There is nothing, perhaps, that draws out true praises from the heart of faith to the Lord (the only one who is truly worthy of it), more than when the soul finds himself broken before the Lord and in His presence, as, for instance, with Isaiah (Isa.6: l-5), Job (Job 42:5-6), and David, as we see in Psalm 39.
In this regard the title of this Psalm is strikingly appropriate, for it is “To the Chief Musician, even to Jeduthun (meaning “Let them give praise”), a Psalm of David”. And while it is “A Psalm of David” (the beloved), each one of us who know the Lord can appropriate it for ourselves. And how akin to our own experiences we find it to be.
Who is there amongst us who have not desired to take heed to our ways and the words of our tongue (verse 1), but can we say that our resolutions were always carried out? How often we learn our frailty and vanity (verse 4 and 5) by the things that we do and say that we “would not”. (Romans 7:19). We find that “(the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity” (James 3:6), and when argument with some enemy looms up before us, we would do well, as David did, to be “dumb with silence” (verse 2) and to hold our peace “even from good”. Instead, alas, how often we add fuel to the fire, instead of letting it die out. (Prov. 26:20).
David’s exercises of soul were not small. ln his dumb silence, he tells us, “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned”. But notice, he still keeps his lips from speaking guile and lets his enemies speak on, while he only presents his trouble to the Lord.
And is it not interesting and instructive to notice how he does so? Verses 4—9 show us that while he knows the condition of every man (read verse 6), he occupies himself before the Lord only with his own frailty, weaknesses, and transgressions. He knew that without the Lord’s help and mercy he would be “the reproach of the foolish” (verse 8).He knew, too, the wicked could see the Lord’s chastening hand upon him, though only by way of fool-hardy criticism, instead of realizing God’s intended blessing from it. (Read Hebrews 12).
But David’s heart of faith knew the true hope God had given him (verse 7), and could say “My hope is in Thee”, though recognizing God’s consuming stroke upon him for correction, which he knew could go to such lengths as to result in fading beauty (verse 11).
Yet his heart was reached. To all this he could say “Selah” — “Stop and consider”. His chastenings were well worth considering. And so with his heart reached, he knew he could ask for and expect the Lord’s mercies. He does so and amidst his tears he begs the Lord to “spare me that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more”, as far as this present life is concerned,(verses 12 and 13).How he wanted to be used of the Lord and to enjoy “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” after being properly exercised in his soul as to such personal dealing with the Lord that He alone knew were needful.
May each of us covet the spirit of brokenness and submission evident in David here and elsewhere in the Psalms.
R. Gerald Davis
FRAGMENT Love is the only power by which evil can be overcome. Most of the failings in our brethren could be overcome in this way, while they are only multiplied when we attempt to pluck them out by the roots. The same could be said of worldliness in dress, habits, or conversation. Often it is mere emptiness, which can be filled with the precious things of Christ, to the joy of the person who would resent as impertinence any attempt at setting him right. H. & F. 1893.
FRAGMENT In regard to Questions & Answers on page 58, I wish to add that when Rebecca was asked “Wilt thou go with this man?’* that “She said, I will go.” He (The Spirit of God) leads her home thru the wilderness a journey all across the desert, to be with him! to be with “Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” 1 Pet. l:7,8 (F.W.G.)
SUGGESTED GOOD TIMELY READING
The Call of The Bride, W.K. (also one by W.T.P.W.)
Limits of Discipline, S.R.
Lectures on The Church of God, W.K.