Verses 12–18
The psalmist speaks with astonishment, at the wickedness of the wicked, and at the patience
and forbearance of God. God prepares the heart for prayer, by kindling holy desires, and
strengthening our most holy faith, fixing the thoughts, and raising the affections, and then he
graciously accepts the prayer. The preparation of the heart is from the Lord, and we must seek unto
him for it. Let the poor, afflicted, persecuted, or tempted believer recollect, that Satan is the prince
of this world, and that he is the father of all the ungodly. The children of God cannot expect kindness,
truth, or justice from such persons as crucified the Lord of glory. But this once suffering Jesus,
now reigns as King over all the earth, and of his dominion there shall be no end. Let us commit
ourselves unto him, humbly trusting in his mercy. He will rescue the believer from every temptation,
and break the arm of every wicked oppressor, and bruise Satan under our feet shortly. But in heaven
alone will all sin and temptation be shut out, though in this life the believer has a foretaste of
deliverance.
Chapter 11
David's struggle with, and triumph over a strong temptation to distrust God, and betake
himself to indirect means for his own safety, in a time of danger.
—Those that truly fear God and serve him, are welcome to put their trust in him. The psalmist,
before he gives an account of his temptation to distrust God, records his resolution to trust in Him,
as that by which he was resolved to live and die. The believer, though not terrified by his enemies,
may be tempted, by the fears of his friends, to desert his post, or neglect his work. They perceive
his danger, but not his security; they give him counsel that savours of worldly policy, rather than
of heavenly wisdom. The principles of religion are the foundations on which the faith and hope of
the righteous are built. We are concerned to hold these fast against all temptations to unbelief; for
believers would be undone, if they had not God to go to, God to trust in, and future bliss to hope
for. The prosperity of wicked people in their wicked, evil ways, and the straits and distresses which
the best men are sometimes brought into, tried David's faith. We need not say, Who shall go up to
heaven, to fetch us thence a God to trust in? The word is nigh us, and God in the word; his Spirit
is in his saints, those living temples, and the Lord is that Spirit. This God governs the world. We
may know what men seem to be, but God knows what they are, as the refiner knows the value of
gold when he has tried it. God is said to try with his eyes, because he cannot err, or be imposed
upon. If he afflicts good people, it is for their trial, therefore for their good. However persecutors
and oppressors may prosper awhile, they will for ever perish. God is a holy God, and therefore
hates them. He is a righteous Judge, and will therefore punish them. In what a horrible tempest are
the wicked hurried away at death! Every man has the portion of his cup assigned him. Impenitent
sinner, mark your doom! The last call to repentance is about to be addressed to you, judgement is
at hand; through the gloomy shade of death you pass into the region of eternal wrath. Hasten then,
O sinner, to the cross of Christ. How stands the case between God and our souls? Is Christ our