诗篇讲道 第86篇

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ofaccountability,redressofordersandprohibitions.Strengtheningthehonestyandself-disciplineofleadingcadreshonestyinpoliticsandeducationwork,enhanceleadersabilitytoresist

TREASURYOFDAVID

PSALM86

C.H.Spurgeon

Psalms86:1(PSALMS)

PSALM86

TITLE.—APrayerofDavid.WehavehereoneofthefivepsalmsentitledTephillahsorprayers.Thispsalmconsistsofpraiseaswellasprayer,butitisinallpartssodirectlyaddressedtoGodthatitismostfitlycalled"aprayer."Aprayerisnonethelessbutallthemoreaprayerbecauseveinsofpraiserunthroughit.ThispsalmwouldseemtohavebeenspeciallyknownasDavid'sprayer;evenastheninetiethis"theprayerofMoses."Davidposedit,andnodoubtoftenexpressedhimselfinsimilarlanguage;boththematterandthewordingaresuitabletohisvariedcircumstancesandexpressiveofthedifferentcharacteristicsofhismind.InmanyrespectsitresemblesPs17:1-15,whichbearsthesametitle,butinotheraspectsitisverydifferent;theprayersofagoodmanhaveafamilylikeness,buttheyvaryasmuchastheyagree.Wemaylearnfromthepresentpsalmthatthegreatsaintsofoldwereaccustomedtoprayverymuchinthesamefashionaswedo;believersinallagesareofonegenus.ThenameofGodoccursveryfrequentlyinthispsalm,sometimesitisJehovah,butmoremomlyAdonai,whichitisbelievedbymanylearnedscholarswaswrittenbytheJewishtranscribersinsteadofthesublimertitle,becausetheirsuperstitiousdreadledthemtodoso:we,labouringundernosuchtormentingfear,rejoiceinJehovah,ourGod.ItissingularthatthosewhoweresoafraidoftheirGod,thattheydarednotwritehisname,hadyetsolittlegodlyfear,thattheydaredtoalterhisword.

DIVISION.—Thepsalmisirregularinitsconstructionbutmaybedividedintothreeportions,eachendingwithanoteofgratitudeorofconfidence:weshallthereforereadfromPs86:1-7,andthen,(afteranotherpauseattheendofPs86:13),wewillcontinuetotheend.

EXPOSITION.

Ver.1.Bowdownthineear,OLord,hearme.Incondescensiontomylittleness,andinpitytomyweakness,"bowdownthineear,OLord."Whenourprayersarelowlybyreasonofourhumility,orfeeblebyreasonofoursickness,orwithoutwingbyreasonofourdespondency,theLordwillbowdowntothem,theinfinitelyexaltedJehovahwillhaverespectuntothem.Faith,whenshehastheloftiestnameofGodonhertongue,andcallshimJehovah,yetdarestoaskfromhimthemosttenderandcondescendingactsoflove.Greatasheisheloveshischildrentobeboldwithhim.

ForIampoorandneedy—doublyasonofpoverty,because,first,poorandwithoutsupplyformyneeds,andnextneedy,andsofullofwants,thoughunabletosupplythem.OurdistressisaforciblereasonforourbeingheardbytheLordGod,merciful,andgracious,formiseryiseverthemasterargumentwithmercy.Suchreasoningasthiswouldneverbeadoptedbyaproudman,andwhenwehearitrepeatedinthepubliccongregationbythosegreatonesoftheearthwhocountthepeasantrytobelittlebetterthantheearththeytreadupon,itsoundslikeamockeryoftheMostHigh.Ofalldespicablesinnersthosearetheworstwhousethelanguageofspiritualpovertywhiletheythinkthemselvestoberichandincreasedingoods.

EXPLANATORYNOTESANDQUAINTSAYINGS.

