Spurgeon PS0706
EXPOSITION.
We now listen to a fresh prayer, based upon the avowal which he has just made. We cannot pray too often, and when our heart is true, we shall turn to God in prayer as naturally as the needle to its pole.
“_Arise, O Lord, in thine anger_.” His sorrow makes him view the Lord as a judge who had left the judgment-seat and retired into his rest. Faith would move the Lord to avenge the quarrel of his saints. “_Lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies_” — a still stronger figure to express his anxiety that the Lord would assume his authority and mount the throne. Stand up, O God, rise thou above them all, and let thy justice tower above their villainies. “_Awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded_.” This is a bolder utterance still, for it implies sleep as well as inactivity, and can only be applied to God in a very limited sense. He never slumbers, yet doth he often seem to do so; for the wicked prevail, and the saints are trodden in the dust. God’s silence is the patience of longsuffering, and if wearisome to the saints, they should bear it cheerfully in the hope that sinners may thereby be led to repentance.
“_So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about_.” Thy saints shall crowd to thy tribunal with their complaints, or shall surround it with their solemn homage: “_for their sakes therefore return thou on high_.” As when a judge travels at the assizes, all men take their cases to his court that they may be heard, so will the righteous gather to their Lord. Here he fortifies himself in prayer by pleading that if the Lord will mount the throne of judgment, multitudes of the saints would be blessed as well as himself. If I be too base to be remembered, yet “_for their sakes_,” for the love thou bearest to thy chosen people, come forth from thy secret pavilion, and sit in the gate dispensing justice among the people. When my suit includes the desires of all the righteous it shall surely speed, for “shall not God avenge his own elect_?”
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS.
Verse 6.–“_The judgment which thou hast ordained.” In the end of the verse he shows that he asks nothing but what is according to the appointment of God. And this is the rule which ought to be observed by us in our prayers; we should in everything conform our requests to the divine will, as John also instructs us. #1Jo 4:14|. And, indeed, we can never pray in faith unless we attend, in the first place, to what God commands, that our minds may not rashly and at random start aside in desiring more than we are permitted to desire and pray for. David, therefore, in order to pray aright, reposes himself on the word and promise of God; and the import of his exercise is this: Lord, I am not led by ambition, or foolish headstrong passion, or depraved desire, inconsiderately to ask from thee whatever is pleasing to my flesh; but it is the clear light of thy word which directs me, and upon it I securely depend.–^John Calvin.
Verse 7.–‘_The congregation of the people:_” either, 1. A great number of all sorts of people, who shall observe thy justice, and holiness, and goodness in pleading my righteous cause against my cruel and implacable oppressor. Or rather, 2. The whole body of thy people Israel, by whom both these Hebrew words are commonly ascribed in Holy Scripture. “_Compass thee about_;” they will, and I, as their king and ruler in thy stead, will take care that they shall come from all parts and meet together to worship thee, which in Saul’s time they have grossly neglected, and been permitted to neglect, and to offer to thee praises and sacrifices for thy favour to me, and for the manifold benefits which they shall enjoy by my means, and under my government. “_For their sakes_,” or, _for its sake_, i.e., for the sake of thy congregation, which now is woefully dissipated and oppressed, and has in a great measure lost all administration of justice, and exercise of religion. “_Return thou on high_,” or, _return to thy high place_, i.e. to thy tribunal, to sit there and judge my cause. An allusion to earthly tribunals, which generally are set up on high above the people. #1Ki 10:19|.–^Matthew Pool, 1624-1679.
HINTS TO PREACHERS.
Verse 6.–How and in what sense divine anger may become the hope of the righteous.
Fire fought by fire, or man’s anger overcome by God’s anger.
Verse 7.–“_The congregation of the people_.” 1. Who they are. 2. Why they congregate together with one another. 3. Where they congregate. 4. Why they choose such a person to be the centre of their congregation.
Verse 7.–The gathering of the saints around the Lord Jesus.
Verse 7 (last clause).–The coming of Christ to judgment for the good of his saints.