Salmos 31

Horae Homileticae de Charles Simeon

Salmos 31:21-24

21 Bendito seja o Senhor, pois mostrou o seu maravilhoso amor para comigo quando eu estava numa cidade cercada.

22 Alarmado, eu disse: "Fui excluído da tua presença! " Contudo, ouviste as minhas súplicas quando clamei a ti por socorro.

23 Amem o Senhor, todos vocês, os seus santos! O Senhor preserva os fiéis, mas aos arrogantes dá o que merecem.

24 Sejam fortes e corajosos, todos vocês que esperam no Senhor!

DISCOURSE: 546
THE GODLY ENCOURAGED TO TRUST IN GOD

Salmos 31:21. Blessed be the Lord; for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

THE use of biography is universally acknowledged. It leads us into the recesses of domestic life; and teaches us, either from the frailties or the excellencies of others, how to conduct ourselves in a great variety of emergencies, which we ourselves must expect to meet with in life. But sacred biography is infinitely more interesting than that which proceeds only from uninspired pens, because the circumstances which are brought to light are more minute—more diversified—more authentic, than any records which people would choose to give of themselves, or than others would be capable of giving respecting them. On this account the Psalms of David claim the highest possible regard. Perhaps there never was a man whose circumstances were more varied than his: and certainly there never was a man who committed to writing all the secret motions of his heart with more fidelity than he; or that laboured more to improve them for the benefit of mankind.
This appears, as in many other psalms, so especially in that before us; as will be clearly seen, whilst we notice,

I. His acknowledgment of mercies conferred upon him—

To enter fully into this, we must refer to the occasion on which the psalm was penned. It was written, I apprehend, after his deliverance from Saul, when, from his being surrounded by Saul’s army, he had conceived it impossible for him to escape. Indeed, his deliverance was truly “marvellous;” and it was wrought by the special intervention of Almighty God, in answer to his prayer. At the very moment that his blood-thirsty persecutor had, to all appearance, effected his purpose, tidings came that the Philistines had invaded the land of Judah; and Saul was compelled to return instantly from his pursuit of David, in order to repel the invaders [Note: 1 Samuel 23:27.]. In reference to these circumstances, David first acknowledges the mercy in general terms: “Blessed be the Lord; for he hath shewed his marvellous kindness in a strong city,” that is, in “the strong holds” to which he had fled: and then he specifies more particularly the relief he had found in answer to prayer, when his own mind was overwhelmed with desponding fears.

In the peaceful state of the Church at this clay, we are not likely to be reduced to David’s state for our religion’s sake: and, therefore, as far as the literal sense of the psalm goes, it is not applicable to us. But, of deliverances equally “marvellous,” we may speak. Let me then ask,

1. Whether you have not, at times, been ready to despond?

[We can know but little either of our guilt or corruption, if we have not “had the sentence of death in ourselves [Note: 2 Coríntios 1:9.],” and felt that we had “no sufficiency in ourselves” to save ourselves [Note: 2 Coríntios 3:5.]. Have we never, then, under a sense of our extreme unworthiness and helplessness, been ready to doubt whether we could finally attain salvation, and “said, as it were, in our haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes?” Go back to some particular seasons, when your great adversary has prevailed against you, and seemed as if, like a roaring lion, he would utterly destroy you: has it not, at such seasons, been difficult to lay hold on the divine promises, and to flee for refuge to the hope set before you? — — —]

2. Whether God have not at such seasons interposed for you, in answer to your prayer?

[There are few that have not had reason to “bless and adore their God, for shewing them his marvellous kindness in such seasons as these. The experience of the Prophet Jeremiah has been realized by God’s people in every age: “Waters flowed over my head. Then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice, and not hid thine ear at my breathing and my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not [Note: Lamentações 3:54.].” From you, then, the Psalmist’s acknowledgment is clue: and by you it should be made to the latest hour of your lives.]

Full of gratitude, he pours forth,

II.

His exhortations, founded on his own experience—

He exhorts the saints,

1. To love God—

[God is worthy to be loved for his own divine excellencies: but he should be loved also for the wisdom and equity of his dispensations. “The faithful he does and will preserve:” yes, both from men and devils will he preserve them: he will “hide them under the shadow of his wings,” and “keep them even as the apple of his eye” — — — But “the proud doer, whosoever he may be, he will plentifully reward” with judgments proportioned to his impiety — — — The ungodly may indeed triumph for a time, and the godly be left to groan under the rod of the oppressor: but a day of righteous retribution is at hand, when “God will recompense tribulation to those who trouble his people; and to those who are troubled, rest [Note: 2 Tessalonicenses 1:6.]”— — — Shall not the assurance of this be a comfort to the saints, even under their deepest troubles? Surely it should — — — so that I may well urge upon them the exhortation before us: “O love the Lord, all ye his saints.”]

