Psalms 138

They shall walk in the light of your countenance. Indeed, they shall sing in ways of the Lord; it is like walking among beds of spices which send forth a fragrant perfume (Psalms 138:5). Use 2. If God be infinite in his glorious essence, learn to admire where you cannot fathom.

He that is truly gracious, is so far joyful, as to take comfort in God; though he cannot say, God rejoices in him; yet he can say, he rejoices in God. 3. He has supporting, though not transporting comforts; he has so much that keeps him from sinking (Psalm 138:3). You strengthen…

Godliness is the root on which all true joy grows; solid joy, though not wanton. (Psalm 138:5) Indeed, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. (Acts 9:31) If we leave God, where shall we go?

2. God may give an answer to prayer when we do not perceive it. His giving a heart to pray, and inflaming the affections in prayer is an answer of prayer; (Psalm 138:3) "In the day that I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul": David's inward streng…

Incense is an abomination to me. Therefore God is said to behold the proud afar off (Psalm 138:6). He will not come near the dung-hill sinner, that has such noisome vapors coming from him.

And I find that David also urges it upon God as a motive, as in other Psalms. So (Psalm 138:8) Forsake not the works of your own hands, that is, this double workmanship of yours of the first, and then added to that, of the second creation which he urges thereby to move him to pe…

The touch notes the application of his power; and in his speech he says, Arise, be not afraid. Christ does not love to confound, but comfort his servants, and therefore takes this double course, by secret power enlivening and strengthening their hearts (Psalm 138:3): I cried to…

Let us learn to trust in him for ever: and seeing it has pleased him to show himself so bountiful and ready to do us good, let us boldly and constantly settle our hearts in this truth; to wit, that he will never fail us. All the faithful have done thus; and this way have they co…

God promises the Jews then, that he will always be a father to them. The Lord, says David, will finish the good work he has begun in me: your mercies, O Lord, endure for ever; therefore you will not forsake the work of your own hands (Psalm 138:8). This word, I; (six times repea…

11. For everyone that exalts himself shall be humbled. This clause makes it evident that ambition was the subject of which Christ was speaking; for he does not state what usually happens in the ordinary life of men, but declares that God will be their Judge, who resists the prou…

But here he simply teaches, that more is given to the apostles than to the generality of men, because the heavenly Father is pleased to display in perfection his kindness towards them. He does not forsake the work of his own hand, (Psalm 138:8.) Those whom he has once begun to f…

Psalm 51:17. The Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit; a broken and a contrite Heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 138:6. Though the Lord be High, he hath Respect unto the Lowly. Proverbs 3:34. He giveth Grace unto the lowly.

Say within yourself, though I am fallen and low, I shall rise and stand, renewed by you, O my God. Was there never such a time with you before, when in the like case you cried to the Lord and he answered you, and strengthened you with strength in your soul (Psalm 138)? Say withi…

The condescension of the most high God to men is also a profound mystery. Though the Lord be high, yet he has respect to the lowly (Psalm 138:6). But when both these meet together (as they do in this scripture), they make up a matchless mystery.

Of the written word we must say, no words like these were ever written since the beginning of time, which can (as one speaks) take life and root in the soul, and does so as really as the seed does in the ground; and are fitted to be engrafted and naturalized there, so that no co…

It shows her seriousness as to the end, and also her holy solicitude in the manner of pursuing it: But (says she) I found him not, he was now obtained, but she continues still under the want of the sensible manifestations of his presence. Again, the 2. is, I called him, that is,…

Though you must use violence, yet it is a sweet violence; it is a labor turned into delight. "They shall sing in the ways of the Lord" (Psalm 138:5). To send out faith as a spy to view the heavenly Canaan, and pluck a bunch of grapes there — what delight is here?

