Expositions on the Book of Psalms (continued)
PSALMS. 49
PsaLm XVII] ON? THE to Me." "For Mine inheritance is glorious," not to all, but to them that see; in whom because I am, 'it is to Me."
forth to Thee in deceitful lips. "Let My judgment from Thy countenance go forth" (ver. 2). From the enlightening of the knowledge of Thee, let Me judge truth. Or at least, let My judgment go forth, not in deceitful lips, from Thy countenance, that is, that I may not in judging utter aught else than I understand in Thee. " Let Mine eyes see equity: "' the eyes, of course, of the heart.
7. "YT will bless the Lord, who hath given ' Me understanding "' (ver. 7) : whereby this inheritance may be seen and possessed. '" Yea moreover too even unto night my reins have chastened Me." even unto death, My inferior part, the assumption of flesh, hath instructed Me, that I might experience the darkness of mortality, which that understanding hath not.
Yea besides understanding, :
3. "Thou hast proved and visited Mine heart in the night-season" (ver. 3). For this Mine heart hath been proved by the visitation of tribulation. "Thou hast examined Me by fire, and iniquity hath not been found in Me." Now not night only, in that it is wont to disturb, but fire also, in that it burns, is this tribulation to be called ; whereby when I was examined I was found righteous.
8. "I foresaw the Lord in My sight always" (ver. 8). But coming into things that pass away, I removed not Mine eye from Him who abideth ever, foreseeing this, that to Him I should return | after passing through the things temporal. " For He is on My right hand, that I should not be moved." For He favoureth Me, that I should abide fixedly in Him.
4. "That My mouth may not speak the works of men" (ver. 4). That nothing may proceed out of My mouth, but what relates to Thy glory and praise; not to the works of men, which they do beside Thy will. " Because of the words of Thy lips."4+ Because of the words of Thy peace, or of Thy prophets. "I have kept hard ways.' I have kept the toilsome ways of human mortality and suffering.
g. "Wherefore My heart was glad, and My tongue exulted"' (ver. 9). Wherefore both in My thoughts is gladness, and in my words exultation. '' Moreover too My flesh shall rest in hope." Moreover too My flesh shall not fail unto destruction, but shall sleep in hope of the resurrection.
10. "For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell" (ver. 10). For Thou wilt neither give My soul for a possession to those parts below. "Neither wilt Thou grant Thine Holy One to see corruption." Neither wilt Thou suffer that sanctified body, whereby others are to be also sanctified, to see corruption. '' Thou hast made known to Me the paths of life" (ver. 11). Thou hast made known through Me the paths of humiliation, that' men might return to life, from whence they fell through pride; in whom because I am, ''Thou hast made known to Me." "Thou wilt fill Me with joy with Thy countenance." 'Thou wilt fill them with joy, that they should seek nothing further, when they shall see Thee "face to face ;'' in whom because I am, "Thou wilt fill Me." " Pleasure is at Thy night hand even to the end." Pleasure is in Thy favour and mercy in this life's journey, leading on even to the end of the glory of Thy countenance.'
5. " To perfect My steps in Thy paths" (ver. 5). That the love of the Church might be perfected in the strait ways, whereby she arrives at Thy rest. 'That My footsteps be not moved." That the signs of My way, which, like footsteps, have been imprinted on the Sacraments and Apostolical writings, be not moved, that they may mark them who would follow Me. Or at least, that I may still abide fixedly in eternity, after that I have accomplished the hard ways, and have finished My steps in the straits of Thy paths.
6. "I have cried out, for Thou hast heard Me, O God" (ver. 6). With a free and strong effort have I directed My prayers unto Thee: for that I might have this power, Thou hast heard Me when praying more weakly. "Incline Thine ear to Me, and hear My words." Let not Thy hearing forsake My humiliation.
7. 'Make Thy mercies marvellous" (ver. 7). Let not Thy mercies be disesteemed, lest they be loved too little.
PSALM XVIL3
8. "Who savest them that hope in Thee from such as resist Thy right hand:" from such as resist the favour, whereby Thou favourest Me. "Keep Me, O Lord, as the apple of Thine eye"
A PRAYER OF DAVID HIMSELF.
1. This prayer must be assigned to the Person of the Lord, with the addition of the Church, which is His body.
(ver. 8) : which seems very little and minute: yet by it is the sight of the eye directed, whereby the light is 7istinguished from the darkness ; as by Christ's humanity, the divinity of the Judgment 5 distinguishing between the righteous and
2. ' Hear My righteousness, O God, consider My supplication" (ver. 1). 'Hearken unto My prayer, not in deceitful lips:" not going t Oxford mss. " that by it." 2 [Compare Acts ii. 25 as.4 xiii. 34. —C.] 3 Lat.
4 See on Ps, xlv. 2: '' the word of grace, the kiss of grace." 3 AJ, '' the judgment of Godhead."