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Expositor's Bible Commentary Psalm 138:1 A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. Psalm 138:1-8 This is the first of a group of eight psalms attributed to David in the superscriptions. It precedes the closing hallelujah psalms, and thus stands where a "find" of Davidic psalms at a late date would naturally be put. In some cases, there is no improbability in the assigned authorship; and this psalm is certainly singularly unlike those which precede it, and has many affinities with the earlier psalms ascribed to David. In reading it, one feels the return to familiar thoughts and tones. The fragrance it exhales wakes memories of former songs. But the resemblance may be due to the imitative habit so marked in the last book of the Psalter. If it is a late psalm, the speaker is probably the personified Israel, and the deliverance which seems to the singer to have transcended all previous manifestations of the Divine name is the Restoration, which has inspired so many of the preceding psalms. The supporters of the Davidic authorship, on the other hand, point to the promise to David by Nathan of the perpetuity of the kinghood in his line, as the occasion of the psalmist’s triumph. The structure of the psalm is simple. It falls into three parts, of which the two former consist of three verses each, and the last of two. In the first, the singer vows praise and recounts God’s wondrous dealings with him ( Psalm 138:1-3 ); in the second, he looks out over all the earth in the confidence that these blessings, when known, will bring the world to worship ( Psalm 138:4-6 ); and in the third, he pleads for the completion to himself of mercies begun ( Psalm 138:7-8 ). The first part is the outpouring of a thankful heart for recent great blessing, which has been the fulfilment of a Divine promise. So absorbed in his blessedness is the singer that he neither names Jehovah as the object of his thanks, nor specifies what has set his heart vibrating. The great Giver and the great gift are magnified by being unspoken. To whom but Jehovah could the current of the psalmist’s praise set? He feels that Jehovah’s mercy to him requires him to become the herald of His name; and therefore he vows, in lofty consciousness of his mission, that he will ring out God’s praises in presence of false gods, whose worshippers have no such experience to loose their tongues. Dead gods have dumb devotees; the servants of the living Jehovah receive His acts of power, that they may proclaim His name. The special occasion for this singer’s praise has been some act, in which Jehovah’s faithfulness was very conspicuously shown. "Thou hast magnified Thy promise above all Thy name." If the history of David underlies the psalm, it is most natural to interpret the "promise" as that of the establishment of the monarchy. But the fulfilment, not the giving, of a promise is its magnifying, and hence one would incline to take the reference to be to the great manifestation of God’s troth in restoring Israel to its land. In any case the expression is peculiar, and has induced many attempts at emendation. Baethgen would strike out "Thy name" as a dittograph from the previous clause, and thus gets the reading "done great things beyond Thy word" -i.e., transcended the promise in fulfilment-which yields a good sense. Others make a slight alteration in the word "Thy name," and read it "Thy heavens," supposing that the psalmist is making the usual comparison between the manifestation of Divine power in Nature and in Revelation, or in the specific promise in question. But the text as it stands, though peculiar, is intelligible, and yields a meaning very appropriate to the singer’s astonished thankfulness. A heart amazed by the greatness of recent blessings is ever apt to think that they, glittering in fresh beauty, are greater, as they are nearer and newer, than the mercies which it has only heard of as of old. Today brings growing revelations of Jehovah to the waiting heart. The psalmist is singing, not dissertating. It is quite true that if his words are measured by the metaphysical theologian’s foot rule, they are inaccurate, for "the name of God cannot be surpassed by any single act of His, since every single act is but a manifestation of that name"; but thankfulness does not speak by rule, and the psalmist means to say that, so great has been the mercy given to him and so signal its confirmation of the Divine promise, that to him, at all events, that whole name blazes with new lustre, and breathes a deeper music. So should each man’s experience be the best teacher of what God is to all men. In Psalm 138:3 b the psalmist uses a remarkable expression, in saying that Jehovah had made him bold, or, as the word is literally, proud. The following words are a circumstantial or subsidiary clause, and indicate how the consciousness of inbreathed strength welling up in his soul gave him lofty confidence to confront foes. The second part ( Psalm 138:4-6 ) resembles many earlier psalms in connecting the singer’s deliverance with a world wide manifestation of God’s name. Such a consciousness of a vocation to be the world’s evangelist is appropriate either to David or the collective Israel. Especially is it natural, and, as a fact, occurs in post-exilic psalms. Here "the words