mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 61.xml

<div2 id="Ps.lxii" n="lxii" next="Ps.lxiii" prev="Ps.lxi" progress="42.33%" title="Chapter LXI">
<h2 id="Ps.lxii-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.lxii-p0.2">PSALM LXI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.lxii-p1">David, in this psalm, as in many others, begins
with a sad heart, but concludes with an air of pleasantness—begins
with prayers and tears, but ends with songs of praise. Thus the
soul, by being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of
itself. It should seem David was driven out and banished when he
penned this psalm, whether by Saul or Absalom is uncertain: some
think by Absalom, because he calls himself "the king" (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.6" parsed="|Ps|61|6|0|0" passage="Ps 61:6">ver. 6</scripRef>), but that refers to the King
Messiah. David, in this psalm, resolves to persevere in his duty,
encouraged thereto both by his experience an by his expectations.
I. He will call upon God because God had protected him, <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.1-Ps.61.3" parsed="|Ps|61|1|61|3" passage="Ps 61:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>. II. He will call upon God
because God had provided well for him, <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.4-Ps.61.5" parsed="|Ps|61|4|61|5" passage="Ps 61:4,5">ver. 4, 5</scripRef>. III. He will praise God because
he had an assurance of the continuance of God's favour to him,
<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.6-Ps.61.8" parsed="|Ps|61|6|61|8" passage="Ps 61:6-8">ver. 6-8</scripRef>. So that, in
singing this psalm, we may find that which is very expressive both
of our faith and of our hope, of our prayers and of our praises;
and some passages in this psalm are very peculiar.</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.lxii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61" parsed="|Ps|61|0|0|0" passage="Ps 61" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.lxii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.1-Ps.61.4" parsed="|Ps|61|1|61|4" passage="Ps 61:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.61.1-Ps.61.4">
<h4 id="Ps.lxii-p1.7">Crying to God in Distress.</h4>
<div class="Center" id="Ps.lxii-p1.8">
<p id="Ps.lxii-p2">To the chief musician upon Neginah. <i>A psalm</i> of David.</p>
</div>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.lxii-p3">1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
  2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my
heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock <i>that</i> is higher
than I.   3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, <i>and</i> a
strong tower from the enemy.   4 I will abide in thy
tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Selah.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p4">In these verses we may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p5">I. David's close adherence and application
to God by prayer in the day of his distress and trouble: "Whatever
comes, <i>I will cry unto thee</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.2" parsed="|Ps|61|2|0|0" passage="Ps 61:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>),—not cry unto other gods, but
to thee only,—not fall out with thee because thou afflictest me,
but still look unto thee, and wait upon thee,—not speak to thee in
a cold and careless manner, but cry to thee with the greatest
importunity and fervency of spirit, as one that will not let thee
go except thou bless me." This he will do, 1. Notwithstanding his
distance from the sanctuary, the house of prayer, where he used to
attend as in the court of requests: "<i>From the end of the
earth,</i> or of <i>the land,</i> from the most remote and obscure
corner of the country, <i>will I cry unto thee.</i>" Note, Wherever
we are we may have liberty of access to God, and may find a way
open to the throne of grace. <i>Undique ad cœlos tantundem est
viæ—Heaven is equally accessible from all places.</i> "Nay,
because I am here in the end of the earth, in sorrow and solitude,
therefore <i>I will cry unto thee.</i>" Note, That which separates
us from our other comforts should drive us so much the nearer to
God, the fountain of all comfort. 2. Notwithstanding the dejection
and despondency of his spirit: "Though <i>my heart is
overwhelmed,</i> it is not so sunk, so burdened, but that it may be
lifted up to God in prayer; if it is not capable of being thus
raised, it is certainly too much cast down. Nay, because my heart
is ready to be overwhelmed, therefore <i>I will cry unto thee,</i>
for by that means it will be supported and relived." Note, Weeping
must quicken praying, and not deaden it. <i>Is any afflicted? Let
him pray,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.5.13 Bible:Ps.102.1" parsed="|Jas|5|13|0|0;|Ps|102|1|0|0" passage="Jam 5:13,Ps 102:1">Jam. v. 13; Ps.
cii., title</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p6">II. The particular petition he put up to
God when his heart was overwhelmed and he was ready to sink:
<i>Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;</i> that is, 1. "To
the rock which is too high for me to get up to unless thou help me
to it. Lord, give me such an assurance and satisfaction of my own
safety as I can never attain to but by thy special grace working
such a faith in me." 2. "To the rock on the top of which I shall be
set further out of the reach of my troubles, and nearer the serene
and quiet region, than I can be by any power or wisdom of my own."
