Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 142
Overview:
David complains of his enemies and distresses.
(1-6) He prays
for comfort, guidance, and deliverance.
(7-12)
1-6 We have
No Righteousness of our own to plead, therefore
must plead
God's
Righteousness, and the
Word of promise which he
has freely given us, and caused us to
Hope in.
David, before he
prays for the removal of his trouble, prays for the
Pardon of
his
Sin, and depends upon
Mercy alone for it. He bemoans the
weight upon his mind from outward troubles. But he looks back,
and remembers
God's former appearance for his afflicted people,
and for him in particular. He looks round, and notices the
Works
of
God. The more we consider the power of
God, the less we shall
fear the
Face or force of
Man. He looks up with
Earnest desires
towards
God and his favour. This is the best course we can take,
when our spirits are overwhelmed. The believer will not forget,
that in his best actions he is a sinner. Meditation and
Prayer
will recover us from distresses; and then the mourning soul
strives to return to the
Lord as the infant stretches out its
hands to the indulgent mother, and thirsts for his consolations
as the
Parched ground for refreshing
Rain.
7-12 David prays that
God would be
Well pleased with him, and
let him know that he was
So. He pleads the wretchedness of his
case, if
God withdrew from him. But the night of distress and
discouragement shall
End in a morning of consolation and praise.
He prays that he might be enlightened with the knowledge of
God's will; and this is the first work of the
Spirit. A good
Man
does not ask the way in which is the most pleasant walking, but
what is the right way. Not only show me what thy will is, but
teach me how to do it. Those who have the
Lord for their
God,
have his
Spirit for their Guide; they are led
By the
Spirit. He
prays that he might be enlivened to do
God's will. But we should
especially seek the
Destruction of our sins, our worst enemies,
that we may be devotedly
God's servants.