of Thy mouth" are equivalent to the promise already spoken of, the fulfilment of which has shown that Jehovah the High has regard to the lowly -i.e., to the psalmist; and "knows the lofty" -i.e., his oppressors-"afar off." He reads their characters thoroughly, without, as it were, needing to approach for minute study. The implication is that He will thwart their plans and judge the plotters. This great lesson of Jehovah’s providence, care for the lowly, faithfulness to His word, has exemplification in the psalmist’s history; and when it is known, the lofty ones of the earth shall learn the principles of Jehovah’s ways, and become lowly recipients of His favours and adoring singers of His great glory. The glowing vision is not yet fulfilled; but the singer was cherishing no illusions when he sang. It is true that the story of God’s great manifestation of Himself in Christ, in which He has magnified His Word above all His name, is one day to win the world. It is true that the revelation of a God who regards the lowly is the conquering Gospel which shall bow all hearts. In the third part ( Psalm 138:7-8 ), the psalmist comes back to his own needs, and takes to his heart the calming assurance born of his experience, that he bears a charmed life. He but speaks the confidence which should strengthen every heart that rests on God. Such a one may be girdled about by troubles, but he will have an inner circle traced round him, within which no evil can venture. He may walk in the valley of the shadow of death unfearing, for God will hold his soul in life. Foes may pour out floods of enmity and wrath, but one strong hand will be stretched out against (or over) the wild deluge, and will draw the trustful soul out of its rush on to the safe shore. So was the psalmist assured; so may and should those be who have yet greater wonders for which to thank Jehovah. That last prayer of the psalm blends very beautifully confidence and petition. Its central clause is the basis of both the confidence in its first, and the petition in its last, clause. Because Jehovah’s lovingkindness endures forever, every man on whom His shaping Spirit has begun to work, or His grace in any form to bestow its gifts, may be sure that no exhaustion or change of these is possible. God is not as the foolish tower builder, who began and was not able to finish. He never stops till He has completed His work; and nothing short of the entire conformity of a soul to His likeness and the filling of it with Himself can be the termination of His loving purpose, or of His achieving grace. Therefore the psalmist "found it in his heart to pray" that God would not abandon the works of His own hands. The prayer appeals to His faithfulness and to His honour: It sets forth the obligations under which God comes by what He has done. It is a prayer which goes straight to His heart; and they who offer it receive the old answer, "I will not leave thee till I have done unto thee that which I have spoken to thee of." The Expositor's Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . 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I will praise Thee with my whole heart. Psalm 138 Moral features of a good man's life Homilist. I. The GRAND RESOLVE of a good man — to serve God (vers. 1, 2). 1. Entirely. "I will praise Thee with my whole heart." Unless the Almighty is thus served He is never served at all. 2. Courageously. "Before the gods," etc. No shame, no timidity, but exulting courage. 3. Intelligently. He is infinitely good and true. II. The NOBLE TESTIMONY of a good man (ver. 3). What good man who has ever prayed could not furnish similar testimony? III. The SANGUINE HOPE of a good man (vers. 4, 5). 1. This hope implies a very desirable object. To have all the kings of the earth praising God, what patriotic, philanthropic, and religious ends could be more desirable? 2. This hope implies a reasonable expectation. Would it not be natural to expect that when kings heard of God, the words of His mouth, they would worship and serve Him? We have here — IV. The THEOLOGICAL BELIEF of a good man (ver. 6). 1. No creature is too humble for the Divine regard. He is not so taken up with the vast as to ignore the minute, so sublimely exalted as not to condescend to the meanest. 2. No creature is too vile to escape His notice. "The proud He knoweth afar off." V. The SUBLIME CONFIDENCE of a good man (ver. 7). 1. The universal law of human life. What is that? Progress, walking. Implying —(1) A constant change of position.(2) A constant approximation to destiny, every step leading nearer to the end. Life is a constant walk. No pause. A rapid walk. "Swifter than a post." An irretraceable walk. 2. The saddening probabilities of human life. "In the midst of trouble." The path is not through flowery meads and under azure skies, but rugged, tempestuous, perilous. 3. The grand support of human life. "Thou wilt revive me." The support is all-sufficient, the only effective and ever available. ( Homilist. ) Open praise and public confession David was vexed with rival gods, as we are with rival gospels. Nothing is more trying to the soul of a true man than to be surrounded with vile counterfeits, and to hear these cried up, and the truth treated with contempt. How will David act under the trial? For so should we act. He will — I. SING WITH WHOLE-HEARTED PRAISE (ver. 1). 