God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we. This
rock is Christ; those are safe that are in him. We cannot get upon
this rock unless God by his power lead us. <i>I will put thee in
the cleft of the rock,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.33.22" parsed="|Exod|33|22|0|0" passage="Ex 33:22">Exod.
xxxiii. 22</scripRef>. We should therefore by faith and prayer put
ourselves under the divine management, that we may be taken under
the divine protection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p7">III. His desire and expectation of an
answer of peace. He begs in faith (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.1" parsed="|Ps|61|1|0|0" passage="Ps 61:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): "<i>Hear my cry, O God! attend
unto my prayer;</i> that is, let me have the present comfort of
knowing that I am heard (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.6" parsed="|Ps|20|6|0|0" passage="Ps 20:6">Ps. xx.
6</scripRef>), and in due time let me have that which I pray
for."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p8">IV. The ground of this expectation, and the
plea he uses to enforce his petition (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.3" parsed="|Ps|61|3|0|0" passage="Ps 61:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): "<i>Thou hast been a shelter for
me;</i> I have found in thee a rock higher than I: therefore I
trust thou wilt still lead me to that rock." Note, Past experiences
of the benefit of trusting in God, as they should engage us still
to keep close to him, so they should encourage us to hope that it
will not be in vain. "Thou hast been my <i>strong tower from the
enemy,</i> and thou art as strong a ever, and thy name is as much a
refuge to the righteous as ever it was." <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.10" parsed="|Prov|18|10|0|0" passage="Pr 18:10">Prov. xviii. 10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p9">V. His resolution to continue in the way of
duty to God and dependence on him, <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.4" parsed="|Ps|61|4|0|0" passage="Ps 61:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. 1. The service of God shall be
his constant work and business. All those must make it so who
expect to find God their shelter and strong tower: none but his
menial servants have the benefit of his protection. <i>I will abide
in thy tabernacle for ever.</i> David was now banished from the
tabernacle, which was his greatest grievance, but he is assured
that God by his providence would bring him back to his tabernacle,
because he had by his grace wrought in him such a kindness for the
tabernacle as that he was resolved to make it his perpetual
residence, <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.4" parsed="|Ps|27|4|0|0" passage="Ps 27:4">Ps. xxvii. 4</scripRef>. He
speaks of abiding in it <i>for ever</i> because that tabernacle was
a type and figure of heaven, <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.8-Heb.9.9 Bible:Heb.9.24" parsed="|Heb|9|8|9|9;|Heb|9|24|0|0" passage="Heb 9:8,9,24">Heb.
ix. 8, 9, 24</scripRef>. Those that dwell in God's tabernacle, as
it is a house of duty, during their short <i>ever</i> on earth,
shall dwell in that tabernacle which is the house of glory during
an endless <i>ever.</i> 2. The grace of God and the covenant of
grace shall be his constant comfort: <i>I will make my refuge in
the covert of his wings,</i> as the chickens seek both warmth and
safety under the wings of the hen. Those that have found God a
shelter to them ought still to have recourse to him in all their
straits. This advantage those have that abide in God's tabernacle,
that in the time of trouble he shall there hide them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.lxii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.5-Ps.61.8" parsed="|Ps|61|5|61|8" passage="Ps 61:5-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.61.5-Ps.61.8">
<h4 id="Ps.lxii-p9.5">Mercies Recollected.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.lxii-p10">5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast
given <i>me</i> the heritage of those that fear thy name.   6
Thou wilt prolong the king's life: <i>and</i> his years as many
generations.   7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare
mercy and truth, <i>which</i> may preserve him.   8 So will I
sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my
vows.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p11">In these verses we may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p12">I. With what pleasure David looks back upon
what God had done for him formerly (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.5" parsed="|Ps|61|5|0|0" passage="Ps 61:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>): <i>Thou, O God! hast heard my
vows,</i> that is, 1. "The vows themselves which I made, and with
which I bound my soul: thou hast taken notice of them; thou hast
accepted them, because made in sincerity, and been well pleased
with them; thou hast been mindful of them, and put me in mind of
them." God put Jacob in mind of his vows, <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.31.13 Bible:Gen.35.1" parsed="|Gen|31|13|0|0;|Gen|35|1|0|0" passage="Ge 31:13,35:1">Gen. xxxi. 13; xxxv. 1</scripRef>. Note, God is a
witness to all our vows, all our good purposes, and all our solemn
promises of new obedience. He keeps an account of them, which
should be a good reason with us, as it was with David here, why we
should perform our vows, <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.8" parsed="|Ps|61|8|0|0" passage="Ps 61:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. For he that hears the vows we made will make us hear
respecting them if they be not made good. 2. "The prayers that went
along with those vows; those thou hast graciously heard and
answered," which encouraged him now to pray, <i>O God! hear my
cry.</i> He that never did say to the seed of Jacob, Seek you me in
vain, will not now begin to say so. "Thou hast heard my vows, and
given a real answer to them; for <i>thou hast given me a heritage
of those that fear thy name.</i>" Note, (1.) There is a peculiar
people in the world that fear God's name, that with a holy awe and
reverence accept of and accommodate themselves to all the
discoveries he is pleased to make of himself to the children of
men. (2.) There is a heritage peculiar to that peculiar people,
present comforts, earnests of their future bliss. God himself is
their inheritance, their portion for ever. The Levites that had God
for their inheritance must take up with him, and not expect a lot
like their brethren; so those that fear God have enough in him, and
therefore must not complain if they have but little of the world.
