Salmos 70

Horae Homileticae de Charles Simeon

Salmos 70:4-5

4 Mas regozijem-se e alegrem-se em ti todos os que te buscam; digam sempre os que amam a tua salvação: "Como Deus é grande! "

5 Quanto a mim, sou pobre e necessitado; apressa-te, ó Deus. Tu és o meu socorro e o meu libertador; Senhor, não te demores!

DISCOURSE: 614
THE CHRISTIAN’S FRAME OF MIND

Salmos 70:4. Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer: O Lord, make no tarrying.

THIS psalm is entitled “A psalm to bring to remembrance.” What were the things to which David more especially referred, we do not certainly know. The whole psalm, with only a few verbal alterations, is taken from the 40th Psalm, of which it forms a part; and it seems to have been separated for the purpose of being used by David on some particular occasion, to which the former part of that psalm was not applicable. It served to bring to his remembrance some special deliverances: and for a similar end it may well be used by us. We have many who would exult in our destruction, even as he had: and we may well desire that all their efforts may be frustrated, and their expectations disappointed. On the other hand, we should desire the prosperity and happiness of the Lord’s people: and be earnest with God in prayer, that we ourselves may “participate the felicity of his chosen, and give thanks with his inheritance.” Our past trials and deliverances should all be brought to remembrance for this end; and be made subservient to our own advancement in the divine life, and to the glory of our God.
From the words before us, I shall,

I. Point out to your notice that frame of mind which the Lord’s people are privileged to enjoy—

Short is the description given of the Lord’s people; but it is amply sufficient to distinguish them from all other people upon earth. “They seek after God, and love his salvation.” The great mass of mankind live without God in the world. And of those who seek him, there are few who “love the salvation” set before us in the Gospel. As for those who seek him in ways of their own devising, they have no claim to the character of God’s people. Those only are truly his, who come to him through Christ, and embrace the salvation offered them in the Gospel, and love that Saviour who has bought them with his blood. To them “Christ is precious;” and their privilege is to live in the daily experience,

1. Of sacred joy—

[Truly they have cause to rejoice. If it were only that they hear of a Saviour, that would be ground enough for joy: but to have a view of him in his mediatorial office, and to hope that they have obtained an interest in him, is a reason for “rejoicing in him with joy unspeakable and glorified.” Hence the Apostle enjoins it upon us as a duty: “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.” “Rejoice evermore. It surely does not become a redeemed soul to be cast down with despondency; and still less to be in a state of stupid insensibility. He should be sensible of the mercies vouchsafed unto him, and should “serve his God with gladness and joyfulness of heart.”]

2. Of grateful adoration—

[The Christian’s joy should not terminate on the benefits he has received, or on his own personal interest in them, so much as on his God and Saviour, from whom he has received them. This distinction I conceive to be of considerable importance: for joy may be excited by novelty, and may be little more than an ebullition of the animal spirits arising from a new hope kindled in the soul: whereas, when it arises rather from a contemplation of the Saviour’s love, it is of a more refined quality, more humble, more tender, more modest, more reserved. “The children of Zion should be joyful in their King;” and, instead of arrogating any thing to themselves, should say continually, “Let GOD be magnified.” Such was Mary’s joy, when she was honoured to be the means of bringing forth the Saviour of the world: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” The two kinds of joy, as considered apart, may be compared with fruit in its earlier or its more matured state. The unripe peach, for instance, is brilliant in its hues; but, whilst it is beauteous to the eye, it is crude and sour to the taste: whereas that which is of a more mellowed tint, obscured perhaps by the foliage under which it hangs, will approve itself by ~its susceptibility of impression from the slightest touch, and the richness of its flavour when submitted to the taste. Such as this latter will be found the joys of heaven. The glorified saints, yea, and the angels too, all fall upon their faces before the throne of God, whilst yet with all their powers they sing forth the praises “of God and of the Lamb.” They are filled, indeed, with a sense of the benefits which they enjoy: but they are lost in wonder whilst beholding with unveiled face the glories of their God.

