread," and to "mingle his drink with his tears" (ver. 9). But even in the midst of his distress and of his perplexity there will be- ll. A DEVOUT REFERENCE TO THE WILL OF GoD. The sufferer is a man who has mens conscia recti; he is the victim of injustice; he wonders why he is thus assailed, thus brought low; but be does not question the presence or the ordering of Divine providence. God has allowed it all: "Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down." The Christian ma.n in similar distress has learnt of Christ that calamity is not alw,1ys a sign of Divine displeasure (Luke xiii. 1-5); he does not therefore speak a.bout "thy wrath and anger." Moreover, be has learnt of his Master that persecution is often the highest honour (Matt. v. 10-12); a.nd from his apostle that affliction is often not punitive at a.II, but curative; the evidence, not of Divine anger, but of Fatherly love and wisdom (Heb. xii. 3-11). He therefore accepts what he suffers as the will of God concerning him, assured that it has a. gracious purpose, and will work a spiritual and eternal good that will more than outweigh the physical and temporal distress. III. THE APPEAL TO GoD. (Vers. 1, 2.) 1. It is a real relief to utter his thought in the conscious presence of God; the very recital of his griefs in God's ear brings some comfort. To tell all our troubles to a sympathetic friend, even when we do not expect him to be able to help us, is a relief to us; how much more to breathe them into the ear of him who has the most perfect sympathy with every one of his people (Matt. viii. 17; Reh. iv. 15) ! 2. We may confidently count on our heavenly Father's help. It is the natural, and therefore the right, thing for us, in our moment of spiritual agitation, to use the language of earnest, if not agonizing entreaty, a.nd to let earnest- ness pass into importunity (" hear me speedily"); it is altogether wise and right to continue in prayer for Divine succour when that seems to be delayed; but it is needful, for true sonship and perfect service, to rest calmly assured that God does always hear our prayer, and that he will help us, either by delivering us from our evil condition, sooner or later, here or hereafter, or by so multiplying his sustaining grace that we shall positively triumph in our endurance (2 Cor. ii. 14; ix. 10, 11). Vere. 13-22.-God's care/or his people ((Jhrist's care/or his (Jhv.rch). The psalm po.sees from the individual to the nation or the society, and we have a.n earnest, effectual appeal for Divine pity and restoration. Primarily applicable to the ancient people of God, it applies as well to the recurring necessities of the Christian Church. We have- I. THE COMMUNI'l'Y (THE CHURCH) m BORE DISTRESS. It is in a position to receive the mercy-the pity a.ad the redemption of the Lord (ver. 13). Its state is one of destitution (ver. 17); it is brought very low, is naked, is helpless. II. I TB APPEAL TO THE DIVINE SAVIOUR. We are weak and powerless, "but thou, O Lord, ehalt endure for ever" (ver. 12); thou art the Eternal and the Almighty One; "thou canst save, and thou canst heal." When the captain and the crew have done their utmost, and shipwreck seems inevitable, they can and they do "cry unto the Lord'' (Pa. cvii.). Man's extremity is God's opportunity. When from every human 374 THE DOOK OF PSALMS. [PB, on. 1-28,
point of view the cMe is hopeless, then all hearts turn their thought to heaven, then every voice is raised in earnest supplication. Nothing is too hard for the Lord, llI. THE GROU1''DS OF ITS APPEAL, 1. The duration of its distress. Has not the time fully come for God's favour (ver. 13)? Zion must have endured her appointed time of tribulation (see Ps. xc. 18-17). 2. The disinterested att.achment of its friends (the disciples of the Lord) (ver. 14). Its very ruins are dear to them; they cleave to it in its extremity. 3. The spiritual well-being of those outside its borders (ver. 15). Let Zion be exalted, and then those who are now either indifferent or hostile will lie gained; in their hearts will be planted the fear of the Lord, the love of Jesus Obrist. 4. The glory of God, the hallowing of his Name, the exaltation of the Redeemer (vers, 16, 21, 22). 5. The character of the pitiful Father. To regard the destitute, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to save from death,-is that not just what his people may rightly ask of the benignant and compassionate Saviour? Our heavenly Father is never nearer to us, or likelier to hear and help us, than when our hour is darkest and our hearts are saddest. IT. lTs LASTING ISSUE. (Ver. 18.) The interposition of God, and his redeeming grace, will not only command the wondering attention of the living; it will go clown to the generations yet unborn, and those who "will be created" in distant days will believe and praise.