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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P S A L M S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>PSALM XXII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The Spirit of Christ, which was in the prophets, testifies in this
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psalm, as clearly and fully as any where in all the Old Testament, "the
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sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow"
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:11">1 Pet. i. 11</A>);
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of him, no doubt, David here speaks, and not of himself, or any other
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man. Much of it is expressly applied to Christ in the New Testament,
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all of it may be applied to him, and some of it must be understood of
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him only. The providences of God concerning David were so very
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extraordinary that we may suppose there were some wise and good men who
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then could not but look upon him as a figure of him that was to come.
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But the composition of his psalms especially, in which he found himself
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wonderfully carried out by the spirit of prophecy far beyond his own
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thought and intention, was (we may suppose) an abundant satisfaction to
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himself that he was not only a father of the Messiah, but a figure of
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him. In this psalm he speaks,
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I. Of the humiliation of Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:1-21">ver. 1-21</A>),
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where David, as a type of Christ, complains of the very calamitous
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condition he was in upon many accounts.
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1. He complains, and mixes comforts with his complaints; he complains
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>),
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but comforts himself
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:3-5">ver. 3-5</A>),
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complains again
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:6-8">ver. 6-8</A>),
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but comforts himself again,,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:9,10">ver. 9, 10</A>.
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2. He complains, and mixes prayers with his complaints; he complains
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of the power and rage of his enemies
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:12,13,16,18">ver. 12, 13, 16, 18</A>),
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of his own bodily weakness and decay
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:14,15,17">ver. 14, 15, 17</A>);
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but prays that God would not be far from him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:11,19">ver. 11, 19</A>),
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that he would save and deliver him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:19-21">ver. 19-21</A>.
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II. Of the exaltation of Christ, that his undertaking should be for the
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glory of God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:22-25">ver. 22-25</A>),
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for the salvation and joy of his people
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:26-29">ver. 26-29</A>),
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and for the perpetuating of his own kingdom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:30,31">ver. 30, 31</A>.
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In singing this psalm we must keep our thoughts fixed upon Christ, and
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be so affected with his sufferings as to experience the fellowship of
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them, and so affected with his grace as to experience the power and
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influence of it.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ps22_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sorrowful Complaints.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<CENTER>
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<P>To the chief musician upon Aijeleth Shahar. A psalm of David.</P>
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</CENTER>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? <I>why art thou
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so</I> far from helping me, <I>and from</I> the words of my roaring?
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2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in
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the night season, and am not silent.
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3 But thou <I>art</I> holy, <I>O thou</I> that inhabitest the praises of
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Israel.
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4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst
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deliver them.
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5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in
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thee, and were not confounded.
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6 But I <I>am</I> a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and
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despised of the people.
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7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the
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lip, they shake the head, <I>saying,</I>
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8 He trusted on the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>that</I> he would deliver him: let him
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deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
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9 But thou <I>art</I> he that took me out of the womb: thou didst
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make me hope <I>when I was</I> upon my mother's breasts.
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10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou <I>art</I> my God from
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my mother's belly.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Some think they find Christ in the title of this psalm, upon
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<I>Aijeleth Shahar</I>--<I>The hind of the morning.</I> Christ is as the
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swift hind upon the mountains of spices
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+8:14">Cant. viii. 14</A>),
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as the loving hind and the pleasant roe, to all believers
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+5:19">Prov. v. 19</A>);
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he giveth goodly words like Naphtali, who is compared to a <I>hind let
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loose,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:21">Gen. xlix. 21</A>.
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He is the hind of the morning, marked out by the counsels of God from
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eternity, to be run down by those dogs that compassed him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
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But others think it denotes only the tune to which the psalm was set.
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In these verses we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. A sad complaint of God's withdrawings,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. This may be applied to David, or any other child of God, in the want
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of the tokens of his favour, pressed with the burden of his
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displeasure, roaring under it, as one overwhelmed with grief and
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terror, crying earnestly for relief, and, in this case, apprehending
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himself forsaken of God, unhelped, unheard, yet calling him, again and
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again, "<I>My God,</I>" and continuing to cry day and night to him and
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earnestly desiring his gracious returns. Note,
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(1.) Spiritual desertions are the saints' sorest afflictions; when
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their evidences are clouded, divine consolations suspended, their
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communion with God interrupted, and the terrors of God set in array
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against them, how sad are their spirits, and how sapless all their
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comforts!
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(2.) Even their complaint of these burdens is a good sign of spiritual
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life and spiritual senses exercised. To cry out, "My God, why am I
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sick? Why am I poor?" would give cause to suspect discontent and
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worldliness. But, <I>Why has though forsaken me?</I> is the language of
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a heart binding up its happiness in God's favour.