Such is the frame which the saints are privileged to enjoy on earth: they should “rejoice and be glad in the Lord;” but at the same time they should be saying continually, “Let God be magnified.”]
But, as all do not live in the enjoyment of this frame, I will,

II.

Give some directions to those who have not yet been able to attain it—

We see, from David’s own experience, that this joy is not universal amongst the saints of God. There are times and seasons when, from a variety of causes, the mind of a pious person may be depressed: and when this occurs, I would say to the drooping soul, Follow the example of David in our text:

1. Lie low before God in the deepest humiliation—

[“I am poor and needy,” was the confession of that holy man, the man after God’s own heart. And well does the same language become us all. They who know most of themselves, will be the most ready to acknowledge that they are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” And never are we in a frame more pleasing and acceptable to God, than when we abase ourselves before him in dust and ashes. We are told, that “the broken and contrite heart God will not despise;” nay more, that he will select, for his more immediate and delightful habitation, the humble and contrite soul [Note: Isaías 57:15.]. Then shall we be prepared to exalt our God, when we feel disposed to humble and abase ourselves.]

2. Importune him, with all earnestness, to grant you this frame—

[There is a holy impatience, which God approves; not indeed an impatience connected with murmuring, but that which arises from intensity of desire. This feeling you may carry to its utmost possible extent, “panting after God, even as the hart after the water-brooks.” And under this feeling, you may cry with a boldness almost bordering on presumption, “Return to me, O Lord; make haste unto me: O Lord, make no tarrying.” We may go farther still; and say, with David, “Awake; Why sleepest thou? pluck thy hand out of thy bosom. Arise, and plead thine own cause [Note: Salmos 44:23; Salmos 74:11; Salmos 74:22.].” Such is the importunity recommended to us in the parable of the unjust judge. The widow, purely by the urgency of her petitions, prevailed over one who cared not either for God or man. “And shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you, that he will avenge them speedily.” All who wrestle, like Jacob, in supplication with God, shall assuredly be partakers of his success.]

3. Plead with him your entire dependence on his power and grace—

[“Make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer: O Lord, make no tarrying.” This is a plea which God, if I may so express myself, cannot withstand. If he withhold from us the light of his countenance, it is in order to make us more simple in our dependence on him: and when we renounce every other help or hope, and trust in him with our whole hearts, then are we as sure of succour as if it had already arrived: “for his goings forth are prepared as the morning; and He shall come to us as the rain, as the latter and the former rain upon the earth [Note: Oséias 6:3.],” “They that trust in the Lord are even as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever [Note: Salmos 125:1.].”]

Application—
1.

See that the Christian’s character, Brethren, be yours—

[Here is an easy test whereby to try yourselves: Are you indeed seeking after God? and are you truly lovers of his salvation? Nothing is easier to ascertain than this. The lovers of pleasure, of riches, and of honour, plainly manifest their character: you may see it in the disposition of their minds, and in the daily habit of their lives. They use the means which are suited to their respective ends. I blame not them for this: for it is not the pursuit of earthly things, but the inordinate pursuit of them, that is displeasing to God. But where the world is sought only in a legitimate way, the means are used in order to the end: no man expects to reap where he has not sowed. Are you then using the means of salvation, in daily prayer to God, in an earnest application to the Saviour, and in a diligent performance of every known duty? You may easily ascertain your true character, if you will try yourselves by this test: and therefore to every one of you I say, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: try your own selves.”]

2. See that ye walk worthy of that character—

[Be not content to live without a real enjoyment of the divine presence. The lukewarm are in some respects more odious to God than those who are altogether destitute of any religion: because, in professing themselves the Lord’s people, they bring nothing but disgrace upon him by their want of zeal and love. I say to you, Brethren, and I say it from God himself, “Be either cold or hot.” If God be not worthy to be loved and served, cast off his service altogether: but if he be worthy, then love and serve him with your whole hearts. It is in this way only that you can attain any joy in the Lord. It is in this way only that you can gain such discoveries of his love, as shall constrain you to abound in grateful adoration and thanksgiving. In the want of joy, you may indeed be thankful, if you can mourn and weep: but God forbid that you should be satisfied with such low attainments as will leave you destitute of all comfort in religion. You are here to prepare for glory: you are here to anticipate the glory that awaits you: you are here, both in word and deed, to be magnifying the Lord, in some measure as he is magnified in heaven. Aspire, then, to this state, which is recommended in my text: “Let all those that seek the Lord rejoice and be glad in him: and let all such as love his salvation, say continually, The Lord be magnified!”]

