Hints to Preachers

Verse 1.—Faith expressed, confusion deprecated, deliverance sought.

Verse 1 (first clause).—Open avowal of faith. 1. Duties which precede it, self-examination, etc. 2. Modes of making the confession. 3. Conduct incumbent on those who have made the profession.

Verse 1 (last clause).—How far the righteousness of God is involved in the salvation of a believer.

Verse 2 (first clause).—God’s hearing prayer a great condescension.

Verse 2 (second clause).—How far we may be urgent with God as to time.

Verses 2, 3 (last and first clauses).—That which we have we may yet seek for.

Verse 3.—Work out the metaphor of God as a rocky fastness of the soul.

Verse 3 (last clause).—1. A blessing needed, “lead me.” 2. A blessing obtainable. 3. An argument for its being granted, “for thy name’s sake.”

Verse 4.—The rescue of the ensnared. 1. The fowlers. 2. The laying of the net. 3. The capture of the bird. 4. The cry of the captive. 5. The rescue.

Verse 4 (last clause).—The weak one girt with omnipotence.

Verse 5.—I. Dying, in a saint’s account, is a difficult work. II. The children of God, when considering themselves as dying, are chiefly concerned for their departing immortal spirits. III. Such having chosen God for their God, have abundant encouragement when dying, to commit their departing spirits into his hand, with hopes of their being safe and happy for ever with him.—Daniel Wilcox.

Verse 5.—The believer’s requiem.

Redemption the foundation of our repose in God.

I. What we do—commit ourselves to God. II. What God has done—redeemed us.

Verse 6.—Holy detestation, as a virtue discriminated from bigotry: or, the good hater.

Verse 7.—I. An endearing attribute rejoiced in. II. An interesting experience related. III. A directly personal favour from God delighted in.

Verse 7 (centre clause).—Consider the measure, the effects, the time, the tempering, the ending, and the recompense.

Verse 7 (last clause).—The Lord’s familiarity with his afflicted.

Verse 8.—Christian liberty, a theme for gladness.

Verse 9.—The mourner’s lament.

Verse 9 (last clauses).—Excessive sorrow, its injurious effects on the body, the understanding, and the spiritual nature. Sin of it, cure of it.

Verses 9, 10.—The sick man’s moan, a reminder to those who enjoy good health.

Verse 10.—My strength faileth because of mine iniquity. The weakening influence of sin.

Verse 11.—The good man evil spoken of.

Verse 12.—The world’s treatment of its best friends.

Verse 14.—Faith peculiarly glorious in seasons of great trial.

The casting forth of the sheet anchor in the storm.

Verse 15.—The believer the peculiar care of providence.

Verse 15 (first clause).—I. The character of the earthly experience of the saints, “My times,” that is, the changes I shall pass through, etc. II. The advantage of this variety. 1. Changes reveal the various aspects of the Christian character. 2. Changes strengthen the Christian character. 3. Changes lead us to admire an unchanging God. III. Comfort for all seasons. 1. This implies that changes of life are subject to the divine control. 2. That God will support his people under them. 3. And, consequently, they shall result in our being abundantly profited. IV. The deportment which should characterise us. Courageous devotion to God in times of persecution; resignation and contentment in times of poverty and suffering; zeal and hope in times of labour.—From Stems and Twigs, or Sermon Framework.

Verse 16.—A sense of divine favour. 1. Its value. 2. How to lose it. 3. How to obtain a renewal of it. 4. How to retain it.

The heavenly servant’s best reward.

Verse 16 (last clause).—A prayer for saints in all stages. Note its object, “save me;” and its plea, “thy mercies’ sake.” Suitable to the penitent, the sick, the doubting, the tried, the advanced believer, the dying saint.

Verse 17.—The shame and silence of the wicked in eternity.

The silence of the grave, its grave eloquence.

Verse 19.—See “Spurgeon’s Sermons,” No. 773. “David’s Holy Wonder at the Lord’s Great Goodness.”

Verse 20.—The believer preserved from the sneers of arrogance by a sense of the divine presence, and kept from the bitterness of slander by the glory of the King whom he serves.

Verse 21.—Marvellous kindness. Marvellous that it should come to me in such a way, at such a time, in such a measure, for so long.

Verse 21.—Memorable events in life to be observed, recorded, meditated on, repeated, made the subject of gratitude, and the ground of confidence.

Verse 22.—Unbelief confessed and faithfulness adored.

The mischief of hasty speeches.

Verse 23.—An exhortation to love the Lord. 1. The matter of it, “love the Lord.” 2. To whom addressed, “all ye his saints.” 3. By whom spoken. 4. With what arguments supported, “for the Lord preserveth,” etc.

Verse 24.—Holy courage. Its excellences, difficulties, encouragements, and triumphs.