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(3.) When we are lamenting God's withdrawings, yet still we must call
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him our God, and continue to call upon him as ours. When we want the
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faith of assurance we must live by a faith of adherence. "However it
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be, yet God is good, and he is mine; <I>though he slay me, yet I trust
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in him;</I> though he do not answer me immediately, I will continue
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praying and waiting; though he be silent, I will not be silent."</P>
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<P>
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2. But is must be applied to Christ: for, in the first words of this
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complaint, he poured out his soul before God when he was upon the cross
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+27:46">Matt. xxvii. 46</A>);
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probably he proceeded to the following words, and, some think, repeated
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the whole psalm, if not aloud (because they cavilled at the first
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words), yet to himself. Note,
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(1.) Christ, in his sufferings, cried earnestly to his Father for his
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favour and presence with him. He cried <I>in the day-time,</I> upon the
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cross, <I>and in the night-season,</I> when he was in agony in the
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garden. <I>He offered up strong crying and tears to him that was able
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to save him,</I> and with some fear too,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:7">Heb. v. 7</A>.
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(2.) Yet God forsook him, was far from helping him, and did not hear
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him, and it was this that he complained of more than all his
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sufferings. God delivered him into the hands of his enemies; it was by
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his determinate counsel that he was crucified and slain, and he did not
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give in sensible comforts. But, Christ having made himself sin for us,
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in conformity thereunto the Father laid him under the present
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impressions of his wrath and displeasure against sin. <I>It pleased
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the Lord to bruise him and put him to grief,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:10">Isa. liii. 10</A>.
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But even then he kept fast hold of his relation to his Father as his
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God, by whom he was now employed, whom he was now serving, and with
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whom he should shortly be glorified.</P>
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<P>
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II. Encouragement taken, in reference hereunto,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:3-5"><I>v.</I> 3-5</A>.
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Though God did not hear him, did not help him, yet,
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1. He will think well of God: "<I>But thou art holy,</I> not unjust,
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untrue, nor unkind, in any of thy dispensations. Though thou dost not
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immediately come in to the relief of thy afflicted people, yet though
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lovest them, art true to thy covenant with them, and dost not
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countenance the iniquity of their persecutors,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+1:13">Hab. i. 13</A>.
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And, as thou art infinitely pure and upright thyself, so thou
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delightest in the services of thy upright people: <I>Thou inhabitest
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the praises of Israel;</I> thou art pleased to manifest thy glory, and
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grace, and special presence with thy people, in the sanctuary, where
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they attend thee with their praises. There thou art always ready to
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receive their homage, and of the tabernacle of meeting thou hast said,
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<I>This is my rest for ever.</I>" This bespeaks God's wonderful
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condescension to his faithful worshippers--(that, though he is attended
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with the praises of angels, yet he is pleased to inhabit the praises of
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Israel), and it may comfort us in all our complaints--that, though God
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seem, for a while, to turn a deaf ear to them, yet he is so well
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pleased with his people's praises that he will, in due time, give them
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cause to change their note: <I>Hope in God, for I shall yet praise
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him.</I> Our Lord Jesus, in his sufferings, had an eye to the holiness
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of God, to preserve and advance the honour of that, and of his grace in
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inhabiting the praises of Israel notwithstanding the iniquities of
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their holy things.
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2. He will take comfort from the experiences which the saints in former
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ages had of the benefit of faith and prayer
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>):
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"<I>Our fathers trusted in thee, cried unto thee, and thou didst
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deliver them;</I> therefore thou wilt, in due time, deliver me, for
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never any that hoped in thee were made ashamed of their hope, never any
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that sought thee sought thee in vain. And thou art still the same in
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thyself and the same to thy people that ever thou wast. They were our
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fathers, and thy people are <I>beloved for the fathers' sake,</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:28">Rom. xi. 28</A>.
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The entail of the covenant is designed for the support of the seed of
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the faithful. He that was our fathers' God must be ours, and will
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therefore be ours. Our Lord Jesus, in his sufferings, supported himself
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with this--that all the fathers who were types of him in his
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sufferings, Noah, Joseph, David, Jonah, and others, were in due time
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delivered and were types of his exaltation too; therefore he knew that
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<I>he also should not be confounded,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:7">Isa. l. 7</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. The complaint renewed of another grievance, and that is the
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contempt and reproach of men. This complaint is by no means so bitter
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as that before of God's withdrawings; but, as that touches a gracious
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soul, so this a generous soul, in a very tender part,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:6-8"><I>v.</I> 6-8</A>.
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Our fathers were honoured, the patriarchs in their day, first or last,
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appeared great in the eye of the world, Abraham, Moses, David; but
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Christ is <I>a worm, and no man.</I> It was great condescension that he
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became man, a step downwards, which is, and will be, the wonder of
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angels; yet, as if it were too much, too great, to be a man, he becomes
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a worm, and no man. He was <I>Adam--a mean man,</I> and <I>Enosh--a man
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of sorrows,</I> but <I>lo Ish--not a considerable man:</I> for he took
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upon him the form of a servant, and <I>his visage was marred more than
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any man's,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+52:14">Isa. lii. 14</A>.
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Man, at the best, is a worm; but he became <I>a worm, and no man.</I>
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If he had not made himself a worm, he could not have been trampled upon
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as he was. The word signifies such a worm as was used in dyeing scarlet
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or purple, whence some make it an allusion to his bloody sufferings.
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See what abuses were put upon him.
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1. He was reproached as a bad man, as a blasphemer, a sabbath-breaker,
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a wine-bibber, a false prophet, an enemy to Cæsar, a confederate
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with the prince of the devils.
