Psalms 7

There is more difficulty in the contrivance and pursuit of a wicked design, than in obeying the commandments of God. Hence a sinner is said to travel with iniquity (Psalm 7:14). A woman while she is in travail, is in pain, to show what pain and trouble a wicked man has, in bring…

Secondly, Deliver us from Evil; that is, from temporal evil; we pray that God will either prevent temporal evils, or deliver us out of them. 1. We pray that God will prevent temporal evils; that he will be our screen to stand between us and danger (Psalm 7:1). Save me from them…

This is generally used in Scripture to express vengeance, more especially in the prophecy of Ezekiel. So also in Psalm 7:13: 'If he turns not, God has whetted his sword and prepared his instruments of death' — to inflict torments, and eternal torments also, as Deuteronomy 32 imp…

Objections of Papists. (Psalm 7:8) Judge me according to my righteousness. Hence they reason thus, if David be judged according to his righteousness then may he be justified thereby, but David desires to be judged according to his righteousness: and therefore he was justified th…

(Romans 2:8-9) Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that does evil; which one place, putting the four words together says, 1. That there is sorrow most certainly and inseparably on every soul that has sinned, and 2. That this sorrow is exceeding…

And though we see but very little appearance of the spreading of the gospel among the Jews, and Pagans, or where Antichrist reigns; the visible church being now for many years rather encroached upon than extended; yet there is not one word here promised, but it shall be accompli…

God makes a good cause, though darkened, to shine as daylight, if men would open their eyes and see. Psalm 7:5, Roll over your way upon the Lord, and trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass. But flesh and blood says, Innocence lies in the dark, and weeps in sackcloth in the…

Now the vain-glorious man takes another course, first and principally aiming at the glory and good liking of man, having small or no regard of the two other. 2. Excuse: There is a good boasting, which David used, and that we may lawfully use (Psalm 7:8). Answer: Boasting is eith…

Bellarmine answers, that it may be both a reward, and an inheritance: a reward, because it is given to laborers upon compact: an inheritance, because it is given to none, but those that are children. But the word [Greek text] translated reward, signifies a gift freely given with…

For say, that God suffers them for a time to consult, to imagine, and rage against us, yet in the end he will scatter all that they have rashly and proudly done, as chaff before the wind. Let us also know that this which Isaiah has prophesied against Sennacherib, does likewise a…

I deny not but the Lord sometimes admits his children to rejoice in the things which they have well done: not as boasting of their deserts in his sight, but to acknowledge his benefits, and to be so touched with the remembrance thereof, that they may the better fit themselves th…

I am not ignorant that this place is otherwise expounded by some, namely, that while the wicked are weaving the web of other men's destruction, they overthrow themselves; and thinking themselves very wise, do notwithstanding plot their devices in vain. And thus are caught in the…

Lions and other rapacious and cruel easts, especially when hungry, tear and devour their prey: And for Arbitrary and rational Agents, they also act according to the principles and Laws of their natures. A wicked man when his heart is fully set in him, and his will stands in a fu…

The difference of states, manners and persons must remain on earth, as long as we live: but the heart may not cleave to nor flee: not cleave to them of high estate and rich, nor flee the abject, despised and needy. After this manner says David also in Psalm 7: Maintain the just…

To be under the apple-tree, implies her to be near him, and actually delighting herself in him, as being abundantly refreshed under his shadow, as was cleared, (Chapter 2:3). Her raising up of Christ, imports these three things, 1. A duty on her part (to say so) putting him to s…

If London would be chastised, and receive the impressions of grief and shame for their sins by these judgments, God's bowels would be moved, and his fierce anger would be changed into tender compassions; and though he has spoken terribly against London, yet he would now speak co…

The Israelites had freed them from Sihons yoak, and yet they conspire against them, and seek their ruine. Secondly, it is mighty bitter where it is: Psalm 7:13 it is said, that God has ordained his arrows against the persecutors; the word signifies, such as burn in danger and ma…

I tell you he will avenge them speedily. Persecutors stand in the place where all Gods Arrows fly, Psalm 7:13. He ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors.

But, I ask, with what candor, with what integrity, when some are perjurers, others profane the most holy name of God, and like apes only imitate those words of God's faithful servants, 'God is my witness.' Therefore when we appeal to God and summon the adverse party on a day bef…

Love will tell you; but lest you should miss, God himself has told you (Proverbs 23:26), My Son give me your heart. There is no need to wish for windows in your body: He searches the heart and tries the reins (Psalm 7:9). The righteous God tries the hearts and reins.

Would you have your consolation here (Luke 6)? Your portion here (Psalm 7)? Would you value yourselves by the flourishing of the outward man, or the renewing of the inward man (2 Corinthians 4:16)?

A wicked man's brain is a forge, that is always hot. So (Psalm 7:14) Behold, he travails with iniquity, and has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. Wicked men conceive, and then travail, but usually the birth proves abortive.

The proud helpers do stoop under him (Job 9:13) — the helpers of pride, so it is; man is apt to be very proud, and has helpers of pride; and it is observable, that the word we read, pride, signifies strength also, to denote that man is very apt to be proud of his strength; but a…

Oh what an injury has sin done in separating man from the Divine Life and Nature, and sinking him into the dregs and death of sin, namely made him dead in sin! 3 Sin has separated man from the love of God: I speak not now of what love and good will there is in God toward man, bu…

Though some may do very much in a way of duty (as I shall show hereafter) and yet miscarry, yet that soul that does duty with the least sincerity shall never miscarry. For he saves the upright in heart (Psalm 7:10). The least measure of true grace is as saving as the greatest, i…

A young plant is easily removed, but when the tree is once rooted, there is no stirring of it: you who are rooted in your pride, unbelief, impenitency, it will cost you many a sad pull before you are plucked out of your natural estate. It is a hard thing to have a brazen face an…

1. God screens off temporal evil. There are many casualties and contingencies which are incident to life; God mercifully prevents them; he keeps watch and ward for his children (Psalm 7:10). My defense is of God (Psalm 121:4).

There is more difficulty and perplexity in the contrivance and pursuit of wicked ends than in obeying the sweet and gentle precepts of Christ. A wicked person is said to labor with iniquity (Psalm 7:14), showing what anxious pain and trouble he has in bringing about his wickedne…

Isaac an earthly father moved, and his heart went and torn with the weeping and tears of Esau his son, so as he must confer some blessing upon him; far more must the bowels of our Father infinite in mercy be turned within him, at the weeping and tears of a praying and crying Chu…

Suppose a man have a willing mind, to pray in the power of God's Spirit, to confer fruitfully, etc., that he might build up his soul in his holy faith, now all that comes from him is a lively fruit of grace, be it otherwise never so weak (Psalm 103:14). God knows what we are mad…

Many bitter complaints the good man makes against such men, but it is in case they offend of malicious wickedness. Secondly, faith will plead its own innocency against all its adversaries (Psalm 7:3-4). He will acknowledge that he has done much evil in God's sight, but if agains…

I have somewhere, not long since, met with an exposition of those words of the spouse, that we have several times repeated in the book of Canticles, I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please, which is the only satisfying expo…