2. To trust in God—

[There are seasons when the saints can scarcely be said to believe and trust, whilst yet they do hope in God; saying, as it were, “If I perish, I will perish at his footstool, crying for mercy.” Now then, to all such persons I say, “God will strengthen your heart,” yea, and strengthen your arm too, so that “the arms of your hands shall be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob [Note: Gênesis 49:24.].” He will even “perfect his own strength in your weakness,” so that no enemy shall be able to prevail against you. “Be of good courage,” then, my Brethren. Though you cannot fully trust in God, yet, if you can hope in him, be not afraid: for God will vindicate your cause, and “bruise all your enemies, not excepting even Satan himself, under your feet shortly [Note: Romanos 16:20.].”]

Exhortation—
1.

Learn to see and to acknowledge the mercies of God towards you—

[What loss is sustained, both of comfort to the saints, and of honour to the Deity, by the inattention of men to the dispensations of their God! How many deliverances, both temporal and spiritual, have we all experienced; but of which, through our remissness, God has never received any tribute of praise! — — — Know ye, that if ye will be observant of God’s dealings towards you, you will never want a theme for gratitude and praise — — —]

2. Be not satisfied with your own happiness, but seek to advance also the happiness of others—

[David never celebrates any mercy vouchsafed to him, without improving it as an occasion for commending God to others, and exhorting them to unite with him in every possible expression of love and gratitude. Thus should it be with us also. We are not, indeed, called to make known to all the secret workings of our own hearts; but we are called to edify one another, and to take every suitable occasion of honouring our God. Let us, then, do this; and do it, too, with holy zeal. Let us “abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness, that all his works may praise him, and all his saints may bless him [Note: Salmos 145:5.].”]

Introdução

CONTENTS TO VOL. V.

Discourse

Text

Subject

Psalms

494. Salmos 1:1.

Characters of the Righteous and Wicked

495. Salmos 2:1.

Opposition to Christ vain

496. Salmos 2:12.

Regard to Christ enforced

497. Salmos 4:3.

The Privileges of the Godly

498. Salmos 4:4.

A practical Exhortation

499. Salmos 4:6.

God’s Favour the only substantial Good

500. Salmos 5:11.

The Blessedness of the Righteous

501. Salmos 7:11.

God’s Indignation against the Wicked

502. Salmos 9:10.

The Name of God a Ground of Trust

503. Salmos 9:17.

The Danger of forgetting God

504. Salmos 10:4.

Men’s proud Contempt of God

505. Salmos 10:13.

Men’s Contempt of God

506. Salmos 11:1.

The Workings of Unbelief and Faith

507. Salmos 12:4.

Practical Atheism exposed

508. Salmos 14:1.

The Commonness and Folly of Atheism

509. Salmos 14:6.

Believers vindicated

510. Salmos 14:7.

The Blessings of Salvation

511. Salmos 15:1.

Character of those that shall be saved

512. Salmos 16:4.

Superior Blessedness of true Christians

513. Salmos 16:5.

God himself his People’s Portion

514. Salmos 16:8.

Christ’s Resurrection and Glory

515. Salmos 17:15.

The Man of God

516. Salmos 18:1.

God the all-sufficient Portion of his People

517. Salmos 18:23.

Besetting Sins

518. Salmos 18:25.

Equity of the Divine Procedure

519. Salmos 18:50.

Thanksgiving for any great Deliverance

520. Salmos 19:7.

Excellency of God’s Word

521. Salmos 19:10.

The Use and Benefit of the Scriptures

522. Salmos 19:12.

Prayer against Sins of Infirmity and Presumption

523.

Salmos 20:7.