1. His song would openly show his contempt of the false gods: he would sing whether they were there or no. They were such nothings that he would not change his note for them. 2. It would evince his strong faith in the true God. In the teeth of the adversary he glorified Jehovah. His enthusiastic whole-hearted song was better than denunciation or argument. 3. It would declare his joyful zeal for God: he sang to show the strong emotion of his soul. Others might be pleased in Baal, he greatly rejoiced in Jehovah. 4. It would shield him from evil from those about him; for holy song keeps off the enemy. Praise is a potent disinfectant. If called to behold evil let us purify the air with the incense of praise. II. WORSHIP BY THE DESPISED RULE. "I will worship toward Thy holy temple." 1. Quietly ignoring all will-worship, he would follow the rule of the Lord, and the custom of the saints. 2. Looking to the Person of Christ, which was typified by the temple. There is no sinning like that which is directed towards the Lord Jesus, as now living to present it to the Father. 3. Trusting in the one finished Sacrifice, looking to the one great Expiation, we shall praise aright. 4. Realizing God Himself. III. PRAISE THE QUESTIONED ATTRIBUTES. 1. Loving-kindness in its universality. Lovingkindness in its speciality. Grace in everything. Grace to me. Grace so much despised of Pharisees and Sadducees, but so precious to true penitents. Concerning the grace of God, let us cling close to the doctrine and spirit of the Gospel all the more because the spirit of the age is opposed to them. 2. Truth. Historic accuracy of Scripture. Absolute certainty of the Gospel. Assured truthfulness of the promises. Complete accuracy of prophecy. IV. REVERENCE THE HONOURED WORD. "Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name." God has magnified His sure word of testimony beyond all such revelations as we receive through creation and providence, though these declare God's Name. The Gospel word is — 1. More clear. Words are better understood than nature's hieroglyphs. 2. More sure. The Spirit Himself sealing it. 3. More sovereign. Effectually blessing believers. 4. More complete. The whole of God is seen in Christ. 5. More lasting. Creation must pass away, the Word endures for ever. 6. More glorifying to God. Specially in the great Atonement. V. PROVE IT BY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. "In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me," etc. He had used his knowledge of God derived from the Word. 1. By offering prayer. "I cried." What do men know of the truth and grace of God and the virtue of His Word if they have never prayed? 2. By narrating the answer. "Thou answeredst me," etc. We are God's witnesses, and should with readiness, care, frequency, and courage testify what we have seen and known. 3. By exhibiting the strength of soul which was gained by prayer. This is good witness-bearing. Show by patience, courage, joy, and holiness what the Lord has done for your soul. ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) Whole-hearted praise before the world He who praises God with his whole heart is like a man on fire, he is terrible to the adversaries of the Most High. When the great Spanish Armada was ready to swoop down upon the English coast, our brave Admiral Drake took some of his small ships, and placed them where the wind would carry them right among the Spanish fleet. He filled the vessels with combustible material, and set them alight. Then the wind just took the fire ships and drifted them up against the Spanish galleons that floated high out of the water, and exposed a vast surface to the air, and one and another of the big unwieldy monsters were soon in a blaze, and a great victory was won without a blow being struck. So, I like to get a red-hot Christian, full of music and praise unto Jehovah, and just let him go, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, right into the middle of the adversaries of truth. They cannot make him out, they do not know how to handle a man of fire. It was a wise plan, this of David, of getting in among the heathen gods and singing to the praise of Jehovah. ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) Courage in praising God Singing unto Jehovah before the gods was good for David's own soul. It is perilous to attempt a secret fidelity to God, it is so apt to degenerate into cowardice. A converted soldier tried at first to pray in bed, or in some secret corner, but he found it would not do; he must kneel down in the barrack-room before the others, and run the gauntlet of the men's remarks; for until he had done so he had not taken his stand and he felt no peace of mind. It is needful for our spiritual health that we come out distinctly upon the Lord's side. Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name. Psalm 138:2 The Word of God the highest manifestation Homilist. I. IT IS THE HIGHEST MANIFESTATION OF THE DIVINE CHARACTER. 1. The Bible is a manifestation through moral mind. This is greater than material nature; for the following reasons: — Moral mind is an uncompounded essence. It is a Divine offspring. It is a self-modifying agent. It is an original fountain of influences. You cannot predicate these things of matter. 