Verse 4. Jesus as the Restorer, the Christian imitating him in the same office; Christianity a power which will do this for the whole race in due season.
Verse 5. Our foolishness. Wherein it appears generally, how it may display itself in individuals, what it occasions, and what are the divine provisions to meet it.
Verse 5.
1. God's knowledge of sin is an inducement to repent.
(a) Because it is foolish to endeavour to hide any sin from him.
(b) Because it is impossible to confess all our sin to him.
2. It is an encouragement to hope for pardon.
(a) Because, in the full knowledge of sin, he has declared himself to be merciful and ready to forgive.
(b) Because he has made provision for pardon, not according to our knowledge of sin, but his own.
Verses 8-9.
1. A grievous trial.
2. An honourable reason for it: for Christ's sake.
3. Consoling supports under it.
Verse 9.
1. The object of zeal: thy house; thy Zion; thy Church.
2. The degree of zeal: hath eaten me up. Our Lord was consumed by his own zeal. So Paul: And I if I be offered up, etc.
3. The manifestation of zeal: The reproaches, etc.; of thy justice; of thy law; of thy moral government; of thy lovingkindness. "Who himself bare our sins," etc. G. R.
Verses 10-12. A prophecy.
1. Of the Saviour's tears: When I wept.
2. Of his fasting.
3. Of reproach.
4. Of his humiliation: I made sackcloth, etc.
5. Of the perversion of his words: as, "I will destroy this temple, "etc.
6. Of the opposition of the Pharisees, and rulers: They that sit in the gate, etc.
7. Of the contempt of the lowest of the people: I was the song, etc. G. R.
Verse 11. Proverbial sayings of a scoffing character.
Verse 13. An acceptable time. While life lasts usually, and especially when we are repentant, feel our need, are importunate, give all glory to God, have faith in his promise, and expect a gracious reply.
Verse 13. Multitude of thy mercy. Seen in many forbearances before conversion, countless pardons, innumerable gifts, many promises, frequent visits, and abundant deliverances. Of all these who can count the thousandth part?
Verse 13. The truth of thy salvation. An instructive topic. Its reality, certainty, completeness, eternity, etc., all illustrate its truth under various aspects.
Verses 14-16.
1. The depth from which prayer may rise.
2. The height to which it may ascend. Thus Jonah, when at the bottom of the sea, says, "My prayer came up," etc. G. R.
Verse 17.
1. Prayer: Hide not thy face.
2. Person: Thy servant.
3. Plea: For I am in trouble.
4. Pressure: Hear me speedily.
Verse 19.
1. God knows what his people suffer; how much, how long, from whom, for what.
2. His people should find consolation in this knowledge.
(a) That trial is permitted by him.
(b) That it is apportioned by him.
(c) That it has its design from him.
(d) That when the design is accomplished, it will be removed by him. G. R.
Verse 20. The Saviour's broken heart. Broken hearts, such as are sentimental, caused by disappointed pride, penitence, persecution, sympathy, etc.
Verse 21. The conduct of men to Jesus throughout his entire life, rendering to him evil for all his good, and where good would have seemed to be the inevitable return.
Verse 22. The table a snare. Excess in feasting; looseness in conversation; want of principal in confederate councils; superstition in religion.
Verse 23. The judicial curse which falls on some despisers of Christ; their understandings fail to perceive the truth; and they tremble because they are unable to receive strengthening comforts.
Verse 29.
1. The humiliation that precedes exaltation.
(a) Deep: I am poor and sorrowful.
(b) Confessed: I am poor, etc.
2. The exaltation that follows humiliation.
(a) Divine: Thy salvation, O Lord. Though the Lord be high, etc.
(b) Complete: God does nothing by halves.
(c) Preeminent: Set me up on high. G. R.
Verse 30-31.
1. The effect of deliverance upon the people of God. It fills them with praise and thanksgiving.
2. The effect in relation to God. He is more pleased with it than with any other offerings: "Whoso offereth praise, "etc. G. R.
Verse 32.
1. The joy of a good man's heart is in the experience of others.
2. The life of his heart is in God.
Verse 33.
1. What the people of God are in their own esteem: "poor" and "prisoners."
2. What they are in the divine esteem: not unnoticed; not unheard; not despised.
Verse 34. The sea, etc. How God is, should be, and shall be praised by the sea.
Verse 35. Salvation, edification, preservation, peace, full assurance.
Verses 35-36. Observe the sequence:—"Save, ""build, ""dwell and have, ""inherit, ""love and dwell."
Verse 36.
1. The sure evidence of grace: "love his name."
2. The blessing given.
3. The enduring character of it: "shall dwell."
Verse 36.
1. The inheritance: "Inherit it; "we reign with Christ on earth, then in heaven.
2. The title.
(a) Legal: "Seed of his servants"—Abraham, Jacob, David—David's Lord and Son.
(b) Moral: "They that love his name." G. R.