WHAT we find written in the Psalms is primarily connected with the Jews or the Lord Jesus Himself, and particularly as Messiah. They have a special reference to the godly remnant in the latter day. Many of their expressions wholly belong to the Jews, and cannot be used by the Church. Hence the true solution of those passages which have been such a terrible stumbling to Christians not seeing this.
The saints of the present dispensation cannot rightly be looking for the destruction of their enemies as a way of escape from their sorrows. But in the time of trouble, such as never has been, that is to come, it will be quite proper for the suffering Jews to look for judgment as a way of deliverance. They are God’s promises, and what their hope rests upon. But the Church looks to be caught up, and escape from sorrow by being with the Lord in the heavens, whilst it is quite true that she has His sympathy in her sorrow down here. The Psalms are chiefly occupied with the suffering of the soul, and the sorrows of the godly Jewish remnant, and God coming in judgment as their deliverer, by the execution of vengeance on all their foes.
I DON’T know what there is to my soul to find in every point to which the Spirit of God brings me, if it is not the Lord Jesus Christ which is the first thought. It is only when the heart has been brought under the yoke with Him that one gets full of confidence in His love; and only as far as He fills the first place that we have the thoughts of the Spirit of God in anything.
G. V. W.