OF THE
HUNDREDTH AND NINETEENTH PSALM
CAPH
81 M y soul fainteth for thy salvation: yet I wait for thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy promise: saying, when wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am like a bottle in the smoke: yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me: which are not after thy law.
86 All thy commandments are true: they persecute me falsely: be thou my help.
87 They had almost made an end upon me on the earth: but I forsook not thy commandments.
88 Quicken me according to thy loving kindness: so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
IF WE COULD RIGHTLY CALL to our remembrance the promises of God in our afflictions and miseries, it were sufficient enough to make us patient.
And by this means we should render a true proof of our faith: but so soon as we are grieved with any affliction, we by and by wax fainthearted, because we forget all the promises of God: which to our seeming, we had long before very well understood and learned: Now we should not at the least be forgetful of them, when need requireth, yea, and that when we are thereby enforced. And for that cause we have here a very excellent lesson for the purpose, and worthy the noting, for David doth not only teach us as a Prophet of God, what our duty is, and what the power and virtue of our faith ought to be: but showeth us also the way by his example, how we must be patient in all our adversities, and how we ought not to fall
from that: to wit, that we always have our eye fixed upon the promises of God. For that shall be enough to entertain and keep us, in such sort as that we should patiently wait for his saving health, yea, even in calling upon him. But that we might the better profit by this doctrine, we are here to note, that the two first verses are both of one and selfsame substance, save that the order of the words are changed. He saith in the first place, My soul fainteth for thy salvation, That is to say, O Lord, I have longed, albeit the afflictions and miseries which I have abiden [endured], were very great:
and lasted long, and that I see neither end nor issue of them, yet
nevertheless I rested altogether hereon, that I always trusted, that thou wouldest be my supporter and aider. Now he addeth the reason how he could so faint: to wit, because he trusted unto the promises of God. In the second verse he saith, That he hath failed for the promise of God, yea even looking for this promise, and that he hath said, When wilt thou comfort me?
And in the third he handleth that which before he had spoken of: to wit, that although he had been as it were parched and dried, even as a skin bottle in the smoke, so that there remained neither moisture nor substance in him but dried up with very miseries, yet that he had not forgotten the testimonies of God.
We see then now what the sum and effect of this is, which is here showed unto us: to wit, that there is but one only means to cause us to be constant and patient, when as we are afflicted, and that our adversities do ever long last as we imagine: that is, to be mindful of the promises of God, and to have them deeply imprinted in our hearts. For if that be so, it will not cost us much to be patient: and although it be an hard matter, yet we shall at the last come to the end of it. Let us then now mark, from whence our impatience springeth, and what the reason is why we are so oftentimes overcome with temptations: or else, when as we shall have for a time resisted them, yet in the end we are confounded and fainthearted. Truly, it is because we forget the testimonies of GOD, and turn away from his word. In very deed, this at the first sight may seem to be a common matter with us. And to say the truth, every man will say, that we ought to
remember them, and that it is the only remedy to comfort us. But we shall the oftener do it, when as we shall have learned this lesson which is here set down unto us, and that we record it all the days of our life: For this is one of the principalest points that is to be required in all Christians, that when they perceive that God hath laid his hand on them, that they be as it
were almost cast down: yet that they might comfort themselves in staying of the promises of salvation which God hath promised them. But yet, let us thoroughly consider the word which David here useth: I have longed (saith he) after the salvation, and I have hoped, or after that I had hoped, because of thy word.
The second part of this verse, is as it were the foundation whereon David buildeth. Let us understand then this hope which we ought to have in the word of God, as David had: For without that, it is impossible but that we must be confounded. For although it seem in the judgment of men, that there is in us some virtue and soundness to endure and suffer patiently, yet shall it not be such a true patience as GOD alloweth. And why so? For we shall never bear him that affection to obey him, without we comfort ourselves that he loveth us, and that we trust to his bounty.
A man, I say, shall never be disposed to obey God, and to glorify him in afflictions, except he have a taste of the bounty, and fatherly love, which he beareth us. Now how can it be that we should be fully persuaded that God loveth us, and procureth our wealth and health, when as he afflicteth us, without we be armed with his promises? For it is impossible for us to know the truth of God, except he declare the same unto us in his word. Let us learn then, as I have already said, that the patience of the faithful cannot be built, but upon faith and hope in the promises of God. Lo then what we have to note in this place.
