Reading The Psalms Daily

[airIam2worship]

MHCC

Praise for God's sovereign power in the creation. (1-7)

 1-7 The holy church throughout all the world lifts up her voice, to laud that Name which is above every name, to make the praise of Jesus glorious, both by word and deed; that others may be led to glorify him also. But nothing can bring men to do this aright, unless his effectual grace create their hearts anew unto holiness; and in the redemption by the death of Christ, and the glorious deliverances it effects, are more wondrous works than Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

For his favour to his church. (8-12)

8-12 The Lord not only preserves our temporal life, but maintains the spiritual life which he has given to believers. By afflictions we are proved, as silver in the fire. The troubles of the church will certainly end well. Through various conflicts and troubles, the slave of satan escapes from his yoke, and obtains joy and peace in believing: through much tribulation the believer must enter into the kingdom of God.

And the psalmist's praise for his experience of God's goodness. (13-20)

 
13-20 We should declare unto those that fear God, what he has done for our souls, and how he has heard and answered our prayers, inviting them to join us in prayer and praise; this will turn to our mutual comfort, and to the glory of God. We cannot share these spiritual privileges, if we retain the love of sin in our hearts, though we refrain from the gross practice, Sin, regarded in the heart, will spoil the comfort and success of prayer; for the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of the Lord. But if the feeling of sin in the heart causes desires to be rid of it; if it be the presence of one urging a demand we know we must not, cannot comply with, this is an argument of sincerity. And when we pray in simplicity and godly sincerity, our prayers will be answered. This will excite gratitude to Him who hath not turned away our prayer nor his mercy from us. It was not prayer that fetched the deliverance, but his mercy that sent it. That is the foundation of our hopes, the fountain of our comforts; and ought to be the matter of our praises.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 67:1 <<For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm, a song.>> God be merciful unto us, and bless us, And cause his face to shine upon us; Selah

Ps 67:2 That thy way may be known upon earth, Thy salvation among all nations.

Ps 67:3 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; Let all the peoples  praise thee.

Ps 67:4 Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For thou wilt judge the peoples with equity, And govern the nations upon earth. Selah

Ps 67:5 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; Let all the peoples praise thee.

Ps 67:6 The earth hath yielded its increase: God, even our own God, will bless us.

Ps 67:7 God will bless us; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him.




MHCC

A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
 
- All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion of the Gentiles, which shows that the Old Testament saints desired that their advantages might also be enjoyed by others. And many Scripture prophecies and promises are wrapped up in prayers: the answer to the prayer of the church is as sure as the performance of God's promises. The joy wished to the nations, is holy joy. Let them be glad that by his providence the Lord will overrule the affairs of kingdoms; that even the kingdoms of this world shall became the kingdom of the Lord, and of his Christ. Then is declared a joyful prospect of all good when God shall do this. The success of the gospel brings outward mercies with it; righteousness exalts a nation. The blessing of the Lord sweetens all our creature-comforts to us, and makes them comforts indeed. All the world shall be brought to worship Him. When the gospel begins to spread, it shall go forward more and more, till it reaches to the ends of the earth. It is good to cast in our lot with those that are the blessed of the Lord. If nothing had been spoken in Scripture respecting the conversion of the heathen, we might think it vain to attempt so hopeless a work. But when we see with what confidence it is declared in the Scriptures, we may engage in missionary labours, assured that God will fulfil his own word. And shall we be backward to make known to the heathen the knowledge with which we are favoured, and the salvation we profess to glory in? They cannot learn unless they are taught. Then let us go forward in the strength of the Lord, and look to him to accompany the word with the Holy Ghost; then satan's kingdom shall be destroyed, and the kingdom of our Redeemer established.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 68:1 <<For the Chief Musician; A Psalm of David, a song.>> Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him.

Ps 68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: As wax melteth before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Ps 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness.

Ps 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him.

Ps 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.

Ps 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Ps 68:7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah

Ps 68:8 The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God: Yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Ps 68:9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, Thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

Ps 68:10 Thy congregation dwelt therein: Thou, O God, didst prepare of thy goodness for the poor.

Ps 68:11 The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host.

Ps 68:12 Kings of armies flee, they flee; And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.

