His words were softer than oil, (IV. Admonition to faith.) 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, And He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 23 But Thou, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out But I will trust in Thee. REFLECTIONS. 1. David was acquainted with grief and trouble: our blessed Lord also endured the "contradiction of sinners against Himself." If we walk in the same path, and drink of the same cup, why should we be “wearied and faint" in our minds? We must offer to God our earnest and then we shall bear with compoprayers; sure the storm and tempest: and the time is not distant when we shall escape from them. 2. David saw the confusion of Jerusalem, the cruelty of Absalom, and the treachery of Ahithophel. Our blessed Lord saw the rage of the Jews, and the treachery of Judas. If we experience the cruelty and deceit of men, let us not fail to possess our souls in patience. 3. What a contrast do we see here between the good and the wicked! How awful is the end of all the workers of iniquity! For a season they prosper. They "have no changes" nor trials; but their end will be destruction. But how happy and safe is the good man! He prays; he is heard; and he enjoys deliverance and peace. 4. It is alike the duty and happiness of the believer to trust in God; to commit himself and his cause to Him. While awful judgments hang over the workers of evil, God will sustain him, and never suffer him to be moved. PRAYER. O blessed God, whatever be the perverse and unjust conduct of wicked men, grant that we may call upon Thee, trust in Thee, and patiently wait the fulfilment of Thy will. Mercifully support us in all trials; suffer us not to be moved from the stedfastness of our faith; that we may adorn our Christian profession, and praise Thy name for ever, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. DAY 11.] PSALM LVI. MORNING PRAYER. Prayer, as Psalm iii. Author, David. This Psalm refers to his enemies in the court of Saul. (I. Prayer.) 1 Be merciful unto me, O God: For man would swallow me up; He fighting daily oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up : For they be many that fight against me, (II. Confidence.) 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. 4 In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (III. Conduct of enemies.) 5 Every day they wrest my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. (IV. Confidence in God.) 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In Thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8 Thou tellest my wanderings: Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: Are they not in Thy book? 9 When I cry unto Thee, Then shall mine enemies turn back : This I know; for God is for me. 10 In God will I praise His word: In the Lord will I praise His word. 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. (V. Praise.) 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto Thee. 13 For Thou hast delivered my soul from death: Wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living? REFLECTIONS. 1. The good man may have many enemies; but God is his refuge, and to Him he looks for mercy and protection. Man's wrath will do us no harın, if God's mercy be with us. 2. Danger produces fear; but if we trust in God and in His word, we shall banish fear, and praise our Almighty Protector. Trust in God is our safety, comfort, and joy. 3. Misconstruction of our words, cruel devices, and perverse scrutiny of our conduct, can hardly fail to be more or less our lot upon earth. In such circumstances we must not think that any strange thing befalls us. 4. What is the support of the righteous amidst their troubles? God graciously regards the trials and sorrows of His people; He will subdue their enemies; remove their fears; and fill their hearts with gratitude and praise. 5. The true Christian remembers his vows, by which he has engaged to be God's faithful servant. He remembers God's past dealings towards him with gratitude, and looks to the future with confidence: and as God will deliver him and uphold him, so will he celebrate the praises of his faithful and almighty Benefactor. M PRAYER. O blessed God, whatever be the troubles of this mortal life, enable us to trust in Thee; and grant that we may always experience Thy goodness in our protection and deliverance. May we always remember our vows, and be faithful to them. Through Thy grace may our feet be kept from falling; and grant that we may walk before Thee in the light of the living, to the glory of Thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PSALM LVII. Prayer, as Psalm iii. Author, David: written, probably, when he was persecuted by Saul: 1 Sam. xxiv. (I. Prayer and trust.) 1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: For my soul trusteth in Thee: Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings Until these calamities be overpast. 2 I will cry unto God most High; Unto God that performeth all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven, and save me From the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. (II. Dangers.) 4 My soul is among lions: and I lie Even among them that are set on fire, |