‏ Psalms 116

* The psalmist declares his love to the Lord. (1-9) His desire

to be thankful. (10-19)1-9 We have many reasons for loving the Lord, but are most

affected by his loving-kindness when relieved out of deep

distress. When a poor sinner is awakened to a sense of his

state, and fears that he must soon sink under the just wrath of

God, then he finds trouble and sorrow. But let all such call

upon the Lord to deliver their souls, and they will find him

gracious and true to his promise. Neither ignorance nor guilt

will hinder their salvation, when they put their trust in the

Lord. Let us all speak of God as we have found him; and have we

ever found him otherwise than just and good? It is of his

mercies that we are not consumed. Let those who labour and are

heavy laden come to him, that they may find rest to their souls;

and if at all drawn from their rest, let them haste to return,

remembering how bountifully the Lord has dealt with them. We

should deem ourselves bound to walk as in his presence. It is a

great mercy to be kept from being swallowed up with over-much

sorrow. It is a great mercy for God to hold us by the right

hand, so that we are not overcome and overthrown by a

temptation. But when we enter the heavenly rest, deliverance

from sin and sorrow will be complete; we shall behold the glory

of the Lord, and walk in his presence with delight we cannot now

conceive. 10-19 When troubled, we do best to hold our peace, for we are

apt to speak unadvisedly. Yet there may be true faith where

there are workings of unbelief; but then faith will prevail; and

being humbled for our distrust of God's word, we shall

experience his faithfulness to it. What can the pardoned sinner,

or what can those who have been delivered from trouble or

distress, render to the Lord for his benefits? We cannot in any

way profit him. Our best is unworthy of his acceptance; yet we

ought to devote ourselves and all we have to his service. I will

take the cup of salvation; I will offer the drink-offerings

appointed by the law, in token of thankfulness to God, and

rejoice in God's goodness to me. I will receive the cup of

affliction; that cup, that bitter cup, which is sanctified to

the saints, so that to them it is a cup of salvation; it is a

means of spiritual health. The cup of consolation; I will

receive the benefits God bestows upon me, as from his hand, and

taste his love in them, as the portion not only of mine

inheritance in the other world, but of my cup in this. Let

others serve what masters they will, truly I am thy servant. Two

ways men came to be servants. By birth. Lord, I was born in thy

house; I am the son of thine handmaid, and therefore thine. It

is a great mercy to be children of godly parents. By redemption.

Lord, thou hast loosed my bonds, thou hast discharged me from

them, therefore I am thy servant. The bonds thou hast loosed

shall tie me faster unto thee. Doing good is sacrifice, with

which God is well pleased; and this must accompany giving thanks

to his name. Why should we offer that to the Lord which cost us

nothing? The psalmist will pay his vows now; he will not delay

the payment: publicly, not to make a boast, but to show he is

not ashamed of God's service, and to invite others to join him.

Such are true saints of God, in whose lives and deaths he will

be glorified