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Psalms 37:24
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- John Gill
John Gill Bible Commentary
I have been young, and now am old,.... The psalmist makes mention of his age, which takes in the whole compass of his life, to command attention to what he was about to say; which was founded upon a long experience and observation of things, and was as follows; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken; though afflicted of God, and persecuted by men, yet not forsaken; though poor and needy, and often in necessitous circumstances, yet God in his providence appeared for them in one way or another; and so as Apollinarius paraphrases it, "I never knew a just man entirely needy;'' for such might be forsaken by men, and even by their dearest friends and relations, yet not by the Lord: they might indeed, at times, think themselves forsaken of him, and their enemies might conclude and say they were, and yet this was not their case, Isa 49:14; and though they may be forsaken by him for a while, yet not utterly; he will not leave them and forsake them for ever, Isa 54:7; nor his seed begging bread; they being righteous also, which must be supposed; otherwise, as good men have wicked children, these, through their wickedness, may come to poverty, to beggary, as they sometimes do; though a distinction may be made between being poor and beggars; the seed of the righteous may be the one, and not the other: besides, there is a difference between asking bread of others, in some few instances, and constantly begging bread from door to door, in which last sense the psalmist must be understood here; for otherwise he himself in some cases, had asked bread, as of Ahimelech at Nob, and of Nabal, &c. as did also Elijah of the widow of Sarepta: and though there might have been instances of some of the posterity of the righteous who got their bread by begging at the door, as in the case of Lazarus; yet David had never observed any such instance during the time of his life, which shows that such instances are very rare; whereas among wicked men and their offspring the case is frequent and common. Again, it may be observed, that the psalmist is speaking in the context of righteous men that are liberal, and give to the poor freely and largely; and it is seldom if ever known that they or their children come to want and poverty. Once more, the word "forsaken" may be repeated in this clause, thus; "nor his seed begging bread forsaken" (x); or seeking it in vain, and finally destitute of it; though they have been so reduced as to beg their bread, they have not been forsaken; they have find it, bread sufficient to support life, as Apollinarius paraphrases it; their bread has been given and their water sure; see Isa 41:17. In an ancient Midrash (y), or exposition of the Jews, the sense is thus given: "although his seed and his sons are begging bread, yet I have not seen the righteous man, their father, forsaken, because of his fear of the blessed God.'' (x) "Justum non vidi derelictum, et semen justi quaerens panem non vidi derelictum"; so Hopfnerus, Titelmannus, Lorinus, Franzius apud Gejerum; "frustra quaerens panem, et finalitur destitutum", Michaelis. (y) Vajikra Rabba, s. 35. fol. 175. 2.
Psalms 37:24
Delight Yourself in the LORD
23The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. 24Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
In Nothing Be Anxious; but in Everything by Prayer
By Hans R. Waldvogel63136:51PrayerGEN 15:12CH 16:9PSA 2:12PSA 20:7PSA 31:19PSA 34:22PSA 37:24PSA 125:1ISA 26:3ISA 40:26MAT 6:33PHP 2:14In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of learning from our experiences rather than complaining. He encourages the audience to do all things without murmuring and disputing. The preacher reminds them that nothing can come their way without the appointment of God, who has loved them since before the foundation of the world. He urges them to lift up their eyes and behold the wonders of creation, as a reminder that God has not forgotten them. The sermon also emphasizes the need to trust in God and seek to know Him, as well as the importance of having a heart that is perfect toward Him. The preacher highlights the power of God to fulfill His promises and encourages the audience to have faith in Him.
Emma's New Muff
By D.L. Moody0Trust in GodDivine GuidancePSA 37:24PSA 121:2PRO 3:5ISA 41:10MAT 14:31D.L. Moody shares a touching story about his daughter Emma and her new muff, illustrating the importance of trusting in God's guidance. Despite her initial reluctance to take her father's hand, Emma learns that true safety comes from accepting help when faced with challenges. Moody emphasizes that just as he was there to support Emma, God is always ready to hold us up and guide us through life's slippery paths. The sermon highlights the wisdom of relying on God's strength rather than our own understanding.
Joyful Security
By C.H. Spurgeon0Faith and TrustGod's ProtectionPSA 37:24PSA 46:1PSA 55:22ISA 40:29ISA 41:10ROM 8:312CO 12:9PHP 4:13HEB 13:51PE 5:7C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the theme of 'Joyful Security' by highlighting the assurance found in God's promise to uphold us with His right hand of righteousness, especially during times of fear and uncertainty. He reassures believers that while we may feel weak and vulnerable, God's power and skill are more than sufficient to support us through life's challenges. Spurgeon encourages us to lean on God's strength, reminding us that those upheld by Him cannot be overcome by any force. The sermon calls for a joyful response to God's unwavering faithfulness and the security we find in His righteousness.