Introdução

CONTENTS TO VOL. V.

Discourse

Text

Subject

Psalms

494. Salmos 1:1.

Characters of the Righteous and Wicked

495. Salmos 2:1.

Opposition to Christ vain

496. Salmos 2:12.

Regard to Christ enforced

497. Salmos 4:3.

The Privileges of the Godly

498. Salmos 4:4.

A practical Exhortation

499. Salmos 4:6.

God’s Favour the only substantial Good

500. Salmos 5:11.

The Blessedness of the Righteous

501. Salmos 7:11.

God’s Indignation against the Wicked

502. Salmos 9:10.

The Name of God a Ground of Trust

503. Salmos 9:17.

The Danger of forgetting God

504. Salmos 10:4.

Men’s proud Contempt of God

505. Salmos 10:13.

Men’s Contempt of God

506. Salmos 11:1.

The Workings of Unbelief and Faith

507. Salmos 12:4.

Practical Atheism exposed

508. Salmos 14:1.

The Commonness and Folly of Atheism

509. Salmos 14:6.

Believers vindicated

510. Salmos 14:7.

The Blessings of Salvation

511. Salmos 15:1.

Character of those that shall be saved

512. Salmos 16:4.

Superior Blessedness of true Christians

513. Salmos 16:5.

God himself his People’s Portion

514. Salmos 16:8.

Christ’s Resurrection and Glory

515. Salmos 17:15.

The Man of God

516. Salmos 18:1.

God the all-sufficient Portion of his People

517. Salmos 18:23.

Besetting Sins

518. Salmos 18:25.

Equity of the Divine Procedure

519. Salmos 18:50.

Thanksgiving for any great Deliverance

520. Salmos 19:7.

Excellency of God’s Word

521. Salmos 19:10.

The Use and Benefit of the Scriptures

522. Salmos 19:12.

Prayer against Sins of Infirmity and Presumption

523.

Salmos 20:7.

Trust in God the Means of Success

524. Salmos 21:1.

The Kingdom of David and of Christ

525. Salmos 21:7.

Trust in God recommended

526. Salmos 22:1.

Our Lord’s Complaint on the Cross

527. Salmos 22:11.

The Sufferings of Christ

528. Salmos 23:1.

David’s Confidence in God

529. Salmos 24:7.

The Ascension of Christ typified

530. Salmos 25:6.

The Saint pleading with God

531. Salmos 25:9.

Meek Docility inculcated

532. Salmos 25:10.

God’s Paths are Mercy and Truth

533. Salmos 25:11.

Proper Method of praying to God

534. Salmos 25:12.

The Portion of those who fear God

535. Salmos 25:14.

The Secrets of the Lord

536. Salmos 26:8.

The Worship of God delightful

537. Salmos 27:4.

David’s Love to God’s Ordinances

538. Salmos 27:8.

The Duty of Prayer

539. Salmos 28:7.

Adoring God for his Mercies

540. Salmos 28:8.

God our saving Strength

541. Salmos 29:10.

God the Giver of Strength and Peace

542. Salmos 30:5.

The Mercy of God

543. Salmos 30:6.

Cause and Cure of spiritual Desertion

544. Salmos 31:15.

Our Times in God’s Hand

545. Salmos 31:19.

The Goodness of God to his believing People

546. Salmos 31:21.

The Godly encouraged to trust in God

547. Salmos 32:1.

True Blessedness declared

548. Salmos 32:11.

Joy in the Lord inculcated

549. Salmos 33:18.

God’s Care of his People

550. Salmos 34:2.

Devotion exemplified

551. Salmos 34:6.

Grateful Recollections

552. Salmos 34:8.

Experimental Religion enforced

553. Salmos 34:11.

The Fear of God inculcated

554. Salmos 34:18.

The Broken and Contrite in Heart encouraged

555. Salmos 35:3.

The Sinner’s Hope

556. Salmos 35:13.

Compassion to the Sick

557. Salmos 36:1.

Awful State of ungodly Men

558. Salmos 36:2.

The self-flattering Delusions of Sinners exposed

559.

