The Biblical Illustrator
Psalms 109:21
But do Thou for me, O God the Lord, for Thy name’s sake.
An exemplary prayer
I. It is true in its direction. It is addressed to “God the Lord.” There is but One all-suffering Being to whom we can address our prayers. Think what is requisite to be able to answer prayer at all times--infinite intelligence, unlimited goodness, universal sovereignty, etc. The petition of the psalmist indicates his belief that he was approaching such a Being. If he could but secure the help of God he would leave everything else to Him.
II. It is personal in its aim. “Do Thou for me.” Man’s first business is to secure the blessing of God for himself. We should not keep the vineyard of another and neglect our own. We should not attempt to lead ethers unto Jesus Christ until we know Him as our own Saviour. This is not selfish, but benevolent.
III. It is submissive in its spirit. The wise and good man leaves the means and the manner of blessing to God. He leaves the time also to God. This submission is both wise and pious.
IV. It is powerful in its plea. “For Thy name’s sake.” The name represents the character of God. The honour of the Divine name is bound up with His treatment of His people. If any one trusting in God were to perish, the glory of His name would be sullied. Such a plea--
1. Implies great faith in God on the part of Him who urges it.
2. Honours God by the exalted conception of His character which it implies.
3. Prevails with God. The man who honours God by believing greatly in Him is mighty with God in prayer. (W. Jones.)
The Christian’s prayer
I. General remarks.
1. The petition may be considered as addressed with equal propriety to each of the Persons in the Godhead, who are the joint objects of religious worship, possessed of the same adorable perfections, and equally concerned in carrying on the work, and conveying the blessings of salvation.
2. Though the good man may and should pray for others, yet he is and ought to be principally concerned for himself. “Do Thou for me”; for my body, for my soul, especially the latter. Begin Thy work there in conviction and conversion, carry it on in progressive sanctification, and perfect it in eternal glory. “Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.”
3. The good man desires that what God does may be for him, and not against him; that He would deal by him as a friend, and not as an enemy.
4. When we desire that God should “do for us,” it is proper that we should leave the way and manner entirely to Him.
II. What is implied.
1. Do that for me which I cannot do for myself. Reduce my wandering heart, direct my feeble steps, teach me both the way in which Thou walkest towards me, and the way in which I ought to walk toward Thee, the way of duty and of peace.
2. Do that for me which no one else either can or will do. They cannot restore case to a distempered body, nor comfort to a discontented mind; cannot reprieve one moment from the demands of death, nor disarm it of its terrors.
3. Do that for me which Thou knowest to be necessary, and without which I must be undone for ever.
4. Do all that for me which Thou hast appointed and promised, and whereby Thou mayest be glorified. In all our prayers it becomes us to have an eye to
(1) The Divine appointments: for if our petitions do not refer to them, and are not regulated by them, they are not likely to meet with acceptance, nor to procure a blessing.
(2) The Divine promises.
(3) The Divine glory.
III. Improvement.
1. The prayer of the psalmist will apply not only to a state of prosperity, but adversity; not only to God’s merciful dispensations, but also to those which are afflictive. “Do Thou for me,” in wounding as well as healing, in casting down as well as lifting up.
2. The petition is suitable for those who have most to do for God, or their fellow-creatures; such as magistrates, ministers, masters of families and others. There are also peculiar seasons to which it is especially suited; when our path is intricate, and our work difficult, either in the morning of the Sabbath, or in the near approach of death.
3. It is likewise necessary at all seasons, and for all sorts of persons. (B. Beddome, M.A.)
All of grace
Sir James Simpson, the doctor-saint, was waiting for a train at a station, and when it drew up he saw a poor lad, looking very ill, being conveyed by his mother home. He went in beside them into the carriage, and asked all about the boy. By and by he said to the mother, “Your boy might be made quite well; why don’t you take him to Dr. So-and-So? Because,” said the mother, “I haven’t money enough to pay the fees.” “Well,” said the stranger, “I am a doctor;” and then he told his name, to the poor woman’s great surprise. “Will you put him in my hands, and I will do what I can for him, and it shall cost you nothing?” The mother thankfully consented; her boy was carefully treated, and in a few weeks’ time returned home quite cured. The great Physician does all His cures, bestows all His blessings, and gives all His salvation, for love’s sake. And His healing is perfect. (H. O. Mackey.).