mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 27.xml

<div2 id="Ps.xxviii" n="xxviii" next="Ps.xxix" prev="Ps.xxvii" progress="30.22%" title="Chapter XXVII">
<h2 id="Ps.xxviii-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.xxviii-p0.2">PSALM XXVII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.xxviii-p1">Some think David penned this psalm before his
coming to the throne, when he was in the midst of his troubles, and
perhaps upon occasion of the death of his parents; but the Jews
think he penned it when he was old, upon occasion of the wonderful
deliverance he had from the sword of the giant, when Abishai
succoured him (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.21.16-2Sam.21.17" parsed="|2Sam|21|16|21|17" passage="2Sa 21:16,17">2 Sam. xxi. 16,
17</scripRef>) and his people thereupon resolved he should never
venture his life again in battle, lest he should quench the light
of Israel. Perhaps it was not penned upon any particular occasion;
but it is very expressive of the pious and devout affections with
which gracious souls are carried out towards God at all times,
especially in times of trouble. Here is, I. The courage and holy
bravery of his faith, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.1-Ps.27.3" parsed="|Ps|27|1|27|3" passage="Ps 27:1-3">ver.
1-3</scripRef>. II. The complacency he took in communion with God
and the benefit he experienced by it, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.4-Ps.27.6" parsed="|Ps|27|4|27|6" passage="Ps 27:4-6">ver. 4-6</scripRef>. III. His desire towards God, and
his favour and grace, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.7-Ps.27.9 Bible:Ps.27.11 Bible:Ps.27.12" parsed="|Ps|27|7|27|9;|Ps|27|11|0|0;|Ps|27|12|0|0" passage="Ps 27:7-9,11,12">ver. 7-9,
11, 12</scripRef>. IV. His expectations from God, and the
encouragement he gives to others to hope in him, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.10 Bible:Ps.27.13 Bible:Ps.27.14" parsed="|Ps|27|10|0|0;|Ps|27|13|0|0;|Ps|27|14|0|0" passage="Ps 27:10,13,14">ver. 10, 13, 14</scripRef>. And let our hearts be
thus affected in singing this psalm.</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.xxviii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27" parsed="|Ps|27|0|0|0" passage="Ps 27" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.xxviii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.1-Ps.27.6" parsed="|Ps|27|1|27|6" passage="Ps 27:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.27.1-Ps.27.6">
<h4 id="Ps.xxviii-p1.8">Devout Confidence; Encouragement in
Prayers.</h4>
<div class="Center" id="Ps.xxviii-p1.9">
<p id="Ps.xxviii-p2">A psalm of David.</p>
</div>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xxviii-p3">1 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p3.1">Lord</span>
<i>is</i> my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p3.2">Lord</span> <i>is</i> the strength of my life; of
whom shall I be afraid?   2 When the wicked, <i>even</i> mine
enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled
and fell.   3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart
shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this
<i>will</i> I <i>be</i> confident.   4 One <i>thing</i> have I
desired of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p3.3">Lord</span>, that will I
seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p3.4">Lord</span> all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p3.5">Lord</span>, and to enquire
in his temple.   5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me
in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.   6 And now shall mine head be
lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer
in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing
praises unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p3.6">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p4">We may observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p5">I. With what a lively faith David triumphs
in God, glories in his holy name, and in the interest he had in
him. 1. <i>The Lord is my light.</i> David's subjects called him
<i>the light of Israel,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.21.17" parsed="|2Sam|21|17|0|0" passage="2Sa 21:17">2 Sam.
xxi. 17</scripRef>. And he was indeed a burning and a shining
light: but he owns that he shone, as the moon does, with a borrowed
light; what light God darted upon him reflected upon them: <i>The
Lord is my light.</i> God is a light to his people, to show them
the way when they are in doubt, to comfort and rejoice their hearts
when they are in sorrow. It is in his light that they now walk on
in their way, and in his light they hope to see light for ever. 2.
