A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

Thirdly, There is Expectation in it, which lies in a direct opposition to all the actings of unbelief in this matter, and is the very life and soul of the duty under consideration. So the Psalmist declares it, Psal. 62. 5. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is only from him. The soul will not, cannot in a due manner wait on God, unless it hath Expectations from him; unless, as James speaks, he looks to receive somewhat from him, chap. 1. 7. The soul in this condition regards forgiveness, not only as by its self it is desired, but principally as it is by God promised. Thence they expect it. This is expressed in the fourth Proposition before laid down, namely, that sin-distressed souls wait for God with earnestness, intention of mind, and expectation. As this ariseth from the redoubling of the Expression; so principally from the nature of the Comparison that he makes of himself in his waiting with them that watch for the morning. Those that watch for the morning do not only desire it, and prepare for it, but they expect it, and know assuredly that it will come. Though darkness may for a time be troublesome, and continue longer than they would desire, yet they know that the morning hath its appointed time of return, beyond which it will not tarry; and therefore they look out for its Appearance on all occasions: so it is with the soul in this matter. So, says David, Psal. 5. 3. I will direct my prayer unto thee [Greek or Hebrew] and look up. So we; the words before are defective [Greek or Hebrew] in the morning, or rather every morning, I ⟨p. 369⟩will order unto thee. We restrain this unto prayer. I will direct my prayer unto thee. But this was expressed directly in the words foregoing; In the morning thou shalt hear my voice, that is, the voice of my prayer and supplications, as it is often supplied. And although the Psalmist doth sometime repeat the same thing in different Expressions, yet here he seemeth not so to do, but rather proceeds to declare the general frame of his spirit in walking with God. I will, saith he, order all things towards God, so as that I may wait upon him in the ways of his appointment; [Greek or Hebrew] and will look up. It seems in our Translation to express his posture in his prayer. But the Word is of another importance.

Thirdly, There is Expectation in it, which lyes in a direct opposition to all the actings of unbelief in this matter, and is the very life and soul of the duty under consideration. So the Psalmist declares it,