A Brief Explication of the First Fifty Psalms, Psalm 40
PSAL. XL. To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
David as a type of Christ in the whole Psalme, and as an example of the exercise of the godly, giveth thanks for the experience of Gods delivering of him out of a notable trouble, verse 1, 2, 3, 4. In the second place, he is led on in his thanksgiving to praise God for the great work of Redemption by Christ the Son of God coming into the world, which is the fountain of all other mercies to the Saints, verse 5, 6, 7.8. In the third place, David in type, and Christ in the accomplishment, giving accompt of his propheticall office, intercedeth and prayeth for the evidence of Gods favour to himself personally and mystically considered, vers. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. and for disappointment of his enemies, vers. 14, 15. and for the comfort of all the godly beholding his exercise and his delivery which he confidently doth expect, vers. 16, 17.
Ver. 1. I Waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3. And he hath put a new Song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust: and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
In his thanksgiving, Learn, 1. As the Lord of set purpose delayeth to answer the prayer of his own, and suspendeth to help them out of trouble for a time, that he may try and train their faith to a better measure; so the believer must resolve to wait on patiently, I waited patiently for the Lord. 2. Albeit waiting for the time is joyned with languour and grief, yet the remembrance of it is sweet, and it wants not a blessing following it, I waited, and he enclined to me, and heard my cry. 3. The godly may be brought in their trouble to as desperate like condition, as a man faln in a horrible deep and dark pit, sinking in miry clay, out of which there is no appearance of relief: in which case as the greatness of the danger commendeth the faith of him that calleth upon God, and waiteth for him; So doth it commend Gods wisdome, power, goodness and faithfulness in delivering the patient waiter. To this end saith the Psalmist, He brought me out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay. 4. The man who dependeth on the Lord when he is delivered out of trouble, is not left to himself, but the Lords care attendeth him to guide him after his delivery; He brought me out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 5. As it is a part of our duty to glorifie God after every mercy, and in a speciall manner when the mercy is very notable: So it is a new gift of God to enable a man to give thanks, and praise for the mercy received; therefore it is put for a point of thanksgiving, He hath put a new song in my mouth. 6. As the experience of Gods mercy to one who is in Covenant with God, is the encouragement of all believers: so should it be the common matter of praise unto God from them all, therefore doth he call the praises which he did sing, The praises of our God. 7. The right observation of Gods mercy to his children, especially when he will shew himself eminently, is able to strike a man with much awe and reverence of God, who is fearful, even in his praises; Many shall hear and fear. 8. Then do we make right observation of Gods mercy to his children, when thereby we encourage our selves to look for the like mercy, when we call for it in our need; Many shall hear and fear, and trust in the Lord. 9. As the preciousness of faith is not seen in the time of trial, so well as after the victory; so the fruit of it when it is seen is no less then true blessedness: Blessed is the man who maketh the Lord his trust. 10. All true believers are humble towards God, and of a high spirit against whatsoever cometh in competition with him, and will despise every mans way who regardeth not him: So the mis-believer is proud toward God and his truth, but a base subject of his own spirit, and to lying vanities; for the believer here is opposed to the proud, and to such as turn aside to lies.
Ver. 5. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works, which thou hast done, and thy thoughts, which are to us-ward; they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are moe then can be numbred.
In the second place he is led up to the consideration of Gods wonderful care and providence about men, and in special to the work of Redemption by Christs coming into the world. Whence learn, 1. One of the Lords wonderful works of providence wel meditated upon, may and should lead us to the consideration of many other his works of that kind, Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works, which thou hast done. 2. The works of Gods providence about us should lead us up to the counsel of God, to behold his care of us, his minde and purpose to us-ward, who are brought into Covenant with him, for confirming of our faith in him; Many, O Lord my God, are thy thoughts which are to us-ward. 3. Albeit the Lords deep thoughts and works of wonder about his own people, be unspeakable, unsearchable, and innumerable, yet must we not cease to look upon them, and speak of them in heap when we cannot attain to them in tale, They cannot be reckoned up in order to thee: If I should declare and speak of them, they are moe then can be numbred.
Ver. 6. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, mine ears hast thou opened; burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.
7. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me.
