(b) Emphasised. The rod may seem to be in anger, nevertheless, etc.
There is,
1. An if.
2. A then.
3. A nevertheless.
Verse 39.
1. Providence may often seem to be at variance with promises.
2. Promises are never at variance with providence. It is the covenant of thy servant and his crown still.
Verse 39. How the throne of King Jesus may be profaned.
Verse 40.
1. What God had done. "Broken down", etc.
2. What he had not done. Not taken away sorrow for his departure and desire for his return.
Verse 43. Cases in which the sword of the gospel appears to have its edge turned.
Verse 44-45.
1. A prophecy that the Messiah would be meek and lowly. "Made his glory to cease."
2. Would become a servant to the Father. "Cast his throne down", etc.
3. Would be cut off in the midst of his days. "The days of his youth", etc.
4. That he would die an ignominious death. "Hast covered him", etc.
Verse 45. The excellence of the first days of Christianity, and in what respect their glory has departed from us.
Verse 46. The hand of God is to be acknowledged.
1. In the nature of affliction. "Wilt thou hide thyself", etc.
2. In the duration of affliction. "How long, Lord?"
3. In the severity of affliction. Wrath burning like fire.
4. In the issue of affliction. How long? for ever? In all these respects the words are applicable both to Christ and to his people.
Verse 46. Remember. The prayer of the dying thief, the troubled believer, the persecuted Christian.
Verse 47.
1. An appeal to divine goodness. "Remember", etc. Let not my life be all trouble and sorrow.
2. To divine wisdom. "Wherefore", etc. Was man made only to be miserable? Will not man have been made in vain if his life be but short, and that short life be nothing but sorrow?
Verse 52.
1. The voice. "Blessed", etc. In himself in all his works and ways—in his judgments as well as in his mercies—as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—"for evermore."
2. The echo, "Amen and amen." Amen, says the church on earth—says the church in heaven—say the angels of God—says the whole holy and happy universe—says eternity past and eternity to come.
WORK UPON THE EIGHTY-NINTH PSALM
In the Works of John Boys, folio, pp. 805-9, there is an Exposition of a portion of this Psalm.
HERE ENDETH THE THIRD BOOK OF THE PSALMS.