Trust in God the Means of Success

524. Salmos 21:1.

The Kingdom of David and of Christ

525. Salmos 21:7.

Trust in God recommended

526. Salmos 22:1.

Our Lord’s Complaint on the Cross

527. Salmos 22:11.

The Sufferings of Christ

528. Salmos 23:1.

David’s Confidence in God

529. Salmos 24:7.

The Ascension of Christ typified

530. Salmos 25:6.

The Saint pleading with God

531. Salmos 25:9.

Meek Docility inculcated

532. Salmos 25:10.

God’s Paths are Mercy and Truth

533. Salmos 25:11.

Proper Method of praying to God

534. Salmos 25:12.

The Portion of those who fear God

535. Salmos 25:14.

The Secrets of the Lord

536. Salmos 26:8.

The Worship of God delightful

537. Salmos 27:4.

David’s Love to God’s Ordinances

538. Salmos 27:8.

The Duty of Prayer

539. Salmos 28:7.

Adoring God for his Mercies

540. Salmos 28:8.

God our saving Strength

541. Salmos 29:10.

God the Giver of Strength and Peace

542. Salmos 30:5.

The Mercy of God

543. Salmos 30:6.

Cause and Cure of spiritual Desertion

544. Salmos 31:15.

Our Times in God’s Hand

545. Salmos 31:19.

The Goodness of God to his believing People

546. Salmos 31:21.

The Godly encouraged to trust in God

547. Salmos 32:1.

True Blessedness declared

548. Salmos 32:11.

Joy in the Lord inculcated

549. Salmos 33:18.

God’s Care of his People

550. Salmos 34:2.

Devotion exemplified

551. Salmos 34:6.

Grateful Recollections

552. Salmos 34:8.

Experimental Religion enforced

553. Salmos 34:11.

The Fear of God inculcated

554. Salmos 34:18.

The Broken and Contrite in Heart encouraged

555. Salmos 35:3.

The Sinner’s Hope

556. Salmos 35:13.

Compassion to the Sick

557. Salmos 36:1.

Awful State of ungodly Men

558. Salmos 36:2.

The self-flattering Delusions of Sinners exposed

559.

Salmos 36:4.

Sin to be abhorred

560. Salmos 36:6.

God’s Word and Works Mysterious

561. Salmos 36:7.

The Loving-kindness of God

562. Salmos 36:9.

Christ the Fountain of Life and Light

563. Salmos 36:10.

God’s continued Care implored

564. Salmos 37:3.

Confidence in God recommended

565. Salmos 37:23.

God’s Interest in his People

566. Salmos 37:31.

The Security of the upright Soul

567. Salmos 38:1.

David’s Distress and Consolation

568. Salmos 39:4.

The Shortness of Human Life

569. Salmos 40:1.

David’s Success in Prayer an Encouragement to us

570. Salmos 41:9.

Christ a Preacher of Righteousness

571. Salmos 40:17.

Consolation to the Distressed

572. Salmos 42:1.

David’s Desire after God

573. Salmos 43:3.

Access to God in Ordinances

574. Salmos 43:5.

Sources and Remedy of Dejection

575. Salmos 45:3.

The Reign of Christ desired

576. Salmos 45:7.

Benefits attendant on Holiness

577. Salmos 45:10.

Duty of the Church as married to Christ

578. Salmos 45:13.

The Church’s Beauty and Happiness

579. Salmos 46:4.

The River of God

580. Salmos 47:5.

The Ascension of Christ an Occasion for Joy

581. Salmos 48:12.

The Church’s Security in God

582. Salmos 49:13.

The Folly of worldly Men

583. Salmos 49:20.

The degraded State of Men

584. Salmos 50:7.

Spiritual Obedience preferred before Sacrifice

585. Salmos 51:1.

True Patience described

586. Salmos 51:4.

Sin an Offence against God

587. Salmos 51:5.

Original Sin

588. Salmos 51:6.

The Importance of inward Integrity

589. Salmos 51:7.

The Means of Deliverance from spiritual Leprosy

590. Salmos 51:8.

The Operations of Sin and of Grace

591. Salmos 51:10.

True Renovation of Heart

592. Salmos 51:14.

The Penitent encouraged

593. Salmos 51:16.

A broken Heart the best Sacrifice

594.

Salmos 55:6.