8. I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy Law is within my heart.
He condescends upon a particular which did overcome his declaration and searching, to wit, the Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Son coming into the world, some articles whereof he toucheth, as they are rehearsed by the Son speaking here by his Spirit. Whence learn, 1. The work of Redemption by Christ, the Covenant betwixt the Father and the Son about our Redemption, the incarnation of the Son of God, and the course of the salvation of the redeemed, is one of the most wonderful things that ever was heard tell of, wherein so many wonderful works of God, so many wonderful thoughts of God about us do concur, that they can neither be declared nor numbered, nor set in order: for this work here touched is set down for an instance of what was said in the former verse; now that this is spoken by Christ, the Apostle, Heb 10.5, 6. &c. doth shew unto us. 2. Albeit sacrifices & oblations were appointed to be offered before Christ came yet were they not acceptable in themselves, but in respect of the sacrifice of Christ signified by them; not they, but Christ signified by them could take away sin, Sacrifices & offerings thou didst not desire, burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou didst not require, to wit, for any worth in themselves, or by way of real satisfaction for sin. 3. The ceremonial law was not to remain, but to be taken away when Christ came to offer himself, who was foreshadowed by the sacrifices and Levitical ordinances; for, Sacrifices and oblations thou didst not desire, but mine ears thou hast opened ▪ which presupposeth thou hast formed a body unto me, as the Apostle, Heb. 10.5. doth shew; and so the rejecting of the ceremonies, is at the incarnation, or at the forming of the body of Christ, and bringing the Son into the world. 4. The Son of God incarnate becomes voluntarily, a very capable, discreete, ready and obedient servant to the Father for us: Mine ears hast thou opened, to wit, for receiving of every command; or mine ears hast thou boared, as the servants ears were boared under the Law, when he choosed to stay still with his master in service, Exod. 21.5. 5. By offering of burnt-offering God was not satisfied for sin, but only by Christs coming and offering himself a sacrifice once for all, Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required; Then said I, Lo, I come, saith Christ. 6. Both in the book of Gods eternal decrees, and in the book of holy Scripture, this way of taking away the sins of men was established, as the only way to effect it; for that the seed of the woman by his suffering should bruse the head of the Serpent was foretold by God, Gen. 3.15. and Christ was the Lamb slain in the representative sacrifices from the beginning of the world; In the volume of thy book it is written of me. 7. Jesus Christ God incarnate is in Covenant with God the Father, that believers may be in Covenant with God by this means also, therefore doth he call him, O my God: as our Lord, Iob. 20.17. saith I ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and you… God. 8. All Christs sufferings and service done in our name for us, was most willingly and heartily undertaken and discharged by Christ, I delight to do thy will, that is, as the Apostle▪ Heb. 10.10. doth expound, it to perform whatever might sanctifie us throughout for ever. 4. The way of our redemption by Christs doing and suffering for us, is Gods own device, his very will and pleasure; and the obedience of Christ unto the very death of the cro… done in our name unto the Father, hath pleased the Father fully▪ I delight to do thy will, O my God. 10. The Son of God incarnate was perfectly holy, so as he could answer to the law compleatly, and give accompt of it to the Father; yea thy law is within my heart: That these words may be applied to David, and made use of by every believer in their own degree and measure, there is no question: but that they are principally and in the main intention to be applied to Christ speaking of himself, the matter it self doth evidence; for who but he can ascribe to himself the accomplishing of what the typical sacrifices fore-shadowed? who but …e could satisfie for sin, which the sacrifices could not? Again, the Apostle Paul Heb. 10.5, 6, &c. doth clear the matter so, as … ground of doubting is left. In all the Psalm, le… David be as the shadow, but let Christ be the substance.
Ver. 9. I have preached righteousnesse in the great Congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord thou knowest.
10. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart▪ I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving kindness, and thy truth from the great Congregation.