Now David having laid such a foundation, buildeth thereon, saying, that his soul longed after the salvation of God: when he saith that his soul longed, he meaneth not that he was so forlorn, as that he had in the end given him clean over: nor yet that Satan had gotten any advantage of him:
but that word, to long, is taken in the scripture, for that which
notwithstanding is conjoined with such obedience as we ought to yield unto God, staying and settling ourselves upon him. As how? Saint Paul saith,
That we ought to hope beyond all hope as Abraham did:
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Romans 4:16-18)
to wit, we must surmount all our wits and imaginations, when there is any question of our belief in God. For if we will measure the promises of God by our own wits, what shall become of it? our faith then must exceed and
go beyond all the wisdom of men, as here it is said, That his soul hath longed: which is as much as if David had said, it is true O Lord, that according to man’s reason, I was utterly forlorn: yea I was so oppressed with miseries, as that I could bear no more: but when I was in the midst of death, I ceased not for all that until I was arrived at a sure haven: to wit, thy aid and help. Now he namely speaketh of God’s succor [help], because it shall go very hard, but that we will wander, look above, and beneath, both before and behind, to see if we can find ready help.
But if the trouble last long and we see not which way to get out of it, but that it is like a bottomless pit: although before we somewhat trusted and hoped upon God, yet for all that we shall then be driven and egged, to seek for aid here and there, we know not where. And how so? Is it not possible for me to find remedy? Because, I say, we are so dull, and the hope which we have in God, passeth so lightly away from us, and melteth, and runneth about, this way and that way: David for this reason saith, That he hoped for the salvation of God. Hereby then he showeth, that although this occasion was offered him to seek after other helps, and to cast his eyes upon creatures, and to forsake God: yet that the temptations had not so won upon him but that he always remained constant in this resolution, that it was God which must relieve his need. Now hereupon he addeth, Mine eyes fail for thy promise, saying: when wilt thou comfort me?
I have already said that this verse containeth no new or strange thing, but David changeth only the order of the words. For when he saith, That his eyes sore longed after the word of God, he meaneth none other thing but this, that although all his wits were troubled, and that he was as it were blinded with the multitude of afflictions which he endured, yet that he always stayed himself upon this word of God, and never ceased calling upon him, saying: O when wilt thou comfort me? By this he showeth us, that if we have a true faith settled upon the promises of GOD made unto us, when as it shall please him soon after to afflict us, we must not by and by be angry, biting the bit as Mules do: but let us yield him true obedience, saying: O Lord, when wilt thou comfort me? We must then suffer and abide thus to do: to wit, that when we beseech and require God, to help us according to his promise, we must also desire him, to show it us by the effect: and we must remain firm and constant, until such time as he causeth us to perceive it: for although he delayeth his aid, and holdeth it as it were
in suspense, yet must we be fully persuaded that he hath not forgotten his office, which is, to comfort us. By this means we shall find in the end the fruit of our prayers. Now he fully and wholly explaineth in the third verse following, when as he showeth it to be no small matter to be thus cast down, had not the word of God sustained, and upheld him, but that there was great reason in it. I am, saith he, like unto a Goat’s skin wherein oil, or wine is put, hanging in the smoke, and so dried and parched, as that there was neither substance nor moisture left in him. David useth this similitude, to show that his afflictions were so great and excessive, as that he was without all strength, and without hope of life. Now he addeth
notwithstanding, That he did not yet forget the statutes of God.
Lo an example which we ought to follow, neither must we allege here our infirmity: for David was a passionate man as we are: he might very well have fainted, if God had not strengthened him. And how so? Having the promises, he hoped upon them: knowing that God continueth his benefits towards his children, because they should have recourse unto him: he called upon him, for that he had already found mercy and succor [help] of him: God so holp [helped] him through his holy spirit. Now, have not we at this day the same promises which David had? Yea, have we not more large and ample promises? Have not we a great deal more familiar access than David had, because that Jesus Christ is declared to be a mediator more manifestly, than he was under the law? When God then rendereth us such a testimony of his good will, that we may freely come before him to pray unto him, to the end he might help our necessities: I pray you what excuse shall we make, if we come not boldly unto him as David did, and be constant to persevere in the same purpose, seeing that God offereth the selfsame means, to fight against whatsoever may turn us away from it.
