Exposition of Psalm CXIX

A CONSIDERABLE portion of the Sacred Volume (as the Books of Psalms and Canticles in the Old Testament, and a large part of the several Epistles in the New Testament) is occupied with the interesting subject of Christian Experience; and exhibits its character, under different dispensations of religion, and diversified with an endless variety of circumstances, as ever essentially the same. As the same features of countenance and elevation of stature have always marked the human species in the midst of the creation of God; so an identity of feature and “measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” has, in all ages, and under every shade of outward difference, distinguished the family of God as “the people that should dwell alone, and should not be reckoned among the nations.” l This indeed was to have been expected. Human nature has undergone no change since the fall. In its unrenewed state it is still captivated in ’ the same chains of sin; and, when renewed, it is under the influence of the same Spirit of grace. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” 2 We might therefore have conceived, that the modern believer, when employed in tracing the records of Patriarchal or Mosaical experience, will mark in the infirmities of the

1 Numbers xxiii. 9. 2 John iii. 6.

A 2 ancient people of God a picture of his own heart, “answering, as in water face answereth to face;” ’ and in comparing their external exercises with his own, will be ready to acknowledge, “All these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”2

In this view, it is the object of this work to exhibit an Old Testament believer in a New Testament garb, as one “walking in the same spirit, and in the same steps” with ourselves; and, in bringing his features of character to the Evangelical standard, it is presumed, that the correspondence will be found to be complete. “Faith which worketh by love” 3 — the fundamental distinction of the Gospel — pervades the whole man; with at least an implied reference to the one way of access to God,4 and a distinct regard alike to the promises,5 and to the precepts,6 of Divine revelation. Nor are the workings of this principle delineated with less accuracy. In all the variety of Christian feelings and holy conduct, we observe its operations leading the soul into communion with God, and moulding every part into a progressive conformity to his image. When we view the “man after God’s own heart” — taking God for his portion ’ — associating with his people,8 and feeding upon his word; 9 when we mark his zeal for his Master’s glory: 10 his devotedness n and self-denial12 in his Master’s work — when we see him ever ready to confess his name,13 to bear his reproach,14 and caring only to answer it by a more steady adherence to his ser-

1 Prov. xxvii. 19. 2 1 Cor. xii. 11.

3 Gal. v. 6. 4 Verses 41, 88, 132, 135.

7 Verse 57. 8 Verses 63, 79. 9 Verses 47, 48, 97, Jll.

10 Verse 139. ll Verse 38. l2 Verse 62. vice J — do we not in those lineaments of character recognize the picture of one, who in after times could turn to the churches of Christ, and say, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me?” 2 Or can we recollect the Psalmist’s insight into the extent and spirituality of the law of God,3 and his continual conflict with indwelling sin 4 — awakening in him the spirit of wrestling prayer,5 and confidence in the God of his salvation6 — and not be again forcibly reminded of him, who has left upon record the corresponding history of his own experience — “We know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin: I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; 0 wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!”7 In short let his instancy in prayer8 and praise 9 be remembered — his determined 10 and persevering u cultivation of heart-religion 12 and practical holiness,13 his hungering and thirsting after righteousness; 14 his jealous fear 15 and watchful tenderness lt; against sin, and regard for the honour of his God; ‘’ his yearning compassion over his fellow-sinners; 18 his spiritual taste; 19 his accurate discernment ;20 the “simplicity” of his dependence,21 and the godly “sincerity” of his obedience,22 his peace of mind and stability of

1 Verses 51, 78, 157. 2 1 Cor. iv. 16.

7 Rom. vii. 9, 14, 24, 25. 8 Verses 145 — 149.

7 Verse 39. I8 Verses 53, 136, 158.

31 Verses 8, 10, 86, 116, 117- - Verses 104, 128. A 3

profession; l his sanctified improvement of the cross; 2 his victory over the world; 3 his acknowledgment of the Lord’s mercy: 4 his trials of faith and patience; 5 his heavenly liberty in the ways of God; 6 his habitual living in his presence, 7 and under the quickening, 8 restraining,9 directing,10 and supporting n influence of his word — let these holy exercises be considered — either separately, or as forming one admirable concentration of Christian excellence — and what do we desire more to complete the portrait of a finished servant of God upon the Divine model? Is not this a visible demonstration of the power of the word, in “perfecting the man of God, and furnishing him thoroughly unto all good works?” 12

Having explained the Evangelical character of this Psalm, we may notice its peculiar adaptation to Christian experience. It may be considered as the journal of one, who was deeply taught in the things of God — long practised in the life and walk of faith. It contains the anatomy of experimental religion — -the interior lineaments of the family of God. It is given for the use of believers in all ages, as an excellent touchstone of vital godliness — a touchstone which appears especially needful in this day of profession; not — as warranting our confidence in the Saviour, or as constituting in any measure our ground of acceptance with God: but as exciting us to “give diligence to make our calling and election sure,” 13 and quicken our sluggish steps in the path of self-denying obedience. The Writer is free to 7 Verse 168. a Verses 50, 93.

8 Verse 10). 10 Verses 9, 24, 30, 105. 11 Verses 92, 143. 12 2 Tiin. iii. 16, 17. confess, that his main design in the study of this Psalm was to furnish a correct standard of Evangelical sincerity for the habitual scrutiny of his own heart; and if, in the course of this Exposition, any suggestion should be thrown out, to call the attention of his fellow-christians to this most important, but alas! too much neglected, duty, he will have reason to “rejoice in the day of Christ, that he has not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”1 Never let it be supposed, that a diligent, prayerful, probing examination of the “chambers of imagery,” “gendereth unto bondage.” Invariably will it be found to establish the enjoyment of Scriptural assurance. “Hereby, we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 2 As therefore the preceptive part of the gospel thus becomes our guide in the happy path of filial obedience, our beloved rule of duty, and the standard of our daily progress: we shall learn in the use of it to depend more entirely upon the Saviour; fresh energy will be put into our prayers; and the promises of pardon and grace will be doubly precious to our souls.

Keep reading