In the third place, as Christ hath given an accompt of the execution of his Priestly Office, in expiation of sin; so here he giveth accompt of his Prophetical office, to make way for his intercession. Whence learn, 1. Christ did not only undertake to suffer for expiation of our sins, but also he undertook to apply to his people, by preaching, the fruits of his sufferings, for their righteousness and salvation, for justifying, sanctifying, and saving the redeemed; I have preached righteousness in the great congregation. 2. The way appointed for application of the grace purchased to the redeemed, is preaching; I have preached righteousness in the great Congregation, in the visible Church, and in all confluences of the redeemed where opportunity is offered. 3. As Christ did not conceal what might save souls, but did communicate it carefully; so should they who are trusted by him to preach without fear sincerely, as they wil be able to answer God, proclaim it, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. 4. The true way of justification of sinners by faith, is a Jewel so precious and necessary for poor souls, that it should not be concealed, I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart. 5. One Sermon on this subject is not sufficient, it is necessary to make this mystery plain, how by faith in Christ the man that flieth to him is justified from his sins, and saved according to the Covenant past between the suffering Mediatour and God the faithful promiser to justifie and save by his own way, I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation. 6. The way of righteousness and salvation purchased unto believers by Jesus Christ, is very solid and compleat; for first, this way of forgiving sins unto us, because of the satisfaction made by Christ for us in his obedience unto the Father, even unto the death of the Cross, is of Gods own devising, and his free-gift; therefore as it is called the righteousnes of God, Rom. 3.21, 22. So here it is called Gods righteousness. O Lord, I have not hid thy righteousnes. And the salvation or eternal life annexed unto this imputed and gifted righteousness bestowed upon the embracer of it, is also of Gods devising, & his free-gift; therefore it is also called his salvation, I have declared thy salvation. Next the certainty and ground of the believers assurance that this righteousness and salvation is made fast unto him, is the truth of God, and faithfulness of God, obliging himself to make good this way of justfication and salvation by the Covenant of redemption made between the Father and the Son our Mediatour, as in the promises of the Covenant of grace is set down in Scripture, which can no more disappoint the believer, then the truth and faithfulness of God can fail, I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation. And last of all, the fountain, spring and rise, and unchangeable ground of righteousness and salvation purchased by the redemption made by Jesus Christ, and applied to us by faith in him, is the meer good will and pleasure of God, the free grace, the free love and bounty of God, without any deserving of the redeemed; I have not concealed thy loving kindness, and thy truth from the great Congregation; This indeed is a solid ground. 7. The plain preaching, declaration, and manifestation of this Gospel with the grounds thereof, is able by the blessing of God to perswade a trembling soul to lay it self over upon Jesus Christ, and to rest upon the unchangeable truth and kindness of God offered to every poor humble sinner, without exception; for the preaching of these things, not refraining of the lips, not hiding of this precious and saving truth, the declaration and not concealing of it, is given up here for the sufficiency of means, to apply the purchased righteousness and salvation by Christ to the redeemed; and this execution of Christs Prophetical Office hath been faithfully performed by him, not only in his personal preaching in the days of his flesh, but also in his Ministers both before his incarnation and since, which also shall be continued from generation, to generation, to the end of the world, maugre all opposition; for Christ shall be able to make no less perfect account of his other Offices then of the Kingly Office, when he shall give up the Kingdome to his Father. 8. What may concern David here as the type of Christ, or as one of the servants of Christ, we take it up in one word, which is this: The more faithful Preachers be to declare the Gospel to the salvation of souls, the more confidence and comfort shall the testimony of their conscience afford to them in the day of their trouble, when they come before God; as the Prophet here by experience findeth.
Ver. 11. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving kindness, and thy truth continually preserve me.
12. For innumerable evils have compassed me about, duplicate page mine iniquities have taken hold upon me; so that I am not able to look up: they are more then the hairs of mine head, therfore my heart faileth me.
