‏ Psalms 94

* The danger and folly of persecutors. (1-11) Comfort and peace

to the persecuted. (12-23)1-11 We may with boldness appeal to God; for he is the almighty

Judge by whom every man is judged. Let this encourage those who

suffer wrong, to bear it with silence, committing themselves to

Him who judges righteously. These prayers are prophecies, which

speak terror to the sons of violence. There will come a day of

reckoning for all the hard speeches which ungodly sinners have

spoken against God, his truths, and ways, and people. It would

hardly be believed, if we did not witness it, that millions of

rational creatures should live, move, speak, hear, understand,

and do what they purpose, yet act as if they believed that God

would not punish the abuse of his gifts. As all knowledge is

from God, no doubt he knows all the thoughts of the children of

men, and knows that the imaginations of the thoughts of men's

hearts are only evil, and that continually. Even in good

thoughts there is a want of being fixed, which may be called

vanity. It concerns us to keep a strict watch over our thoughts,

because God takes particular notice of them. Thoughts are words

to God. 12-23 That man is blessed, who, under the chastening of the

Lord, is taught his will and his truths, from his holy word, and

by the Holy Spirit. He should see mercy through his sufferings.

There is a rest remaining for the people of God after the days

of their adversity, which shall not last always. He that sends

the trouble, will send the rest. The psalmist found succour and

relief only in the Lord, when all earthly friends failed. We are

beholden, not only to God's power, but to his pity, for

spiritual supports; and if we have been kept from falling into

sin, or shrinking from our duty, we should give him the glory,

and encourage our brethren. The psalmist had many troubled

thoughts concerning the case he was in, concerning the course he

should take, and what was likely to be the end of it. The

indulgence of such contrivances and fears, adds to care and

distrust, and renders our views more gloomy and confused. Good

men sometimes have perplexed and distressed thoughts concerning

God. But let them look to the great and precious promises of the

gospel. The world's comforts give little delight to the soul,

when hurried with melancholy thoughts; but God's comforts bring

that peace and pleasure which the smiles of the world cannot

give, and which the frowns of the world cannot take away. God is

his people's Refuge, to whom they may flee, in whom they are

safe, and may be secure. And he will reckon with the wicked. A

man cannot be more miserable than his own wickedness will make

him, if the Lord visit it upon him