Salmos 36:4.

Sin to be abhorred

560. Salmos 36:6.

God’s Word and Works Mysterious

561. Salmos 36:7.

The Loving-kindness of God

562. Salmos 36:9.

Christ the Fountain of Life and Light

563. Salmos 36:10.

God’s continued Care implored

564. Salmos 37:3.

Confidence in God recommended

565. Salmos 37:23.

God’s Interest in his People

566. Salmos 37:31.

The Security of the upright Soul

567. Salmos 38:1.

David’s Distress and Consolation

568. Salmos 39:4.

The Shortness of Human Life

569. Salmos 40:1.

David’s Success in Prayer an Encouragement to us

570. Salmos 41:9.

Christ a Preacher of Righteousness

571. Salmos 40:17.

Consolation to the Distressed

572. Salmos 42:1.

David’s Desire after God

573. Salmos 43:3.

Access to God in Ordinances

574. Salmos 43:5.

Sources and Remedy of Dejection

575. Salmos 45:3.

The Reign of Christ desired

576. Salmos 45:7.

Benefits attendant on Holiness

577. Salmos 45:10.

Duty of the Church as married to Christ

578. Salmos 45:13.

The Church’s Beauty and Happiness

579. Salmos 46:4.

The River of God

580. Salmos 47:5.

The Ascension of Christ an Occasion for Joy

581. Salmos 48:12.

The Church’s Security in God

582. Salmos 49:13.

The Folly of worldly Men

583. Salmos 49:20.

The degraded State of Men

584. Salmos 50:7.

Spiritual Obedience preferred before Sacrifice

585. Salmos 51:1.

True Patience described

586. Salmos 51:4.

Sin an Offence against God

587. Salmos 51:5.

Original Sin

588. Salmos 51:6.

The Importance of inward Integrity

589. Salmos 51:7.

The Means of Deliverance from spiritual Leprosy

590. Salmos 51:8.

The Operations of Sin and of Grace

591. Salmos 51:10.

True Renovation of Heart

592. Salmos 51:14.

The Penitent encouraged

593. Salmos 51:16.

A broken Heart the best Sacrifice

594.

Salmos 55:6.