Ps 68:13 When ye lie among the sheepfolds, It is as the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold.

Ps 68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as when it snoweth in Zalmon

Ps 68:15 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A high mountain is the mountain of Bashan.

Ps 68:16 Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell in it for ever.

Ps 68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary.

Ps 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led away captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, among the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell with them.

Ps 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. Selah

Ps 68:20 God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death.

Ps 68:21 But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness.

Ps 68:22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring them again from the depths of the sea;

Ps 68:23 That thou mayest crush them, dipping thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies.

Ps 68:24 They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

Ps 68:25 The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels.

Ps 68:26 Bless ye God in the congregations, Even the Lord, ye that are of the fountain of Israel.

Ps 68:27 There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah and their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Ps 68:28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

Ps 68:29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem Kings shall bring presents unto thee.

Ps 68:30 Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war.

Ps 68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God.

Ps 68:32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; Oh sing praises unto the Lord; Selah

Ps 68:33 To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice.

Ps 68:34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, And his strength is in the skies.

Ps 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel, he giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.



Commentary on following page

[airIam2worship]

MHCC

A prayer-- The greatness and goodness of God. (1-6)

 1-6 None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all their blessings.

The wonderful works God wrought for his people. (7-14)

 
7-14 Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies. If God bring his people into a wilderness, he will be sure to go before them in it, and to bring them out of it. He provided for them, both in the wilderness and in Canaan. The daily manna seems here meant. And it looks to the spiritual provision for God's Israel. The Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are the plentiful rain, with which God confirms his inheritance, and from which their fruit is found. Christ shall come as showers that water the earth. The account of Israel's victories is to be applied to the victories over death and hell, by the exalted Redeemer, for those that are his. Israel in Egypt among the kilns appeared wretched, but possessed of Canaan, during the reigns of David and Solomon, appeared glorious. Thus the slaves of satan, when converted to Christ, when justified and sanctified by him, look honourable. When they reach heaven, all remains of their sinful state disappear, they shall be as the wings of the dove, covered with silver, and her feathers as gold. Full salvation will render those white as snow, who were vile and loathsome through the guilt and defilement of sin.


The presence of God in his church. (15-21)

 
15-21 The ascension of Christ must here be meant, and thereto it is applied, Eph 4:8. He received as the purchase of his death, the gifts needful for the conversion of sinners, and the salvation of believers. These he continually bestows, even on rebellious men, that the Lord God might dwell among them, as their Friend and Father. He gave gifts to men. Having received power to give eternal life, the Lord Jesus bestows it on as many as were given him, Joh 17:2. Christ came to a rebellious world, not to condemn it, but that through him it might be saved. The glory of Zion's King is, that he is a Saviour and Benefactor to all his willing people, and a consuming fire to all that persist in rebellion against him. So many, so weighty are the gifts of God's bounty, that he may be truly said to load us with them. He will not put us off with present things for a portion, but will be the God of our salvation. The Lord Jesus has authority and power to rescue his people from the dominion of death, by taking away the sting of it from them when they die, and giving them complete victory over it when they rise again. The crown of the head, the chief pride and glory of the enemy, shall be smitten; Christ shall crush the head of the serpent.

Continued

[airIam2worship]

The victories of Christ. (22-28)


22-28 The victories with which God blessed David over the enemies of Israel, are types of Christ's victory, for himself and for all believers. Those who take him for theirs, may see him acting as their God, as their King, for their good, and in answer to their prayers; especially in and by his word and ordinances. The kingdom of the Messiah shall be submitted to by all the rulers and learned in the world. The people seem to address the king, ver. 28. But the words are applicable to the| Redeemer, to his church, and every true believer. We pray, that thou, O God the Son, wilt complete thine undertaking for us, by finishing thy good work in us.


Enlargement of the church. (29-31)

 
29-31 A powerful invitation is given to those that are without, to join the church. Some shall submit from fear; overcome by their consciences, and the checks of Providence, they are brought to make peace with the church. Others will submit willingly, ver. 29,31. There is that beauty and benefit in the service of God, and in the gospel of Christ which went forth from Jerusalem, which is enough to invite sinners out of all nations.

