The Scripture is a spiritual paradise. The Book of Psalms is placed as the tree of life in the midst of this paradise. The psalms are not only for delight, but usefulness; enriched with variety, and suited to every Christian's estate and condition. They are a spiritual panoply and storehouse for the Believer. If he finds his heart dead, here he may fetch fire; if he be weak in grace, here he may fetch armour; if he be ready to faint, here are medicines lying by. There is no condition you can name, but there is a psalm suited to that condition.
1) In case of sickness – “Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness” (Psalm 41 verse 3); and surely that bed must be soft which God will make. And there is a parallel psalm to this – “My flesh fails,” that is, my health is declining, “but the Lord is the strength of my heart.”
2) In case of reproach – “I was a reproach among my enemies.” (Psalm 31 verse 11) “But I trusted in thee, O Lord, I said, thou art my God.” (Verse 14) And here was some sunshine breaking forth out of those place clouds.
3) In case of unkind treatment from friends - "For it was not an enemy; for then I could have borne it." (Psalm 55 verse 12) Here was the disease. But, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord" (verse 22); here was the cure.
4) In case we are surrounded by enemies – there is a psalm suited to this condition: “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me.” (Psalm 3 verse 1) But, “ laid me down and slept.” (Verse 5) David, when beset with enemies, could lie down and sleep upon the soft pillow of a good conscience, for “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” “He shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me.”
5) In case of poverty – If a Christian's state be brought so low, like the widow, he has nothing but a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a cruise, still there is a psalm of consolation: “I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me."” (Psalm 40 verse 17) Here is the dew of a blessing distilled: “Thou art my portion, O Lord.”
6) If sin, though the power of temptation, prevails against a child of God – There is a psalm of consolation: “Iniquities prevail against me,” But, “as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.” (Psalm 65 verse 3) In the Hebrew it is, “Thou shalt hide them.” It aludes to the Mercy-Seat in the Tabernacle which was covered with the wings of the cherubim. So are the sins of the Godly, when repented of, covered with the wings of mercy and favour.
7) In case of a delay in answer to prayer – “I am weary of my crying, my eyes fail while I wait for my God.” (Psalm 69 verse 3) But in the very same psalm, he yet obtains his comfort: “The Lord heareth the poor and despiseth not his prisoners."”(Verse 33) Would you have fruit before it is ripe? When the mercy is ripe, we shall have it; there is nothing lost by waiting. We send out the golden fleet of prayer to heaven, the longer this fleet stays out, the greater return it will bring with it.
8) In case desertion – This is the poisoned arrow that wounds to the heart; but still there is a psalm to run to: “The Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.” (Psalm 94 verse 14) This is like a star on a dark night, or like the plank and broken pieces of the ship on which Paul and the rest came safe to shore. God may conceal His love from His children, but not take it away.
9) In case of death – There is a psalm that revives: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”. (Psalm 23 verse 4) The sting and poison of this serpent is taken away, for, “Thou art with me” says the psalmist. With thy power to support, with thy grace to sanctify, with thy love to sweeten. “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”. I have the staff of thy promise in the hand of my faith, and with this I can walk through the dark valley of death.
Thus in every condition, David's psalms, like David's harp, may serve to drive away the evil spirit of sadness and uncheerfulness from a Christian
(From "An Ancient Author)
“There is nothing necessary for man to know which the psalms are not able to teach. Exquisite justice, grace, moderation, exact wisdom, repentance unfeigned, patience unwearied, the mysteries of God, the sufferings of Christ, the terrors of wrath, the comforts of grace, the works of Providence over this world, and the promised joys of the world which is to come. All good necessary to be either known, or done, or had, this one celestial fountain yieldeth.”
(Richard Hooker)
This Page Title –The Tree of Life The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 82 – placed on line January 2010 Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |