saints of the most High, Dan. vii. 25. But let God alone to maintain his own interest, and to preserve his own people. He will keep them from this generation, (1.) From being debauched by them and drawn away from God, from mingling with them and learning their works; in times of general apostasy, the Lord knows them that are his, and they shall be enabled to keep their integrity. (2.) From being destroyed and rooted out by them; the church is built upon a rock, and so well fortified, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. In the worst of times, God has his remnant, and in every age will reserve to himself a holy seed, and preserve that to his heavenly kingdom.
In singing this psalm, and praying it over, we must bewail the general corruption of manners, thank God that things are not worse than they are, but pray and hope that they will be better in God's due time.
PSALM XIII.
This psalm is the deserted soul's case and cure. Whether it was penned upon any particular occasion, does not appear, but, in general, I. David sadly complains that God had long withdrawn from him, and delayed to relieve him, v. 1, 2. II. He earnestly prays to God to consider his case, and comfort him, v. 3, 4. III. He assures himself of an answer of peace, and therefore concludes the psalm with joy and triumph, because he concludes his deliverance to be as good as wrought, v. 5, 6.
To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
1. HOW long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 3. Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4. Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
David, in affliction, is here pouring out his soul before God; his address is short, but the method is very observable, and of use for direction and encouragement.
I. His troubles extort complaints; (v. 1, 2.) and the afflicted have liberty to pour out their complaint before the Lord, cii. title. It is some ease to a troubled spirit, to give vent to its griefs, especially to give vent to them at the throne of grace, where we are sure to find one who is afflicted in the afflictions of his people, and is troubled with the feeling of their infirmities; thither we have boldness of access by faith, and there we have freedom of speech, παῤῥησία. Observe here,
1. What David complains of.
(1.) God's unkindness; so he construed it, and it was his infirmity. He thought God had forgotten him, had forgotten his promises to him, his covenant with him, his former loving-kindness which he had showed him, and which he took to be an earnest of further mercy; had forgotten that there was such a man in the world, who needed and expected relief and succour from him. Thus Zion said, My God has forgotten me; (Isa. xlix. 14.) Israel said, My way is hid from the Lord, Isa. xl. 27. Not that any good man can doubt the omniscience, goodness, and faithfulness, of God; but it is a peevish expression of prevailing fear, which yet, when it arises from a high esteem and earnest desire of God's favour, though it be indecent and culpable, shall be passed by and pardoned, for the second thought will retract it, and repent of it. God hid his face from him, so that he wanted that inward comfort in God which he used to have, and herein was a type of Christ upon the cross, crying out, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? God sometimes hides his face from his own children, and leaves them in the dark concerning their interest in him: and this they lay to heart more than any outward trouble whatsoever.
(2.) His own uneasiness. [1.] He was racked with care that filled his head; I take counsel in my soul; "I am at a loss, and am inops consilii—have no friend to advise with, that I can put any confidence in, and therefore am myself continually projecting what to do to help myself; but none of my projects are likely to take effect, so that I am at my wit's end, and in a continual agitation." Anxious cares are heavy burthens with which good people often load themselves more than they need. [2.] He was overwhelmed with sorrow that filled his heart; I have sorrow in my heart daily. He had a constant disposition to sorrow, and it preyed upon his spirits; not only in the night, when he was silent and solitary, but by day too, when lighter griefs are diverted and dissipated by conversation and business; nay, every day brought with it fresh occasions of grief; the clouds returned after the rain. The bread of sorrows is sometimes the saint's daily bread; our Master himself was a Man of sorrows.
(3.) His enemies' insolence, which added to his grief. Saul, his great enemy, and others under him, were exalted over him, triumphed in his distress, pleased themselves with his grief, and promised themselves a complete victory over him. This he complained of as reflecting dishonour upon God, and his power and promise.
2. How he expostulates with God hereupon; "How long shall it be thus?" And, "Shall it be thus for ever?" Long afflictions try our patience, and often tire it. It is a common temptation, when trouble lasts long, to think it will last always; despondency then turns into despair, and those that have long been without joy, begin, at last, to be without hope; "Lord, tell me how long thou wilt hide thy face, and assure me that it shall not be for ever, but that thou wilt return, at length, in mercy to me, and then I shall the more easily bear my present troubles."
II. His complaints stir up his prayers, v. 3, 4. We should never allow ourselves to make any complaints but what are fit to be offered up to God, and what drive us to our knees. Observe here,
1. What his petitions are; Consider my case, hear my complaints, and lighten mine eyes. (1.) "Strengthen my faith;" for faith is the eye of the soul, with which it sees above, and sees through, the things of sense. "Lord, enable me to look beyond my present troubles, and to foresee a happy issue of them." (2.) "Guide my way, enable me to look about me, that I may avoid the snares which are laid for me." (3.) "Refresh my soul with the joy of thy salvation." That which revives the drooping spirits, is said to enlighten the eyes, 1 Sam. xiv. 27. Ezra ix. 8. "Lord, scatter the cloud of melancholy which darkens my eyes, and let my countenance be made pleasant."
2. What his pleas are. He mentions his relation to God and interest in him; O Lord my God; and insists upon the greatness of the peril, which called for speedy relief and succour. If his eyes were not lightened quickly, (1.) He concludes that he must perish; "I shall sleep the sleep of death, I cannot live under the weight of all this care and
