Psalms 106

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM CVI.—Wonderful and thank-worthy are all the seeds, the gracious deeds, of our God. Blessed are they who make his word their rule, and his righteousness the ground of their acceptance, and the example of their holy practice! Happy are they who enjoy intimate fellowship with him in his saving works and benefits. But how horrid is sin, which seeks a trample him and all his kindness under foot! And awful is the reflection at one generation should follow another in adding sin to sin. We need not pbraid the sinners who went before us, as we are involved in the same fearful crimes. Notwithstanding both mercies and judgments, how stupidly insensible, we strangely forgetful, how discontented with God’s marvellous provision, how bellious against his deputies and government,—what distinguished idolaters, urmurers, infidels, adulterers, and how perversely disobedient—does sin make God’s professed people! Often they proceed from evil to worse, till his indignation breaks forth against them without remedy. But great is the mercy when sinful nations and churches have any among them who, by their prayers and their zeal stand in the gap, and avert the Lord’s indignation. With pleasure he looks upon such, and highly honours them on that account. But infinite is the goodness of our God, who, when provoked to add one stroke to another, and to make wicked tempters to sin cruel tormentors for it, is so ready to step in for our relief, and to rebuke, or even turn the hearts of, them that destroyed us. Never is a penitent prayer poured out into his bosom but it returns in gracious preservation and deliverance. Let then all our troubles drive us to the throne of grace; and all our mercies, bestowed or promised, encourage our prayers, and animate our praise. 7 E