The glory and grace of God. (32-35)

 
32-35 God is to be admired and adored with reverence and godly fear, by all that attend in his holy places. The God of Israel gives strength and power unto his people. Through Christ strengthening us we can do all things, not otherwise; therefore he must have the glory of all we do, with our humble thanks for enabling us to do it, and for accepting the work of his hands in us.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 69:1 <<For the Chief Musician; set to aShoshanim. A Psalm of David.>> Save me, O God; For the waters are come in unto my

Ps 69:2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

Ps 69:3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Ps 69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: They that would cut me off, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: That which I took not away I have to restore.

Ps 69:5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; And my sins are not hid from thee.

Ps 69:6 Let not them that wait for thee be put to shame through me, O Lord Jehovah of hosts: Let not those that seek thee be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.

Ps 69:7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; Shame hath covered my face.

Ps 69:8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, And an alien unto my mother's children.

Ps 69:9 For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproach thee are fallen upon me.

Ps 69:10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, That was to my reproach.

Ps 69:11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword unto them.

Ps 69:12 They that sit in the gate talk of me; And I am the song of the drunkards.

Ps 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Jehovah, in an acceptable time: O God, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness, Answer me in the truth of thy salvation.

Ps 69:14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: Let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

Ps 69:15 Let not the waterflood overwhelm me, Neither let the deep shallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth upon me.

Ps 69:16 Answer me, O Jehovah; for thy lovingkindness is good: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies turn thou unto me.

Ps 69:17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; For I am in distress; answer me speedily.

Ps 69:18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: Ransom me because of mine enemies.

Ps 69:19 Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: Mine adversaries are all before thee.

Ps 69:20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: And I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none.

Ps 69:21 They gave me also gall for my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Ps 69:22 Let their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, let it become a trap.

Ps 69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see; And make their loins continually to shake.

Ps 69:24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, And let the fierceness of thine anger overtake them.

Ps 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; Let none dwell in their tents.

Ps 69:26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; And they tell of the sorrow of those whom thou hast wounded.

Ps 69:27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity; And let them not come into thy righteousness.

Ps 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous.

Ps 69:29 But I am poor and sorrowful: Let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Ps 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Ps 69:31 And it will please Jehovah better than an ox, Or a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

Ps 69:32 The meek have seen it, and are glad: Ye that seek after God, let your heart live.

Ps 69:33 For Jehovah heareth the needy, And despiseth not his prisoners.

Ps 69:34 Let heaven and earth praise him, The seas, and everything that moveth therein.

Ps 69:35 For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah; And they shall abide there, and have it in possession.

Ps 69:36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it; And they that love his name shall dwell therein.

commentary on following page

[airIam2worship]

David complains of great distress. (1-12)

 1-12 We should frequently consider the person of the Sufferer here spoken of, and ask why, as well as what he suffered, that, meditating thereon, we may be more humbled for sin, and more convinced of our danger, so that we may feel more gratitude and love, constraining us to live to His glory who died for our salvation. Hence we learn, when in affliction, to commit the keeping of our souls to God, that we may not be soured with discontent, or sink into despair. David was hated wrongfully, but the words far more fully apply to Christ. In a world where unrighteousness reigns so much, we must not wonder if we meet with those that are our enemies wrongfully. Let us take care that we never do wrong; then if we receive wrong, we may the better bear it. By the satisfaction Christ made to God for our sin by his blood, he restored that which he took not away, he paid our debt, suffered for our offences. Even when we can plead Not guilty, as to men's unjust accusations, yet before God we must acknowledge ourselves to deserve all that is brought upon us. All our sins take rise from our foolishness. They are all done in God's sight. David complains of the unkindness of friends and relations. This was fulfilled in Christ, whose brethren did not believe on him, and who was forsaken by his disciples. Christ made satisfaction for us, not only by putting off the honours due to God, but by submitting to the greatest dishonours that could be done to any man. We need not be discouraged if our zeal for the truths, precepts, and worship of God, should provoke some, and cause others to mock our godly sorrow and deadness to the world.

