Verses 7–14
Wherever the believer is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. God calls us by
his Spirit, by his word, by his worship, and by special providences, merciful and afflicting. When
we are foolishly making court to lying vanities, God is, in love to us, calling us to seek our own
mercies in him. The call is general, “Seek ye my face;” but we must apply it to ourselves, “I will
seek it.” The word does us no good, when we do not ourselves accept the exhortation: a gracious
heart readily answers to the call of a gracious God, being made willing in the day of his power.
The psalmist requests the favour of the Lord; the continuance of his presence with him; the benefit
of Divine guidance, and the benefit of Divine protection. God's time to help those that trust in him,
is, when all other helpers fail. He is a surer and better Friend than earthly parents are, or can be.
What was the belief which supported the psalmist? That he should see the goodness of the Lord.
There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes
of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all calamities. In the mean time he should be
strengthened to bear up under his burdens. Let us look unto the suffering Saviour, and pray in faith,
not to be delivered into the hands of our enemies. Let us encourage each other to wait on the Lord,
with patient expectation, and fervent prayer.
Chapter 28
Chapter Outline
A prayer in distress. (1–5)
Thanksgiving for deliverance. (6–9)Verses 1–5
David is very earnest in prayer. Observe his faith in prayer; God is my rock, on whom I build
my hope. Believers should not rest till they have received some token that their prayers are heard.
He prays that he may not be numbered with the wicked. Save me from being entangled in the snares
they have laid for me. Save me from being infected with their sins, and from doing as they do.
Lord, never leave me to use such arts of deceit and treachery for my safety, as they use for my ruin.
Believers dread the way of sinners; the best are sensible of the danger they are in of being drawn
aside: we should all pray earnestly to God for his grace to keep us. Those who are careful not to
partake with sinners in their sins, have reason to hope that they shall not receive their plagues. He
speaks of the just judgments of the Lord on the workers of iniquity, ver. #(4). This is not the language
of passion or revenge. It is a prophecy that there will certainly come a day, when God will punish
every man who persists in his evil deeds. Sinners shall be reckoned with, not only for the mischief
they have done, but for the mischief they designed, and did what they could to effect. Disregard of
the works of the Lord, is the cause of the sin of sinners, and becomes the cause of their ruin.