The afflicted Soul comforted

595. Salmos 56:12.

Vows to be performed

596. Salmos 57:7.

David’s Love to God

597. Salmos 60:4.

God’s Banner over his People

598. Salmos 61:2.

Advice to the Afflicted

599. Salmos 62:5.

God our only and all-sufficient Help

600. Salmos 63:1.

The Believer’s Dispositions towards God

601. Salmos 63:8.

Following after God

602. Salmos 65:3.

Consolation in God

603. Salmos 65:4.

The Blessedness of waiting upon God

604. Salmos 65:9.

God’s Works of Providence and Grace

605. Salmos 66:8.

Stability the Gift of God

606. Salmos 66:16.

Answers to Prayer acknowledged

607. Salmos 66:18; Salmos 66:20.

Sin a Preventive to the Acceptance of our Prayers

608. Salmos 67:1.

Calling of the Gentiles prayed for

609. Salmos 68:18.

The End of Christ’s Ascension

610. Salmos 68:19.

Gratitude to God for his Benefits

611. Salmos 68:35.

The Character of God

612. Salmos 69:1.

Sorrows and Sufferings of Christ

613. Salmos 69:32.

Humble Souls encouraged

614. Salmos 70:4.

The Christian’s Frame of Mind

615. Salmos 71:3.

God a Habitation for his People

616. Salmos 71:7.

The King’s Accession

617. Salmos 71:15.

Salvation a Ground of Joy

618. Salmos 72:6.

Excellence of Christ’s Government

619. Salmos 72:12.

Christ’s Government of his Church

620. Salmos 72:16.

The Success of the Gospel

621. Salmos 72:17.

The Perpetuity and Excellency of Christ’s Kingdom

622. Salmos 72:18.

Praise to God for Redemption

CONTENTS TO VOL. VI

Discourse

Text

Subject

Psalms

623. Salmos 73:1.

The Goodness of God to Israel

624. Salmos 73:16.

Prosperity of Sinners not to be envied

625. Salmos 73:23.

The Christian’s Experience and Hopes

626. Salmos 73:25.

The Christian’s Choice

627. Salmos 73:28.

Benefit of drawing near to God

628. Salmos 74:22.

God’s Interest in his People

629. Salmos 76:7.

God greatly to be feared

630. Salmos 77:7.

Despondency depicted and reproved

631. Salmos 78:8.

Jews and Christians compared

632. Salmos 78:19.

The Evil of Unbelief

633. Salmos 78:32.

Obstinacy in Sin reproved

634. Salmos 78:32.

The Fruit of Impenitence and Unbelief

635. Salmos 78:34.

The Extent of God’s Mercy

636. Salmos 80:17.

The Efficacy of Prayer

637. Salmos 81:10.

Prayer Effectual to any Extent

638. Salmos 81:11.

God giving up obstinate Transgressors

639. Salmos 84:1.

Divine Ordinances lovely

640. Salmos 84:10.

God’s Ordinances precious

641. Salmos 84:11.

Promises to the Upright

642. Salmos 85:8.

Attention to God’s Word encouraged

643. Salmos 85:9.

The Perfections of God reconciled in Christ Jesus

644. Salmos 86:1.

A praying Spirit exemplified

645. Salmos 86:11.

How to walk with God

646. Salmos 87:3.

The Glory of Zion

647. Salmos 88:14.

Distress of Soul considered

648. Salmos 89:15.

The Blessings of God’s People

649. Salmos 89:19.

The Sufficiency of Christ to save

650. Salmos 89:28.

God’s covenant Engagements with Christ and us

651. Salmos 90:11.

God’s Anger a Reason for turning to him

652. Salmos 90:14.

Satisfaction in God alone

653. Salmos 90:17.

The Beauty of Jehovah imparted to his People

654. Salmos 91:1.

The Blessedness of God’s People

655. Salmos 91:9.

The Security of those who dwell in God

656. Salmos 91:14.

The Character and Privilege of the Gospel

657. Salmos 92:4.

God admired in his Works

658. Salmos 92:12.

The Believer’s Security

659. Salmos 94:19.

Comfort in God

660. Salmos 95:6.

Devotion to God recommended and enforced

661. Salmos 96:1.

The Duty of making Christ known to the Heathen

662. Salmos 96:9.

Worship in the Beauty of Holiness

663. Salmos 97:2.

God’s Ways dark but just

664. Salmos 97:11.

The Blessedness of the Righteous

665. Salmos 98:1.

Christ’s Advent a Ground of Joy

666. Salmos 100:1.

Gentiles called to glorify God

667. Salmos 101:1.

Mercy and Judgment Grounds of Praise

668. Salmos 101:2.

A wise Deportment delineated

669. Salmos 101:3.

Integrity

670. Salmos 102:13.

The Restoration of the Jews

671. Salmos 102:25.

The Eternity and Immutability of Christ

672. Salmos 103:1.

Duty of praising God for his Mercies

673. Salmos 103:8.

The Goodness of God

674. Salmos 103:15.

Perpetuity of God’s Mercy

675. Salmos 104:33.

The Duty of praising God

676. Salmos 106:4.

The Christian’s Desire

677. Salmos 106:10.

The Effects which national Mercies should produce on us

678. Salmos 106:21.

The Evil and Danger of Ingratitude

679. Salmos 106:30.

The Zeal of Phinehas commended

680. Salmos 106:48.

Praise to God for his Mercies

681. Salmos 107:1.

Praise to God for Redemption

682. Salmos 107:8.

The Duty and Grounds of Praise

683. Salmos 107:43.

God’s Love seen in all his Dispensations

684. Salmos 110:1.

The Person and Offices of Christ

685. Salmos 111:2.

The great Work of Redemption

686. Salmos 111:10.

The Fear of the Lord

687. Salmos 113:5.

Greatness and Condescension of God

688. Salmos 115:9.

Trust in God recommended

689. Salmos 116:1.

Thanksgiving for Deliverance

690. Salmos 116:8.

Grateful Recollections

691. Salmos 116:12.

How to requite the Lord for his Mercies

692. Salmos 116:15.

The Death of Saints precious

693. 117.