"He is <i>my salvation,</i> in whom I am safe and by whom I shall
be saved." 3. "He is <i>the strength of my life,</i> not only the
protector of my exposed life, who keeps me from being slain, but
the strength of my frail weak life, who keeps me from fainting,
sinking, and dying away." God, who is a believer's light, is the
strength of his life, not only by whom, but in whom, he lives and
moves. In God therefore let us strengthen ourselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p6">II. With what an undaunted courage he
triumphs over his enemies; no fortitude like that of faith. If God
be for him, who can be against him? <i>Whom shall I fear? Of whom
shall I be afraid?</i> If Omnipotence be his guard, he has no cause
to fear; if he knows it to be so, he has no disposition to fear. If
God be his light, he fears no shades; if God be his salvation, he
fears no colours. He triumphs over his enemies that were already
routed, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.2" parsed="|Ps|27|2|0|0" passage="Ps 27:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. His
enemies came upon him, <i>to eat up his flesh,</i> aiming at no
less and assured of that, but they fell; not, "He smote them and
they fell," but, "<i>They stumbled and fell;</i>" they were so
confounded and weakened that they could not go on with their
enterprise. Thus those that came to take Christ with a word's
speaking were made to stagger and fall to the ground, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:John.18.6" parsed="|John|18|6|0|0" passage="Joh 18:6">John xviii. 6</scripRef>. The ruin of some of
the enemies of God's people is an earnest of the complete conquest
of them all. And therefore, these having fallen, he is fearless of
the rest: "Though they be numerous, <i>a host</i> of them,—though
they be daring and their attempts threatening,—though they
<i>encamp against me,</i> an army against one man,—though they
wage war upon me, yet <i>my heart shall not fear.</i>" Hosts cannot
hurt us if the Lord of hosts protect us. Nay, in this assurance
that God is for me "<i>I will be confident.</i>" Two things he will
be confident of:—1. That he shall be safe. "If God is my
salvation, <i>in the time of trouble he shall hide me;</i> he shall
set me out of danger and above the fear of it." God will not only
find out a shelter for his people in distress (as he did <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Jer.36.26" parsed="|Jer|36|26|0|0" passage="Jer 36:26">Jer. xxxvi. 26</scripRef>), but he will himself
be their hiding-place, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.32.7" parsed="|Ps|32|7|0|0" passage="Ps 32:7">Ps. xxxii.
7</scripRef>. His providence will, it may be, keep them safe; at
least his grace will make them easy. His name is the strong tower
into which by faith they run, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.10" parsed="|Prov|18|10|0|0" passage="Pr 18:10">Prov.
xviii. 10</scripRef>. "<i>He shall hide me,</i> not in the
strongholds of En-gedi (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.23.29" parsed="|1Sam|23|29|0|0" passage="1Sa 23:29">1 Sam. xxiii.
29</scripRef>), but <i>in the secret of his tabernacle.</i>" The
gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readiness to
hear prayer, the witness of his Spirit in the hearts of his
people—these are the secret of his tabernacle, and in these the
saints find cause for that holy security and serenity of mind in
which they dwell at ease. This sets them upon a rock which will not
sink under them, but on which they find firm footing for their
hopes; nay, it sets them <i>up upon a rock</i> on high, where the
raging threatening billows of a stormy sea cannot touch them; it is
a rock that is <i>higher than we,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.2" parsed="|Ps|61|2|0|0" passage="Ps 61:2">Ps. lxi. 2</scripRef>. 2. That he shall be victorious
(<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.6" parsed="|Ps|27|6|0|0" passage="Ps 27:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): "<i>Now shall
my head be lifted up above my enemies,</i> not only so as that they
cannot reach it with their darts, but so as that I shall be exalted
to bear rule over them." David here, by faith in the promise of
God, triumphs before the victory, and is as sure, not only of the
laurel, but of the crown, as if it were already upon his head.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p7">III. With what a gracious earnestness he
prays for a constant communion with God in holy ordinances,
<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.4" parsed="|Ps|27|4|0|0" passage="Ps 27:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. It greatly
encouraged his confidence in God that he was conscious to himself
of an entire affection to God and to his ordinances, and that he
was in his element when in the way of his duty and in the way of
increasing his acquaintance with him. If our hearts can witness for
us that we delight in God above any creature, that may encourage us
to depend upon him; for it is a sign we are of those whom he
protects as his own. Or it may be taken thus: He desired to dwell
in the house of the Lord that there he might be safe from the
enemies that surrounded him. Finding himself surrounded by
threatening hosts, he does not say, "<i>One thing have I
desired,</i> in order to my safety, that I may have my army
augmented to such a number," or that I may be master of such a city
or such a castle, but "<i>that I may dwell in the house of the
Lord,</i> and then I am well." Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p8">1. What it is he desires—<i>to dwell in
the house of the Lord.</i> In the courts of God's house the priests
had their lodgings, and David wished he had been one of them.
