AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM CXXX.

AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM CXXX.

Psalm 130.

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee: that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they, that watch for the morning, I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous Redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his Iniquities.

OUt of the depths have I cryed unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voyce, let thine ears be attentive to the voyce of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee: that thou maist be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they, that watch for the morning, I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous Redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his Iniquities.

A PARAPHRASE.

Verse 1, 2.

¹O Lord, through my manifold sins and provocations I have brought my self into great distresses. Mine Iniquities are always before me, and I am ready to be overwhelmed with them, as with a flood of waters, for they have brought me into depths, wherein I am ready to be swallowed up. But yet although my distress be great and perplexing; I do not, I dare not utterly despond and cast away all hopes of relief or recovery. Nor do I seek unto any other remedy, way or means of relief, but I apply my self to thee Jehovah, to thee alone. And in this my Application unto thee, the greatness and urgency of my troubles makes my soul urgent, earnest, and pressing in my supplications. Whilst I have no rest, I can give thee no rest; Oh therefore attend and hearken unto the voice of my crying and supplications.

¹O Lord, through my manifold sins and provocations I have brought my self into great distresses. Mine Iniquities are alwayes before me, and I am ready to be overwhelmed with them, as with a flood of waters, for they have brought me into depths, wherein I am ready to be swallowed up. But yet although my distress be great and perplexing; I do not, I dare not utterly despond and cast away all hopes of relief or recovery. Nor do I seek unto any other remedy, way or means of relief, but I apply my self to thee Jehovah, to thee alone. And in this my Application unto thee, the greatness and urgency of my troubles makes my soul urgent, earnest, and pressing in my supplications. Whilst I have no rest, I can give thee no rest; Oh therefore attend and hearken unto the voyce of my crying and supplications.

1. 11. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 2. Lord, hear my voice, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.1. Out of the depths have I cryed unto thee, O Lord. 2. Lord, hear my voice, let thine ears be attentive to the voyce of my supplications.

Ver. 3.

¹IT is true O Lord, thou God great and terrible, that if thou shouldst deal with me in this Condition, with any man living, with the best of thy Saints, according to the strict and exact tenor of the Law, which first represents it self to my guilty Conscience, and troubled soul; If thou shouldst take notice of, observe, and keep in Remembrance, mine, or their, or the Iniquity of any one, to the end that thou mightest deal with them, and recompense unto them according to the sentence thereof; there would be neither for me, nor them, any the least expectation of deliverance; all flesh must fail before thee, and the spirits which thou hast made, and that to Eternity; for who could stand before thee, when thou shouldst so execute thy displeasure.

¹IT is true O Lord, thou God great and terrible, that if thou shouldst deal with me in this Condition, with any man living, with the best of thy Saints, according to the strict and exact tenor of the Law, which first represents it self to my guilty Conscience, and troubled soul; If thou shouldst take notice of, observe, and keep in Remembrance, mine, or their, or the Iniquity of any one, to the end that thou mightest deal with them, and recompence unto them according to the sentence thereof; there would be neither for me, nor them, any the least expectation of deliverance; all flesh must fail before thee, and the spirits which thou hast made, and that to Eternity; for who could stand before thee, when thou shouldst so execute thy displeasure.

1. 13. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Ver. 4.

¹But O Lord, this is not absolutely and universally the state of things between thy Majesty and poor sinners; Thou art in thy Nature infinitely Good and Gracious, ready and free in the purposes of thy will to receive them. And there is such a blessed way made for the exercise of the holy inclinations and purposes of thy heart towards them, in the mediation and blood of thy dear Son, That they have assured foundations of concluding and believing, that there is pardon and forgiveness with thee for them; and which in the way of thine appointments they may be partakers of. This way therefore will I, with all that fear thee persist in: I will not give over, leave thee, or turn from thee, through my fears, discouragements, and despondencies; but will abide constantly in the observation of the worship which thou hast prescribed; and the performance of the Obedience which thou dost require; having great encouragements so to do.