You may see what a pleasant path the path of duty is, by the cheerfulness of those that have walked in them (Psalm 119:14): I have rejoiced in the way of your judgment, as much as in all riches. And by the promises that are made to such (Psalm 138:5): Indeed, they shall sing in…

That is, how manifestly are you made known by your works! But above all, by name is meant his word (Psalm 138:2): you have magnified your word above all your name. There is more of God to be seen in his word, than in all the creatures of the world, and in all his other works bes…

The creation discovers itself to be of God, and if the lower testimony has plain evidences, much more the Gospel: why? For he has magnified his word above all his name (Psalm 138:2). The name of God is that by which he is made known.

His bowels yearn toward us, and he opens his heart to us, and sheds abroad his love in our consciences. (2.) Partly by the supports and influences of his grace (Psalm 138:3). In the day when I cried, you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. When David was i…

The children of God, the main thing that their hearts run upon, is sustentation and spiritual support, rather than outward deliverance. (Psalm 138:3). I called upon the Lord, and he heard me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. Mark, David judges that to be an audience…

We are the work of his hands, therefore he pities us, and is willing to save us, and not only so, but carried us in the womb of his decree from all eternity. (2.) His truth and fidelity is laid at pawn with the creature in the promises (Psalm 138:2): You have magnified your word…

What supplies and supports we have had, what visits of love, warnings, awakenings of heart. 3. Let us trace the benefits we enjoy to the fountain of them, the love of God; then we will say, (Psalm 138:2) I will praise your name for your loving kindness and truth. This is not onl…

(James 4:6) God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. And (Psalm 138:6) Though the Lord be high, yet he has a respect to the lowly: and the proud he knows afar off. Partly as he is the portion of the afflicted and oppressed.

And when they are together, God may return as to our inward comfort and support, yet not for our deliverance. Psalm 138:3 — In the day when I cried, you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. David was in great straits, and God affords him soul-relief; that w…

God has ever been tender of his word; above all that is famed, or believed of God, this is most conspicuous. (Psalm 138:2) You have magnified your word above all your name. Now this needed not; for an oath is interposed in a doubtful matter, but it shows God's extraordinary care…

So the true God is known by his mercy, and his fidelity; he never failed to perform his part of the covenant with any. Psalm 138:2. I will praise your name, for your loving kindness, and your truth: for you have magnified your word above all your name. As he has made us admirabl…

You were never broken-hearted here for your abominations — know assuredly that you will burn for them one day; your proud hearts were never abased, and laid in the dust, the Lord will ruin both you and them. Never expect a good look from God, set your heart at rest for that — yo…

God's hand may go out against a person, yet his heart may be toward him. But soul-diseases are symptoms of God's anger; as he is a holy God, he cannot but hate sin (Psalm 138:6): God beholds the proud from afar. God hates a sinner for his plague-sores (Zechariah 11:8): my soul l…

SECT. I. First, he does this in despite to God, against whom he cannot vent his malice at a higher rate then by corrupting his truth, which God has so highly honoured, Psalms 138:2. You have magnified your Word above all your Name.

Psalm 46:1, 2. Psalm 138:7, 8. &c. Yet it is granted that all these things are rather fruits or effects of faith, as under exercise and Improvement, than of the essence of it, as it is the instrument in our justification.

While we walk with God, what sweet Music does the Bird of Conscience make in our breast? Psalm 138. 5. They shall sing in the ways of the Lord. 5. Walking with God is honourable; it is a credit for one of an inferior rank to walk with a King: What greater dignity can be put upon…

5. Assistance. Other Masters cut out work for their servants, but do not help them in their work; but our Master in heaven does not only give us work, but strength, Psalms 138:3. Thou strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. God bids us serve him, and he will enable us to ser…

God loathes him, Zechariah 11.8. My soul loathed them. So abominable and unsavory is a sinner, that God stands afar off, Psalm 138.6. He will not come near the stench of him.

Peter is to have a deeper sense of his own sinful condition, than of the sinful condition of Judas the Traitor; though Peter being graced of God, owes more charity to himself than to Judas; when Judas is a known Traitor, yet should not humility decline to that extreme, as to wea…

He mints them, and they are laid up as his riches. Psalm 138:17 — how precious are they? He there speaks of our thoughts of God, as the object of them — your thoughts, that is, of you, are precious. 2. Vanity is taken for lightness.