CONTENTS
This Psalm contains a mingled song of joy and sorrow; both ad dressed to the Lord.
A Psalm of David.
Though I do not say that David had no reference to himself, and his personal exercises, when he wrote this Psalm, many parts of which so very properly suited him; yet I venture to believe, that the Holy Ghost intended it more for the comfort of the Church, in sketching forth some blessed points, referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. Reader, let us, while passing through it, lose sight as much as possible of David, and of our own history, in order to discover somewhat of Jesus, in whom David, as well as you and I, can only find comfort. And here at the opening, who could sing so sweetly, both of mercy and judgment, as the Son of David, when in the days of his flesh he rejoiced in spirit; and also offered up strong cries and tears? Luke 10:21; Hebrews 5:7. Who but Jesus, as the Head of his Church, can truly be said to sing of mercy, in that he hath obtained the whole fulness of mercy? Nay, he himself is the very mercy of Jehovah to all his people. And if judgment form a part in the song, surely none can sing of this but Jesus! He bore all the punishment due to sin from the righteous judgment of God, his Father. And he alone, having the righteous administration of it in the earth, and to whom all judgment is committed, must finally fulfil all! Reader, you and I would never have been able to sing of either, but for Jesus. And now, were it not for an interest in him, how could such different subjects be blended? But while we see Jesus going before, can we follow him in the song? Shall we go after him, still with praise, in the view of his person, and sing a song to our God in Christ, whether his providences smile, or whether they frown? Oh! it is blessed to have the same heart to this, by living upon an unchangeable God in Christ, and never to hang the harp upon the willows. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.