Hints to Preachers

Verse 1.—Heavenly machinery for uplifting an earthbound soul.

Verse 1.—Genuine devotion described and commended.

Verse 2.—The soul at anchor, and the two rocks from which it would be delivered.

Verse 3.—Shame out of place and in place.

Verse 4.—Practical divinity the best study; God the best teacher; Prayer the mode of entrance into the school.

Verses 4, 5.—“Shew.” “Teach.” “Lead.” Three classes in the school of grace.

Verse 5.—I. Sanctification desired. II. Knowledge sought. III. Assurance enjoyed. IV. Patience exercised.

Verse 5.—“Thou art the God of my salvation.” A rich and overflowing text.

Verse 5 (last clause).—How to spend the day with God.—Matthew Henry.

Verse 6.—The antiquity of mercy.

Verses 6, 7.—The three Remembers.

Verse 7 (first clause).—The best Act of Oblivion.—Thomas Fuller.

Verse 7.—Oblivion desired and remembrance entreated. Note “my,” and “thy.”

Verse 8.—Opposing attributes co-working. God teaching sinners—a great wonder.

Verse 9.—“The meek.” Who they are? What are their privileges? How to be like them?

Verse 9 (first clause).—Moral purity needful to a well-balanced judgment.

Verse 10.—God’s mercy and faithfulness in providence, and the persons who may derive comfort therefrom.

Verse 11.—A model prayer. Confession, argument, entreaty, etc.

Verse 11.—Great guilt no obstacle to the pardon of the returning sinner.—Jonathan Edwards.

Verse 12.—Holiness the best security for a well ordered life. Free-will at school, questioned and instructed.

Verse 13.—A man at ease for time and eternity.

Verse 14.—I. A secret, and who know it. II. A wonder, and who see it.

Verse 15. I. What we are like. A silly bird. II. What is our danger? “Net.” III. Who is our friend? “The Lord.” IV. What is our wisdom? “Mine eyes,” etc.

Verse 16.—A desolate soul seeking heavenly company, and an afflicted spirit crying for divine mercy. Our God the balm of all our wounds.

Verses 16-18.—David is a petitioner as well as a sufferer; and those sorrows will never injure us that bring us near to God. Three things he prays for:—I. Deliverance. This we are called to desire, consistently with resignation to the divine will. II. Notice. A kind look from God is desirable at any time, in any circumstances; but in affliction and pain, it is like life from the dead. III. Pardon. Trials are apt to revive a sense of guilt.—William Jay.

Verse 17.—Special seasons of trouble and special resort to prayer for special deliverance.

Verse 18.—Two things are here taught us:—I. That a kind look from God is very desirable in affliction. II. That the sweetest cordial under trouble would be an assurance of divine forgiveness. I. That a kind look, etc. (subdivisions), 1. It is a look of special observation. 2. It is a look of tender compassion. 3. It is a look of support and assistance (with God, power and compassion go together). II. That the sweetest cordial, etc. (subdivisions), 1. Because trouble is very apt to bring our sins to remembrance. 2. Because a sense of pardon will in great measure remove all distressing fears of death and judgment. Improvement. 1. Let us adore the goodness of God, that one so great and glorious should bestow a favourable look upon any of our sinful race. 2. Let the benefit we have received from the Lord’s looking upon us in former afflictions, engage us to pray, and encourage us to hope, that he will now look upon us again. 3. If a kind look from God be so comfortable, what must heaven be!—Samuel Lavington.

Verse 18.—I. It is well when our sorrows remind us of our sins. II. When we are as earnest to be forgiven as to be delivered. III. When we bring both to the right place in prayer. IV. When we are submissive about our sorrows—“Look,” etc.—but very explicit about our sins—“Forgive,” etc.

Verse 19.—The spiritual enemies of the saint. Their number, malice, craft, power, etc.

Verse 20.—Soul preservation. I. Its twofold character, “Keep,” and “deliver.” II. Its dreadful alternative, “Let me not be ashamed.” III. Its effectual guarantee, “I put my trust in thee.”

Verse 20.—A superhuman keeping, a natural fear, a spiritual trust.

Verse 21.—The open way of safety in action, and the secret way of safety in devotion.

Verse 22.—Jacob’s life, as typical of ours, may illustrate this prayer.

Verse 22.—A prayer for the church militant.