Psalm 5

Psalm v. furnishes the occasion of saying a word on the calls for judgment which are many times found in the book, and with that I shall pass it over. There is constancy of cry in the presence of enemies. It is to Jehovah, the tried one looks; but it is on the ground of that righteous character and government of God which makes it impossible for Him to look on evil complacently. He will destroy the violent and deceitful man. And this is right. The Christian feels God ought not to let successful evil go on for ever. When his mind rests on the government of God, he looks for the removal of evil by judgment, and rejoices in it; not in thinking of the evil doer, but

THE PSALMS. — rSALM V. 15

of the righteousness and the result. Vengeance belongs to God. But it is in no way the element He liv. - in. The Jew having his portion in the earth — “for the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” — looks for the removal of the violent and deceitful man in order to his own comfort and rest. Not so the Christian, lie leaves the violent man here and goes to heaven. He walks, as to his personal walk, in the time of grace and leaves it for glory. Even in the millennium, when government will be exercised and the wicked cut off, his distinctive place is grace. The river of water Hows out of the city; the leaves of the tree of life, of which he eats the full ripe fruit, are for the healing of the nations. Now his place is wholly grace and patience. He does well, suffers for it, and takes it patiently, and knows this is acceptable with God. He w< raid i iveicome evil with good. He sees the evil, knows it will be judged that the judgment shall devour the adversaries, and, viewed as adversaries, can be glad that they are removed from hindering good. Righteous judgment, I repeat, his soul owns and acquiesces in. But he looks not for it for his own gain or liberty. He is above this in grace. And this was Christ’s place. He will execute judgment, nis Spirit culls in these Psalms for judgment. But as walking on earth, in which He was a personal pattern for US, lie did not call for judgment On J lis enemies.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” was II is word when their violence was directed againsl Himself; and in judgment He opened not His mouth.

Now the fifth Psalm takes up the call for judgment according- to God’s government of the earth, founded on Jehovah’s immutable character, and looks for the happiness and joy of Jehovah’s people flowing from it. And so it will, but not ours, because our joy is in heaven, where such deliverances are not needed. We leave the earth. Hence while the spirit sees and feels the lightness of this Psalm, I do not give it as in any way the experience of a Christian, save that his cry in difficulty and trial is undivideclly and actively directed to the Lord — we may say to the Father.