Psalms 102:3-11

I make no chasm in the reading of these verses, because they form together a complete detail of the state of the sufferer, and serve the better, in an united point of view, to interest our hearts in the perusal. Suppose, Reader, that you and I consider these words, as spoken by the prophet with reference to Jesus: we have several portions to the same effect, which the Holy Ghost hath explained by direct application to Jesus. See and compare Psalms 22:8, with Matthew 27:43; Psalms 22:1, with Matthew 27:46; and Psalms 16:10, with Acts 2:29. I conceive such views to be very blessed. And, first, observe the days of Christ are said to be, as the smoke, or the shadow. Jesus was only thirty years old (counting after the days of his flesh), when he entered upon his public ministry; and the whole period from that time to the cross, was only about three years and a half. Taking upon him our nature, and bearing the sin of that nature, induced those effects which are here spoken of. Luke 3:23. Secondly, remark the sorrow of those days, in the consequences it induced. He saith, his heart was smitten, and withered like grass. He forgot to eat bread. What he did eat was like ashes, and mingled with tears. And such was his groaning, that his bones would scarce cleave to his flesh. These things could only be said of Jesus, as the sinner's Surety. David, king of Israel, in no period of his troubles, waded through either bodily or soul distresses like these. But nothing can be more suited than these expressions to Christ. The prophet described him as having a visage marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men; Isaiah 52:14. And in the gospel account of the Evangelists, the relation exactly corresponds. From the manger to the cross, he was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; Isaiah 53:3. Thirdly, note what the patient sufferer complains of; the reproaches of his enemies all the day long, and of their being sworn together against him; these things were so literally fulfilled in the person of Jesus, as they never could be in any other. He was accounted a deceiver, a blasphemer, nay, a devil; when, in the same moment, in his mouth, there was no guile. Precious Jesus! how very endearing are such views of thee and of thine unequalled sorrows, beheld, as thou art in thyself; and as thou art in thy tender love to us, and to our poor fallen nature! Lastly, and above all, observe the cries of Christ, on account of God the Father's displeasure against sin, which He, as the sinner's Surety, sustained, when he said in this Psalm, I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up and cast me down! Who shall say what the holy soul of Jesus felt in those unequalled moments of sorrow, when, for our sin, it pleased the Father to bruise him, and to put him to grief? Isaiah 53:10. Who shall ever conceive the anguish of heart, that Jesus experienced, when the sword of justice received a command to awake and smite him? Zechariah 13:7. And what form of words can be found to explain the nature of that soul-agony which constrained the holy Jesus to exclaim, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death? Mark 14:34. Lamb of God! when I think of these things, shall my mind be led away to think of other afflictions, or the exercises of myself, or other sinners, when thy spotless soul, in which was no sin, was borne down, under a pressure that would have crushed a whole creation, where sin is found? Do I not hear thee say, Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me, in the day of his fierce anger? Lamentations 1:12.