Psalm 79

Psalm lxxix. looks for judgment on the heathen. That I leave aside here. The only point I have to notice is the way, when brought very low, the heart turns to God. It does not even here avenge itself, but — the extreme of evil being come upon it — turns to God, and thus remembers its own sins. Nor has it any plea but God’s own name. “Remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily

prevent us Help us, 0 God of our salvation,

for the glory of thy name! Deliver us, purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.” Such is the effect of’ chastisement. It supposes that we know God. It pi-oduces lowliness of heart, true confession, no pretension to any title to deliverance but God’s own goodness and name — what He is. Yet the soul rests on that: there is compassion — that God attends to the sighing of His prisoners; and (however strong the hand that holds them appointed to die) will act in the greatness of His power to preserve. The enemy had reproached the Lord, in injuring His people. “Where is their God 1” — their confidence. And the Lord showed Himself; and this is looked for, and His people praise Him. This, too, shows another point we may often notice in Scripture — not that God simply is glorious, and must maintain His glory; but that He, having taken a people in the earth, has identified His glory with that people. Faith feels this, with deep sense of it and thankful, entering into it, and reckons on deliverance and grace. God delivers and secures His own glory. But for the very same reason God allows no evil, because His name is connected with His people, as we see in Israel: “Thee only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore will I punish you for your iniquities.” Here the punishment was on them, and the name reproached. So, humbling themselves, and looking for mercy and purging, they look for deliverance, because God’s people were brought low.