Title.—TheprophetDavidhaspennedtwopsalms,whichhehaseminentlyappropriatedtohimselfashisown:theoneisstyledDavid'sprayer,thoughmanyotherpsalmsareprayers—itisPs86:1-17;theotherDavid'spraise,Ps145:1-21.Thefirsthistephilla,thelatterhistehilla;ineachofthesehemakesasolemnrehearsaloftheverywordsofMoses,inEx34:6-7.InPs86:1-17hebringstheminastheywereasupportuntohisfaithinhisdistressesfromsinsandmiseries,towhichuseheputsthem,Ps86:3-46-7.Andagain,Ps86:16-17,hemakesapleaofthesewordsbywayofprayer.InPs145:1-21,hebringstheminastheyareanelogiumorcelebrationofthegloriousnatureandexcellenciesofGod,toexcitethesonsofmentoloveandpraisehim.—ThomasGoodwin.

Title.—ThisPsalmwaspublishedunderthetitleofAPrayerofDavid;notasifDavidsungallhisprayers,butintosomeofhissongsheinsertedprayers;forapsalmwilladmittheexpressionofanypiousanddevoutaffections.Butitisobservablehowveryplainthelanguageofthispsalmis,andhowlittlethereisinitofpoeticalflightsorfigures,inparisonwithsomeotherpsalms;fortheflourishesofwitarenottheproperornamentsofprayer.—MatthewHenry.

Title.—Therewasmuch,verymuch,ofGod'speculiarcharacter,hisgloriousname,broughttoviewinthecloseofthelastPsalm.Thismayaccountforitsbeingfollowedbyanother,APrayerofDavid,almostequallyfullofthecharacterofJehovah.ThekeynoteofthisPsalmisJehovah'sname.—AndrewA.Bonar.

WholePsalm.ChristpraysthroughoutthewholeofthisPsalm.AllthewordsarespokenexclusivelybyChrist,whoisbothGodandman.—Psalt.Cassiodori,1491.

WholePsalm.InthisPsalmChristtheSonofGodandSonofMan,oneGodwiththeFather,onemanwithmen,towhomweprayasGod,praysintheformofaservant.Forhepraysforus,andhepraysinus,andheisprayedtobyus.HepraysforusasourPriest.HepraysinusasourHead.HeisprayedtobyusasourGod.—Psalt.Pet.Lombard.1474.

Ver.1.Bowdownthineear,OLord.Asthecarefulphysiciandothtohisfeeblepatient:soBasilglossethhere.—JohnTrapp.

Ver.1-4.Poor,holy,trusteth,Icry.Thepetitionerisfirstdescribedaspoor,thenholy,nexttrusting,afterthatcrying,finally,lifteduptoGod.Andeachepithethasitsfittingverb;bowdowntothepoor,preservetheholy,savethetrusting,bemercifultohimwhocries,rejoicetheliftedup.ItisthewholegamutoflovefromtheIncarnationtotheAscension;ittellsusthatChrist'shumiliationwillbeourgloryandjoy.—NealeandLittledale'smentary.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.1.

1.Asingularrequest—thattheLordshouldbowhisear.

2.Asingularplea—"Iampoorandneedy."

3.ThesingulargraceofGodwillanswertherequest,becausesingulargracehasmadethepetitionerfeelhisneed.

Psalms86:2(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.2.Preservemysoul.Letmylifebesafefrommyenemies,andmyspiritualnaturebesecurefromtheirtemptations.Hefeelshimselfunsafeexcepthebecoveredbythedivineprotection.

ForIamholy.Iamsetapartforholyuses,thereforedonotletthineenemiesmitasacrilegebyinjuringordefilingme:Iamclearofthecrimeslaidtomycharge,andinthatsenseinnocent;therefore,Ibeseechthee,donotallowmetosufferfromunjustcharges:andIaminoffensive,meek,andgentletowardsothers,thereforedealmercifullywithmeasIhavedealtwithmyfellowmen.Anyoftheserenderingsmayexplainthetext,perhapsalltogetherwillexpounditbest.Itisnotselfrighteousingoodmentopleadtheirinnocenceasareasonforescapingfromtheresultsofsinswrongfullyascribedtothem;penitentsdonotbedaubthemselveswithmirefortheloveofit,ormakethemselvesouttobeworsethantheyareoutofplimenttoheaven.No,thehumblestsaintisnotafool,andheisaswellawareofthematterswhereinheisclearasofthosewhereinhemustcry"peccavi."Topleadguiltytooffenceswehavenevermittedisasgreatalieasthedenialofourrealfaults.

