Psalms 116

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM CXVI.—Happy are they who love the Lord! They are every moment laid under fresh obligations to this delightful exercise. Prayers heard by God should always make us to love him more, and praise him more. And, if we are in Christ, our troubles may be very sore, but our victory and deliverance are sure and near. Delightful consolation and rest succeed the bitterest tribulations to his saints. And pleasant is that rest which is enjoyed in a Saviour’s arms, and under the covert of his blood. It is honourable, as well as dutiful, to walk always as under his eye, and in conformity to him; in subjection to his will as our Sovereign, and in dependence on him as our all-sufficient portion. The consideration that we are in the land of the living should quicken us to it. And it is delightful to speak and practise that which our heart believes upon God’s testimony, ratified by the blood of his Son. But often, under strong temptations, and in deep afflictions, the strongest believers have had their faith shaken, and have been surprised into thoughts and words extremely dishonourable to God. Yet he upholds them that fall, and makes them quickly to change their voice. And O how pleasant it is to be so overwhelmed with a sense of God’s love that we scarcely know what praise, what vows, or what service, to return him in gratitude! But, while we praise him for what we have received, we must eagerly drink more and more of his cup of salvation, and receive more and more out of his fulness, and grace for grace. How precious and delightful to God is the death of his saints for or in the Lord! But much more that unparalleled death of Jesus Christ for the saints, who loosed all our bonds and purchased all our blessings. 7 F 11