(3.) We need desire no better heritage than that of those who fear
God. If God deal with us as he uses to deal with those that love
his name we need not desire to be any better dealt with.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p13">II. With what assurance he looks forward to
the continuance of his life (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.6" parsed="|Ps|61|6|0|0" passage="Ps 61:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): <i>Thou shalt prolong the king's life.</i> This may
be understood either, 1. Of himself. If it was penned before he
came to the crown, yet, being anointed by Samuel, and knowing what
God had spoken in his holiness, he could in faith call himself
<i>the king,</i> though now persecuted as an out-law; or perhaps it
was penned when Absalom sought to dethrone him, and force him into
exile. There were those that aimed to shorten his life, but he
trusted to God to prolong his life, which he did to the age of man
set by Moses (namely, seventy years), which, being spent in serving
his generation according to the will of God (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.13.36" parsed="|Acts|13|36|0|0" passage="Ac 13:36">Acts xiii. 36</scripRef>), might be reckoned <i>as many
generations,</i> because many generations would be the better for
him. His resolution was to abide in God's tabernacle for ever
(<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.4" parsed="|Ps|61|4|0|0" passage="Ps 61:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), in a way of
duty; and now his hope is that he shall abide before God for ever,
in a way of comfort. Those abide to good purpose in this world that
abide before God, that serve him and walk in his fear; and those
that do so shall abide before him for ever. He speaks of himself in
the third person, because the psalm was delivered to the chief
musician for the use of the church, and he would have the people,
in singing it, to be encouraged with an assurance that,
notwithstanding the malice of his enemies, their king, as they
wished, should live for ever. Or, 2. Of the Messiah, the King of
whom he was a type. It was a comfort to David to think, whatever
became of him, that the years of the Lord's Anointed would be as
many generations, and that <i>of the increase of his government and
peace there should be no end.</i> The Mediator shall abide before
God for ever, for he always appears in the presence of God for us,
and ever lives, making intercession; and, because he lives, we
shall live also.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p14">III. With what importunity he begs of God
to take him and keep him always under his protection: <i>O prepare
mercy and truth which may preserve him!</i> God's promises and our
faith in them are not to supersede, but to quicken and encourage
prayer. David is sure that God will prolong his life, and therefore
prays that he would preserve it, not that he would prepare him a
strong lifeguard, or a well-fortified castle, but that he would
prepare mercy and truth for his preservation; that is, that God's
goodness would provide for his safety according to the promise. We
need not desire to be better secured than under the protection of
God's mercy and truth. This may be applied to the Messiah: "Let him
be sent in the fulness of time, in <i>performance of the truth to
Jacob and the mercy to Abraham.</i>" <scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Mic.7.20 Bible:Luke.1.72-Luke.1.73" parsed="|Mic|7|20|0|0;|Luke|1|72|1|73" passage="Mic 7:20,Lu 1:72,73">Micah vii. 20; Luke i. 72, 73</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.lxii-p15">IV. With what cheerfulness he vows the
grateful returns of duty to God (<scripRef id="Ps.lxii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.61.8" parsed="|Ps|61|8|0|0" passage="Ps 61:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>So will I sing praise unto
thy name for ever.</i> Note, God's preservation of us calls upon us
to praise him; and <i>therefore</i> we should desire to live, that
we may praise him: <i>Let my soul live, and it shall praise
thee.</i> We must make praising God the work of our time, even to
the last (as long as our lives are prolonged we must continue
praising God), and then it shall be made the work of our eternity,
and we shall be praising him for ever. <i>That I may daily perform
my vows.</i> His praising God was itself the performance of his
vows, and it disposed his heart to the performance of his vows in
other instances. Note, 1. The vows we have made we must
conscientiously perform. 2. Praising God and paying our vows to him
must be our constant daily work; every day we must be doing
something towards it, because it is all but little in comparison
with what is due, because we daily receive fresh mercies, and
because, if we think much to do it daily, we cannot expect to be
doing it eternally.</p>
</div></div2>