 |  |
How different do the same things appear when viewed from the standpoints of man
and of God. The attitude of the Philistines and other enemies of David was alarming.
The figures used are those of the "thirst for blood"; the "snuffing" of animals close on
their prey. Fighting was "daily"; his words were "wrested"; his steps "marked"; they
waited for his "soul". Over and above these things David was an exile, "Thou tellest all
my wanderings". These were in the menacing things that inspired fear in David. Then,
as his trust in God and in His Word took hold upon his heart and mind, these ferocious
enemies were seen to be but "flesh" and "man", and concerning both David said, "I will
not fear", "I will not be afraid". As trust in God and in His faithfulness to His word
increases, so fear of man and all that he can do decreases.
To us, as to David and the disciples of old, comes the cheering call:
"Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matt. 14: 27).
#8.
The Fixed Heart (Psa. 112: 7).
p. 100
Among the blessings consequent upon trust in the Lord is confidence or, in the
language of the Psalmist, a "fixed heart" (Psa. 112: 7). Of the wicked it is written, "The
wicked flee when no man pursueth" (Prov. 28: 1). "There were they in great fear,
where no fear was" (Psa. 53: 5).
The Psalm that supplies us with our text is Psalm 112:, which, by reason of its
alphabetical structure, is bound together with Psalm 111:, with which it should be
studied.
Psa. 111:
1-8. Eight couplets, Aleph--Ayin.
9, 10. Two triplets, Pe--Tau.
Psa. 112:
1-8. Eight couplets, Aleph--Ayin.
9, 10. Two triplets, Pe--Tau.
In both Psalms there are twenty-two lines, and the alphabet in both is complete. This
artificial correspondence supports a correspondence of thought and idea.
"In Psalm 111: We have the mighty deeds, the glory, the righteousness of Jehovah,
celebrated in the assembly of the upright; in Psalm 112:, the righteousness, the
goodness, the blessedness of the upright, themselves, is described and enlarged upon.
The one sets forth God, His work and His attributes; the other tells what are the work
and character of those who fear and honour God. Thus in Psalm 111: 3 it is said of
Jehovah that `His righteousness standeth fast for ever'; in Psalm 112: 3 the same thing
is affirmed of the man that feareth Jehovah. In 111: 4 it is declared of Jehovah, that `He
is gracious and of tender compassion', in 112: 4 the same character is given to the
upright" (Perowne).