Disdainfully as some look upon God's ministers, one of the greatest
and best of kings that ever was would gladly have taken his lot,
have taken his lodging, among them. Or, rather, he desires that he
might duly and constantly attend on the public service of God, with
other faithful Israelites, according as the duty of every day
required. He longed to see an end of the wars in which he was now
engaged, not that he might live at ease in his own palace, but that
he might have leisure and liberty for a constant attendance in
God's courts. Thus Hezekiah, a genuine son of David, wished for the
recovery of his health, not that he might go up to the thrones of
judgment, but that he might <i>go up to the house of the Lord,</i>
<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.38.22" parsed="|Isa|38|22|0|0" passage="Isa 38:22">Isa. xxxviii. 22</scripRef>. Note,
All God's children desire to dwell in God's house; where should
they dwell else? Not to sojourn there as a wayfaring man, that
turns aside to tarry but for a night, nor to dwell there for a time
only, as the servant that abides not in the house for ever, but to
dwell there all the days of their life; for there the Son abides
ever. Do we hope that praising God will be the blessedness of our
eternity? Surely them we ought to make it the business of our
time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p9">2. How earnestly he covets this: "This is
the <i>one thing I have desired of the Lord</i> and which I will
seek after." If he were to ask but one thing of God, this should be
it; for this he had at heart more than any thing. He desired it as
a good thing; he desired it of the Lord as his gift and a token of
his favour. And, having fixed his desire upon this as the one thing
needful, he sought after it; he continued to pray for it, and
contrived his affairs so as that he might have this liberty and
opportunity. Note, Those that truly desire communion with God will
set themselves with all diligence to seek after it, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.1" parsed="|Prov|18|1|0|0" passage="Pr 18:1">Prov. xviii. 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p10">3. What he had in his eye in it. He would
dwell in God's house, not for the plenty of good entertainment that
was there, in the feasts upon the sacrifices, nor for the music and
good singing that were there, but <i>to behold the beauty of the
Lord and to enquire in his temple.</i> He desired to attend in
God's courts, (1.) That he might have the pleasure of meditating
upon God. He knew something of the beauty of the Lord, the infinite
and transcendent amiableness of the divine being and perfections;
his holiness is his beauty (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.110.3" parsed="|Ps|110|3|0|0" passage="Ps 110:3">Ps. cx.
3</scripRef>), his goodness is his beauty, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.9.17" parsed="|Zech|9|17|0|0" passage="Zec 9:17">Zech. ix. 17</scripRef>. The harmony of all his
attributes is the beauty of his nature. With an eye of faith and
holy love we with pleasure behold this beauty, and observe more and
more in it that is amiable, that is admirable. When with fixedness
of thought, and a holy flame of devout affections, we contemplate
God's glorious excellencies, and entertain ourselves with the
tokens of his peculiar favour to us, this is that view of the
beauty of the Lord which David here covets, and it is to be had in
his ordinances, for there he manifests himself. (2.) That he might
have the satisfaction of being instructed in his duty; for
concerning this he would <i>enquire in God's temple.</i> Lord,
<i>what wilt thou have me to do?</i> For the sake of these two
things he desired that one thing, to <i>dwell in the house of the
Lord all the days of his life;</i> for blessed are those that do
so; they will be still praising him (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.84.4" parsed="|Ps|84|4|0|0" passage="Ps 84:4">Ps. lxxxiv. 4</scripRef>), both in speaking to him and in
hearing from him. Mary's sitting at Christ's feet to hear his word
Christ calls the <i>one thing needful,</i> and <i>the good
part.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p11">4. What advantage he promised himself by
it. Could he but have a place in God's house, (1.) There he should
be quiet and easy: there troubles would not find him, for he should
be hid in secret; there troubles would not reach him, for he should
be set on high, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.5" parsed="|Ps|27|5|0|0" passage="Ps 27:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>.