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2. He was despised of the people as a mean contemptible man, not worth
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taking notice of, his country in no repute, his relations poor
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mechanics, his followers none of the rulers, or the Pharisees, but the
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mob.
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3. He was ridiculed as a foolish man, and one that not only deceived
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others, but himself too. Those that saw him hanging on the cross
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laughed him to scorn. So far were they from pitying him, or concerning
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themselves for him, that they added to his afflictions, with all the
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gestures and expressions of insolence upbraiding him with his fall.
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They make mouths at him, make merry over him, and make a jest of his
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sufferings: <I>They shoot out the lip, they shake their head,</I>
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saying, This was he that said <I>he trusted God would deliver him; now
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let him deliver him.</I> David was sometimes taunted for his confidence
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in God; but in the sufferings of Christ this was literally and exactly
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fulfilled. Those very gestures were used by those that reviled him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+27:39">Matt. xxvii. 39</A>);
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they wagged their heads, nay, and so far did their malice make them
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forget themselves that they used the very words
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+27:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>),
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<I>He trusted in God; let him deliver him.</I> Our Lord Jesus, having
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undertaken to satisfy for the dishonour we had done to God by our sins,
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did it by submitting to the lowest possible instance of ignominy and
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disgrace.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Encouragement taken as to this also
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>):
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Men despise me, <I>but thou art he that took me out of the womb.</I>
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David and other good men have often, for direction to us, encouraged
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themselves with this, that God was not only the <I>God of their
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fathers,</I> as before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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but the God of their infancy, who began by times to take care of them,
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as soon as they had a being, and therefore, they hope, will never cast
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them off. He that did so well for us in that helpless useless state
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will not leave us when he has reared us and nursed us up into some
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capacity of serving him. See the early instances of God's providential
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care for us,
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1. In the birth: <I>He took us also out of the womb,</I> else we had
|
|
died there, or been stifled in the birth. Every man's particular time
|
|
begins with this pregnant proof of God's providence, as time, in
|
|
general, began with the creation, that pregnant proof of his being.
|
|
|
|
2. At the breast: "<I>Then didst thou make me hope;</I>" that is,
|
|
"thou didst that for me, in providing sustenance for me and protecting
|
|
me from the dangers to which I was exposed, which encourages me to hope
|
|
in thee all my days." The blessings of the breasts, as they crown the
|
|
blessings of the womb, so they are earnests of the blessings of our
|
|
whole lives; surely he that fed us then will never starve us,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+3:12">Job iii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. In our early dedication to him: <I>I was cast upon thee from the
|
|
womb,</I> which perhaps refers to his circumcision on the eighth day;
|
|
he was then by his parents committed and given up to God as his God in
|
|
covenant; for circumcision was a seal of the covenant; and this
|
|
encouraged him to trust in God. Those have reason to think themselves
|
|
safe who were so soon, so solemnly, <I>gathered under the wings of the
|
|
divine majesty.</I>
|
|
|
|
4. In the experience we have had of God's goodness to us all along ever
|
|
since, drawn out in a constant uninterrupted series of preservations
|
|
and supplies: <I>Thou art my God,</I> providing me and watching over me
|
|
for good, <I>from my mother's belly,</I> that is, from my coming into
|
|
the world unto this day. And if, as soon as we became capable of
|
|
exercising reason, we put our confidence in God and committed ourselves
|
|
and our way to him, we need not doubt but he will always remember the
|
|
<I>kindness of our youth and the love of our espousals,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+2:2">Jer. ii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is applicable to our Lord Jesus, over whose incarnation and birth
|
|
the divine Providence watched with a peculiar care, when he was born in
|
|
a stable, laid in a manger, and immediately exposed to the malice of
|
|
Herod, and forced to flee into Egypt. <I>When he was a child God loved
|
|
him and called him thence</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+11:1">Hos. xi. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the remembrance of this comforted him in his sufferings. Men
|
|
reproached him, and discouraged his confidence in God; but God had
|
|
honoured him and encouraged his confidence in him.</P>
|
|
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|
<A NAME="Ps22_11"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Ps22_12"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Ps22_13"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Ps22_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_20"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Ps22_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sufferings of the Messiah; The Messiah Supported in His Sufferings.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
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</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
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|
<FONT SIZE=+1>11 Be not far from me; for trouble <I>is</I> near; for <I>there is</I>
|
|
none to help.
|
|
12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong <I>bulls</I> of Bashan have
|
|
beset me round.
|
|
13 They gaped upon me <I>with</I> their mouths, <I>as</I> a ravening and
|
|
a roaring lion.
|
|
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of
|
|
joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my
|
|
bowels.
|
|
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue
|
|
cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of
|
|
death.
|
|
16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have
|
|
inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
|
|
17 I may tell all my bones: they look <I>and</I> stare upon me.
|
|
18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my
|
|
vesture.
|
|
19 But be not thou far from me, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: O my strength, haste
|
|
thee to help me.
|
|
20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of
|
|
the dog.
