A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part ר
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Vers. 153. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
In this section he prayeth for delivery out of his affliction, and for quickening of him, by consolation and spiritual ability, to serve God till the delive…y came; and to strengthen himself in the hope of obtaining this, he bringeth forth eight reasons of his petition. The first is, the conscience of his adherence unto, and endeavour to obey the Lords Word. Whence learn, 1. Albeit the Lord cannot but see and consider our trouble, yet we can hardly rest satisfied, till he by real effect make it evident that he piti…th us in our affliction, and delivereth us out of it: Consider mine affliction, and deliver me. 2. As no trouble or tentation should drive us from the obedience of Gods Word, so the more closely we adhere to the Word in the obedience of faith▪ the more may we be assured to be delivered: Deliver me, for I do not forget thy law.
Ver. 154. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy Word.
He urgeth the same petition, and insinuateth a second reason for it, from the Lords engagement by his Word, to be Advocate for him, to deliver him, and to quicken him. Whence learne, 1 Albeit the godly under persecution have a good cause, yet they cannot plead it, except God their Redeemer shew himself as Advocate for them: therefore prayeth the Psalmist, Plead my cause. 2. When God the Redeemer pleadeth a mans cause, he doth it to purpose really and effectually: Plead my cause, and deliver me. 3. Except the Lords Clients shall finde new influence from God from time to time in their troubles, they are but as dead men in their exercise: for, Quieken me, importeth this. 4. Till we find lively encouragement given to us in trouble, we must adhere to the Word of promise: Quicken me according to thy Word. 5. What the believer hath need of, that God hath not only a will to supply, but also an office to attend it, and power to effectuate it, as here he hath the office of an Advocate, and of a powerful Redeemer also, wherein the believer may confidently give him daily employment, as he needeth; Plead my cause, and deliver me, quicken me according to thy Word.
Ver. 155. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
A third reason of his petition of delivery is, because the wicked who misregard Gods commands when they fal into trouble, are far from delivery. Whence learn, 1. The wicked have neither rght to salvation, nor to temporal delivery from trouble when they fall into it; Salvation is far from the wicked. 2. It is the mark of a wicked person to misregard, or not to care to know and obey Gods Word: Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not thy statutes. 3. Salvation is near to those that make conscience to obey Gods Word, how strait soever their condition shall seem, for so much doth the force of this reason import.
Ver. 156. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgements.
A fourth reason of his petition is, because Gods tender mercies are great, and therefore the Psalmist may expect the influence of life till he be delivered. Whence learn, 1. When the godly do think or speak of the damnable condition of the wicked, they should not be senselesse of their own deserving, nor of Gods grace, which hath made the difference between the wicked and them; Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord. 2. As the mercies of the Lord, which are the fountain of all the benefits which the believer doth ask, are very excellent in themselves: so are they in the estimation of the believer, when he looketh upon them: they are many and mother-like, tender and great; Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord. 3. Spiritual life is subject to often fainting, and hath need frequently to be supported and restored by the believers looking on the promise, and presenting of his case unto God on the one hand, and by Gods granting of the petition on the other hand: Quicken me according to thy judgements.
Vers. 157. Many are my persecutors, and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
A fifth reason of his petition is, because he had many persecutors, and yet did adhere to Gods Word. Whence learn, 1. As it is no strange thing to see the godliest men exposed most to persecution; so it is no small measure of grace which God bestoweth on them, to bear out the truth against all opposition; Many are my persecutors and mine enemies, yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. 2. He who continueth in the▪ faith and obedience of the Word against persecution, may expect sustenance and consolation in his trouble, and delivery out of it: for this is the force of the reason.
Vers. 158. I beheld the transgressours, and was grieved; because they kept not thy Word.
A sixth reason of his petition is, because he was sorrowful to see his enemies provoke God by their transgressions. VVhence learn, 1. Anger, grief, indignation and loathing (which the word in the original doth bear) are lawful in Gods quarrel against sin; I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved, because they kept not thy word. 2. He who is affected with grief, anger and vexation for Gods cause▪ when he seeth God provoked by transgressors, may expect consolation and strength to himself in the defence of Gods cause, as the force of the reason doth import.
Ver. 159. Consider how I love thy Precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy loving kindnesse.
A seventh reason of his petition is, because he did sincerely love the Lords Word, and therefore expected to be quickened in the sense of Gods kindnesse. Whence learn, 1. It is a mark of true zeal for God, which floweth from love of the Lords Word, and he who findeth this mark in himself, may offer it to God for a proof of his sincerity; Consider how I love thy Precepts. 2. He who can approve his love to Gods Word, and his zeal for God to be sincere, may expect consolation and strength from God in his need, as the reason doth prove. 3. So oft as we finde deadnesse in our spirits, so oft should we run to Gods kindnesse, the fountain of life to repaire it: Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy loving kindnesse.
Vers. 160. Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever.
The eighth reason of his petition is, because the Word of God, and every part of it, according whereunto he craved comfort and delivery out of his trouble, was true and unchangeable for ever. Whence learn, 1. Such is the excellency of the Word of God, as neither it can be sufficiently commended, nor the believer satisfie himself in commmendation thereof, as this among many commendations doth testifie. 2. Truth, and all truth is the short summe of the whole Scripture, from the beginning to the ending of it nothing but truth; nothing allowed in it but righteousnesse: Thy Word is true from the beginning, and every one of thy righteous judgements endure for ever. 3. He who foundeth his prayer for comfort and delivery on the rock of Gods faithful and righteous Word, may be sure to obtain his request: as the force of this reason doth evidence.