Joash, one of David's seed, was hidden in the house of the Lord six
years, and there not only preserved from the sword, but reserved to
the crown, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.11.3" parsed="|2Kgs|11|3|0|0" passage="2Ki 11:3">2 Kings xi. 3</scripRef>.
The temple was thought a safe place for Nehemiah to abscond in,
<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.6.10" parsed="|Neh|6|10|0|0" passage="Ne 6:10">Neh. vi. 10</scripRef>. The safety of
believers however is not in the walls of the temple, but in the God
of the temple and their comfort in communion with him. (2.) There
he should be pleasant and cheerful: there he would offer sacrifices
of joy, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.6" parsed="|Ps|27|6|0|0" passage="Ps 27:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. For
God's work is its own wages. There <i>he would sing, yea, he would
sing praises to the Lord.</i> Note, Whatever is the matter of our
joy ought to be the matter of our praise; and, when we attend upon
God in holy ordinances, we ought to be much in joy and praise. It
is for the glory of our God that we should sing in his ways; and,
whenever God lifts us up above our enemies, we ought to exalt him
in our praises. <i>Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to
triumph,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.2.14" parsed="|2Cor|2|14|0|0" passage="2Co 2:14">2 Cor. ii.
14</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.xxviii-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.7-Ps.27.14" parsed="|Ps|27|7|27|14" passage="Ps 27:7-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.27.7-Ps.27.14">
<h4 id="Ps.xxviii-p11.7">Confidence in Divine
Goodness.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xxviii-p12">7 Hear, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p12.1">O Lord</span>,
<i>when</i> I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and
answer me.   8 <i>When thou saidst,</i> Seek ye my face; my
heart said unto thee, Thy face, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p12.2">Lord</span>, will I seek.   9 Hide not thy face
<i>far</i> from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast
been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my
salvation.   10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p12.3">Lord</span> will take me up.   11
Teach me thy way, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p12.4">O Lord</span>, and lead
me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.   12 Deliver me
not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are
risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.   13
<i>I had fainted,</i> unless I had believed to see the goodness of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p12.5">Lord</span> in the land of the living.
  14 Wait on the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p12.6">Lord</span>: be of
good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxviii-p12.7">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p13">David in these verses expresses,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p14">I. His desire towards God, in many
petitions. If he cannot now go up to the house of the Lord, yet,
wherever he is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by
prayer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p15">1. He humbly bespeaks, because he firmly
believes he shall have, a gracious audience: "<i>Hear, O Lord, when
I cry,</i> not only with my heart, but, as one in earnest, <i>with
my voice too.</i>" He bespeaks also an answer of peace, which he
expects, not from his own merit, but God's goodness: <i>Have mercy
upon me, and answer me,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.7" parsed="|Ps|27|7|0|0" passage="Ps 27:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. If we pray and believe, God will graciously hear and
answer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p16">2. He takes hold of the kind invitation God
had given him to this duty, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.8" parsed="|Ps|27|8|0|0" passage="Ps 27:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. It is presumption for us to come into the presence of
the King of kings uncalled, nor can we draw near with any assurance
unless he <i>hold forth to us the golden sceptre.</i> David
therefore going to pray fastens, in his thoughts, upon the call God
had given him to the throne of his grace, and reverently touches,
as it were, the top of the golden sceptre which was thereby held
out to him. <i>My heart said unto thee</i> (so it begins in the
original) or <i>of</i> thee, <i>Seek you my face;</i> he first
revolved that, and preached that over again to himself (and that is
the best preaching: it is hearing twice what God speaks
once)—<i>Thou saidst</i> (so it may be supplied), <i>Seek you my
face;</i> and then he returns what he had so meditated upon, in
this pious resolution, <i>Thy face, Lord, will I seek.</i> Observe
here, (1.) The true nature of religious worship; it is seeking the
face of God. This it is in God's precept: <i>Seek you my face;</i>
he would have us seek him for himself, and make his favour our
chief good; and this it is in the saint's purpose and desire:
"<i>Thy face, Lord, will I seek,</i> and nothing less will I take
up with." The opening of his hand will satisfy the desire of other
living things (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.145.16" parsed="|Ps|145|16|0|0" passage="Ps 145:16">Ps. cxlv.