|
|
21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from
|
|
the horns of the unicorns.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses we have Christ suffering and Christ praying, by which
|
|
we are directed to look for crosses and to look up to God under
|
|
them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here is Christ suffering. David indeed was often in trouble, and
|
|
beset with enemies; but many of the particulars here specified are such
|
|
as were never true of David, and therefore must be appropriated to
|
|
Christ in the depth of his humiliation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He is here deserted by his friends: <I>Trouble</I> and distress are
|
|
<I>near,</I> and <I>there is none to help,</I> none to uphold,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
He trod the wine-press alone; for all his disciples forsook him and
|
|
fled. It is God's honour to help when all other helps and succours
|
|
fail.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He is here insulted and surrounded by his enemies, such as were of a
|
|
higher rank, who for their strength and fury, are compared to bulls,
|
|
<I>strong bulls of Bashan</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
fat and fed to the full, haughty and sour; such were the chief priests
|
|
and elders that persecuted Christ; and others of a lower rank, who are
|
|
compared to dogs
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
filthy and greedy, and unwearied in running him down. There was an
|
|
assembly of the wicked plotting against him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
for the chief priests sat in council, to consult of ways and means to
|
|
take Christ. These enemies were numerous and unanimous: "Many, and
|
|
those of different and clashing interests among themselves, as Herod
|
|
and Pilate, have agreed to compass me. They have carried their plot
|
|
far, and seem to have gained their point, for they have <I>beset me
|
|
round,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
They have enclosed me,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are formidable and threatening
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They gaped upon me with their mouths,</I> to show me that they would
|
|
swallow me up; and this with as much strength and fierceness as a
|
|
roaring ravening lion leaps upon his prey."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He is here crucified. The very manner of his death is described,
|
|
though never in use among the Jews: <I>They pierced my hands and my
|
|
feet</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
which were nailed to the accursed tree, and the whole body left so to
|
|
hang, the effect of which must needs be the most exquisite pain and
|
|
torture. There is no one passage in all the Old Testament which the
|
|
Jews have so industriously corrupted as this, because it is such an
|
|
eminent prediction of the death of Christ and was so exactly
|
|
fulfilled.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He is here dying
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
dying in pain and anguish, because he was to satisfy for sin, which
|
|
brought in pain, and for which we must otherwise have lain in
|
|
everlasting anguish. Here is,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The dissolution of the whole frame of his body: <I>I am poured out
|
|
like water,</I> weak as water, and yielding to the power of death,
|
|
emptying himself of all the supports of his human nature.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The dislocation of his bones. Care was taken that not one of them
|
|
should be broken
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+19:36">John xix. 36</A>),
|
|
|
|
but they were all out of joint by the violent stretching of his body
|
|
upon the cross as upon a rack. Or it may denote the fear that seized
|
|
him in his agony in the garden, when he began to be sore amazed, the
|
|
effect of which perhaps was (as sometimes it has been of great fear,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+5:6">Dan. v. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
that the <I>joints of his loins were loosed and his knees smote one
|
|
against another.</I> His bones were put out of joint that he might put
|
|
the whole creation into joint again, which sin had put out of joint,
|
|
and might make our broken bones to rejoice.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The colliquation of his spirits: <I>My heart is like wax,</I>
|
|
melted to receive the impressions of God's wrath against the sins he
|
|
undertook to satisfy for, melting away like the vitals of a dying man;
|
|
and, as this satisfied for the hardness of our hearts, so the
|
|
consideration of it should help to soften them. When Job speaks of his
|
|
inward trouble he says, <I>The Almighty makes my heart soft,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:16">Job xxiii. 16</A>,
|
|
|
|
and see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+58:2">Ps. lviii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
(4.) The failing of his natural force: <I>My strength is dried up;</I>
|
|
so that he became parched and brittle like a potsherd, the radical
|
|
moisture being wasted by the fire of divine wrath preying upon his
|
|
spirits. Who then can stand before God's anger? Or who knows the power
|
|
of it? <I>If this was done in the green tree, what shall be done in the
|
|
dry?</I>
|
|
|
|
(5.) The clamminess of his mouth, a usual symptom of approaching death:
|
|
<I>My tongue cleaveth to my jaws;</I> this was fulfilled both in his
|
|
thirst upon the cross
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+19:28">John xix. 28</A>)
|
|
|
|
and in his silence under his sufferings; for, <I>as a sheep before the
|
|
shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth,</I> nor objected against
|
|
any thing done to him.
|
|
|
|
(6.) His giving up the ghost: "<I>Thou hast brought me to the dust of
|
|
death;</I> I am just ready to drop into the grave;" for nothing less
|
|
would satisfy divine justice. The life of the sinner was forfeited, and
|
|
therefore the life of the sacrifice must be the ransom for it. The
|
|
sentence of death passed upon Adam was thus expressed: <I>Unto dust
|
|
thou shalt return.</I> And therefore Christ, having an eye to that
|
|
sentence in his obedience to death, here uses a similar expression:
|
|
<I>Thou hast brought me to the dust of death.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. He was stripped. The shame of nakedness was the immediate
|
|
consequence of sin; and therefore our Lord Jesus was stripped of his
|
|
clothes, when he was crucified, that he might clothe us with the robe
|
|
of his righteousness, and that the shame of our nakedness might not
|
|
appear. Now here we are told,
|
|
|
|
(1.) How his body looked when it was thus stripped: <I>I may tell all
|
|
my bones,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
His blessed body was lean and emaciated with labour, grief, and
|
|
fasting, during the whole course of his ministry, which made him look
|
|
as if he was nearly 50 years old when he was yet but 33, as we find,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+8:57">John viii. 57</A>.
