Psalms 80

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM LXXX.—Great is the mercy that God is the Shepherd, Leader, and Protector, of his people—that he is a God reconciled in Christ, to the everlasting wonder of angels and men—and that now it is not the Jewish tribes, who marched after the ark in the desert, but multitudes of Gentiles, that see his salvation. Awakened souls ardently desire reconciliation with God, and repeated manifestations of his favour. And if we are turned to God by his grace, we cannot fail to inherit eternal glory. But, through seeming rejection of prayers, and angry frowns from God, and through tears, griefs, and reproaches, must we sometimes go thither. With what kind care did God settle the Israelites in Canaan, and make them flourish there! With how much more did he gather, found, and increase, his gospel church! But, alas, the misery and ruin that sin draws down upon the best constituted churches and nations! Enemies, furious as wild beasts, waste them when God withdraws his protection. Yet the design hereof is not his people’s ruin; but to excite their prayers, quicken their repentance, and magnify the wonders of his power and grace in their deliverance. It is impossible for his church to be ruined when her help is laid on her Almighty Redeemer, the man of God’s right hand. God’s regard to him is the source of all our salvation, quickening, and perseverance in grace. Through him strengthening us, we can do all things. No wonder then that prayer is the daily employment of such as are spiritually alive; and that a sense of God’s favour is more earnestly desired than the removal of any affliction