‏ Psalms 30

* Praise to God for deliverance. (1-5) Others encouraged by his

example. (6-12)

#1-5. The great things the Lord has done for us, both by his

providence and by his grace, bind us in gratitude to do all we

can to advance his kingdom among men, though the most we can do

is but little. God's saints in heaven sing to him; why should

not those on earth do the same? Not one of all God's perfections

carries in it more terror to the wicked, or more comfort to the

godly, than his holiness. It is a good sign that we are in some

measure partakers of his holiness, if we can heartily rejoice at

the remembrance of it. Our happiness is bound up in the Divine

favour; if we have that, we have enough, whatever else we want;

but as long as God's anger continues, so long the saints'

weeping continues.6-12 When things are well with us, we are very apt to think

that they will always be so. When we see our mistake, it becomes

us to think with shame upon our carnal security as our folly. If

God hide his face, a good man is troubled, though no other

calamity befal him. But if God, in wisdom and justice, turn from

us, it will be the greatest folly if we turn from him. No; let

us learn to pray in the dark. The sanctified spirit, which

returns to God, shall praise him, shall be still praising him;

but the services of God's house cannot be performed by the dust;

it cannot praise him; there is none of that device or working in

the grave, for it is the land of silence. We ask aright for

life, when we do so that we may live to praise him. In due time

God delivered the psalmist out of his troubles. Our tongue is

our glory, and never more so than when employed in praising God.

He would persevere to the end in praise, hoping that he should

shortly be where this would be the everlasting work. But let all

beware of carnal security. Neither outward prosperity, nor

inward peace, here, are sure and lasting. The Lord, in his

favour, has fixed the believer's safety firm as the deep-rooted

mountains, but he must expect to meet with temptations and

afflictions. When we grow careless, we fall into sin, the Lord

hides his face, our comforts droop, and troubles assail us