2. It is a manifestation through the moral mind of a unique personage. Compare Christ with the greatest men. II. IT IS THE HIGHEST MANIFESTATION FOR THE HIGHEST END. 1. It is a restoration. Restoration is a greater work either than destruction or sustentation. 2. It is the restoration of immortal souls. The restoration of a wrecked vessel may be a great work, the restoration of a dead flower is a greater, that of a body is still greater, the restoration of a disorganized empire is still greater, but that of an immortal soul is the greatest of all. 3. It is the restoration of a condemned criminal to a high position in the Divine empire. "Kings and priests," etc. 4. It is the restoration of a diseased soul to immortal health and ever-increasing energy. ( Homilist. ) The honour God puts upon His Word Homiletic Review. I. WHAT IS MEANT BY MAGNIFYING THIS WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME? 1. It means putting special honour upon it; and this God has done — (1) In the manner of revealing it. (2) In the subject-matter of the revelation itself; and — (3) In the special care He has taken to preserve it in its integrity and entirety. 2. It means giving it the first and chief place in the system of truths and agencies for the enlightenment and salvation of the world. And this is what God in His providence, as well as in His Sovereign purpose, has done. (1) The Scriptures alone reveal God in Christ. (2) The Scriptures alone direct the perishing soul to the Lamb of God which taketh away sin. (3) The Scriptures alone teach the immortality of existence, the resurrection of the dead, and the certainty of future awards and punishments. II. HOW GOD MAGNIFIES HIS WORD. 1. By making it the power of God in the conversion of the soul. The only voice that can calm and inspire hope is the voice that sounds from Calvary out of God's written Word. 2. By making it a sanctifying Word. Nothing but this will make them holy and fit for heaven. The philosophies and teachings of men never did and cannot do it. 3. By making it a comforting and a saving Word. It is the Christian's solace. It helps him over life's rough way. It is food, and drink, and shelter to him in his pilgrimage. It sweetens every cup. It kindles hope and assurance as the end draws nigh. It lights up the death chamber and puts the words of victory on the lips of the departing saint. ( Homiletic Review. ) God's Word magnified W. Collyer. I. EXPLAIN. 1. God's "Word" is revelation in general, especially the doctrines of salvation — those which we justly call the fundamental principles of the Gospel. 2. God's "Name" is His renown. Whether in His works or in His providence, He has fastened it upon His Word above all others ( Psalm 111 .). II. APPLY. God has magnified His Word above all other displays of Himself, of His eternal power and Godhead, and of the glory of His dominion — 1. As a revelation of His nature. 2. As an instructor in His works. 3. As an interpreter of His providence. 4. As a declaration of His will. 5. As a manifestation of His grace. 6. As an exhibition of His perfections. 7. As the instrument of His power. By this He subdues and renovates the obstinate and rebellious hearts of men. ( W. Collyer. ) In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me. Psalm 138:3 Successful prayer J. Burns, D. D. I. THE CRY. 1. A deep sense of need. 2. A feeling sense of inability. 3. Earnestness of supplication. 4. Confidence in God. II. ITS SUCCESSFUL ISSUE. 1. God heard his cry. 2. He answered it. 3. Immediately. 4. Imparting strength to his soul. (1) To work. (2) To resist enemies. (3) To suffer. (4) To be firm and persevering. III. APPLICATION. 1. Learn the saint's remedy in trouble — to cry unto the Lord, etc. 2. The importance of soul-strength. When obtained, exercise it, etc. 3. The efficacy of fervent prayer. God will hear and bless, etc. 4. The duty of recounting God's gracious answers to our supplications. ( J. Burns, D. D. ) Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. Psalm 138:5 Singing in the ways of the Lord According to the connection, this is spoken of kings (ver. 4). That time has not come yet, so let us sing all the more. We may (ver. 6). If we do not, surely the stones of the street will cry out against us. I. "THEY SHALL SING IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD." 1. Gracious persons take pleasure in the things of religion. 2. They do not go out of God's ways to get their songs. They shall sing "in the ways." Alas! I have heard of some who go here and there, as they say, "to get a little pleasure." What? You find no pleasure in the ways of God? Then you are a hypocrite. 3. They sing as they are actively engaged in the ways of the Lord. Soldiers march to battle ,with sound of trumpet and beat of drum, listening to music while they march; so Christian men go on their pilgrimage, and keep step to the sound of joyous psalms and hymns. 4. The children of God sing in the ways of God because they are in a case for singing: in a right state of mind for singing.(1) When we are in the ways of the Lord we are strong; "they go from strength to strength." When we walk as God would have us walk we are made strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Well may that pilgrim sing who is made strong by the mighty God of Jacob.