Moreover, is the power of God lessened since that time? Doth he not at this day help all his faithful with his holy spirit, as he did under the law?
Yea, doth not he say that he will increase the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, more than ever he did at that time?
There is nothing then but our unthankfulness which hath shut the gate against God, so that his graces can have no access nor entrance into us. It is very true, that he will say enough unto us, but we will stop our ears: he will make us fair promises enough, but we will soon forget them: or else if we keep them in mind, it shall be but a ranging imagination, neither shall it have any deep print, or yet lively root in us. Because therefore, that we
esteem not of the promises of God, lo the reason why we are so suddenly cast down, even with the least temptation that may come. How exercise we our faith in prayers? what readiness and zeal is there at this day amongst Christians in calling upon the name of God? Alas it is so cold and feeble as it cannot be more. And so see why God hath plucked back his hand from us, because of our infidelity, so that we feel not his help as we should. The more deeply therefore ought we to consider of this sentence here, when David declareth that he was clean dried up, and yet for all that forgot not the promises of God.
Let us now go and vaunt ourselves to be good Christians, that we have greatly profited in the Gospel, and yet when as we shall be touched with any little, yea, and that with a very light affliction, we shall be so amazed as it is wonder. Alas what should become of us, if we should be as David protesteth he was? that God threatened us through stitch, that there were but one drop of substance of life, and that it should seem that we were even as it were dead. If then there were such a kind of parched dryness in us, what should become of it? But what? herein resteth the fault, that every man flattereth himself, and we also think that GOD should submit himself to our flatteries.
But it is not in vain that this example is here set before us. Let us exercise ourselves then better than we have heretofore done, and call to mind the testimonies of God. When as we shall be parched, and so dried, as that it might seem we had not one drop of life, let us notwithstanding, meditate yet more than ever before we did of the promises of God, to the end we might get us new force and strength. Now when David had thus spoken, he addeth,
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me: which are not after thy law.
Here David pursuing his purpose maketh mention of the griefs which he endured, that is, the wicked and ungodly persecuted him wrongfully, and that he being retired to God, as to his safeguard, found no succor [help] of him at the first dash, but that God held him at a bay, as a forlorn man.
Now hereupon he rightly showeth that his faith was not clearly quenched, nor yet lessened: but that he still continued in prayer. And in the end
concludeth, that he will yet better remember the word of God, when as he shall be so restored by him, and raised up again as it were from death. Let us then note, that David here setteth down a certain manner and order to show us, that when God, to the outward show shall seem to estrange himself, yet we must take heed that the same keep us not from having recourse unto him. Now it may very well seem, that God sometimes thinketh not of us, but specially, when he shall suffer the wicked to run whither they list [desire], and let them do whatsoever they desire.
Now this is a terrible temptation. And why? For on the one side we look that if God took us for his children, and loved us as he testifieth, should he not by and by have compassion of our miseries? should he not put forth his hand to help us? when then he suffereth us to be thus unjustly trodden under foot, it is a sign that he hath forsaken us, and that he hath no care of us, nor of our health. Lo here a very hard and grievous temptation. And the second is, that it should seem that God doth not his office, How is that?
Behold how the ungodly fall out with him so that it seemeth they would give him open defiance. For is not this to make war against him, when as they give themselves license to do wickedly: that whatsoever can be said unto them, they can never be brought to goodness? And yet God maketh semblance as though he had no care of their wicked dealing. These we see are two marvelous dangerous temptations. And this is the cause namely why David hath here recited his persecutions, which he abode at the hands of the wicked.
Now it is so, that he being in such conflicts, having to fight against these two temptations, which I have noted, showeth right well that he remained still conqueror. And see why he saith, How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me? David signifieth that he made not this request until such time as he was driven to this extremity, that he was no longer able to abide it. As if he should have said, Alas, my good God, wilt thou help me after I am dead? For thou seest that I have already abiden [endured] so much, as it is not possible to endure more: thou seest me even at the grave’s brink: It is now time, or else never to help. But yet I perceive no succor [help] coming from thee.
And what is the cause? When wilt thou do it? It cannot be chosen but that David had as it were an intolerable affliction, when he called upon God in this manner. Wherefore we are so much the rather to meditate on this place. For although God suffereth us to be afflicted but for a little while: