Some of the lessons to be gathered from this precious portion of divine truth are —
1. The government of God; for though they be His earthly people, yet His ways in government must always be agreeable to the perfections of His own nature.
2. The sympathy of Christ with His own people. Even when suffering for their evil ways, His heart could enter into their distress, for, “in all their affliction He was afflicted.” Though personally free, He entered into this in perfect grace.
3. The Psalms present to us also the person of Christ, the Son, Messiah, Son of Man; His perfect ways in a life of dependence, communion and faith; His sufferings from man for righteousness’ sake, from God in making atonement for our sins upon the cross, and His deep sorrow of heart on account of His people. His death, resurrection, glorification, priesthood and reign are all brought before us in this marvelous book. Christ must be the subject of the inspired writings, for He said, “The scriptures testify of Me.” It is possible to get truths apart from Him, but never the truth, for He is “the truth.”
4. We find here also deep lessons of practical piety, and the ways of faith, full of instruction to us, and true of the faithful in every dispensation.
5. The way in which God deals with, and restores His people — the path of sorrow, self-judgment, and humiliation into which He leads them, before they are brought into those blessings. His mercy has purposed for them.
No doubt there are many more precious lessons to be gathered from this blessed book, for, like every other part of God’s word, its depth and range cannot but be infinite. May we meditate on it, with unfeigned dependence on the Holy Spirit!
Things New and Old 22:190