OthoumyGod,savethyservantthattrustethinthee.LestanymanshouldsupposethatDavidtrustedinhisownholinessheimmediatelydeclaredhistrustintheLord,andbeggedtobesavedasonewhowasnotholyinthesenseofbeingperfect,butwasevenyetinneedoftheveryclementsofsalvation.Howsweetisthattitle,"myGod",whenjoinedtotheother,"thyservant";andhowsweetisthehopethatonthisgroundweshallbesaved;seeingthatourGodisnotliketheAmalekitishmasterwholefthispoorsickservanttoperish.NotehowDavid'spoorIam(orrathertheIrepeatedwithouttheam)appealstothegreatIAMwiththatsacredboldnessengenderedbythenecessitywhichbreaksthroughstonewalls,aidedbythefaithwhichremovesmountains.

EXPLANATORYNOTESANDQUAINTSAYINGS.

Ver2.Holy.Thewordhasbeenvariouslytranslated:—Godly,DeMuis,Ainsworthandothers;charitable,orbeneficent,Piscator;mercifulortenderhearted,Mariana;diligentlyorearnestlypassionate,Vatablus;meek,Calvin;abelovedone,VersionofAmericanBibleUnion;onewhomthoulovest,Perowne;adevotedordedicatedman,—Weiss.

Ver.2.ForIamHoly.SomehaveobjectedtoDavid'spleadinghisowngoodcharacter;butifhedidnotgobeyondthetruth,andtheoccasioncalledforit,therewasnothingwronginhissodoing.Job,David,Peter,JohnandPaulalldidit,Job27:5Ps116:16Joh21:15-17Re1:101Co9:1.NorisitpresumptuoustoaskGodtoshowmercytousforweshowittoothers;ortoforgiveusforweforgiveothers,Mt5:76:14-15.—WilliamS.Plumer.

Ver.2.Iamholy...thyservantwhichtrustethinthee.Theythatareholy,yetmustnottrustinthemselves,orintheirownrighteousness,butonlyinGodandhisgrace.—MatthewHenry.

Ver.2.Savethyservantthattrustethinthee.WhenGodsaveshisservant,hesaveswhatbelongstohimself;and,whenhesaveshimthattrustsinhim,heshowshimselftobejustandfaithful,incarryingoutwhathepromised.—Bellarmine.

Ver.2-5.TheaspirationsafterholinesswhicharefoundinthisPsalm,coupledwithitsearnestinvocationofmercyfromtheGodwithwhomthereisforgiveness,renderitpeculiarlyapplicabletothosewhosedailyaccessistoathroneofneededgrace.ChristiansknowthatwhiletheirstandingistheblamelessperfectionoftheLordtheirrighteouness,theyareinmanythingsoffendersstill.NordoweeverfullyprovethepreciousnessofJesusasourportion,exceptwearedrawntohimbythatSpiritwhichrevealstousanakednessandpovertywithinourselves,whichhisblessedfulnesscanaloneredress.

Thereisaconsciousnessofpersonalsanctificationthroughfaith(Ps86:2)associatedwithanacutelysensitiveperceptionofintrinsicworthlessness,suchasonlyfindsreliefintheremembranceofunalteredgrace(Ps86:5),which,totheexercisedspiritofonereallygrowingintheknowledgeofGod,willaddressitselfwithanespecialacceptance.—ArthurPridham.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.2.

1.Theblessingsoughtispresent,spiritual,pleteandfinalpreservation.

2.Ourreasonsforexpectingitare—

(a)OurbelongingtoGod—"Iamholy."

(b)God'sbelongingtous—"myGod."

(c)Ourfaith,whichhasthepromise.

(d)Ourfruits,whichproveourfaith—"thyservant"

Psalms86:3(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.3.Bemercifuluntome,OLord.Thebestofmenneedmercy,andappealtomercy,yeatonothingelsebutmercy;theyneeditforthemselves,andcraveiteagerlyoftheirGodasapersonalrequisite.

