The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 339

Ver. 1.-7'1e prayer Q{the affiicted. It is uncertain whether in this psalm we have an expression of personal feeling in a time of personal suffering, or an idealizing of the affiictro nation. If we take the former view, personal nnd national views must be regarded as blended. If we take the latter view, we may give heed to Bishop Words- worth's suggestion, that the psalm was composed by Nehemiah when he went by night to examine the walls of Jerusalem, and was so deeply affected by the ruinous condition which he found. Bible writers prefer to associate the psalm with the later days of the Exile, when the sufferings of the Lord's people hnd become almost unendurable, and the time prophesied for the length of the Exile was nearly completed. It is the prayer of a patient sufferer for himself, and for the Jerusalem that lies in ruins. The sorrow of the psalmist has in it no touch of doubt or repining. But he does feel the difficulty and mystery of the Divine delays. That is, indeed, one of our gravest sources of anxiety. Ii God is acting, we are well assured and comforted. He is mani- festly present; we feel his pre.~ence-that is enough. But wh_en he delays, we easily get the impression that he is holding aloof; that he is indifferent; that he is not heeding our prayer. Then, with the psalmist, we begin prayer by praying to be heard and heeded. l. THE PRAYER OF THE AFFLI0TED SHOULD BE A CONFIDENTIAL UNFOLDING, NOT A COMPLAINT. Complaint of God mu.~t always be wrong and unworthy. No pious man can ever be placed in any circumstances of distress in which he gains the right to complain of God. No pious mnn keeps his piety and ever wishes to complain. Sub- mission to the infinitely wise, strong love is absolutely essential to piety. "Thy will be done," and borne. But the pious soul is invited to the fullest confidences with God. He may speak out his feelings fully and freely. Great relief comes in times of trouble by giving our confidence to a trustworthy friend; and God permits us freely to complain to him. JI. THE PRAYER OF THE AFFLICTED SHOULD BE A BIGN OF FAITH, NOT OF FEAR. The faith should assnre (1) of God's attention; (2) of God's sympathy; (3) of God's ability to help; (4) of God's wisdom in delaying his intervention. 1. Fear would be a dishonour to our past of Divine deliverances. 2. Fear would tell of our circumstances mastering our souls. 3. Fear would show suspicion of the Divine power and promise. We ask God to" hear our prayer," because we know that is just what he is doing.-R. T. Vera. 3-5.-ne depression attending bodily pain. The point of this pathetic complaint on which we just now dwell is given in ver. 4. "My heart is smitten, and withered like grass." There may be pain of body, aud sorrow of circumstance, but these only become seriously distressing when they affect our minds, our spirits. '' As the smitten flower no longer drinks in the dew, or draws up nutriment from the soil, so a heart parched with intense grief often refuses consolation for itself, and nourish- ment for the bodily frame, and descends at a doubly rapid rate into weakness, despondency, and dismay." I. SnME FORMS OF DISEASE INVOLVE DEPRESSION OF BPffilTB. Certain types of stomach and kidney disease have depression as a necessary symptom. So certain brain and nerve diseases. Then depression is not to be dealt with as a moral, but as a physical, eviL This feature of disease is specially trying to the Christian, who longs to keep ever alive his joy in God. And it makes extremely painful the duties of those who watch and tend the sick. Such may often gain patience for bearing work by treating d~pression as but a symptom of disease. II. DEPl!.EBSION OF BPilllTB 1B 0FTE~"TUmB MISCONCEIVED. 1. By the good man. Often leads him to think he has been deceiving himself, and has never known the grace of God. As well say, when there are clouds in the sky, that they prove we were mistaken when we believed the sunshine warmed us. Varying moods of feeling do not affect spirit -..ial facts. Depressions belong to the sphere of the feelings, the emotions; they do not belong, nc,ces~arily, to the sphere of the will. If the will were set again,t God, we should never be depressed about it. 2. By those who are in relaUons with the good man. They are easily carried away by his despondencies, and they are filled wiLh fear concerning him. 'l'be low-spirited will often say and write bitter things against themselves; and we are al ways wise to make no decisions about them, a.nd form no opinions concerning them, while they walk in darkness. "At even-tido it llhall be li&ht." PB. CII, 1-28.] TRE BOOK OF PSALMS. 37'.J