The Gentiles called to praise God

694. Salmos 118:27.

The Exaltation of Christ a Ground of Confidence

695. Salmos 119:4.

Practical Religion enforced

696. Salmos 119:9.

God’s Word the Means of Sanctification

697. Salmos 119:18.

How to attain Divine Knowledge

698. Salmos 119:20.

David’s Desire after God’s Word

699. Salmos 119:30.

Christian Experience

700. Salmos 119:34.

Wisdom of true Piety

701. Salmos 119:37.

The Vanities of this World an Obstacle to spiritual Progress

702. Salmos 119:45.

True Liberty

703. Salmos 119:51.

Comfort under Persecution

704. Salmos 119:59.

Serious and speedy Conversion to God recommended

705. Salmos 119:68.

The Goodness of God

706. Salmos 119:71.

The Benefit of Affliction

707. Salmos 119:76.

The Loving-kindness of God

708. Salmos 119:97.

David’s Boasting explained and vindicated

709. Salmos 119:128.

The true Test of Religion in the Soul

710. Salmos 119:132.

The Christian’s chief Desires

711. Salmos 119:136.

Reasons for weeping over Sinners

712. Salmos 119:145.

David’s Desire to serve God

713. Salmos 119:165.

Blessedness of those who love God’s Law

714. Salmos 121:1.

Security of those who trust in God

715. Salmos 124:1.

Thanksgiving for great Deliverance

716. Salmos 124:1.

God to be acknowledged in our Mercies

717. Salmos 125:1.

Trust in the Lord

718. Salmos 125:4.

The Upright and Apostates contrasted

719. Salmos 126:1.

Deliverance from spiritual Bondage acknowledged

720. Salmos 126:5.

Sowing in Tears

721. Salmos 126:5.

The Spiritual Harvest

722. Salmos 130:1.

God’s Mercy an Encouragement to Prayer

723. Salmos 130:5.

Waiting upon God

724. Salmos 130:7.

The Duty of hoping in God

725. Salmos 131:2.

Weanedness from the World

726. Salmos 132:13.

Zion a Type of the Church

727. Salmos 133:1.

The Benefit of Christian Unity

728. Salmos 136:26.

A Call to adore God for his Mercy

729. Salmos 138:2.

God’s Word magnified

730. Salmos 138:3.

Answers to Prayers

731. Salmos 138:4.

The Gospel a Source of Happiness

732. Salmos 138:6.

God’s Views of the Lowly and of the Proud

733. Salmos 138:8.

God’s Care of his People

734. Salmos 139:1

Omnipresence and Omniscience of God

735. Salmos 139:17.

A Christian’s Delight in God

736. Salmos 139:23.

The Difficulty of knowing our own State

737. Salmos 142:7.

Liberty desired

738. Salmos 143:2.

A strict Award of Justice deprecated

739. Salmos 143:7.

God a Refuge to the Distressed

740. Salmos 144:15.

The Blessedness of the Righteous

741. Salmos 145:1.

Praise to God for his Goodness and his Mercy

742. Salmos 145:8.

The Goodness of God to Man

743. Salmos 145:18.

God’s Readiness to answer Prayer

744. Salmos 146:5.

The Blessedness of trusting in God

745. Salmos 146:7.

The Extent of Christ’s Compassion

746. Salmos 147:5.

The Power and Wisdom of God

747. Salmos 147:11.

God’s Regard for the least of his Saints

748. Salmos 147:12.

Temporal Mercies a Ground of Praise

749. Salmos 148:14.

God’s People near unto him

750. Salmos 149:2.

Joy in Christ

751. Salmos 149:4.

Duty of praising God for his Goodness

752. Salmos 150:6.

The Duty of praising God