ForIcryuntotheedaily.Istherenotapromisethatimportunityshallprevail?Maywenot,then,pleadourimportunityasanargumentwithGod?Hewhoprayseveryday,andalltheday,forsothewordmaymean,mayrestassuredthattheLordwillhearhiminthedayofhisneed.Ifwecriedsometimestoman,orotherfalseconfidences,wemightexpecttobereferredtotheminthehourofourcalamity,butifinallformertimeswehavelookedtotheLordalone,wemaybesurethathewillnotdesertusnow.SeehowDavidpleaded,firstthathewaspoorandneedy,nextthathewastheLord'ssetapartone,thenthathewasGod'sservantandhadlearnedtotrustintheLord,andlastlythathehadbeentaughttopraydaily;surelythesearesuchholypleadingsasanytriedbelievermayemploywhenwrestlingwithaprayerhearingGod,andwithsuchweaponsthemosttremblingsuppliantmayhopetowintheday.

EXPLANATORYNOTESANDQUAINTSAYINGS.

Ver.3.Bemercifuluntome.Lestanyshouldbytheformerwords,("Iamholy",)suspecthimtobeameritmonger,hebeggethmercywithinstancyandconstancyofrequest.—JohnTrapp.

Ver.3.Icryuntotheedaily.Agreatdifferencebetweensaintsandsinnersinprayeristhatsinnerswhoprayatall,prayonlywhentheyareintrouble,whereassaintscrydailyuntoGod.pareJob27:10.—WilliamS.Plumer.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.3.—Importunity.

1.Whenshepleads—"daily".

2.Howshepleads—"Icry".

3.Towhomshepleads—"untothee".

4.Forwhatshepleads—"bemerciful".

Ver.3.—Iwillcrydailyforpardoning,sanctifying,assisting,preserving,providingandguidingmercy.—WilliamJay.

Psalms86:4(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.4.Rejoicethesoulofthyservant.Makemyheartglad,OmyMaker,forIcountitmyhonourtocallmyselfagainandagainthyservant,andIreckonthyfavourtobeallthewagesIcoulddesire.Ilookforallmyhappinessintheeonly,andtherefore

untothee,OLord,doIliftupmysoul.Astheheliotropelookstothesunforitssmile,soturnImyhearttothee.Thouartasthebrazenserpenttomysicknature,andIliftupmysoul'seyetotheethatImaylive.IknowthatthenearerIamtotheethegreaterismyjoy,thereforebepleasedtodrawmenearerwhileIamlabouringtodrawnear.Itisnoteasytoliftasoulatall;itneedsastrongshoulderatthewheelwhenaheartsticksinthemiryclayofdespondency:itislesseasytoliftasouluptotheLord,fortheheightisgreataswellastheweightoppressive;buttheLordwilltakethewillforthedeed,andeinwithahandofalmightygracetoraisehispoorservantoutoftheearthanduptoheaven.

EXPLANATORYNOTESANDQUAINTSAYINGS.

Ver.4.Rejoicethesoulofthyservant,etc.AsIhavenotfoundrestinanythingcreated,IhaveraisedupmysoulonthewingsofthoughtanddesiretotheemyCreator.Lovebearsone'ssoulup;andithasbeentrulysaid,thatthesoulismorewhereitloves,thanwhereitactuallyis.Thoughtanddesirearethewingsoflove;forhethatlovesisborneonto,andabidesin,whatheloves,bythinkingconstantlyon,andlongingfor,theobjectofhislove.Whoevertruly,andfromhisheart,lovesGod,bythinkingonhimandlongingforhimliftsuphissoultoGod;while,onthecontrary,whoeverlovestheearth,bythinkingonandcovetingthethingsoftheearth,letshissouldowntoitslevel.—Bellarmine.

Ver.4.Untothee,Lord,doIliftmysoul.Ifthouhadstcorninthyroomsbelow,thouwouldesttakeituphigher,lestitshouldgrowrotten.Wouldestthouremovethycorn,anddostthousufferthyhearttorotontheearth?Thouwouldesttakethycornuphigher:liftupthyhearttoheaven.AndhowcanI,dostthousay?Whatropesareneeded?Whatmachines?Whatladders?Thyaffectionsarethesteps;thywilltheway.Bylovingthoumountest,byneglectthoudescendest.Standingontheearththouartinheaven,ifthoulovestGod.Fortheheartisnotsoraisedasthebodyisraised:thebodytobeliftedupchangesitsplace:thehearttobeliftedupchangesitswill.—Augstine.

