Psalms 40

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM XL.—Alas! what fearful and lasting troubles of body and mind Jesus and his people have allotted them on earth! What patience is necessary under them! But God is their deliverer. And greatly exalting, establishing, joyous, and encouraging, is their deliverance at last. Happy are those, who, renouncing all other confidences, trust in God alone. Great is the number, the marvellous grace, of his thoughts and acts towards Jesus Christ and his children in the work of redemption. But how insignificant were Jewish sacrifices in respect of holy obedience: and infinitely more so in comparison of Jesus the Son of God, and his complete holiness of nature, obedience of life, and satisfactory sufferings! With great cheerfulness he engaged for us in the counsel and covenant of peace. And with a steady purpose of love he fulfilled his work, in executing every saving office for our good. Dreadful was the load of our iniquities imputed to him. But he finished transgression and made an end of sin, and publishes to men the declarations and offers of gospel grace. Let us then embrace every promise, as ratified by his blood: and, in the faith of his being made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, let us cheerfully and gratefully devote ourselves, by the most solemnities, to his service. In his name let us fight the good fight of faith, and finish our course. Behold how the prayers of saints, but chiefly the intercession of Jesus Christ, issues in the ruin of his enemies, and the prosperity and deliverance of his friends! It is infinitely dangerous to mock or despise them. But no griefs, no poverty, can render them miserable who fear him. There is a throne of grace to which they have the boldest access. Their God, and all that he hath or doth, is the ground of their joy. His inexhaustible fulness, adapted to their wants, the prayer of faith can unlock. The promises are sure; and the moment of fulfilment hastens forward. REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM XII.—Whilst here also we behold Jesus Christ through poverty, affliction, malicious and treacherous enemies entering into his glory, to the endless honour of his Father, and the joy of his heart, let us observe that kindness to God’s poor and afflicted is as much our interest as our duty, and God’s blessing is the only comfort of every estate. It can give rest in trouble, and make even grief to smile. And pleasant under trouble are penitent confessions and fervent requests, founded on the promise and mercy of God. Sin fills men’s hearts and tongues with enmity against Christ and his people: yet vile are their efforts, and as vain their hopes. But happy trials are those which excite our prayers, animate our faith, increase our dependance on God, and tune our hearts to his praise; and which make JEHOVAH’s love to our souls more evident and precious