Psalms 34

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM XXXIV.—Great is the sovereignty of God in smiling upon his people, when their folly richly deserves his fearful frowns!—He can wonderfully change their heaviest loads of fear into shouts of praise; and certain and speedy are his gracious returns to the prayers of faith. None wait on him, none cry to him, and are disappointed. What angelic guards protect, what unfailing provision is made for, them that fear him! Though the most ravenous beasts, and covetous men, should be pinched and starved, none that fear him shall ever want, either for soul or for body, what is for their good. It is a great mercy when children are from their infancy carefully instructed in the word and ways of God. And negligent parents and masters will have an heavy charge to answer in the day of God, if for lack of knowledge their children and servants eternally perish. How strictly are holiness and happiness connected! But marvellous is God’s love to his people, in dwelling with them, delighting in them, hearing their requests, and in delivering, preserving, and redeeming, them. And who can support under his indignation against the wicked! But let me not here forget his kindness to Jesus our Mediator, and the vengeance which he did, and will take on his Jewish, heathen, antichristian, and other opposers 2