man according to his works, he shall observe who enjoyed the privileges of his sanctuary. To them
much was given, and of them much will be required. Let those that dwell in Zion, mark this, and
live up to their profession. Zion's songs shall be sung with joy and triumph. The springs of the joy
of a carnal worldling are in wealth and pleasure; but of a gracious soul, in the word of God and
prayer. All grace and consolation are derived from Christ, through his ordinances, to the souls of
believers.
Chapter 88
Chapter Outline
The psalmist pours out his soul to God in (1–9)
lamentation.
He wrestles by faith, in his prayer to God (10–18)
for comfort.Verses 1–9
The first words of the psalmist are the only words of comfort and support in this psalm. Thus
greatly may good men be afflicted, and such dismal thoughts may they have about their afflictions,
and such dark conclusion may they make about their end, through the power of melancholy and
the weakness of faith. He complained most of God's displeasure. Even the children of God's love
may sometimes think themselves children of wrath and no outward trouble can be so hard upon
them as that. Probably the psalmist described his own case, yet he leads to Christ. Thus are we
called to look unto Jesus, wounded and bruised for our iniquities. But the wrath of God poured the
greatest bitterness into his cup. This weighed him down into darkness and the deep.
Verses 10–18
Departed souls may declare God's faithfulness, justice, and lovingkindness; but deceased bodies
can neither receive God's favours in comfort, nor return them in praise. The psalmist resolved to
continue in prayer, and the more so, because deliverance did not come speedily. Though our prayers
are not soon answered, yet we must not give over praying. The greater our troubles, the more earnest
and serious we should be in prayer. Nothing grieves a child of God so much as losing sight of him;
nor is there any thing he so much dreads as God's casting off his soul. If the sun be clouded, that
darkens the earth; but if the sun should leave the earth, what a dungeon would it be! Even those
designed for God's favours, may for a time suffer his terrors. See how deep those terrors wounded
the psalmist. If friends are put far from us by providences, or death, we have reason to look upon
it as affliction. Such was the calamitous state of a good man. But the pleas here used were peculiarly
suited to Christ. And we are not to think that the holy Jesus suffered for us only at Gethsemane and
on Calvary. His whole life was labour and sorrow; he was afflicted as never man was, from his
youth up. He was prepared for that death of which he tasted through life. No man could share in