|
|
|
|
His wrinkles now witnessed for him that he was far from being what was
|
|
called, <I>a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber.</I> Or his bones might
|
|
be numbered, because his body was distended upon the cross, which made
|
|
it easy to count his ribs. <I>They look and stare upon me,</I> that is,
|
|
my bones do, being distorted, and having no flesh to cover them, as Job
|
|
says
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+16:8"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>My leanness, rising up in me, beareth witness to my face.</I> Or
|
|
"the standers by, the passers by, are amazed to see my bones start out
|
|
thus; and, instead of pitying me, are pleased even with such a rueful
|
|
spectacle."
|
|
|
|
(2.) What they did with his clothes, which they took from him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They parted my garments among them,</I> to every soldier a part, and
|
|
<I>upon my vesture,</I> the seamless coat, <I>do they cast lots.</I>
|
|
This very circumstance was exactly fulfilled,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+19:23,24">John xix. 23, 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
And though it was no great instance of Christ's suffering, yet it is a
|
|
great instance of the fulfilling of the scripture in him. <I>Thus it
|
|
was written, and</I> therefore <I>thus it behoved Christ to suffer.</I>
|
|
Let this therefore confirm our faith in him as the true Messiah, and
|
|
inflame our love to him as the best of friends, who loved us and
|
|
suffered all this for us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is Christ praying, and with that supporting himself under the
|
|
burden of his sufferings. Christ, in his agony, prayed earnestly,
|
|
prayed that the cup might pass from him. When the prince of this world
|
|
with his terrors set upon him, <I>gaped upon him as a roaring lion,</I>
|
|
he fell upon the ground and prayed. And of that David's praying here
|
|
was a type. He calls God his <I>strength,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
When we cannot rejoice in God as our song, yet let us stay ourselves
|
|
upon him as out strength, and take the comfort of spiritual supports
|
|
when we cannot come at spiritual delights. He prays,
|
|
|
|
1. That God would be with him, and not set himself at a distance from
|
|
him: <I>Be not thou far from me</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and again,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Whoever stands aloof from my sore, Lord, do not thou." The nearness of
|
|
trouble should quicken us to draw near to God and then we may hope that
|
|
he will draw near to us.
|
|
|
|
2. That he would help him and make haste to help him, help him to bear
|
|
up under his troubles, that he might not fail nor be discouraged, that
|
|
he might neither shrink from his undertaking no sink under it. And the
|
|
Father <I>heard him in that he feared</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:7">Heb. v. 7</A>)
|
|
|
|
and enabled him to go through with his work.
|
|
|
|
3. That he would deliver him and save him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:20,21"><I>v.</I> 20, 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Observe what the jewel is which he is in care for, "The safety of
|
|
my soul, my darling; let that be redeemed from the power of the grave,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:15">Ps. xlix. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Father, into thy hands I commit that, to be conveyed safely to
|
|
paradise." The psalmist here calls his soul his <I>darling,</I> his
|
|
<I>only one</I> (so the word is): "<I>My soul</I> is <I>my only
|
|
one.</I> I have but one soul to take care of, and therefore the greater
|
|
is my shame if I neglect it and the greater will the loss be if I let
|
|
it perish. Being my only one, it ought to be my darling, for the
|
|
eternal welfare of which I ought to be deeply concerned. I do not use
|
|
my soul as my darling, unless I take care to preserve it from every
|
|
thing that would hurt it and to provide all necessaries for it, and be
|
|
entirely tender of its welfare."
|
|
|
|
(2.) Observe what the danger is from which he prays to be delivered,
|
|
<I>from the sword,</I> the flaming sword of divine wrath, which turns
|
|
every way. This he dreaded more than any thing,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+3:24">Gen. iii. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
God's anger was the wormwood and the gall in the bitter cup that was
|
|
put into his hands. "O deliver my soul from that. Lord, though I lose
|
|
my life, let me not lose thy love. Save me from <I>the power of the
|
|
dog,</I> and <I>from the lion's mouth.</I>" This seems to be meant of
|
|
Satan, that old enemy who bruised the heel of the seed of the woman,
|
|
the prince of this world, with whom he was to engage in close combat
|
|
and whom he saw coming,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:30">John xiv. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Lord, save me from being overpowered by his terrors." He pleads, "Thou
|
|
hast formerly <I>heard me from the horns of the unicorn,</I>" that is,
|
|
"saved me from him in answer to my prayer." This may refer to the
|
|
victory Christ had obtained over Satan and his temptations
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:1-11">Matt. iv.</A>),
|
|
|
|
when the devil left him for a season
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+4:13">Luke iv. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
but now returned in another manner to attack him with his terrors.
