Psalms 74:20

Have respect unto the covenant.

The covenant pleaded

It is the covenant of grace, not of works, that we are to plead.

I. What is meant by this plea.

1. Fulfil thy covenant: let it not be a dead letter.

2. Fulfil all its promises.

3. Let nothing hinder or turn them aside.

II. Whence this plea derives its force.

1. From the veracity of God.

2. His jealousy for His honour.

3. The venerable character of She covenant.

4. Its solemn endorsement, God’s Word.

5. Its seal--the blood of Christ.

6. Nothing in it has ever failed.

7. The testimony of God’s dying people.

III. How and when this covenant may be pleaded.

1. Under a sense of sin.

2. Labouring after holiness.

3. When under strong temptation.

4. Or in great distress.

IV. Practical inferences.

1. Have a grateful respect for the covenant to which you pray the Lord to have respect.

2. Have joy in it.

3. Be jealous for it.

4. Practically respect it. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The Divine covenant steadfast and sure

Rutherford says that unbelief may tear the copies of the covenant of grace given us, but Christ keeps the original in heaven with Himself. Though we believe not, yet He remaineth faithful. He cannot deny Himself.

The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

The Church’s duty to the heathen

The world wants the Gospel; the Gospel alone meets the world’s necessities.

I. The world’s need of God. “The dark places,” etc.

1. How dark a system is idolatry: see its sin, and misery, and cruelty.

II. God’s provision for the world. The covenant tells of the Gospel with all its abundant provisions. It brings light; it implants love. Christ is offered as food for the hungry, pardon for the guilty, consolation for the mourner, life for the dead.

III. How is this remedy to be applied?

1. God Himself must apply it. But--

2. We must pray for the heathen; pray in public and at home.

3. And we must send messengers to the heathen who shall tell them of Christ. (John Hambleton, M. A.)