And begs for succour. (13-21)

13-21 Whatever deep waters of affliction or temptation we sink into, whatever floods of trouble or ungodly men seem ready to overwhelm us, let us persevere in prayer to our Lord to save us. The tokens of God's favour to us are enough to keep our spirits from sinking in the deepest outward troubles. If we think well of God, and continue to do so under the greatest hardships, we need not fear but he will do well for us. And if at any time we are called on to suffer reproach and shame, for Christ's sake, this may be our comfort, that he knows it. It bears hard on one that knows the worth of a good name, to be oppressed with a bad one; but when we consider what a favour it is to be accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus, we shall see that there is no reason why it should be heart-breaking to us. The sufferings of Christ were here particularly foretold, which proves the Scripture to be the word of God; and how exactly these predictions were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, which proves him to be the true Messiah. The vinegar and the gall given to him, were a faint emblem of that bitter cup which he drank up, that we might drink the cup of salvation. We cannot expect too little from men, miserable comforters are they all; nor can we expect too much from the God of all comfort and consolation.

He declares the judgments of God. (22-29)

22-29 These are prophecies of the destruction of Christ's persecutors. Verses 22,23, are applied to the judgments of God upon the unbelieving Jews, in Ro 11:9,10. When the supports of life and delights of sense, through the corruption of our nature, are made the food and fuel of sin, then our table is a snare. Their sin was, that they would not see, but shut their eyes against the light, loving darkness rather; their punishment was, that they should not see, but should be given up to their own hearts' lusts which hardened them. Those who reject God's great salvation proffered to them, may justly fear that his indignation will be poured out upon them. If men will sin, the Lord will reckon for it. But those that have multiplied to sin, may yet find mercy, through the righteousness of the Mediator. God shuts not out any from that righteousness; the gospel excludes none who do not, by unbelief, shut themselves out. But those who are proud and self-willed, so that they will not come in to God's righteousness, shall have their doom accordingly; they themselves decide it. Let those not expect any benefit thereby, who are not glad to be beholden to it. It is better to be poor and sorrowful, with the blessing of the Lord, than rich and jovial, and under his curse. This may be applied to Christ. He was, when on earth, a man of sorrows that had not where to lay his head; but God exalted him. Let us call upon the Lord, and though poor and sorrowful, guilty and defiled, his salvation will set us up on high.

He concludes with joy and praise. (30-36)


30-36 The psalmist concludes the psalm with holy joy and praise, which he began with complaints of his grief. It is a great comfort to us, that humble and thankful praises are more pleasing to God than the most costly, pompous sacrifices. The humble shall look to him, and be glad; those that seek him through Christ shall live and be comforted. God will do great things for the gospel church, in which let all who wish well to it rejoice. A seed shall serve him on earth, and his servants shall inherit his heavenly kingdom. Those that love his name shall dwell before him for ever. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Arise, thou great Restorer of the ancient places to dwell in, and turn away ungodliness from thy people.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 70:1 <<For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; ato bring to remembrance.>> Make haste, O God, to deliver me; Make haste to help me, O Jehovah.

Ps 70:2 Let them be put to shame and confounded That seek after my soul: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt.

Ps 70:3 Let them be turned back by reason of their shame That say, Aha, aha.

Ps 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.

Ps 70:5 But I am poor and needy; Make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Jehovah, make no tarrying.


MHCC

 The speedy destruction of the wicked, and the preservation of the godly.
 
- This psalm is almost the same as the last five verses of Ps 40 (Ps 40:13-17). While here we behold Jesus Christ set forth in poverty and distress, we also see him denouncing just and fearful punishment on his Jewish, heathen, and antichristian enemies; and pleading for the joy and happiness of his friends, to his Father's honour. Let us apply these things to our own troubled circumstances, and in a believing manner bring them, and the sinful causes thereof, to our remembrance. Urgent trials should always awake fervent prayers.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 71:1 In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge: Let me never be put to shame.

Ps 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me.

Ps 71:3 Be thou to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; For thou art my rock and my fortress.

Ps 71:4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

Ps 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah: Thou art my trust from my youth.

Ps 71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb; Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: My praise shall be continually of thee.

Ps 71:7 I am as a wonder unto many; But thou art my strong refuge.

Ps 71:8 My mouth shall be filled with thy praise, And with thy honor all the day.
Ps 35:28

Ps 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; Forsake me not when my strength faileth.

