The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 389

earnest prayer for that grace of God which, in the psalmist's belief was indispensable for its fulfilment. ' I. TuE ASPIRATION. 1. "That I may see the good of thy chosen." Uc regards God's people 11s the subject of e. Divine choice; as, indeed, they are. There were many others who, to human eyes, seemed more worthy e.ncl more likely to brin" glory to God. But God he.d chosen them. And he he.d appointed "good" for th:'m. Good outwardly, in the possession of the promised land; good inwardly, in the possession of God's Holy Spirit and the Divine Law written on their hearts; good instru- menta~ly, in the blessed influence they should exert on others (cf. Ps. lxvii.). .And all this abiding evermore. And this he craved to see; that is, to share in. It is a good desire. 2. "That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation." He believed Israel to be God's nation; ns, indeed, the true Israel of God are. And he believed that the mark of their life was gladness. In their best days Israel was a glad people (Ps. cxliv. 16). And the Israelite, indeed, is ever a happy man. We are made for gladness- the ways of the Lord lee.d surely to it; but men do not believe this. Nevertheless, these "ways are ways of pleasantness," etc. (Prov. iii. 17). And in this gladness the psalmist would share. 3. " That I may glory with thine inheritance." Note, again, the title given to the people of God. They will glory in God himself, for he is their "exceeding joy;" in what he has done for them, in them, through them. What themes for glorying there are i11 all this! "Worthy is the Lamb," etc. (Rev. v.12). Now, this holy aspiration is preceded by ver. 4. II. 'l'EIE PBAYEB for what is needed for its fulfilment. He prays: 1. "Remember me, 0 Lord, with," etc. What a humble prayer it is I as if he feared he might be overlooked and forgotten, and felt that he deserved to be. And what a holy prayer! And it is one that has never yet been refused. 2. " Visit me," etc. He would that God would have compasion on him, and actually bring him his salvation.-S. C. Ver. 15.-" But sent leanness into their soul." Kibroth-Hattaavab, or "the graves of lust." So the place has been named, for it testified to the terrible truth declared in our text. The history to which it refers is familiar enough. .And what followed for Israel has followed again and again, and does so still. I. SEE INSTANCES OF IT, 1. Israel here. The leanness in their souls was ea.used by a sense of God's condemnation-they knew they had done wrong; terror of his wrath; hardening of their hearts in sin; the plague that followed. 2. Israel's desiring a king (Hos. xiii.11). 3. Judas. He had plotted and planned, and thought success was sure; but when he saw Jesus was condemned., those thirty pieces of silver burnt him as with the fires of hell. 4. The rich fool, His desire for wealth had been granted; but the Lord had said, "Thou fool" (cf. also 2 Sam. xiii. 15). The full purse and the lean soul are common companions. 5. The "whips" with which "our pleasant vices" scourge us. Cf. Ecclesiastes: "Vanity of vanities; all," etc.; cf. Ahab'~ getting Naboth's vine- yard, and Elijah along with it, "Hast thou found me, 0 mine enemy? " (1 Kings xxi. 20). II. 'l'HE CAUSES OF IT. 1. Not necessary. If Go:i give us our heart's desire, that need not send leanness into our soul. Cf. Ps. cxvi.: there was no "leanness" there, but the reverse. And, indeed, the sense of God's favour and help does aid the soul's true life. 2. But are found in the motive of the prayer, which may be sinful and selfish only; and in the use we make of the answer. If we love God's gifts better than the Giver of them, then "leanness" will be sure to follow. III. THE LESSONS OF IT. The lines which follow tell them- " Not what we wish, but what we want, Oh let thy grace supply I The good, unasked, iu mercy grant ; The ill, though asked, deny." s. c. Ver, !.-Goodness is graciousness. "For he is gracious" (Prayer-book Version). The term which tho Authorized Version and Revised Version render "good," the Prayer-book renders "gracious;" and so is sug~ested what is perfoctly true when .applied to God, that goodness is graciousness. The goodness of God dwelt ou iu thi~ PSALMS-II. 2 I'  THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [re. CVI. 1-48.