|
|
"Lord, thou gavest me the victory then, give it me now, that I may
|
|
spoil principalities and powers, and <I>cast out the prince of this
|
|
world.</I>" Has God delivered us <I>from the horns of the unicorn,</I>
|
|
that we be not tossed? Let that encourage us to hope that we shall be
|
|
delivered from the lion's mouth, that we be not torn. He that has
|
|
delivered doth and will deliver. This prayer of Christ, no doubt, was
|
|
answered, for the Father heard him always. And, though he did not
|
|
deliver him from death, yet he suffered him not to see corruption, but,
|
|
the third day, raised him out of the dust of death, which was a greater
|
|
instance of God's favour to him than if he had helped him down from the
|
|
cross; for that would have hindered his undertaking, whereas his
|
|
resurrection crowned it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In singing this we should meditate on the sufferings and resurrection
|
|
of Christ till we experience in our own souls the power of his
|
|
resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ps22_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps22_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Messiah's Triumphs; Extension and Perpetuity of the Church.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of
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the congregation will I praise thee.
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23 Ye that fear the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob,
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glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
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24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the
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afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he
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cried unto him, he heard.
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25 My praise <I>shall be</I> of thee in the great congregation: I
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will pay my vows before them that fear him.
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26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
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27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before
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thee.
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28 For the kingdom <I>is</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s: and he <I>is</I> the governor
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among the nations.
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29 All <I>they that be</I> fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all
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they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can
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keep alive his own soul.
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30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord
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for a generation.
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31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a
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people that shall be born, that he hath done <I>this.</I>
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The same that began the psalm complaining, who was no other than Christ
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in his humiliation, ends it here triumphing, and it can be no other
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than Christ in his exaltation. And, as the first words of the complaint
|
|
were used by Christ himself upon the cross, so the first words of the
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|
triumph are expressly applied to him
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|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:12">Heb. ii. 12</A>)
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and are made his own words: <I>I will declare thy name unto my
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brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.</I>
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The certain prospect which Christ had of the joy set before him not
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|
only gave him a satisfactory answer to his prayers, but turned his
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|
complaints into praises; he saw of the travail of his soul, and was
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well satisfied, witness that triumphant word wherewith he breathed his
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last: <I>It is finished.</I></P>
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<P>
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Five things are here spoken of, the view of which were the satisfaction
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and triumph of Christ in his sufferings:--</P>
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<P>
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I. That he should have a church in the world, and that those that were
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given him from eternity should, in the fulness of time, be gathered in
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|
to him. This is implied here; that he should <I>see his seed,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:10">Isa. liii. 10</A>.
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It pleased him to think,
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1. That by the declaring of God's name, by the preaching of the
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everlasting gospel in its plainness and purity, many should be
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|
effectually called to him and to God by him. And for this end ministers
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|
should be employed to publish this doctrine to the world, and they
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|
should be much his messengers and his voice that their doing it should
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|
be accounted his doing it; their word is his, and by them he declares
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God's name.
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2. That those who are thus called in should be brought into a very near
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|
and dear relation to him as his brethren; for he is not only not
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|
ashamed, but greatly well pleased, to call them so; not the believing
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|
Jews only, his countrymen, but those of the Gentiles also who became
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|
fellow-heirs and of the same body,
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:11">Heb. ii. 11</A>.
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Christ is our elder brother, who takes care of us, and makes provision
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for us, and expects that our desire should be towards him and that we
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|
should be willing he should rule over us.
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|
3. That these is brethren should be incorporated into a congregation, a
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|
great congregation; such is the universal church, the whole family that
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|
is named from him, unto which all the <I>children of God that were
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|
scattered abroad are collected,</I> and in which they are united
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:52,Eph+1:10">John xi. 52, Eph. i. 10</A>),
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|
and that they should also be incorporated into smaller societies,
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members of that great body, many religious assemblies for divine
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|
worship, on which the face of Christianity should appear and in which
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|
the interests of it should be supported and advanced.
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|
4. That these should be accounted the seed of Jacob and Israel
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
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|
that on them, though Gentiles, the blessing of Abraham might come
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:14">Gal. iii. 14</A>),
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|
and to them might pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenant, and
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|
the service of God, as much as ever they did to <I>Israel according to
|
|
the flesh,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:4,Heb+8:10">Rom. ix. 4, Heb. viii. 10</A>.
|
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|
The gospel church is called <I>the Israel of God,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:16">Gal. vi. 16</A>.</P>
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|
<P>
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|
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|
II. That God should be greatly honoured and glorified in him by that
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|
church. His Father's glory was that which he had in his eye throughout
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|
his whole undertaking
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:4">John xvii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
particularly in his sufferings, which he entered upon with this solemn
|
|
request, <I>Father, glorify thy name,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:27,28">John xii. 27, 28</A>.