Our Safety and Security
By Thomas Brooks0God's FaithfulnessSecurity in ChristPSA 37:24ISA 41:10JHN 10:28ROM 8:38HEB 13:5Thomas Brooks emphasizes that our safety and security in Christ is not based on our own strength but on God's unwavering support. He illustrates this with the analogy of a mother holding her child, highlighting that it is God's everlasting arms that uphold us, ensuring we will not fall. Brooks reassures believers that even when we stumble, we are secure in the promise that God will never leave us nor forsake us. The sermon encourages trust in God's faithfulness and the assurance of eternal life through Christ.
Eternally Secure: Who, How, Why, When?
By George H. Alquist Jr.0PSA 37:24JHN 1:12JHN 3:16JHN 3:36ROM 8:1EPH 4:30HEB 7:25George H. Alquist Jr. preaches that every individual who has received Jesus Christ as their Savior and placed their faith in Him is eternally secure as a child of God. This security is maintained by the power of God through Jesus Christ, who intercedes for believers and ensures their salvation until the day of Jesus Christ. Believers are eternally secure because Jesus paid the penalty for sin, rose from the dead, and believers are kept by the power of God through faith.
Resurrection: A Living Personal Reality
By T. Austin-Sparks0Resurrection PowerPersonal Experience in Faith2KI 6:1PSA 37:24ISA 40:31JHN 14:12ROM 8:111CO 15:57EPH 1:19PHP 3:102TI 1:71PE 1:3T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of personal experience in the Christian faith, using the story of Elisha and the floating axe head to illustrate that true spiritual power cannot be borrowed but must be rooted in one's own relationship with God. He explains that the sons of the prophets represent a new generation that must carry forward the prophetic testimony, and they must rely on the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which embodies the power of resurrection. Sparks highlights that while we may feel overwhelmed and 'sink' under spiritual demands, the Holy Spirit enables us to rise again, reversing our natural tendencies. The message encourages believers to seek a genuine, personal experience of faith rather than relying on second-hand testimonies. Ultimately, the sermon reassures that the power of resurrection is available to all who are in Christ, allowing them to overcome life's challenges.
A Famine of the Soul
By David Wilkerson0HopeSpiritual FulfillmentPSA 37:18PSA 37:24MAT 19:26ROM 8:28ROM 8:38David Wilkerson addresses the spiritual famine affecting many today, emphasizing that it is not a lack of food but a deep hunger for love, peace, and purpose. He highlights hope as the key to overcoming despair, reminding us that with God, all things are possible and that He works for our good in His timing. Wilkerson encourages believers to trust in God's provision, even when circumstances seem dire, and reassures them that nothing can separate them from God's love. He calls for an honest approach to God, filled with hope and praise for His faithfulness.
- John Gill
John Gill Bible Commentary
I have been young, and now am old,.... The psalmist makes mention of his age, which takes in the whole compass of his life, to command attention to what he was about to say; which was founded upon a long experience and observation of things, and was as follows; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken; though afflicted of God, and persecuted by men, yet not forsaken; though poor and needy, and often in necessitous circumstances, yet God in his providence appeared for them in one way or another; and so as Apollinarius paraphrases it, "I never knew a just man entirely needy;'' for such might be forsaken by men, and even by their dearest friends and relations, yet not by the Lord: they might indeed, at times, think themselves forsaken of him, and their enemies might conclude and say they were, and yet this was not their case, Isa 49:14; and though they may be forsaken by him for a while, yet not utterly; he will not leave them and forsake them for ever, Isa 54:7; nor his seed begging bread; they being righteous also, which must be supposed; otherwise, as good men have wicked children, these, through their wickedness, may come to poverty, to beggary, as they sometimes do; though a distinction may be made between being poor and beggars; the seed of the righteous may be the one, and not the other: besides, there is a difference between asking bread of others, in some few instances, and constantly begging bread from door to door, in which last sense the psalmist must be understood here; for otherwise he himself in some cases, had asked bread, as of Ahimelech at Nob, and of Nabal, &c. as did also Elijah of the widow of Sarepta: and though there might have been instances of some of the posterity of the righteous who got their bread by begging at the door, as in the case of Lazarus; yet David had never observed any such instance during the time of his life, which shows that such instances are very rare; whereas among wicked men and their offspring the case is frequent and common. Again, it may be observed, that the psalmist is speaking in the context of righteous men that are liberal, and give to the poor freely and largely; and it is seldom if ever known that they or their children come to want and poverty. Once more, the word "forsaken" may be repeated in this clause, thus; "nor his seed begging bread forsaken" (x); or seeking it in vain, and finally destitute of it; though they have been so reduced as to beg their bread, they have not been forsaken; they have find it, bread sufficient to support life, as Apollinarius paraphrases it; their bread has been given and their water sure; see Isa 41:17. In an ancient Midrash (y), or exposition of the Jews, the sense is thus given: "although his seed and his sons are begging bread, yet I have not seen the righteous man, their father, forsaken, because of his fear of the blessed God.'' (x) "Justum non vidi derelictum, et semen justi quaerens panem non vidi derelictum"; so Hopfnerus, Titelmannus, Lorinus, Franzius apud Gejerum; "frustra quaerens panem, et finalitur destitutum", Michaelis. (y) Vajikra Rabba, s. 35. fol. 175. 2.