Ver.4.Untothee,OLord,doIliftmysoul,intimatesthathehadbroughthimselftotheLordasalivingsacrifice,evenastheheaveofferinginthetabernacle—toshowthatitbelongedtoGodandtohisaltar,and,thatmanhadnopartinit—wasliftedupbythehandsofthepriests.—BenjaminWeiss.

Ver.4.—Iliftupmysoul.Itdenotesthedevotion,fervency,heartiness,andsincerityofhisprayer;thedoingofitwithatrueheart,theliftingupoftheheartwiththehandsuntoGod,La3:41;orbywayofofferinguntotheLord,notthebodyonly,butthesoulorheartalso;orasadepositionmittedintoishands.—JohnGill.

Ver.4.Lord.Here,andinalltheversesinthispsalmwhereyndaAdonai,occurs,manyMSSreadhwhy,Yehovah.TheJews,outofreverencetotheinmunicablenameJehovahpronounceyndawherehwhyisinthetext.Itis,therefore,notimprobablethathwhyisinthetruereadinginalltheseplaces.—NotetoCalvininloc.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.4.

1.Thebeliever'sjoyisfromGod—"Rejoice",&c.

2.Thebeliever'sjoyisinGod—"untothee",&c.—G.R.

Ver.4.

1.Thegreatlift.

(a)Theheavyweight—"mysoul".

2.Theweakworker—"Ilift".

3.Thegreatheight—"untothee".

4.Theappointedmachinery—meansofgrace;and,

5.Theexpectedaid—"Rejoice",etc.

Psalms86:5(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.5.Forthou,Lord,artgood,andreadytoforgive.Goodatgivingandforgiving;supplyinguswithhisgood,andremovingourevil.HerewasthegreatreasonwhythePsalmistlookedtotheLordaloneforhisjoy,becauseeveryjoycreatingattributeistobefoundinperfectioninJehovahalone.Somemenwhowouldbeconsideredgoodaresoselfexultinglyindignantattheinjuriesdonethembyothers,thattheycannotforgive;butwemayrestassuredthatthebetterabeingis,themorewillingheistoforgive,andthebestandhighestofalliseverreadytoblotoutthetransgressionsofhiscreatures.

Andplenteousinmercyuntoallthemthatcalluponthee.Goddoesnotdispensehismercyfromaslenderstorewhichperchancemaybesoimpoverishedastogiveoutaltogether,butoutofacornucopiaehepoursforththeinfiniterichesofhismercy:hisgoodnessflowsforthinaboundingstreamstowardsthosewhoprayandinadoringworshipmakementionofhisname.DavidseemstohavestoodinthecleftoftherockwithMoses,andtohaveheardthenameoftheLordproclaimedevenasthegreatlawgiverdid,forintwoplacesinthispsalmhealmostquotesverbatimthepassageinEx34:6—"TheLordGod,mercifulandgracious,longsuffering,andabundantingoodnessandtruth."

EXPLANATORYNOTESANDQUAINTSAYINGS.

Ver.5.Forthou,Lord,artgood,andwhithershouldbeggarsgobuttothedoorofthegoodhousekeeper?—MatthewHenry.

Ver.5.Readytoforgive.ThemercyofGodisareadymercy,andhispardonsarereadyforhispeople;hispardonsandmerciesarenottoseek,hehaththemathand,heisgoodandreadytoforgive.Whereasmostmen,thoughtheywillforgive,yettheyarenotreadytoforgive,theyarehardlybroughttoit,thoughtheydoitatlast.ButGodis"readytoforgive";hehath,asitwere,pardonsreadydrawn(asamanwhowouldbereadytodoabusiness,hewillhavesuchwritingsasconcernthepassingofitready);thereisnothingtodobuttoputinthedateandthename;yeaindeed,thedateandthenameareputinfromalleternity.ThustheScripturespeakstoshowhowforwardGodistodogood;heneedsnotsethishearttoit;hisheartiseverintheexactestfitness.—JosephCaryl.

