February 14

1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many have, which say of my son, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But then, O LORD, not a shield for me; my glory, and the after-up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5 I hid the down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God; for thou hast written all mine enemies upon the cheek lions; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belonging unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

This is "A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his Son." "You will remember the sad story of David's flight from his own palace, when, in the dead of the night, he forded the brook Kedron, and went with a few faithful followers to hide himself for awhile from the fury of his rebellious son. Remember that David in this was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. He, too, fled; he, too, passed over the brook Kedron when his own people were in rebellion against him, and with a feeble band of followers he went to the garden of Gethsemane. He, too, drank of the brook by the way, and therefore doth he lift up the head. By very many expositors this is entitled THE MORNING HYMN. May we ever wake with holy confidence in our hearts, and a song on our lips!"—C. H. Spurgeon.

This Psalm may be divided into four parts: 1. David makes a complaint to God concerning his enemies (verses 1, 2). 2. He then declares his confidence in the Lord (verses 3, 4). 3. Sings of his safety in sleep (verses 5, 6). 4. And strengthens himself for future conflict (verses 7, 8).

Gurnall, who wrote when there were houses on old London Bridge, has quaintly said, "Do you not think that they sleep as soundly who dwell on London Bridge as they who live at Whitehall or Cheapside? for they know that the waves which rush under them cannot hurt them. Even so may the saints rest quietly over the floods of trouble or death, and fear no ill."

"A good conscience can sleep on the mouth of a cannon; grace is a Christian's coat of mail, which fears not the arrow or bullet. True grace may be shot at, but can never be shot through; grace puts the soul into Christ, and there it is safe, as the bee in the hive, as the dove in the ark."—Thomas Watson.

Closet Promise.—The Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee.—Deut. xxxi. 8

"What Thou shalt to-day provide, Let me as a child receive; What to morrow may betide

Calmly to Thy wisdom leave. 'Tis enough that Thou wilt care; Why should I the burden bear?"