Ps 71:10 For mine enemies speak concerning me; And they that watch for my soul take counsel together,

Ps 71:11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.

Ps 71:12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me.

Ps 71:13 Let them be put to shame and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.

Ps 71:14 But I will hope continually, And will praise thee yet more and more.

Ps 71:15 My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness, And of thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers thereof.

Ps 71:16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Jehovah: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

Ps 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Ps 71:18 Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.

Ps 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high; Thou who hast done great things, O God, who is like unto thee?

Ps 71:20 Thou, who hast showed us many and sore troubles, Wilt quicken us again, And wilt bring us up again from the depths of the earth.

Ps 71:21 Increase thou my greatness, And turn again and comfort me.

Ps 71:22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, Even thy truth, O my God: Unto thee will I sing praises with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Ps 71:23 My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises unto thee; And my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

Ps 71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long; For they are put to shame, for they are confounded, that seek my hurt.


Commentary on following page

[airIam2worship]

MHCC

Prayers that God would deliver and save. (1-13)

 1-13 David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.

Believing praises. (14-24)

14-24 The psalmist declares that the righteousness of Christ, and the great salvation obtained thereby, shall be the chosen subject of his discourse. Not on a sabbath only, but on every day of the week, of the year, of his life. Not merely at stated returns of solemn devotion, but on every occasion, all the day long. Why will he always dwell on this? Because he knew not the numbers thereof. It is impossible to measure the value or the fulness of these blessings. The righteousness is unspeakable, the salvation everlasting. God will not cast off his grey-headed servants when no longer capable of labouring as they have done. The Lord often strengthens his people in their souls, when nature is sinking into decay. And it is a debt which the old disciples of Christ owe to succeeding generations, to leave behind them a solemn testimony to the advantage of religion, and the truth of God's promises; and especially to the everlasting righteousness of the Redeemer. Assured of deliverance and victory, let us spend our days, while waiting the approach of death, in praising the Holy One of Israel with all our powers. And while speaking of his righteousness, and singing his praises, we shall rise above fears and infirmities, and have earnests of the joys of heaven. The work of redemption ought, above all God's works, to be spoken of by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, is worthy of all blessing and praise.


Readers: I'd like to make a note here; it never ceases to amaze me how much and how often David prayed and praised God. No wonder God spoke of David as "A man after mine own heart". Do we today take as much time to pray for God's mercy, guidance and forgiveness as David did? Or are we too busy doing other things? Let us resolve to never let anything take our time away from God, yes God is always there, we can always pray later, but will later be there for us, we know we won't always be here, let us cease every opportunity to praise God and thank Him. Something as simple as a butterfly ought to put to put the desire in our hearts to praise God for such beauty, and such purpose, God has a purpose for everything He has created, let us Thank Him and search Him and He will show us what our purpose is.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 72:1 <<A Psalm of Solomon.>> Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king's son.

Ps 72:2 He will judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with justice.

Ps 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness.

Ps 72:4 He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.

Ps 72:5 They shall fear thee while the sun endureth, And so long as the moon, throughout all generations.

Ps 72:6 He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, As showers that water the earth.

Ps 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace, till the moon be no more.

Ps 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River unto the ends of the earth.

Ps 72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; And his enemies shall lick the dust.

Ps 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Ps 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him.

Ps 72:12 For he will deliver the needy when he crieth, And the poor, that hath no helper.

Ps 72:13 He will have pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he will save.

Ps 72:14 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence; And precious will their blood be in his sight:

Ps 72:15 And they shall live; and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: And men shall pray for him continually; They shall bless him all the day long.

Ps 72:16 There shall be abundance of grain in the earth upon the top of the mountains; The fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: And they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

Ps 72:17 His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him happy.

Ps 72:18 Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things:

Ps 72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever; And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.

Ps 72:20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.



Commentary on following page.

[airIam2worship]

MHCC

David begins with a prayer for Solomon. (1)


  1 This psalm belongs to Solomon in part, but to Christ more fully and clearly. Solomon was both the king and the king's son, and his pious father desired that the wisdom of God might be in him, that his reign might be a remembrance of the kingdom of the Messiah. It is the prayer of a father for his child; a dying blessing. The best we can ask of God for our children is, that God would give them wisdom and grace to know and to do their duty.