13. Be pleased O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD make haste to help me.
Christ having given accompt of his performances, of what was undertaken, intercedeth for the promised mercies to his Mystical body and to himself, as standing in the room of the ransomed; wherin David as the type of Christ, and as a member of Christs mystical body, hath his own place. Whence learn, 1. Because the price of Redemption is holden here as fully payed, and nothing is left unpayed by Christ; therfore the application of the purchased mercy must be granted; for Christ, here speaking, having declared his performance of his part of the Covenant, from ver. 6. to ver. 11. doth now require the performance of promised kindness and mercy to him and his mystical body, saying, Withhold not thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving kindness, and thy truth continually preserve me; and this is a standing petition of the Mediatour, in favour of his afflicted mystical body in all generations. 2. The unchangableness of Gods loving kindness, and truth of promises made in his Covenant, is a solid ground of assurance that the Lord wil not withhold his tender mercies from the afflicted believer; for upon this ground do the parts of his petition run; Withhold not thy tender mercies from me, and let kindness and truth continually preserve me. 3. Albeit the troubles which are inflicted, be drawn on by sin, and be the effects of just wrath for sin, yet are they also the object of tender mercies, when the afflicted do present both their troubles & their sins, which deserved them before Gods merciful eye; for here a reason of hoping for tender mercy▪ is brought from both trouble and sin lying on, for innumerable evils have compassed me about, and mine iniquities have taken hold on me. 4. By vertue of the intercession of Christ, every believer may take up the same supplication in Christs name, and present it in his own behalf unto God, in the time of trouble and necessity; for as David might make this use of it, as one of the members of the mystical body: so may all the rest of believers also; because Christ the Mediatour doth own all the sins of all his redeemed ones as his own, as made his by consent to have them imputed unto him, and hath born the punishment therof so much as may and doth satisfie justice for them. Therfore Christ in the behalf of his redeemed ones, and every believer in Christ for that respect may expect continual preservation by the loving kindness and truth of God laid in pawn for it by the Covenant, when they have recourse to God in the time when trouble and guiltiness doth both set on at once; for the reason of the prayer is so conceived, as it may fit both the Mediatour interceding for his mystical body, and every wearied soul also who is fled to God through Christ by faith in him, that he may find his outgate and deliverance in, with, and for Christ, Let thy loving kindness and truth continually preserve me; for innumerable evils have compassed me about, mine iniquities have taken hold on me. 6. Nothing can so empty a man, and lay him low, and fil him with confusion of face, as his sin pursuing him; Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up. 7. When all that is a mans own, as natural strength, wit, or courage doth fail; yet God doth not fail and faith doth not fail; For here when it is come to this, my heart faileth me, Faith stands up, and in prayer pleadeth for mercy and kindness upon this very reason, because the heart doth fail. 8. As the strait is great, and the burden heavy, and the creature weak: so is the delivery and help neer at hand, Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.
Ver. 14. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soule to destroy it: let them be driven backward and put to shame, that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha!
From this part of his prayer, which is against his enemies: Learn, 1. As the Lord for the intercession of Christ, wil not fail to help his people in trouble; so wil he not miss to disappoint, and bring mischief upon the enemies of his people, how many and how strong soever they be; Let them be confounded together and ashamed that seek after my soul to destroy it. 2. Not only the open persecuters of the godly, but all their ill willers and unfriends, who could be content to see evil come upon Gods Church, shal be punished with the open adversaries; They shall be driven backward and put to shame that wish them evil. 3. The mocking of the godly and putting them to shame, is the shame indeed of the mockers, and not of the godly, upon whom in their suffeings the Spirit of glory doth rest, and therfore shal the wicked scorners bear their own shame and their punishment; Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame, that say unto me, Aha, aha!
Ver. 16. Let all those that seek thee rejoyce and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation, say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17. But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer, make no tar…ying, O my God.
From this prayer that the rest of the godly may have comfort by his delivery, which delivery he doth confidently expect; Learn, 1. As every mercy to every believer giveth a proof of Gods readiness to shew the like mercy to all believers, when they stand in need; so should every mercy shewn to any of the number, being known to the rest, be made the matter and occasion of magnifying the Lord, Let all those that seek thee rejoyce and be glad in thee. 2. The godly whose property it is to be partakers of the affliction of Christ with others, and to seek God, and to wait for the Lords way of delivery, and do love the safety of his people, shal have reason to rejoyce and praise God continually for new evidences of his mercy to his own; Let all those that seek thee rejoyce and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation, say continually, The Lord be magnified. 3. It is an usual condition of the godly, before they be delivered out of any difficulties, to be made once sensible of their own weakness, emptiness, and necessities; as here, I am poor and needy. 4. It is an ordinary exercise of the afflicted, to be despised of the world, and contemned; and this also is a tentation to move them to mistake their own condition before God; for so doth the Psalmist propound the matter before God; But (saith he) I am poor and needy. 5. Whatsoever the world or sense and false suggestions do say of the afflicted, yet faith gives ground of assurance that our base and mean condition is so far from making us loathsome to God, that by the contrary the lower we are brought, the more we are in his heart and estimation; Yet the Lord thinketh upon me; and Gods respecting of us, may easily make up our loss of respect among men. 6. When the believer hath fastned his faith, he may expect shortly his relief, Thou art my help and my deliverer, saith he, and then make no tarrying, O my God.