The afflicted Soul comforted

595. Salmos 56:12.

Vows to be performed

596. Salmos 57:7.

David’s Love to God

597. Salmos 60:4.

God’s Banner over his People

598. Salmos 61:2.

Advice to the Afflicted

599. Salmos 62:5.

God our only and all-sufficient Help

600. Salmos 63:1.

The Believer’s Dispositions towards God

601. Salmos 63:8.

Following after God

602. Salmos 65:3.

Consolation in God

603. Salmos 65:4.

The Blessedness of waiting upon God

604. Salmos 65:9.

God’s Works of Providence and Grace

605. Salmos 66:8.

Stability the Gift of God

606. Salmos 66:16.

Answers to Prayer acknowledged

607. Salmos 66:18; Salmos 66:20.

Sin a Preventive to the Acceptance of our Prayers

608. Salmos 67:1.

Calling of the Gentiles prayed for

609. Salmos 68:18.

The End of Christ’s Ascension

610. Salmos 68:19.

Gratitude to God for his Benefits

611. Salmos 68:35.

The Character of God

612. Salmos 69:1.

Sorrows and Sufferings of Christ

613. Salmos 69:32.

Humble Souls encouraged

614. Salmos 70:4.

The Christian’s Frame of Mind

615. Salmos 71:3.

God a Habitation for his People

616. Salmos 71:7.

The King’s Accession

617. Salmos 71:15.

Salvation a Ground of Joy

618. Salmos 72:6.

Excellence of Christ’s Government

619. Salmos 72:12.

Christ’s Government of his Church

620. Salmos 72:16.

The Success of the Gospel

621. Salmos 72:17.

The Perpetuity and Excellency of Christ’s Kingdom

622. Salmos 72:18.

Praise to God for Redemption

CONTENTS TO VOL. VI

Discourse

Text

Subject

Psalms

623. Salmos 73:1.

The Goodness of God to Israel

624. Salmos 73:16.

Prosperity of Sinners not to be envied

625. Salmos 73:23.

The Christian’s Experience and Hopes

626. Salmos 73:25.

The Christian’s Choice

627. Salmos 73:28.

Benefit of drawing near to God

628. Salmos 74:22.

God’s Interest in his People

629. Salmos 76:7.

God greatly to be feared

630. Salmos 77:7.

Despondency depicted and reproved

631. Salmos 78:8.

Jews and Christians compared

632. Salmos 78:19.

The Evil of Unbelief

633. Salmos 78:32.

Obstinacy in Sin reproved

634. Salmos 78:32.

The Fruit of Impenitence and Unbelief

635. Salmos 78:34.

The Extent of God’s Mercy

636. Salmos 80:17.

The Efficacy of Prayer

637. Salmos 81:10.

Prayer Effectual to any Extent

638. Salmos 81:11.

God giving up obstinate Transgressors

639. Salmos 84:1.

Divine Ordinances lovely

640. Salmos 84:10.

God’s Ordinances precious

641. Salmos 84:11.

Promises to the Upright

642. Salmos 85:8.

Attention to God’s Word encouraged

643. Salmos 85:9.

The Perfections of God reconciled in Christ Jesus

644. Salmos 86:1.

A praying Spirit exemplified

645. Salmos 86:11.

How to walk with God

646. Salmos 87:3.

The Glory of Zion

647. Salmos 88:14.

Distress of Soul considered

648. Salmos 89:15.

The Blessings of God’s People

649. Salmos 89:19.

The Sufficiency of Christ to save

650. Salmos 89:28.

God’s covenant Engagements with Christ and us

651. Salmos 90:11.

God’s Anger a Reason for turning to him

652. Salmos 90:14.

Satisfaction in God alone

653. Salmos 90:17.

The Beauty of Jehovah imparted to his People

654. Salmos 91:1.

The Blessedness of God’s People

655. Salmos 91:9.

The Security of those who dwell in God

656. Salmos 91:14.

The Character and Privilege of the Gospel

657. Salmos 92:4.

God admired in his Works

658. Salmos 92:12.

The Believer’s Security

659. Salmos 94:19.

Comfort in God

660. Salmos 95:6.

Devotion to God recommended and enforced

661. Salmos 96:1.

The Duty of making Christ known to the Heathen

662. Salmos 96:9.

Worship in the Beauty of Holiness

663. Salmos 97:2.

God’s Ways dark but just

664. Salmos 97:11.

The Blessedness of the Righteous

665. Salmos 98:1.

Christ’s Advent a Ground of Joy

666. Salmos 100:1.

Gentiles called to glorify God

667. Salmos 101:1.

Mercy and Judgment Grounds of Praise

668. Salmos 101:2.

A wise Deportment delineated

669. Salmos 101:3.

Integrity

670. Salmos 102:13.

The Restoration of the Jews

671. Salmos 102:25.

The Eternity and Immutability of Christ

672. Salmos 103:1.

Duty of praising God for his Mercies

673. Salmos 103:8.

The Goodness of God

