Hints to Preachers

This Psalm has been much used for coronation, thanksgiving, and fast sermons, and no end of nonsense and sickening flattery has been tacked thereto by the trencher-chaplains of the world’s church. If kings had been devils, some of these gentry would have praised their horns and hoofs; for although some of their royal highnesses have been very obedient servants of the prince of darkness, these false prophets have dubbed them “most gracious sovereigns,” and have been as much dazzled in their presence as if they had beheld the beatific vision.—C. H. S.

Whole Psalm.—A loyal song and prayer for subjects of King Jesus.

Verse 1.—Two great mercies in great trouble—hearing at the throne, and defence from the throne.

Verses 1, 2.—I. The Lord’s trouble in its nature and its cause. II. How the Lord exercised himself in his trouble. III. We ought not to be unmoved spectators of the trouble of Jesus.—Hamilton Verschoyle.

Verses 1-3.—A model of good wishes for our friends. I. They include personal piety. The person who is spoken of prays, goes to the sanctuary, and offers sacrifice. We must wish our friends grace. II. They point upward. The blessings are distinctly recognised as divine. III. They do not exclude trouble. IV. They are eminently spiritual. Acceptance, etc.

Verse 2.—Sanctuary help—a suggestive topic.

Verse 3.—God’s ceaseless respect to the sacrifice of Jesus.

Verses 3, 4.—The great privilege of this fourfold acceptance in the Beloved.

Verse 5.—Joy in salvation, to be resolved on and practised.

Verse 5.—Setting up the banner. Open avowal of allegiance, declaration of war, index of perseverance, claim of possession, signal of triumph.

Verse 5 (last clause).—The prevalence of our Lord’s intercession, and the acceptance of our prayers through him.

Verse 6.—“His anointed.” Our Lord as the Anointed. When? With what unction? How? For what offices? etc.

Verse 6.—“He will hear him.” The ever-prevalent Intercessor.

Verse 6.—God’s “saving strength;” the strength of his most used and most skilful hand.

Verse 6 (first clause).—“Now know I.” The moment when faith in Jesus fills the soul. The time when assurance is given. The period when a truth gleams into the soul, etc.

Verse 7.—Creature confidence. Apparently mighty, well adapted, showy, noisy, etc. Faithful trust. Silent, spiritual, divine, etc.

Verse 7.—“The name of the Lord our God.”—Comfortable reflections from the name and character of the true God.

Verse 8.—Tables turned.

Verse 9.—“Save, Lord.” One of the shortest and most pithy prayers in the Bible.

Verse 9 (last clause).—I. To whom we come, and what then. “To a king.” II. How we come, and what it means. “We call.” III. What we want, and what it implies. “Hear us.”