¹BUt O Lord, this is not absolutely and universally the state of things between thy Majesty and poor sinners; Thou art in thy Nature infinitely Good and Gracious, ready and free in the purposes of thy will to receive them. And there is such a blessed way made for the exercise of the holy inclinations and purposes of thy heart towards them, in the mediation and blood of thy dear Son, That they have assured foundations of concluding and believing, that there is pardon and forgiveness with thee for them; and which in the way of thine appointments they may be partakers of. This way therefore will I, with all that fear thee persist in: I will not give over, leave thee, or turn from thee, through my fears, discouragements, and despondencies; but will abide constantly in the observation of the worship which thou hast prescribed; and the performance of the Obedience which thou dost require; having great encouragements so to do.

1. 14. But there is forgiveness with thee: that thou mayest be feared.4. But there is forgiveness with thee: that thou maist be feared.

Ver. 5.

¹And herein, upon the account of the forgiveness that is with thee, O Lord, do I wait with all patience, quietness and perseverance. In this work is my whole soul engaged; even in an earnest expectation of thy approach unto me, in a way of grace and mercy. And for my encouragement therein, hast thou given out unto me a blessed word of Grace, a faithful word of promise, wherein my hope is fixed.

¹ANd herein, upon the account of the forgiveness that is with thee, O Lord, do I wait with all patience, quietness and perseverance. In this work is my whole soul engaged; even in an earnest expectation of thy approach unto me, in a way of grace and mercy. And for my encouragement therein, hast thou given out unto me a blessed word of Grace, a faithful word of promise, wherein my hope is fixed.

1. 15. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Ver. 6.

¹Yea, in the performance, and discharge of this duty, my soul is intent upon thee, and in its whole frame turned towards thee, and that with such diligence and watchfulness in looking out after every way, and means of thy appearance, of thy manifestation of thy self, and coming unto me, that I excel therein those who with longing desire, heedfulness, and earnest expectation, do wait and watch for the appearance of the morning; and that either that they may rest from their night watches, or have light for the duties of thy Worship in the Temple, which they are most delighted in.

¹YEa, in the performance, and discharge of this duty, my soul is intent upon thee, and in its whole frame turned towards thee, and that with such diligence and watchfulness in looking out after every way, and means of thy appearance, of thy manifestation of thy self, and coming unto me, that I excell therein those who with longing desire, heedfulness, and earnest expectation, do wait and watch for the appearance of the morning; and that either that they may rest from their night watches, or have light for the duties of thy Worship in the Temple, which they are most delighted in.

1. 16. My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they, that watch for the morning, I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Ver. 7, 8.

¹Herein have I found that Rest, peace, and satisfaction unto my own soul, that I cannot but invite and encourage others, in the like Condition to take the same course with me. Let then all the Israel of God, all that fear him, learn this of me, and from my experience. Be not hasty in your distresses; despond not, despair not, turn not aside unto other remedies; but hope in the Lord; for I can now in an especial manner, give testimony unto this, that there is mercy with him suited unto your relief. Yea, whatever your distress be, the Redemption that is with him, is so bounteous, plenteous and unsearchable, that the undoubted issue of your performance of this duty will be; that you shall be delivered from the guilt of all your sins; and the perplexities of all your troubles.

¹HErein have I found that Rest, peace, and satisfaction unto my own soul, that I cannot but invite and encourage others, in the like Condition to take the same course with me. Let then all the Israel of God, all that fear him, learn this of me, and from my experience. Be not hasty in your distresses; despond not, despair not, turn not aside unto other remedies; but hope in the Lord; for I can now in an especial manner, give testimony unto this, that there is mercy with him suited unto your relief. Yea, whatever your distress be, the Redemption that is with him, is so bounteous, plenteous and unsearchable, that the undoubted issue of your performance of this duty will be; that you shall be delivered from the guilt of all your sins; and the perplexities of all your troubles.

1. 17. Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous Redemption. 8. And he shall redeem Israel from all his Iniquities.

General Scope of the whole Psalm.

¹THE design of the Holy Ghost in this Psalm is to express in the Experience of the Psalmist, and the working of his faith, the state and condition of a soul greatly in it self perplexed, relieved on the account of Grace, and acting it self towards God and his Saints, suitably to the discovery of that Grace unto him. A great design, and full of great Instruction.

1. 1General Scope of the whole Psalm.