16</scripRef>), but it is only the shining of his face that will
satisfy the desire of a living soul, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.4.6-Ps.4.7" parsed="|Ps|4|6|4|7" passage="Ps 4:6,7">Ps. iv. 6, 7</scripRef>. (2.) The kind of invitation of
a gracious God to this duty: <i>Thou saidst, Seek you my face;</i>
it is not only permission, but a precept; and his commanding us to
seek implies a promise of finding; for he is too kind to say,
<i>Seek you me in vain.</i> God calls us to seek his face in our
conversion to him and in our converse with him. He calls us, by the
whispers of his Spirit to and with our spirits, to seek his face;
he calls us by his word, by the stated returns of opportunities for
his worship, and by special providences, merciful and afflictive.
When we are foolishly making our court to lying vanities God is, in
love to us, calling us in him to seek our own mercies. (3.) The
ready compliance of a gracious soul with this invitation. The call
is immediately returned: <i>My heart answered, Thy face, Lord, will
I seek.</i> The call was general; "<i>Seek you my face;</i>" but,
like David, we must apply it to ourselves, "<i>I will seek it.</i>"
The word does us no good when we transfer it to others, and do not
ourselves accept the exhortation. The call was, <i>Seek you my
face;</i> the answer is express, <i>Thy face, Lord, will I
seek;</i> like that (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Jer.3.22" parsed="|Jer|3|22|0|0" passage="Jer 3:22">Jer. iii.
22</scripRef>), <i>Behold, we come unto thee.</i> A gracious heart
readily echoes to the call of a gracious God, being made willing in
the day of his power.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p17">3. He is very particular in his requests.
(1.) For the favour of God, that he might not be shut out from that
(<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.9" parsed="|Ps|27|9|0|0" passage="Ps 27:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): "<i>Thy face,
Lord, will I seek,</i> in obedience to thy command; therefore
<i>hide not thy face from me;</i> let me never want the reviving
sense of the favour; love me, and let me know that thou lovest me;
<i>put not thy servant away in anger.</i>" He owns he had deserved
God's displeasure, but begs that, however God might correct him, he
would not cast him away from his presence; for what is hell but
that? (2.) For the continuance of his presence with him: "<i>Thou
hast been my help</i> formerly, and <i>thou are the God of my
salvation;</i> and therefore whither shall I go but to thee? <i>O
leave me not, neither forsake me;</i> withdraw not the operations
of thy power from me, for then I am helpless; withdraw not the
tokens of thy good-will to me, for then I am comfortless." (3.) For
the benefit of divine guidance (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.11" parsed="|Ps|27|11|0|0" passage="Ps 27:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): "<i>Teach me thy way, O
Lord!</i> give me to understand the meaning of thy providences
towards me and make them plain to me; and give me to know my duty
in every doubtful case, that I may not mistake it, but may walk
rightly, and that I may not do it with hesitation, but may walk
surely." It is not policy, but plainness (that is, downright
honesty) that will direct us into and keep us in the way of our
duty. He begs to be guided <i>in a plain path, because of his
enemies,</i> or (as the margin reads it) his <i>observers.</i> His
enemies watched for his halting, that they may find occasion
against him. Saul eyed David, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.9" parsed="|1Sam|18|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:9">1 Sam.
