_A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042._ This Psalm is properly entitled Maschil, which signifies, giving instruction. For it gives us clear and satisfactory information concerning the most important of all subjects, the nature of true blessedness, and the way that leads to it. Some other Psalms have this title, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed is the man_, &c. We are here taught wherein true happiness consists, and what is the cause and foundation of it. It consists not in the possession of the wealth or honours of the world, or in the enjoyment of its pleasures, but in those spiritual blessings which flow from the favour and gra... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity_ Whom God doth not charge with the guilt of his sins, as he justly might, but pardons and accepts him in Christ. _And in whose spirit there is no guile_ Who freely confesses all his sins, without _dissembling_, is truly sorry for, and sincerely hates them, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I kept silence_ Namely, from a full and open confession of my sins, and from pouring out my soul to God in serious and fervent prayers for pardon and peace. _My bones waxed old_ My spirits failed, and the strength of my body decayed; _through my roaring all the day long_ Because of the continu... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this_ That is, upon the encouragement of my example, and of thy great mercy vouchsafed to me, in answer to my humble confession and supplication; _shall every one that is godly_ That is, truly penitent, and dreads thy wrath on account of his past sins, resolving to serve thee for the future; _p... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art my hiding-place_ When by faith I have recourse to thee, I see all the reason in the world to be easy, and to think myself out of the reach of any real evil. _Thou shalt preserve me from trouble_ From the sting of it, and from the strokes of it, as far as is good for me. Thou shalt preserve... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will instruct thee_ Whoever thou art that desirest instruction; and _teach thee in the way which thou shalt go_ That is, in which thou oughtest to walk. Thus, in another of his penitential Psalms, he resolves that when God should restore to him the joy of his salvation, he would _teach transgress... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not as the horse, or as the mule_ God hath endowed you with reason, both to inform you what you ought to do. and to check you when you do amiss, and hath made you capable also of receiving good admonitions from others; do not therefore follow your own unbridled lusts and appetites; much less be... [ Continue Reading ]
_Many sorrows shall be to the wicked_ This is an argument to enforce the preceding admonition; as if he had said, If any will be refractory or unruly, God hath many ways to curb and chastise them, and bring them to be subject to his will. “They,” says Dr. Horne, “who are not to be reformed by gentle... [ Continue Reading ]