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|
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|
He foresees with pleasure,
|
|
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|
1. That God would be glorified by the church that should be gathered to
|
|
him, and that for this end they should be called and gathered in that
|
|
they might be unto God <I>for a name and a praise.</I> Christ by his
|
|
ministers will declare God's name to his brethren, as God's mouth to
|
|
them, and then by them, as the mouth of the congregation to God, will
|
|
God's name be praised. All that fear the Lord will praise him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
even every Israelite indeed. See
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+118:2-4,135:19,20">Ps. cxviii. 2-4; cxxxv. 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The business of Christians, particularly in their solemn religious
|
|
assemblies, is to praise and glorify God with a holy awe and reverence
|
|
of his majesty, and therefore those that are here called upon to praise
|
|
God are called upon to fear him.
|
|
|
|
2. That God would be glorified in the Redeemer and in his undertaking.
|
|
<I>Therefore</I> Christ is said to <I>praise God in the church,</I> not
|
|
only because he is the Master of the assemblies in which God is
|
|
praised, and the Mediator of all the praises that are offered up to
|
|
God, but because he is the matter of the church's praise. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:21">Eph. iii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
All our praises must centre in the work of redemption and a great deal
|
|
of reason we have to be thankful,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That Jesus Christ was owned by his Father in his undertaking,
|
|
notwithstanding the apprehension he was sometimes under that his Father
|
|
had forsaken him.
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
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|
<I>For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the
|
|
afflicted</I> one (that is, of the suffering Redeemer), but has
|
|
graciously accepted it as a full satisfaction for sin, and a valuable
|
|
consideration on which to ground the grant of eternal life to all
|
|
believers. Though it was offered for us poor sinners, he did not
|
|
despise nor abhor him that offered it for our sakes; no did he turn his
|
|
face from him that offered it, as Saul was angry with his own son
|
|
because he interceded for David, whom he looked upon as his enemy. But
|
|
when he cried unto him, when his blood cried for peace and pardon for
|
|
us, he heard him. This, as it is the matter of our rejoicing, ought to
|
|
be the matter of our thanksgiving. Those who have thought their
|
|
prayers slighted and unheard, if they continue to pray and wait, will
|
|
find they have not sought in vain.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he himself will go on with his undertaking and complete it.
|
|
Christ says, <I>I will pay my vows,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Having engaged to bring many sons to glory, he will perform his
|
|
engagement to the utmost, and will lose none.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. That all humble gracious souls should have a full satisfaction and
|
|
happiness in him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
It comforted the Lord Jesus in his sufferings that in and through him
|
|
all true believers should have everlasting consolation.
|
|
|
|
1. The poor in spirit shall be rich in blessings, spiritual blessings;
|
|
the hungry shall be filled with good things. Christ's sacrifice being
|
|
accepted, the saints shall feast upon the sacrifice, as, under the law,
|
|
upon the peace-offerings, and so partake of the altar: <I>The meek
|
|
shall eat and be satisfied,</I> eat of the bread of life, feed with an
|
|
appetite upon the doctrine of Christ's mediation, which is meat and
|
|
drink to the soul that knows its own nature and case. Those that hunger
|
|
and thirst after righteousness in Christ shall have all they can desire
|
|
to satisfy them and make them easy, and shall not labour, as they have
|
|
done, for that which satisfies not.
|
|
|
|
2. Those that are much in praying shall be much in thanksgiving:
|
|
<I>Those shall praise the Lord that seek him,</I> because through
|
|
Christ they are sure of finding him, in the hopes of which they have
|
|
reason to praise him even while they are seeking him, and the more
|
|
earnest they are in seeking him the more will their hearts be enlarged
|
|
in his praises when they have found him.
|
|
|
|
3. The souls that are devoted to him shall be for ever happy with him:
|
|
"<I>Your heart shall live for ever.</I> Yours that are meek, that are
|
|
satisfied in Christ, that continue to seek God; what ever becomes of
|
|
your bodies, <I>your hearts shall live for ever;</I> the graces and
|
|
comforts you have shall be perfected in everlasting life. Christ has
|
|
said, <I>Because I live, you shall live also,</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:19">John xiv. 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
and therefore that life shall be as sure and as long as his."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. That the church of Christ, and with it the kingdom of God among
|
|
men, should extend itself to all the corners of the earth and should
|
|
take in all sorts of people.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That it should reach far
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
that, whereas the Jews had long been the only professing people of God,
|
|
now all the ends of the world should come into the church, and, the
|
|
partition-wall being taken down, the Gentiles should be taken in. It is
|
|
here prophesied,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That they should be converted: They <I>shall remember, and turn to
|
|
the Lord.</I> Note, Serious reflection is the first step, and a good
|
|
step it is towards true conversion. We must consider and turn. The
|
|
prodigal came first to himself, and then to his father.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That then they should be admitted into communion with God and with
|
|
the assemblies that serve him; <I>They shall worship before thee,</I>
|
|
for <I>in every place incense shall be offered to God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+1:11,Isa+66:23">Mal. i. 11; Isa. lxvi. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that turn to God will make conscience of worshipping before him.
|
|
And good reason there is why all the kindreds of nations should do
|
|
homage to God, for
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>the kingdom is the Lord's;</I> his, and his only, is the universal
|
|
monarchy.