xviii. 9</scripRef>. This quickened him to pray, "Lord, <i>lead me
in a plain path,</i> that they may have nothing ill, or nothing
that looks ill, to lay to my charge." (4.) For the benefit of a
divine protection (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.12" parsed="|Ps|27|12|0|0" passage="Ps 27:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>): "<i>Deliver me not over to the will of my
enemies.</i> Lord, let them not gain their point, for it aims at my
life, and no less, and in such a way as that I have no fence
against them, but thy power over their consciences; for <i>false
witnesses have risen up against me,</i> that aim further than to
take away my reputation or estate, for they <i>breathe out
cruelty;</i> it is the blood, the precious blood, they thirst
after." Herein David was a type of Christ; for false witnesses rose
up against him, and such as breathed out cruelty; but though he was
delivered into their wicked hands, he was not delivered over to
their will, for they could not prevent his exaltation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p18">II. He expresses his dependence upon
God,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p19">1. That he would help and succour him when
all other helps and succours failed him (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.10" parsed="|Ps|27|10|0|0" passage="Ps 27:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>): "<i>When my father and my
mother forsake me,</i> the nearest and dearest friends I have in
the world, from whom I may expect most relief and with most reason,
when they die, or are at a distance from me, or are disabled to
help me in time of need, or are unkind to me or unmindful of me,
and will not help me, when I am as helpless as ever poor orphan was
that was left fatherless and motherless, then I know <i>the Lord
will take me up,</i> as a poor wandering sheep is taken up, and
saved from perishing." His time to help those that trust in him is
when all other helpers fail, when it is most for his honour and
their comfort. With him <i>the fatherless find mercy.</i> This
promise has often been fulfilled in the letter of it. Forsaken
orphans have been taken under the special care of the divine
Providence, which has raised up relief and friends for them in a
way that one would not have expected. God is a surer and better
friend than our earthly parents are or can be.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p20">2. That in due time he should see the
displays of his goodness, <scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.13" parsed="|Ps|27|13|0|0" passage="Ps 27:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. He believed he should <i>see the goodness of the
Lord in the land of the living;</i> and, if he had not done so, he
would <i>have fainted</i> under his afflictions. Even the best
saints are subject to faint when their troubles become grievous and
tedious, their spirits are overwhelmed, and their flesh and heart
fail. But then faith is a sovereign cordial; it keeps them from
desponding under their burden and from despairing of relief, keeps
them hoping, and praying, and waiting, and keeps up in them good
thoughts of God, and the comfortable enjoyment of themselves. But
what was it the belief of which kept David from fainting?—<i>that
he should see the goodness of the Lord,</i> which now seemed at a
distance. Those that walk by faith in the goodness of the Lord
shall in due time walk in the sight of that goodness. This he hopes
to see in the land of the living, that is, (1.) In this world, that
he should outlive his troubles and not perish under them. It is his
comfort, not so much that he shall see the land of the living as
that he shall see the goodness of God in it; for that is the
comfort of all creature-comforts to a gracious soul. (2.) In the
land of Canaan, and in Jerusalem where the lively oracles were. In
comparison with the heathen, that were dead in sin, the land of
Israel might fitly be called <i>the land of the living;</i> there
God was known, and there David hoped to see his goodness; see
<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.15.25-2Sam.15.26" parsed="|2Sam|15|25|15|26" passage="2Sa 15:25,26">2 Sam. xv. 25, 26</scripRef>. Or,
(3.), In heaven. It is that alone that may truly be called <i>the
land of the living,</i> where there is no more death. This earth is
the land of the dying. There is nothing like the believing hope of
eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those
pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all the calamities of
this present time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxviii-p21">3. That in the mean time he should be
strengthened to bear up under his burdens (<scripRef id="Ps.xxviii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.14" parsed="|Ps|27|14|0|0" passage="Ps 27:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>); whether he says it to himself,
or to his friends, it comes all to one; this is that which
encourages him: <i>He shall strengthen thy heart,</i> shall sustain
thy spirit, and then the spirit shall sustain the infirmity. In
that strength, (1.) Keep close to God and to your duty. <i>Wait on
the Lord</i> by faith, and prayer, and a humble resignation to his
will; <i>wait, I say, on the Lord;</i> whatever you do, grow not
remiss in your attendance upon God. (2.) Keep up your spirits in
the midst of the greatest dangers and difficulties: <i>Be of good
courage;</i> let your hearts be fixed, trusting in God, and your
minds stayed upon him, and then let none of these things move you.
Those that wait upon the Lord have reason to be of good
courage.</p>
</div></div2>