| The psalmist is praying that God will preserve him, that He will protect him, hedge him about, guard him from all people and circumstances that would hurt and destroy. How appropriate is his prayer, for the Lord does guard His own and guide His own and gird His own. Note how He guards His own, “that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ,” for “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. … The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. … The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.” And see how He guides, for “the meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.” He says that “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.” “This God is our God forever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death,” and “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” And He also girds us, “for Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle.” How very much we need this daily girding by His strength. “As for God, His way is perfect. … It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” |
