Hints to Preachers

Verse 1 (first clause).—The relation of illumination to salvation, or the need of light if men would be saved.

Verse 1.—The Christian hero, and the secret springs of his courage.

Verse 1.—The believer’s fearless challenge.

Verse 2.—The character, number, power, and cruelty of the enemies of the church, and the mysterious way in which they have been defeated.

Verse 3.—Christian peace. I. Exhibited in the calm foresight of trouble. II. Displayed in the confident endurance of affliction. III. Sustained by divine help and past experience (verses 1, 2). IV. Producing the richest results, glory to God, etc.

Verse 4.—Model Christian life. I. Unity of desire. II. Earnestness of action.

III. Nearness of communion. IV. Heavenliness of contemplation. V. Progress in divine education.

Verse 4.—The affection of moral esteem towards God.—Thomas Chalmers.

Verse 4.—A breathing after God.—R. Sibbes’s Sermon.

Verse 4 (last clause).—Sabbath occupations and heavenly delights.

Verse 4 (final clause).—Matters for enquiry in the Temple of old opened up in the light of the New Testament.

Verse 5.—The threefold shelter. See Exposition.

Verse 6.—The saint’s present triumph over his spiritual foes, his practical gratitude, and his vocal praises.

Verse 7.—Prayer. To whom addressed? How? “Cry,” etc. When? Left indefinite. On what it is based? “Mercy.” What it needs? “Hear,” “answer.”

Verse 8.—The heart in tune with its God. Note, the promptness, heartiness, personality, unreservedness, accuracy, and resolution of the response to the precept.

Verse 8.—The successful seeker.—R. Sibbes’s Sermon.

Verse 8.—The echo. See Spurgeon’s Sermons. No. 767.

Verse 9.—I. Desertion deprecated in all its forms. II. Experience pleaded. III. Divine aid implored.

Verse 9.—The horror of saints at the hell of sinners.—James Scot.

Verse 10.—The portion of the orphan, the comfort of the persecuted, the paradise of the departing.

Verse 11.—The plain man’s pathway desired, described, divinely approved, “thy way,” “a plain way,” and divinely taught, “teach me, O Lord,” “lead me.”

Verse 13.—Faith, its precedence of sight, its objects, its sustaining power.

Verse 13.—Believing to see. See Spurgeon’s Sermons. No. 766.

Verse 14.—The believer’s position, “wait;” his condition, “good courage;” his support, “he shall,” etc.; his perseverance, “wait” repeated a second time; his reward.