(2) You have safety also; for in the ways of the Lord all His servants are protected from danger. In the king's highway "no lion shall be there, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon." You shall be "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation," in the ways of the Lord. Well may that traveller sing who is perfectly safe!(3) You have also guidance.(4) And provision. II. "THEY SHALL SING OF THE WAYS OF THE LORD." Not only are God's ways the place of their song, but its subject. 1. God's ways to us. Predestination, redemption, etc. God's ways are such gracious ways, such wise ways, such holy ways, such ways of wisdom and of lovingkindness, that in any company we may talk about them, and in every place we may sing of them. We will sing of the ways of the Lord with us. 2. Our ways to God. (1) A good road. (2) Good company. (3) Good accommodation. (4) Fine prospects. (5) We have daylight to travel by, for we are not the children of darkness. III. THOSE WHO SING IN THE WAYS OF GOD ALSO SING OF THE LORD OF THE WAY. "They shall sing in the ways of the Lord," and then some read it, "That great is the glory of the Lord." That is the subject of their song. When they sing about the Lord of the way this psalm supplies us with the points of their song. 1. God's lovingkindness (ver. 2). 2. God's truth (ver. 2). 3. Answered prayers (ver. 3). 4. God's condescension (ver. 6). 5. God's delivering mercy (ver. 7). 6. Final preservation (ver. 8). IV. THEY SHALL SING TO THE LORD OF THE WAY, AS WELL AS OF THE LORD OF THE WAY. "They shall sing in the ways, for great is the glory of the Lord." 1. Let us take care that all our songs are to the honour and praise of God, for if we ever sing to our own praise it will be idolatry. I fear much public worship, is thus marred. Our singing should be such that God hears it with pleasure — singing in which there is not so much art as heart — not so much of musical sound as of spiritual emotion. They shall sing to the glory of God. 2. If you and I sing with the Spirit and the understanding, we shall increase the manifested glory of God by bringing others to sing in His ways. ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) The joy of believers in the way of obedience W. Jay. I. THE WAYS OF THE LORD. 1. The way in which God walks in regard to us. (1) Nature. (2) Dispensations of providence. (3) Dispensations of grace. 2. The way in which we walk in regard to Him. (1) Obedience. (2) Inclination. II. HOW THE PEOPLE OF GOD ARE TO BE AFFECTED IN THEM. They not only walk in the ways of the Lord, but "sing" in them. This implies acquiescence, approbation, satisfaction, pleasure, delight. Whence springs this "singing in the ways of the Lord"? We may look after some of the near sources of it. 1. Conviction. The believer is "able to give a reason of the hope that is in him," and he is able to give a reason of the joy that is in him. 2. Renovation. Now he is born of God, there. fore he savours "the things which are freely given him of God." 3. Experience. Oh, what delightful hours were those in which I have taken sweet counsel, and gone to the house of God in company; — in which I have seen His power and His glory there! 4. Fellowship. "I am a companion of all those that fear Thee, and of those that keep Thy precepts." 5. His prospects and anticipations. "Eye hath not seen," etc. 6. The accommodation. Everything is provided for these travellers that shall make them rejoice and "sing in the ways of the Lord." Guidance, defence, strength, etc. ( W. Jay. ) Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly. Psalm 138:6 God's greatness and condescension John Pike. I. WHAT IS HERE ASSERTED RESPECTING GOD. He is "high," i.e. glorious, majestic, infinite in every excellent and glorious attribute. II. THE CHEERING DECLARATION WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS ASSERTION. "Yet hath He respect unto the lowly." 1. A character described. (1) Possessed of a humble and contrite heart. (2) Earnestly hungering and thirsting after righteousness. (3) Coming to Christ for the blessings of salvation. (4) Every Christian grace is connected with this lowliness. (5) The Scriptures represent those who were most eminent for piety as wearing this grace: Job, Daniel, Paul. 2. The great God is here represented as manifesting peculiar favour to the lowly. (1) Forgiving mercy. (2) Introduction into His family. (3) Grace. (4) Glory. ( John Pike. ) Humility W. Moodie, D. D. I. AS IT AFFECTS THE JUDGMENTS WHICH WE FORM OF OURSELVES. Humility, as distinguished from meanness, and opposed to arrogance of mind, consists in forming a just and moderate opinion of our own endowments and merits. It disposes us to examine our character with impartiality — it suffers not self-love to magnify our good qualities — it contrasts our imperfections with our virtues — it compares our own excellencies and defects with those which are discernible in the characters of others, and permits us not to rise, in our own esteem, above the rank which we really possess among our brethren around us. II. AS IT AFFECTS OUR CONDUCT TOWARDS OUR BRETHREN. To the low it condescends without degrading the character — to the high it pays its homage without assentation or servility. Founded on a moderate conception of our own ability, it disposes us to listen with respect to the opinions of others; arising from a just sense of our own imperfection, it