Psalm 31:19-24 Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for them that fear you… From ver. 1 to ver. 8 the Lord may, must, and will help him in his trouble, because he is his God. From ver. 9 to ver. 18 he describes at length his trouble, and brings it to God. From ver. 19 to ver. 24 - I. THE PSALMIST OBTAINS FROM GOD THE HEARTFELT ASSURANCE OF HELP, AND PRAISES GOD FOR IT. 1. God's goodness is a treasure laid up for future as well as present use and blessing. (Isaiah lair. 4; 1 Corinthians 2:9.) Same thought in substance in all these passages. Compare with the parable of "the treasure." 2. God hides and protects those who trust in him - as in a royal pavilion (ver. 20). 3. God was to the psalmist what a strong city is to those who seek safety. (Ver. 21.) 4. God's great goodness was shows to him openly and secretly. (Vers. 19, 20.) The former to discomfit his enemies, and the latter for his own comfort and faith. II. MAN'S UNBELIEF AND THE DIVINE FAITHFULNESS. (Ver. 22.) 1. He was is haste, Flying from his enemies, when he said this. We say and do things in panic which we disown in calmer hours. "He that believeth shall not make haste." 2. But God pardoned his unbelief, and answered the inarticulate cry of the heart. Ill. LESSONS ADDRESSED TO THE CHURCH, DRAWN FROM HIS OWN EXPERIENCE. (Vers. 23, 24.) 1. What love and reverence we owe to God because of his retributive work! (Ver. 23.) He preserveth the faithful, and rewardeth the proud. This is good and just. 2. With what courage we should hope in God! (Ver. 24.) He strengthens us by his Spirit to hope and trust in him. From him must be derived the power for every duty and every difficulty. This must be the ground of our courage. - S. Parallel Verses KJV: Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! |
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