This Psalm depicts the unhappy condition when slanders assail, and the soul is tossed on billows of disquietude. Prayer is the unfailing refuge.
1. "In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me."
Scripture faithfully proclaims that much tribulation is the believer's lot in this world. But it stops not with a mournful note. It also reveals the remedy in every period of distress. The remedy is prayer. This exercise never fails to bring relief. A distinct example stands before us. The Psalmist, mourning in the depths of trouble, lifts up a supplicating voice. God's ears are graciously open. We shall have sorrow. Let us similarly cry, and we shall find that sorrow leads to joy.
2. "Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue."
A particular distress is now named. The exact petition is adjoined. Slander and untruthful reports constitute the trial. The believer is often called to this endurance. If David is the speaker, we hear him mourning the cruel charge of Doeg. If the blessed Jesus is the prominent personage, we know that things were laid to His charge which He knew not of. But whenever such cruelty occurs, God is a sure refuge. No bitter arrow wounds when His shield shelters.
3-4. "What shall be given to you? or what shall be done to you, you false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper."
Admonition is made with the slandering accuser. He is warned that he cannot expect immunity. God will vindicate His children. He will bring fierce destruction on malignant slanderers. Images vividly express the terrible aspect of this punishment. Miseries shall pierce false hearts, as arrows flying from a mighty bow. Fire shall consume them, as the fierce coals of juniper.
5. "Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!"
Here is a lamentation that abode so long continues in the midst of the cruel and idolatrous. Let us seek more the sweet communion of saints. Let us long more for the fellowship of heaven, where love shall be the pervading atmosphere, and praise the never-ending song.
6-7. "My soul has long dwelt with him who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war."
If the blessed Jesus found such to be His case, can His followers expect a better state! But let us never be provoked to render evil for evil, but on the contrary, blessing. Let us pray that the God of peace may give us peace, always and by all means.
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Henry Law (1797 - 1884)
Was a prominent figure in the evangelical party of the Church of England in the early nineteenth century. A prolific practical teacher of the Scripture, he who wrote The Gospel in the Pentateuch, commentaries on the Psalms and many other excellent works. One piece is a collection of family prayers to be used morning and evening, each day of the week in family worship. Over the next few weeks, I plan to share with you those prayers for your personal and family use-my own prayer is that they will be a help and an encouragement to you in your own walk with our Lord.Here is a quote from Law's work on Genesis: "For three days Abraham journeyed towards the appointed mount. This was large opportunity for unbelief to whisper many a dissuading thought. This was long time for the father’s heart to ache. He looks on his child, and there is agony. He looks up to his God, and the agony melts into the calmness of unruffled peace. He turns to his child, and his foot would sincerely falter. He turns to his God, and the step is firm in resolute resolve.. Behold God’s wondrous way. His word is honored. Faith triumphs, and is honored too. It is tried, and by the trial is confirmed and expanded. The patriarch now begins a new life of heavenly joy. For the joy of Isaac born is nothing to the joy of Isaac restored. A giving God was love in the highest. A restoring God is love in higher heights."