teaches us to make allowance for their errors and defects. In its external manner it is placid and unassuming. It expresses itself by the mildness of its look and the gentleness of its language. It claims not — it expects not any extraordinary attention; its own importance is forgotten amidst its courtesy to others. III. AS IT PREPARES US FOR DISCHARGING, IN THE MOST BECOMING MANNER, OUR DUTIES TO GOD. In the presence of that God whoso majesty fills the heavens and the earth the humble prostrate themselves on their native dust. Their own limited knowledge is annihilated in their esteem when they consider the height and the depth of the judgments of God; and their own imperfect goodness is lost to their view when they contemplate that diffusive bounty by which the universe is blest. Feeling and acknowledging the feebleness of their minds, they receive with gratitude the revelation of heaven. In their religious services there is no ostentation. Their employment is with God alone. It is to acknowledge His favours, of which they confess themselves unworthy; to bewail their transgressions, which they recollect with heartfelt sorrow; to adore the mercy which continues to regard them; to repeat the vows which they regret to have broken, or to bless the grace which has enabled them to perform it. ( W. Moodie, D. D. ) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me. Psalm 138:7 Human life Homilist. I. THE UNIVERSAL LAW OF HUMAN LIFE. What is it? It is expressed in one word — walking. Life is a "walk," a journey. It is constant action, and constant action onward. Life is never stationary; it is always on the move; it is motion. 1. Constant change of position. Every step puts us in a fresh point of space, and surrounds us with something new in scenery. So with life. 2. Constant approximation to destiny. The grave for the body; retribution for the soul. II. THE SADDENING PROBABILITIES OF HUMAN LIFE. Life is not only a walk, but a walk often "in the midst of trouble." Since the introduction of sin into our world, it has never been a walk of unmingled pleasure. All here meet with trials on the way; but some more than others. Physical — bodily pains and diseases; moral — the conflict of passions, the remorse of conscience, and the dread of death; social — disappointments in business, the treachery of false friends, the corruption of the world, and the bereavement of death. III. THE GRAND SUPPORT OF HUMAN LIFE. "Thou wilt revive me." 1. God is an all-sufficient support. He is equal to all our emergencies. "He is our refuge and strength," etc. There is no enemy from which He cannot deliver us; there is no trial under which He cannot support us; there is no danger from which lie cannot rescue us. In the fiery furnace, in the surging waters, in the "valley of the shadow of death," He is all-sufficient. 2. He is the only effective support. No one else can support you. "Put not your trust in princes." 3. He is an available support. Available to all at any time. "Call upon Me in the time of trouble and I will deliver you." ( Homilist. ) The Christian's comfort in the midst of troubles Evangelist. I. THE CHRISTIAN'S TROUBLES. They arise from — 1. The world within. An evil heart of unbelief; prone to distrust God, to dishonour God, to wander from God. 2. The world without. Bodily affliction, worldly trials, opposition from the world, etc. 3. The world beneath. Satan distils his venom in secret. II. THE CHRISTIAN'S COMFORTER. Though he walks in trouble, he does not walk alone. Though persecuted, he is not forsaken; though cast down, not destroyed. 1. God can enter the inner world and bring comfort there, and spread a banquet within, and open a little paradise ( Psalm 94:19 ; Job 35:10 ; Psalm 27:5 ). 2. God can enable us to meet the world without. So He enabled Jacob to meet Esau; Elijah, Baal's priests; David, Goliath. 3. God can effectually subdue the world beneath. "Bruise Satan under your feet." III. THE CHRISTIAN'S CONFIDENCE. What it is proved. 1. What He is — God of mercy. 2. What He has done. 3. What He has promised to do. ( Evangelist. ) The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. Psalm 138:8 Choice comfort for a young believer As every state has its dangers, so the peril of religious concern is despondency. Thoughtfulness soon degenerates into distrust, and holy anxiety easily rusts into unbelief. The more a man looks within him the less he can trust himself, and the more a man looks around him the more he feels that he is in danger, and he is apt to say, "I shall surely one day fall by the hand of the enemy." He is fearful as to the result of future temptations. Now I want to meet such fears. I. Here first we see that GOD FILLS US WITH ASSURANCE. "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." Then — 1. God is really at work on our behalf. Get a grip at this, thou troubled one, and by a personal faith say, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." Thou hast come to Jesus and trusted thy soul in His hands, then it is certain that the Lord hath brought thee to this state of mind. Every effect has a cause, and all spiritual faith is created by the Holy Ghost. Since then, the Lord has begun to save you, your confidence must be that He who began this good work will continue to operate in your soul. "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me;" not, "I will perform it myself." 