He passes into a prophecy of the glories of his reign, and of Christ's kingdom. (2-17)

2-17 This is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ; many passages in it cannot be applied to the reign of Solomon. There were righteousness and peace at first in the administration of his government; but, before the end of his reign, there were troubles and unrighteousness. The kingdom here spoken of is to last as long as the sun, but Solomon's was soon at an end. Even the Jewish expositors understood it of the kingdom of the Messiah. Observe many great and precious promises here made, which were to have full accomplishment only in the kingdom of Christ. As far as his kingdom is set up, discord and contentions cease, in families, churches, and nations. The law of Christ, written in the heart, disposes men to be honest and just, and to render to all their due; it likewise disposes men to live in love, and so produces abundance of peace. Holiness and love shall be lasting in Christ's kingdom. Through all the changes of the world, and all the changes of life, Christ's kingdom will support itself. And he shall, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, come down like rain upon the mown grass; not on that cut down, but that which is left growing, that it may spring again. His gospel has been, or shall be, preached to all nations. Though he needs not the services of any, yet he must be served with the best. Those that have the wealth of this world, must serve Christ with it, do good with it. Prayer shall be made through him, or for his sake; whatever we ask of the Father, should be in his name. Praises shall be offered to him: we are under the highest obligations to him. Christ only shall be feared throughout all generations. To the end of time, and to eternity, his name shall be praised. All nations shall call HIM blessed.

Praise to God. (18-20)

 
18-20 We are taught to bless God in Christ, for all he has done for us by him. David is earnest in prayer for the fulfilment of this prophecy and promise. It is sad to think how empty the earth is of the glory of God, how little service and honour he has from a world to which he is so bountiful. May we, like David, submit to Christ's authority, and partake of his righteousness and peace. May we bless him for the wonders of redeeming love. May we spend our days, and end our lives, praying for the spread of his gospel.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 73:1 <<A Psalm of Asaph.>> Surely God is good to Israel, Even to such as are pure in heart.

Ps 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.

Ps 73:3 For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Ps 73:4 For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.

Ps 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; Neither are they plagued like other men.

Ps 73:6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.

Ps 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.

Ps 73:8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.

Ps 73:9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth

Ps 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

Ps 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?

Ps 73:12 Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

Ps 73:13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;

Ps 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, And  chastened every morning.

Ps 73:15 If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

Ps 73:16 When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;

Ps 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

Ps 73:18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

Ps 73:19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

Ps 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

Ps 73:21 For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:

Ps 73:22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee.

Ps 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.

Ps 73:24 Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

Ps 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

Ps 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

Ps 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, departing from thee.

Ps 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.


Commentary on following page

[airIam2worship]

MHCC

The psalmist's temptation. (1-14)


  1-14 The psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints. But he lays down the great principle by which he resolved to abide. It is the goodness of God. This is a truth which cannot be shaken. Good thoughts of God will fortify against Satan's temptations. The faith even of strong believers may be sorely shaken, and ready to fail. There are storms that will try the firmest anchors. Foolish and wicked people have sometimes a great share of outward prosperity. They seem to have the least share of the troubles of this life; and they seem to have the greatest share of its comforts. They live without the fear of God, yet they prosper, and get on in the world. Wicked men often spend their lives without much sickness, and end them without great pain; while many godly persons scarcely know what health is, and die with great sufferings. Often the wicked are not frightened, either by the remembrance of their sins, or the prospect of their misery, but they die without terror. We cannot judge men's state beyond death, by what passes at their death. He looked abroad, and saw many of God's people greatly at a loss. Because the wicked are so very daring, therefore his people return hither; they know not what to say to it, and the rather, because they drink deep of the bitter cup of affliction. He spoke feelingly when he spoke of his own troubles; there is no disputing against sense, except by faith. From all this arose a strong temptation to cast off religion. But let us learn that the true course of sanctification consists in cleansing a man from all pollution both of soul and body. The heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ laid hold upon by faith; and by the begun works of the Lord's Spirit, manifested in the hearty resolution, purpose, and study of holiness, and a blameless course of life and actions, the hands are cleansed. It is not in vain to serve God and keep his ordinances.