Ver.5.Plenteousinmercy.Itisathingmarvellouslysatisfactoryandpleasingtotheheartofamantobestilltakingfromagreatheap;anduponthisgroundarethoseproverbialsayings,Thereisnofishingliketoafishinginthesea;noserviceliketheserviceofaking:becauseinonethereisthegreatestplentyandabundanceofthatkindofpleasurethatfisherslookafter;andforthemthatserve,andmustlivebytheirservice,thereisnonelikethatofprinces,becausetheyhaveabundanceofrewardandopportunitywherebytorepensetheservicesofthosethatdowaitandattenduponthem...

AnduponthesamegroundisitthattheScriptures,inseveralplaces,donotonlyassertandtestifythatGodismercifulandgracious,butabundantinmercyandfullofgrace;andnotsimplythatthereisredemptioninhim,butplenteousnessofredemption:Ps103:8130:7Isa55:7;"Letthewickedforsakehisway",etc.;"LethimreturnuntotheLordandhewillhavemercy;anduntoourGod,forliewillabundantlypardon."Themoditywhichwestandinneedofismercyandthepardonofoursins,incasewehavebeenunholyandungodlycreatures;thismodityisabundantlyinGod.Thereitistreasuredupaswatersareinthestorehouseofthesea;thereisnoendofthetreasuresofhisgrace,mercy,pardon,andpassion.Thereisnoman,beinginwant,buthadtentimesrathergotoarichman'sdoortoberelieved,thantothedoorofapoorman,ifheknoweththerichmantobeasliberalandbountifullydisposedasthepoormancanbe.—JohnGoodwin.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.5.—EncouragingthoughtsofGod.

1.Hehasgoodnessinhisessence.

2.Hehasforgivenessinreadiness.

3.Hehasmercyinaction,flowingforthfromhimplenteously.

4.Hisverydiscriminationisgracious—"allthemthatcalluponhim."

Psalms86:6(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.6.Giveear,OLORD,untomyprayer.Eventheglorywhichhisspirithadbehelddidnotwithdrawhimfromhisprayer,butratherurgedhimtobemoreferventinit;henceheimplorestheLordtohearhisrequests.

Attendtothevoiceofmysupplications.Herearerepetitions,butnotvainrepetitions.Whenachildcriesitrepeatsthesamenote,butitisequallyinearnesteverytime,andsowasitwiththesupplianthere.Notetheexpression,"thevoiceofmysupplications",asiftheywerenotallvoicebutwerepartlymadeupofinarticulatenoise,yetamidmuchthatwassuperfluoustherereallywasadistinctvoice,aninnermeaning,alivingsensewhichwastheheart'sintention.ThishewouldhavetheLordsiftoutfromthechaff,andhearamidthemingleddin.Mayourprayersneverbevoiceless;maythesoul'sintentalwaysgivethemalivecoreofmeaning.

EXPLANATORYNOTESANDQUAINTSAYINGS.

Ver6.Supplicationsytwnwxt,deprecations.ThePsalmistformsapeculiarHebrewword,feminineplural,notfoundelsewhere,toconveymoreimpressivelytheideaofsuppliantweakness.—A.R.Fausset.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.6.Theprayingmandesiresaboveallthingsananswer.Objectionstosuchanexpectation.Groundsforcontinuingtoexpect,anddutiesincumbentuponthosewhorealisesuchexpectations.

Ver.6.Thevoiceofsupplication.Itisthevoiceofweakness,ofpenitence,offaith,ofhope,ofthenewnature,ofknowledge,&c.