2. There is the full assurance that He will be at work still in order to complete that which He has commenced. Have you obtained a religion which is not the work of God? Then I would exhort you to get rid of it. Do as the man did with the bad banknote, throw it down on the highway or into a ditch, and run away from it. But, and if the religion you have received is the work of God, then be certain that He who began the work will perfect it. The psalmist affirms — 3. That He will complete the work. Did the Almighty pause in the middle of creation and leave His work unfinished? How, then, would the record run? That God had made the light, but had not made the sun? That He had made the waters, but had not divided them from the land, or said to the sea, "Hitherto shalt thou go, but no farther"? No, the first day of creation was a guarantee of the five which followed it and of the grand rest day which crowned the week. Here, then, is your confidence. You are anxiously asking Him, shall I persevere to the end? You shall be kept and perfected by the Lord in whom you trust. Now carry this confidence into everything. Into providence. The Lord will perfect that which concerns you there. You have a plan on hand. If it be God's plan for you for life you will carry it through. God often perfects that which truly concerns us by taking us away from that which never ought to concern us. But that crown of life which you have submitted to His wisdom, which you have taken up in obedience to the plain indications of His providence, which you follow out with integrity, walking before the Lord and committing your way unto Him — that crown of life shall have His blessing, and none shall be able to put you on one side. The Lord told David he should be a king. It did not look very likely, but since such was the Eternal purpose, there was no keeping the son of Jesse out of the throne. But this is more especially true in the work of grace in the heart. And it is also true of the work of grace all around us. II. THE LORD GIVES US REST IN HIS MERCY, for what says the text, "Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever." See how this works in us rest from fear. "Alas!" sighs one troubled heart, "I fear I shall fall into many sins between here and heaven." But sing in your heart, "Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever." The blood of atonement will never fail. Then up comes another fear. "I do not see how I am to be perfected My nature is so vile." The answer is the same. The Lord will bear with you and forbear. Some of God's children are the crookedest people that ever were in this world, and it must be sovereignty which chose them, for they are by no means naturally desirable or attractive. But His mercy endureth for ever. And some will pass through great affliction and some will experience a great many wants. And the hour of death will come. One man of God always feared death; but he might have spared himself his wretchedness, for he fell asleep one night in apparently excellent health, and died in his sleep. He never could have known anything about dying, for on his face were no tokens of pain or struggle, nor was there any reason to believe that he ever awoke till he lifted up his eyes amid the cherubim. And so, if we do not die shouting victory, we hope that we shall peacefully fall asleep, "for His mercy endureth for ever." "He will perfect that which concerneth me." Now do all of you who are just beginning life put yourselves and all your circumstances into God's hand and there leave them. III. THE LORD PUTS IT INTO HIS PEOPLE'S HEARTS TO PRAY, AND SUPPLIES THEM WITH A PLEA. "Forsake not the work of Thine own hands. Persevere in what Thou hast begun." This is a prayer which you and I may well bring before God, whose workmanship we are. A man takes his money into the bank and leaves it. He does not come back in a quarter of an hour and say, "Have you my money safe? I want to see it." The bank would not desire such a man who has no confidence in them. Let us not act so by Christ. Put in your all with Him and leave it there. ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) Confidence in God John Jack. I. THE STRIKING EXPRESSION OF BELIEVING ASSURANCE. 1. What we are to understand by "that which concerneth me." This I apprehend, as it regards David, and as it regards every Christian, may be summed up in two things — the work of providence without them, and the work of grace within them. All that concerns present safety and future glory are thus secured. 2. "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." When it is in progress He will not leave it or suffer it to be marred — He will carry it forward through its successive stages until it be finished to the glory of His name. II. THE UNCHANGING FOUNDATION OF ASSURANCE. It is from the mercy of God that He works for us, and works in us. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." His mercy and His grace are the grand springs of all the happiness and blessings we possess, and of all the hopes that inspire the heart and animate the soul. And as God thus begins the work of a sinner's salvation from mercy, it no way depends upon our merit or worth. He takes His motives entirely from Himself. He does it because it is the good pleasure of His will to do it. III. THE EARNEST PRAYER ACCOMPANYING THIS CONFIDENCE. "Forsake not the work of Thine own hands." As they are the works of His hands, they must be very dear unto Him, — He cannot but love them and delight in them, and He rests in His love. Conclusion — 1. How great is the gratitude that is due to God from His saints, how innumerable are His blessings, how vast His mercy, how rich His grace and lovingkindness. 