How he gained a victory over it. (15-20)


15-20 The psalmist having shown the progress of his temptation, shows how faith and grace prevailed. He kept up respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss. It is a sign that we repent of the evil thoughts of the heart, if we suppress them. Nothing gives more offence to God's children, than to say it is vain to serve God; for there is nothing more contrary to their universal experience. He prayed to God to make this matter plain to him; and he understood the wretched end of wicked people; even in the height of their prosperity they were but ripening for ruin. The sanctuary must be the resort of a tempted soul. The righteous man's afflictions end in peace, therefore he is happy; the wicked man's enjoyments end in destruction, therefore he is miserable. The prosperity of the wicked is short and uncertain, slippery places. See what their prosperity is; it is but a vain show, it is only a corrupt imagination, not substance, but a mere shadow; it is as a dream, which may please us a little while we are slumbering, yet even then it disturbs our repose.

 How he profited by it. (21-28)

21-28 God would not suffer his people to be tempted, if his grace were not sufficient, not only to save them from harm, but to make them gainers by it. This temptation, the working of envy and discontent, is very painful. In reflecting upon it, the psalmist owns it was his folly and ignorance thus to vex himself. If good men, at any time, through the surprise and strength of temptation, think, or speak, or act amiss, they will reflect upon it with sorrow and shame. We must ascribe our safety in temptation, and our victory, not to our own wisdom, but to the gracious presence of God with us, and Christ's intercession for us. All who commit themselves to God, shall be guided with the counsel both of his word and of his Spirit, the best counsellors here, and shall be received to his glory in another world; the believing hopes and prospects of which will reconcile us to all dark providences. And the psalmist was hereby quickened to cleave the closer to God. Heaven itself could not make us happy without the presence and love of our God. The world and all its glory vanishes. The body will fail by sickness, age, and death; when the flesh fails, the conduct, courage, and comfort fail. But Christ Jesus, our Lord, offers to be all in all to every poor sinner, who renounces all other portions and confidences. By sin we are all far from God. And a profession of Christ, if we go on in sin, will increase our condemnation. May we draw near, and keep near, to our God, by faith and prayer, and find it good to do so. Those that with an upright heart put their trust in God, shall never want matter for thanksgiving to him. Blessed Lord, who hast so graciously promised to become our portion in the next world, prevent us from choosing any other in this.

[airIam2worship]

Ps 74:1 <<Maschil of Asaph.>> O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? Why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Ps 74:2 Remember thy congregation, which thou hast gotten of old, Which thou hast redeemed to be the tribe of thine inheritance; And mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

Ps 74:3 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual ruins, All the evil that the enemy hath done in the sanctuary.

Ps 74:4 Thine adversaries have roared in the midst of thine assembly; They have set up their ensigns for signs.

Ps 74:5 They seemed as men that lifted up Axes upon a thicket of trees.

Ps 74:6 And now all the carved work thereof They break down with hatchet and hammers.

Ps 74:7 They have set thy sanctuary on fire; They have profaned the dwelling-place of thy name by casting it to the ground.

Ps 74:8 They said in their heart, Let us make havoc of them altogether: They have burned up all the  synagogues of God in the land.

Ps 74:9 We see not our signs: There is no more any prophet; Neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.

Ps 74:10 How long, O God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Ps 74:11 Why drawest thou back thy hand, even thy right hand? Pluck it out of thy bosom and consume them.

Ps 74:12 Yet God is my King of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Ps 74:13 Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: Thou brakest the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters.

Ps 74:14 Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces; Thou gavest him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

Ps 74:15 Thou didst cleave fountain and flood: Thou driedst up mighty rivers.

Ps 74:16 The day is thine, the night also is thine: Thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

Ps 74:17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: Thou hast made summer and winter.

Ps 74:18 Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Jehovah, And that a foolish people hath blasphemed thy name.

Ps 74:19 Oh deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the wild beast: Forget not the life of thy poor for ever.

Ps 74:20 Have respect unto the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of violence.

Ps 74:21 Oh let not the oppressed return ashamed: Let the poor and needy praise thy name.

Ps 74:22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee all the day.

Ps 74:23 Forget not the voice of thine adversaries: The tumult of those that rise up against thee ascendeth continually.

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