And this general Prospect gives us the parts, and scope of the whole Psalm: for (1.) We have the state and condition of the soul therein represented, with his deportment in and under that state and condition, in ver. 1, 2.Out of the depths have I cried unto thee O Lord, Lord, hear my voice, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

And this general Prospect gives us the parts, and scope of the whole Psalm: for (1.) We have the state and condition of the soul therein represented, with his deportment in and under that state and condition, in ver. 1, 2.Out of the depths have I cryed unto thee O Lord, Lord, hear my voyce, let thine ears be attentive to the voyce of my supplications.

(2.) His enquiry after relief; and therein are two things that present themselves unto him; the one whereof, which first offers the consideration of its self to him in his distress, he deprecates, ver. 3.If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquity, O Lord who shall stand?

The other he closeth withal, and finds relief in it, and supportment by it, ver. 5.But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared.

Upon this his discovery and fixing on relief, there is the acting of his Faith, and the deportment of his whole Person;

1. Towards God; ver. 5, 6. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that watch ⟨p. 6⟩for the morning, I say more than they that watch for the morning.

2. Towards the Saints, ver. 7, 8. Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous Redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his Iniquities.

All which parts, and the various concernments of them, must be opened severally.

And this also gives an account of what is my design from, and upon the words of this Psalm; namely, to declare the perplexed entanglements which may befall a gracious soul, such a one as this Psalmist was; with the nature and proper workings of Faith in such a condition: Principally aiming at what it is, that gives a soul relief and supportment in, and afterward deliverance from, such a perplexed estate.

And this also gives an account of what is my design from, and upon the words of this Psalm; namely, to declare the perplexed intanglements which may befall a gracious soul, such a one as this Psalmist was; with the nature and proper workings of Faith in such a condition: Principally aiming at what it is, that gives a soul relief and supportment in, and afterward deliverance from, such a perplexed estate.

The Lord in Mercy, dispose of these Meditations in such a way and manner, as that both he that writes, and they that read, may be made partakers of the benefit, relief, and consolation, intended for his Saints in this Psalm by the Holy Ghost.

The State and Condition of the soul represented in the Psalm. The two first Verses opened.

¹The State and Condition of the soul here represented, as the Basis on which the process of the Psalm is built; with its deportment, or the general acting of its Faith in that state, is expressed in the two first Verses. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee O Lord. Lord hear my voice; let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

¹The State and Condition of the soul here represented, as the Basis on which the process of the Psalm is built; with its deportment, or the general acting of its Faith in that state, is expressed in the two first Verses. Out of the depths have I cryed unto thee O Lord. Lord hear my voyce; let thine ears be attentive to the voyce of my supplications.

1. 1The two first Verses opened.

1. The present state of the soul under consideration is included in that expression, out of the Depths.

Some of the Ancients, as Chrysostom, suppose this expression to relate unto the depths of the heart of the Psalmist; [Greek or Hebrew]; not from the mouth or tongue only, [Greek or Hebrew]; but from the depth and bottom of the heart; [Greek or Hebrew], from the deepest recesses of the mind.

Some of the Antients, as Chrysostom, suppose this expression to relate unto the depths of the heart of the Psalmist; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; not from the mouth or tongue only, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; but from the depth and bottom of the heart; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, from the deepest recesses of the mind.

And indeed the word is used to express the depths of the ⟨p. 7⟩hearts of Men; but utterly in another sense; Psal. 64. 6. The heart is deep.

But the obvious sense of the place, and the constant use of the word will not admit of this Interpretation: è Profund is, from [Greek or Hebrew] profundus fuit, is [Greek or Hebrew] in the plural number, Profunditates, or depths. It is commonly used for Valleys or any deep places whatever, but especially of Waters. Valleys and deep Places, because of their Darkness and Solitariness, are accounted places of horror, helplessness and trouble, Psal. 23. 4. When I walk in the Valley of the shadow of Death, that is, in the extremity of danger and trouble.

But the obvious sense of the place, and the constant use of the word will not admit of this Interpretation: è Profund is, from 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 profundus fuit, is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 in the plural number, Profunditates, or depths. It is commonly used for Vallies or any deep places whatever, but especially of Waters. Vallies and deep Places, because of their Darkness and Solitariness, are accounted places of horror, helplesness and trouble, Psal. 23. 4. When I walk in the Valley of the shadow of Death, that is, in the extremity of danger and trouble.