2. What encouragement the sinner has to seek God, seeing He is a God of such mercy. 3. Rejoice, ye saints of God, that you have a great High Priest who is passed into the heavens, who now appears in the presence of God for you. ( John Jack. ) The saints' final perseverance secured by the mercy of God J. H. Evans, M. A. I. THE PSALMIST'S CONFIDENCE. The work of grace in the soul of man is but a begun work. I know it is perfect as it regards its principle; but as it regards its actings it is most imperfect. Look at our light; how feeble is it! How little do we see of sin's sinfulness — of the baseness there is in ingratitude! What a dim sight have we of Jesus! the glory of His person, the perfection of His atonement, His perfect righteousness, the sufficiency of His grace, the tenderness of His humanity, the sympathy of His nature — Friend — Brother! How little one enters into the holiness of His example! Now all this does prove that it is but a begun work. And yet, says David, "The Lord will perfect" it. It is His own; He will maintain it, He will deepen it, and He will finish it. Here is a blessed confidence in God, that He, who had "begun the good work," would "perform it" in the midst of all its ebbs and flows and changes; acknowledging it to be but a begun work, and yet declaring — "The Lord will perfect it." But the words imply more than this. It would seem as if David did say — He will give me the entire, the full and complete and everlasting possession and enjoyment of Himself in heaven. Faith shall soon be lost in sight; hope shall soon disappear in certainty; and prayer shall cease, and give way to endless praise. II. THE BASIS OF HIS CONFIDENCE. What is it? You may say, It is the promise. The promise is not the foundation. There must be a foundation for the promise. And what is the foundation of the promise? God; God in Christ. And here is a particular attribute, a particular perfection in God, singled out — signalized. "Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever." There is a sweetness and a power in the very monosyllable, "Thy mercy"; because it is peculiar to God, it is His own property, it distinguishes Him. The mercy of the creature is finite; the mercy of Jehovah is infinite. The mercy of the creature is changeable; the mercy of Jehovah is unchangeable. The mercy of the creature was of yesterday; the mercy of Jehovah is from everlasting. It began in election; and when does it end? Never; but it issues in eternal glory. III. IN WHAT DID IT ISSUE? Carelessness? So say many. But the issue here is — prayer. "Forsake not the works of Thine own hands." It is a beautiful conclusion; it is a beautiful consequence; it is a blessed deduction. Because Thou "wilt perfect"; therefore "forsake not the works of Thine own hands." It is common-sense — the common-sense of religion. "I am, as Thy creature, wholly dependent on Thee; without Thee, faith must die, and hope expire; without Thee, love must decay and perish." ( J. H. Evans, M. A. ) Faith in perfection J. H. Evans, M. A. I. THE BELIEVER'S CONFIDENCE. 1. A Divine confidence — "The Lord." 2. A confidence for the future — "will." 3. A large confidence — "perfect." 4. A broad confidence. "Whatever concerns me," says he, "the Lord will perfect." II. THE GROUND OF THIS CONFIDENCE — GOD'S MERCY. Is it not a strange thing that the advanced believer, when he reaches to the very height of piety, just comes to the spot where he commenced? Do we not begin at the Cross, and when we have climbed ever so high, is it not at the Cross that we end? Mercy must be the theme of our song here; and mercy enduring for ever must be the subject of the sonnet

138:1-5 When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him. Those who rely on his loving-kindness and truth through Jesus Christ, will ever find him faithful to his word. If he spared not his own Son, how shall he not with him freely give us all things? If God gives us strength in our souls, to bear the burdens, resist the temptations, and to do the duties of an afflicted state, if he strengthens us to keep hold of himself by faith, and to wait with patience for the event, we are bound to be thankful. 138:6-8 Though the Lord is high, yet he has respect to every lowly, humbled sinner; but the proud and unbelieving will be banished far from his blissful presence. Divine consolations have enough in them to revive us, even when we walk in the midst of troubles. And God will save his own people that they may be revived by the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness. If we give to God the glory of his mercy, we may take to ourselves the comfort. This confidence will not do away, but quicken prayer. Whatever good there is in us, it is God works in us both to will and to do. The Lord will perfect the salvation of every true believer, and he will never forsake those whom he has created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works.