None live so easily, so pleasantly, as those that live by faith. Even then, God is not far from the voice of our roaring; for he does not regard the music of our prayers, but his own Spirit's work in them in exciting desire and inflaming the affections. John Ball. Johannine Writings Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. The world wonders how we can be so merry under such extreme miseries; but our God is omnipotent, who turns misery into felicity. 2. It is some relief when others, though they cannot help us, yet seem to be truly concerned for the sadness of our case; when by the kindness of their words and of their actions they do a little smooth the wounds they cannot heal; but 'tis an unspeakable addition to the cross, when a man is brought low under the sense of God's displeasure, to have men mock at his calamity, or to revile him, or to speak roughly; this does inflame and exasperate the wound that was big enough before; and it is a hard thing when one has a dreadful sound in his ears to have every friend to become a son of thunder. Poor, silly, smoky helps, in comparison with the least taste (but for dishonouring faith I would say whiff) or draught of faith. What particular disobedience to his commands is it for which he has taken up the rod? The bountiful giver and the hearty singer. How the time. Verse 3.—"Lighten mine eyes." It is possible to gather gold, where it may be had, with moonlight. It is in love that his face is turned away; yet to a real child of God, this hiding of his Father's face is terrible and he will never be at ease until, once more he hath his Father's smile. 2011. how like a fool thou talkest! As Samuel dealt with Saul; he kept away till the last hour, to see what Saul would do when Samuel seemed not to keep touch with him. It is no wonder if he makes every one that he sees, and every place that he is in, a witness of his grief; but now it is a comfort in our temptations and in our fears, that we have so compassionate a friend as Christ is to whom we may repair. Oh, saith faith, remember what God hath done both for thy outward and inward man: he hath not only delivered thy body when in trouble, but he hath done great things for thy soul; he hath brought thee out of a state of black nature, entered into a covenant relation with thee, made his goodness pass before thee; he hath helped thee to pray, and many times hath heard thy prayers and thy tears. HOW LONG shall I take counsel in my soul? Purge corruptions, excite graces, raise desires heavenward. Poetical Books Lo, then, the reward of humble patience and confident hope. The mercy-seat has so refreshed the poor weeper, that he clears his throat for a song. All the powers of his enemies had not driven the psalmist from his stronghold. Poor, silly, smoky helps, in comparison with the least taste (but for dishonouring faith I would say whiff) or draught of faith. It is in love that his face is turned away; yet to a real child of God, this hiding of his Father's face is terrible and he will never be at ease until, once more he hath his Father's smile. Thank you for registering. 2. It is a small matter for people that are at ease, to deal severely with such as are afflicted, but they little know how their severe speeches and their angry words pierce them to the very soul. The whole Psalm would make a good subject, showing the stages from mourning to rejoicing, dwelling especially upon the turning point, prayer. Psalms 20:7. The laughter of a foe grates horribly on the ears of grief. But what good doth it to any to have a cordial by him if he use it not? But by that time he had exercised himself a little in duty, his distemper wears off, the mists scatter, and his faith breaks out as the sun in its strength, verses 5, 6: "I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. Consider and hear me. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. I trust, therefore, your lordship will not be angry, seeing the apostle saith, If any be of an upright heart, let him sing Psalms; and we, to declare that we are of an upright mind to God, though we are in misery, yet refresh ourselves with such singing." I will praise thee every day, If the reader has never yet found occasion to use the language of this brief ode, he will do so ere long, if he be a man after the Lord's own heart. It cannot but make any person restless and uneasy when he apprehends that God is his enemy. 1865-1885, Finding the new version too difficult to understand? Let every one, then, who may be tempted to use the complaints of this Psalm, assure his heart that God does not forget his people, help will come at last, and, in the meantime, all things shall work together for good to them that love him. For many a year it had been his wont to make the Lord his castle and tower of defence, and he smiles from behind the same bulwark still. It was surely bad enough to suspect a temporary forgetfulness, but shall we ask the ungracious question, and imagine that the Lord will for ever cast away his people? Good food from God's table, old wine of promises, walks with Jesus, exercise in good works, avoidance of everything unhealthy. Ver. As the shipwrecked mariner clings to the mast, so did David cling to his faith; he neither could nor would give up his confidence in the Lord his God. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point 2,4. Darkness engenders sleep, and despondency is not slow in making the eyes heavy. Ver. "Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses." Thou hidest thy pearl, to inflame the seeker; thou delayest to give, that thou mayest teach me to importune; seemest not to hear, to make me persevere. A week within prison-walls is longer than a month at liberty. We are all prone to play most on the worst string. may suggest deep searching of heart. Hath not every man something or other he useth to put away dumps, to drive away the evil spirit, as David with his harp? I know that, as night and shadows are good for flowers, and moonlight and dews are better than a continual sun, so is Christ's absence of special use, and that it hath some nourishing virtue in it, and giveth sap to humility, and putteth an edge on hunger, and furnishes a fair field to faith to put forth itself, and to exercise its fingers in gripping it seeth not what. Purge corruptions, excite graces, raise desires heavenward. Does not the oft-repeated cry become a very HOWLING? My God, thou hidest thy treasure, to kindle my desire! So shall it be with us if we wait awhile. Verse 4.—Noteth the nature of the wicked two ways; namely, the more they prevail the more insolent they are; they wonderfully exult over those that are afflicted. Verse 2.—"Having sorrow in my heart daily.". Oh, think of it, and resolve never to be dumb while God is deaf, never to leave off prayer till God return a gracious answer. Verse 8. I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy, Ver. Ver. He is sure of his faith, and his faith makes him sure; had he doubted the reality of his trust in God, he would have blocked up one of the windows through which the sun of heaven delights to shine. There was a greater than David who, even in the article of death, cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”. Why dost thou hide thy face? Lighten mine eyes: that is, let the eye of my faith be clear, that I may see my God in the dark; let my eye of watchfulness be wide open, lest I be entrapped, and let the eye of my understanding be illuminated to see the right way. If they miss it a day together they are troubled with rheums, dulness of spirits. The mercyseat has so refreshed the poor weeper, that he clears his throat for a song. We have been wont to call this the "How Long Psalm." It betokens very intense desire for deliverance, and great anguish of heart. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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