Psalms 78

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM LXXVIII.—Important are the great things of God’s law, and the matters of our eternal salvation; and they demand the most serious attention. With great care ought parents to instruct children in the knowledge of the great truths and works of God. Neglect of this issues in children’s unbelief, hypocrisy, and lasting ruin. And, to avoid the bad effects of parents’ guilt, children of wicked men ought to be doubly careful to avoid imitating them. How weak men are when God is their enemy; and how cowardly when their consciences are burdened with guilt! No miracles, however gracious and striking, can melt an ignorant and hardened heart, or induce it to gratitude. No favours will satisfy a discontented spirit, and restrain its malicious murmurings against God. With amazing patience and kindness God provides for his abusers amongst mankind! But, when he gratifies sinners in their requests, his gifts become their snare and curse: this world’s abundance is abused to excess; reflection is banished: and men hurry headlong into ruin. They, who make a god of their belly, will find their end to be destruction: and they, who will not be bowed by mercies or corrections, must be broken by judgments. If sin be indulged, sorrow must follow. Nor shall the stoutest be able to resist the uplifted arm of an angry God. Troubles often force men to their professions, prayers, or tears; whose wickedness is quickly thereafter discovered. The danger is scarcely blown over when all their convictions and promises are forgotten and contained.—O the infinite compassion and patience of God towards his professing people! But, alas, his most singular favours and tremendous judgments are soon forgotten and despised!—The creatures of God, when armed with his wrath, in the most fearful manner cover his enemies with ruin. But abundant returns of thankfulness, love, and service, are due to him from those to whom he has been liberal of his favours. How ready are most to imitate their wicked progenitors, to the dishonour of their gracious God! But more fearfully criminal is the unfaithfulness of those who profess to serve him; it draws tremendous destruction upon the transgressors. If we forsake God he will forsake us; and no tabernacle, no formalities in religion, can avail us when he is departed.—But, however sharply he corrects his own people, he hath still mercy in store for them. They, who triumph over them a little, shall quickly have their glory turned to shame: and he will maintain a church to himself for ever. If, to punish one nation, he remove their gospel candlestick, he will send the light of his truth to another, and often the most unlikely. And not David, but Jesus Christ, shall for ever feed God’s flock of ransomed men, according to the integrity of his heart and good skill of his hands