A88660:22
A word in season
A word in season: being the commentary of Dr. Martin Luther, on three selected Psalms: viz. the CXXIVth, CXXVth, and CXXIXth. With his commentary on some part of the fourth and fifth chapters of the First Epistle of St. Peter. Being of special use for the present times.
London: printed by George Larkin, 1685
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Verse 2. If the Lord had not been on our side, when men rose up against us.
This repetition is not in vain. For whilst we are in danger, our fear is without measure: but when it is once past, we imagine it to have been less then it was indeed. And this is the delusion of Satan, to diminish and obscure the Grace of God. David therefore with this repetition stirreth up the People to greater thankfulness unto God for his gracious Deliverance and amplifieth the dangers which they had ⟨p. 4⟩passed. Whereby we are taught how to think of our troubles and afflictions past, least the sense and feeling of Gods Grace vanish out of our minds. And here note, how God dealeth with his People in their distress, who suffereth their Enemies so far to prevail over them, and deferreth his help so long, till it seem impossible for them to escape: so that they are compelled to confess and acknowledge, that they must needs have perished if the mighty hand of God had not delivered them. These two things then we see the Israelites here to acknowledge: first, That the Lord was on their side, that is, succoured and delivered them; then also that it had not been possible but they must utterly have perished, if God had not preserved and defended them.
This repetition is not in vain. For whilst we are in danger, our fear is without measure: but when it is once past, we imagine it to have been less then it was indeed. And this is the delusion of Satan, to diminish and obscure the Grace of God. David therefore with this repetition stirreth up the People to greater thankfulness unto God for his gracious Deliverance and amplifieth the dangers which they had ⟨p. 4⟩passed. Whereby we are taught how to think of our troubles and afflictions past, least the sence and feeling of Gods Grace vanish out of our minds. And here note, how God dealeth with his People in their distress, who suffereth their Enemies so far to prevail over them, and deferreth his help so long, till it seem impossible for them to escape: so that they are compelled to confess and acknowledge, that they must needs have perished if the mighty hand of God had not delivered them. These two things then we see the Israelites here to acknowledge: first, That the Lord was on their side, that is, succoured and delivered them; then also that it had not been possible but they must utterly have perished, if God had not preserved and defended them.