The Moral use of the word, as expressing the state and condition of the souls of men, is metaphorical. These Depths then, are difficulties, or pressures, attended with fear, horror, danger and trouble.

And they are of two sorts:

1. Providential; in respect of outward distresses, Calamities, and Afflictions, Psal. 69. 1. Save me O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul; I stick in the mire of the deep, and there is no standing, I am come, [Greek or Hebrew], into the depths of waters, and the flood overflows me. It is trouble and the extremity of it, that the Psalmist complains of, and which he thus expresseth. He was brought by it into a condition like unto a man ready to be drowned; being cast into the bottom of deep and miry waters; where he had no firm foundation to stand upon, nor ability to come out: as he farther explains himself, ver. 15.

1. Providential; in respect of outward distresses, Calamities, and Afflictions, Psal. 69. 1. Save me O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul; I stick in the mire of the deep, and there is no standing, I am come, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, into the depths of waters, and the flood overflows me. It is trouble and the extremity of it, that the Psalmist complains of, and which he thus expresseth. He was brought by it into a condition like unto a man ready to be drowned; being cast into the bottom of deep and miry waters; where he had no firm foundation to stand upon, nor ability to come out: as he farther explains himself, ver. 15.

2. There are internal Depths. Depths of Conscience upon the account of sin, Psal. 88. 6. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. What he intends by this expression, the Psalmist declares in the next words, v. 7. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me. Sense of Gods wrath upon his conscience upon the account of sin, was the deep he was cast into. So v. 15. speaking of the same matter; saith he; I suffer thy terrors, and v. 16. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me. Which he calls water, waves, and deeps; according to the Metaphor before opened.

2. There are internal Depths. Depths of Conscience upon the account of sin, Psal. 88. 6. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. What he intends by this expression, the Psalmist declares in the next words, v. 7. Thy wrath lyeth hard upon me. Sense of Gods wrath upon his conscience upon the account of sin, was the deep he was cast into. So v. 15. speaking of the same matter; saith he; I suffer thy terrors, and v. 16. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me. Which he calls water, waves, and deeps; according to the Metaphor before opened.

And these are the deeps that are here principally intended. ⟨p. 8⟩Clamat sub molibus & fluctibus iniquitatum suarum, says Austin on the place. He cries out under the weight and waves of his sins.

And these are the deeps that are here principally intended. ⟨p. 8⟩Clamat sub molibus & fluctibus iniquitatum suarum, sayes Austin on the place. He cryes out under the weight and waves of his sins.

This the ensuing Psalm makes evident. Desiring to be delivered from these depths out of which he cried; he deals with God wholly about mercy and forgiveness; and it is sin alone, from which forgiveness is a Deliverance. The Doctrine also that he preacheth upon his Delivery, is that of Mercy, Grace and Redemption, as is manifest from the close of the Psalm. And what we have deliverance by, is most upon our hearts when we are delivered.

This the ensuing Psalm makes evident. Desiring to be delivered from these depths out of which he cryed; he deals with God wholly about mercy and forgiveness; and it is sin alone, from which forgiveness is a Deliverance. The Doctrine also that he preacheth upon his Delivery, is that of Mercy, Grace and Redemption, as is manifest from the close of the Psalm. And what we have deliverance by, is most upon our hearts when we are delivered.

It is true indeed, that these deeps do oftentimes concur: as David speaks, Deep calleth upon deep, Psal. 4. 2. 7. The deeps of Affliction, awaken the Conscience to a deep sense of sin. But sin is the Disease; Affliction only a Symptom of it; and in attending a Cure, the disease it self is principally to be heeded, the symptom will follow, or depart of its self.

It is true indeed, that these deeps do oftentimes concurr: as David speaks, Deep calleth upon deep, Psal. 4. 2. 7. The deeps of Affliction, awaken the Conscience to a deep sense of sin. But sin is the Disease; Affliction only a Symptome of it; and in attending a Cure, the disease it self is principally to be heeded, the symptome will follow, or depart of its self.