Psalm 139. The first verses of this psalm form a sort of heading as is often the case in the Psalms. It is here a summary of what the Lord has done in response to the cry from the heart in the last two verses. He has been brought to see that he cannot escape from the all-searching eye of God, no matter where he might go. Such knowledge is too wonderful for him. He realizes what are the thoughts of the Lord for His own people whom He has redeemed and that they are very precious unto Him. He also sees that the wicked can have no place before the Lord, when He again takes up the cause of His people. So he desires that his heart be searched that there be no wicked way in him. This denotes true repentance and humility before the Lord. It is well for any who profess His name to have their hearts searched by Him, for He desires truth in the inward parts.
Psalm 140. The prayer of this psalm is to be delivered and preserved from violent, wicked and proud men. They have compassed about and afflicted the righteous and the poor for their faith and confidence in the Lord. The psalm closes with the expressed confidence that they will dwell in His presence. It will be the portion of those whose faith is refined in the furnace of their affliction, the great tribulation, just before the Lord delivers them and brings in the time of blessing.
Psalm 141. We have here the faithful one, asking that his prayers be acceptable and heard. He asks that a watch be set for the door of his lips so that he would not utter that which would be displeasing to the Lord. He also desires to be kept from practicing the works of the wicked, but he would consider it a kindness to be reproved by the righteous, and desires that his soul be not left destitute. It shows that he has learned something of the depths of his own heart, and is distrustful of it. He realizes that he can only be kept by cleaving to the Lord.
Psalm 142. There is a further pouring out of the heart unto the Lord here. In the midst of his trials, he feels his spirit overwhelmed within, but realizes that He knew his path and He alone can be his refuge. There is renewed confidence at the close that these trials will bring the righteous together and that the Lord will deal bountifully with him. A psalm of this kind has been a comfort to many in passing through deep trials which serve to draw them nearer to the Lord.
Psalm 143. The psalmist pours out his heart to the Lord still more in this psalm and he calls himself His servant. He desires that the Lord would not enter into judgment with him, for he knows that in His sight no living can be justified. He again speaks of his spirit being overwhelmed within him, but he remembers the doings of old and meditates on the works of His hands. He desires to know the loving kindness of the Lord in the morning and for Him to cause him to know the way in which he should walk; also he desires to be led into the land of uprightness.
“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). It is a wonderful thing to be able to say that Christ died for me. Can you say that?
ML 06/18/1961