674. Salmos 103:15.

Perpetuity of God’s Mercy

675. Salmos 104:33.

The Duty of praising God

676. Salmos 106:4.

The Christian’s Desire

677. Salmos 106:10.

The Effects which national Mercies should produce on us

678. Salmos 106:21.

The Evil and Danger of Ingratitude

679. Salmos 106:30.

The Zeal of Phinehas commended

680. Salmos 106:48.

Praise to God for his Mercies

681. Salmos 107:1.

Praise to God for Redemption

682. Salmos 107:8.

The Duty and Grounds of Praise

683. Salmos 107:43.

God’s Love seen in all his Dispensations

684. Salmos 110:1.

The Person and Offices of Christ

685. Salmos 111:2.

The great Work of Redemption

686. Salmos 111:10.

The Fear of the Lord

687. Salmos 113:5.

Greatness and Condescension of God

688. Salmos 115:9.

Trust in God recommended

689. Salmos 116:1.

Thanksgiving for Deliverance

690. Salmos 116:8.

Grateful Recollections

691. Salmos 116:12.

How to requite the Lord for his Mercies

692. Salmos 116:15.

The Death of Saints precious

693. 117.

The Gentiles called to praise God

694. Salmos 118:27.

The Exaltation of Christ a Ground of Confidence

695. Salmos 119:4.

Practical Religion enforced

696. Salmos 119:9.

God’s Word the Means of Sanctification

697. Salmos 119:18.

How to attain Divine Knowledge

698. Salmos 119:20.

David’s Desire after God’s Word

699. Salmos 119:30.

Christian Experience

700. Salmos 119:34.

Wisdom of true Piety

701. Salmos 119:37.

The Vanities of this World an Obstacle to spiritual Progress

702. Salmos 119:45.

True Liberty

703. Salmos 119:51.

Comfort under Persecution

704. Salmos 119:59.

Serious and speedy Conversion to God recommended

705. Salmos 119:68.

The Goodness of God

706. Salmos 119:71.

The Benefit of Affliction

707. Salmos 119:76.

The Loving-kindness of God

708. Salmos 119:97.

David’s Boasting explained and vindicated

709. Salmos 119:128.

The true Test of Religion in the Soul

710. Salmos 119:132.

The Christian’s chief Desires

711. Salmos 119:136.

Reasons for weeping over Sinners

712. Salmos 119:145.

David’s Desire to serve God

713. Salmos 119:165.

Blessedness of those who love God’s Law

714. Salmos 121:1.

Security of those who trust in God

715. Salmos 124:1.

Thanksgiving for great Deliverance

716. Salmos 124:1.

God to be acknowledged in our Mercies

717. Salmos 125:1.

Trust in the Lord

718. Salmos 125:4.

The Upright and Apostates contrasted

719. Salmos 126:1.

Deliverance from spiritual Bondage acknowledged

720. Salmos 126:5.

Sowing in Tears

721. Salmos 126:5.

The Spiritual Harvest

722. Salmos 130:1.

God’s Mercy an Encouragement to Prayer

723. Salmos 130:5.

Waiting upon God

724. Salmos 130:7.

The Duty of hoping in God

725. Salmos 131:2.

Weanedness from the World

726. Salmos 132:13.

Zion a Type of the Church

727. Salmos 133:1.

The Benefit of Christian Unity

728. Salmos 136:26.

A Call to adore God for his Mercy

729. Salmos 138:2.

God’s Word magnified

730. Salmos 138:3.

Answers to Prayers

731. Salmos 138:4.

The Gospel a Source of Happiness

732. Salmos 138:6.

God’s Views of the Lowly and of the Proud

733. Salmos 138:8.

God’s Care of his People

734. Salmos 139:1

Omnipresence and Omniscience of God

735. Salmos 139:17.

A Christian’s Delight in God

736. Salmos 139:23.

The Difficulty of knowing our own State

737. Salmos 142:7.

Liberty desired

738. Salmos 143:2.

A strict Award of Justice deprecated

739. Salmos 143:7.

God a Refuge to the Distressed

740. Salmos 144:15.

The Blessedness of the Righteous

741. Salmos 145:1.

Praise to God for his Goodness and his Mercy

742. Salmos 145:8.

The Goodness of God to Man

743. Salmos 145:18.

God’s Readiness to answer Prayer

744. Salmos 146:5.

The Blessedness of trusting in God

745. Salmos 146:7.

The Extent of Christ’s Compassion

746. Salmos 147:5.

The Power and Wisdom of God

747. Salmos 147:11.

God’s Regard for the least of his Saints

748. Salmos 147:12.

Temporal Mercies a Ground of Praise

749. Salmos 148:14.

God’s People near unto him

750. Salmos 149:2.

Joy in Christ

751. Salmos 149:4.

Duty of praising God for his Goodness

752. Salmos 150:6.

The Duty of praising God