Psalms86:7(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.7.InthedayofmytroubleIwillcalluponthee:forthouwiltanswerme.Apiousresolvebackedbyajudiciousreason.Itisuselesstocrytothosewhocannotorwillnothear;onceconvincementhatprayerhasnoeffectuponGod,andtheywillhavenomoreofit.Inthesebusydaysandespeciallyintroubloustimes,mencannotaffordtowastetimeinentreatieswhichmustbeunavailing.OurexperienceconfirmsusinthebeliefthatJehovahthelivingGodreallydoesaidthosewhocalluponhim,andthereforeweprayandmeantopray,notbecausewearesofascinatedbyprayerthatforitsownsakewewouldcontinueinitifitprovedtobemerefollyandsuperstition,asvainphilosophersassert;butbecausewereally,indeed,andofatruth,findittobeapracticalandeffectualmeansofobtaininghelpfromGodinthehourofneed.TherecanbenoreasonforprayingiftherebenoexpectationoftheLord'sanswering.Whowouldmakeaconscienceofpleadingwiththewinds,orfindasolaceinsupplicatingthewaves?Themercyseatisamockeryiftherebenohearingnoranswering.David,asthefollowingversesshow,believedtheLordtobealivingandpotentGod,andindeedtobe"Godalone",anditwasonthataccountthatheresolvedineveryhouroftroubletocalluponhim.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.7.

1.Helpneeded.

2.Helpsought.

3.Helpfound.—G.R.

Ver.7.

1.Atimetobeexpected—"dayofmytrouble".

2.Aresolvetobepractised—"Iwillcalluponthee."

3.Aresulttobeexperienced—"thouwiltanswerme".

Ver.7.—Prayeristhedesignoftrouble,theevidencethatitissanctified,itssolace,andthemediumofdeliverancefromit.—WilliamJay.

Psalms86:8(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.8.Amongthegodsthereisnonelikeuntothee,OLord.Therearegodsbydelegatedoffice,suchaskingsandmagistrates,buttheyareasnothinginthepresenceofJehovah;therearealsogodsbythenominationofsuperstition,butthesearevanityitself,andcannotbeparedwiththelivingandtrueGod.Eveniftheheathenidolsweregods,noneoftheminpowerorevenincharacter,couldbelikeneduntotheselfexistent,allcreatingGodofIsrael.Ifeveryimaginarydeitycouldstartintoactualexistence,andbeereallydivine,yetwouldwechooseJehovahtobeourGod,andrejectallothers.

Neitherarethereanyworkslikeuntothyworks.Whathavethefalsegodsevermadeorunmade?Whatmiracleshavetheywrought?Whendidtheydivideasea,ormarchthroughawildernessscatteringbreadfromtheskies?OJehovah,inthypersonandinthyworks,thouartasfaraboveallgodsastheheavensareabovethenethermostabyss.

EXPLANATORYNOTESANDQUAINTSAYINGS.

Ver.8-10.—Therearetwokindsofdoubtwhicharewontinthehouroftemptationtoassailthesoul:thedoubtastoGod'swillingness,andthedoubtastoGod'spowertosuccour.ThefirstofthesethePsalmisthasalreadyputfromhim;henowshowsthathehasoverethesecond.Godisableaswellaswillingtohelp,andeverybeingonthefaceoftheearthwhoreceiveshelp,receivesitfromthehandofHimwhoistheonlyGod,andwhoshallonedayberecognized(sospeaksthestrongprophetichopewithinhim,Ps86:9)astheonlyGod.—J.J.S.Perowne.

HINTSTOTHEVILLAGEPREACHER.

Ver.8.

1.Godisone;theonlyGod:charactersoffalsegodsinferiorfar.

2.Hisworksareunique.Nature,providence,grace,allpeculiarinmanyrespects.Agoodthemeforathoughtfulpreacher.

Psalms86:9(PSALMS)

EXPOSITION.

Ver.9.Allnationswhomthouhastmade,andtheseincludeallmankind,sincetheyalleofthefirstAdam—thycreature,andtheirlivesarealldistinctcreationsofthineomnipotence.Alltheseshallewithpenitenthearts,inthineownway,tothineownself,andworshipbeforethee,OLord.Becausethouartthusaboveallgods,thepeoplewhohavebeensolongdeceivedshallatlastdiscoverthygreatness,andshallrendertheetheworshipwhichisthydue:thouhastcreatedthemall,anduntotheeshalltheyallyieldhomage.ThiswasDavid'sreasonforresortingtotheLordintrouble,forhefeltthatonedayallmenwouldacknowledgetheLordtobetheonlyGod.Itmakesuscontenttobeinthem