|
|
|
|
[1.] The kingdom of nature is the Lord Jehovah's, and his providence
|
|
rules among the nations, and upon that account we are bound to worship
|
|
him; so that the design of the Christian religion is to revive natural
|
|
religion and its principles and laws. Christ died to bring us to God,
|
|
the God that made us, from whom we had revolted, and to reduce us to
|
|
our native allegiance.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The kingdom of grace is the Lord Christ's, and he, as Mediator, is
|
|
appointed governor among the nations, head over all things to his
|
|
church. Let every tongue therefore confess that he is Lord.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That it should include many of different ranks,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
High and low, rich and poor, bond and free, meet in Christ.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Christ shall have the homage of many of the great ones. <I>Those
|
|
that are fat upon the earth,</I> that live in pomp and power, <I>shall
|
|
eat and worship;</I> even those that fare deliciously, when they have
|
|
eaten and are full, shall bless the Lord their God for their plenty and
|
|
prosperity.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The poor also shall receive his gospel: <I>Those that go down to
|
|
the dust,</I> that sit in the dust
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+113:7">Ps. cxiii. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
that can scarcely keep life and soul together, <I>shall bow before
|
|
him,</I> before the Lord Jesus, who reckons it his honour to be the
|
|
poor man's King
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:12">Ps. lxxii. 12</A>)
|
|
|
|
and whose protection does, in a special manner, draw their allegiance.
|
|
Or this may be understood in general of dying men, whether poor or
|
|
rich. See then what is our condition--we are going down to the dust to
|
|
which we are sentenced and where shortly we must make our bed. Nor can
|
|
we keep alive our own souls; we cannot secure our own natural life
|
|
long, nor can we be the authors of our own spiritual and eternal life.
|
|
It is therefore our great interest, as well as duty, to bow before the
|
|
Lord Jesus, to give up ourselves to him to be his subjects and
|
|
worshippers; for this is the only way, and it is a sure way, to secure
|
|
our happiness when we go down to the dust. Seeing we cannot keep alive
|
|
our own souls, it is our wisdom, by an obedient faith, to commit our
|
|
souls to Jesus Christ, who is able to save them and keep them alive for
|
|
ever.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. That the church of Christ, and with it the kingdom of God among men,
|
|
should continue to the end, through all the ages of time. Mankind is
|
|
kept up in a succession of generations; so that there is always a
|
|
generation passing away and a generation coming up. Now, as Christ
|
|
shall have honour from that which is passing away and leaving the world
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>those that go down to the dust shall bow before him,</I> and it is
|
|
good to die bowing before Christ; <I>blessed are the dead who</I> thus
|
|
<I>die in the Lord</I>), so he shall have honour from that which is
|
|
rising up, and setting out, in the world,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. Their application to Christ: <I>A seed shall serve him,</I> shall
|
|
keep up the solemn worship of him and profess and practice obedience to
|
|
him as their Master and Lord. Note, God will have a church in the world
|
|
to the end of time; and, in order to that, there shall be a succession
|
|
of professing Christians and gospel ministers from generation to
|
|
generation. <I>A seed shall serve him;</I> there shall be a remnant,
|
|
more or less, to whom shall pertain the service of God and to whom God
|
|
will give grace to serve him,--perhaps not the seed of the same
|
|
persons, for grace does not run in a blood (he does not say
|
|
<I>their</I> seed, but <I>a</I> seed),--perhaps but few, yet enough to
|
|
preserve the entail.
|
|
|
|
2. Christ's acknowledgment of them: <I>They shall be accounted to him
|
|
for a generation;</I> he will be the same to them that he was to those
|
|
who went before them; his kindness to his friends shall not die with
|
|
them, but shall be drawn out to their heirs and successors, and instead
|
|
of the fathers shall be the children, whom all shall acknowledge to be
|
|
a <I>seed that the Lord hath blessed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:9,65:23">Isa. lxi. 9; lxv. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
The generation of the righteous God will graciously own as his
|
|
treasure, his children.
|
|
|
|
3. Their agency for him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>they shall come,</I> shall rise up in their day, not only to keep up
|
|
the virtue of the generation that is past, and to do the work of their
|
|
own generation, but to serve the honour of Christ and the welfare of
|
|
souls in the generations to come; they shall transmit to them the
|
|
gospel of Christ (that sacred deposit) pure and entire, even to a
|
|
people that shall be born hereafter; to them they shall declare two
|
|
things:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) That there is an everlasting righteousness, which Jesus Christ has
|
|
brought in. This righteousness of his, and not any of our own, they
|
|
shall declare to be the foundation of all our hopes and the fountain of
|
|
all our joys. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:16,17">
|
|
Rom. i. 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That the work of our redemption by Christ is the Lord's own doing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+118:23">Ps. cxviii. 23</A>)
|
|
|
|
and no contrivance of ours. We must declare to our children that God
|
|
has done this; it is his wisdom in a mystery; it is his arm
|
|
revealed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In singing this we must triumph in the name of Christ as above every
|
|
name, must give him honour ourselves, rejoice in the honours others do
|
|
him, and in the assurance we have that there shall be a people praising
|
|
him on earth when we are praising him in heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
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<HR>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TR>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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