Only God could justly conceal (verse 2). This is, in its fullest expression, the glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:3- 14). Psalm 32 speaks of the blessed portion of him whose sin is covered, and Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:17 says,
"Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back," speaking of his deliverance from the pit of destruction, as due to the love of God. Though many Old Testament passages speak of the covering or putting away by God of the sins of the repentant, He could not tell the full story of His grace until upon the cross His righteous demands were fully met in the sin-atoning death of the holy Sufferer, His beloved Son (Romans 1;1.4; 8, 11-25.)
Verses 2-5. We reflect from these verses upon this, that the rulers of this world, no matter how great, fall far short of Him whom we worship as God and Father. in Him was love; in them only Power (verse 2). In Him we can fully confide, assured that all will be well; in them is no such confidence (verse 3). In His throne is infinite holiness (Isaiah 6, Revelation 4); in them is much imperfection—sin is present (verses 4-5).
Verse 6. It is a trait of man without the knowledge of God to push into the best place. (Luke 14:7, Mark 12:39.) What an example of another spirit we have in Christ! (See Philippians 2:5-8.)
Verse 21 is again the opposite of man by nature, and, hard for man to accept. We should prefer, naturally, to let those who have ill-treated us go hungry and thirsty. When we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son (Romans 5:10), and this is a theme that shall be our delight eternally.
In verse 23 the translation is defective: "driveth away" should be read "bringeth forth," and so the latter part of the verse becomes plain.
Verse 25. Once as poor lost sinners we heard good news from a far country, even heaven itself; it was a message of redeeming love. And not only has He so blessed us that we can speak of songs in the night (Job 35:10, Psalm 42:8, Acts 16:25), but He has said, "Surely I come quickly," to which our hearts respond with fervent desire, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Surely we have good news from a far country.