Salmos 74

Horae Homileticae de Charles Simeon

Salmos 74:22

22 Levanta-te, ó Deus, e defende a tua causa; lembra-te de como os insensatos zombam de ti sem cessar.

DISCOURSE: 628
GOD’S INTEREST IN HIS PEOPLE

Salmos 74:22. Arise, O God! plead thine own cause.

NO one can have ever heard or read the account given us of Abraham’s intercession for Sodom, without being struck with the condescension of God in suffering a poor sinful worm so to urge his requests as to make every fresh concession an occasion of still larger demands. Yet, methinks, the petition offered in my text is incomparably more bold than perhaps any other that was ever offered by fallen man.
In unfolding this petition, I will shew you,

I. That there is an identity of interests between God and his people—

This the psalm before us clearly proves—
[Great was the distress of God’s people at the time it was written: they appear to have been forsaken of their God, and delivered over into the hands of their enemies. But the writer speaks, throughout the psalm, as if their cause was God’s; and calls upon God to take it up altogether as his own: “O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this Mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt [Note: ver. 1, 2.]!” “Have respect unto the Covenant [Note: ver. 20.].” “Arise, O God! plead thine own cause.” Who would imagine that this is the address of a sinner imploring mercy for himself and for his people? Yet such it is: and this clearly proves that God considers his people’s cause as his own, and their interests as identified with his.]

The whole Scriptures also speak to the same effect—
[When the people murmured against Moses, he warned them that their murmuring was not against him, but against God himself [Note: Êxodo 16:8.]. When the people of Israel desired to have no longer a judge, like Samuel, but a king, like other nations around them, Samuel told them, that it was not him that they had rejected, but God [Note: 1 Samuel 8:7.]. The Prophet Zechariah confirms this, in terms peculiarly strong and energetic, when he represents God as saying to his oppressed people, “He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye [Note: Zacarias 2:8.].” Our blessed Lord and Saviour speaks to the same effect; and so identifies himself with his people, that, whether they be benefited or injured, he considers it as done to himself. Is any poor servant of his clothed or fed or visited, Christ says, “In doing it to him, ye did it to me [Note: Mateus 25:40.].” On the other hand, is any one of them oppressed, Christ feels the stroke as inflicted on himself: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me [Note: Atos 9:4.]?”]

This being clear, I proceed to shew,

II.

Whence this identity arises—

It arises,

1. From the relation in which they stand to God—

[In the psalm before us this is strongly marked. The Jewish nation being “his sheep,” “his congregation,” “his inheritance,” was a reason why he should consider “their cause as his own.” The whole people of Israel were accounted by God as “his portion and inheritance,” and the more religious part of them as “his peculiar treasure” and “his jewels.” Yea, he accounted himself as their Father, and them as his children. Now, is there a parent in the universe who, if his child were injured, would not account the injury as done to himself? We wonder not, then, that God should regard his children’s cause as identified with his own.]

2. From the union which subsists between them and the Lord Jesus Christ—

[They have been “bought with the precious blood of Christ,” who therefore considers them as “his own [Note: 1 Coríntios 6:20.].” And how near their union with him is, may be seen by the images under which it is described. He is “the foundation” on which they stand [Note: 1 Pedro 2:4.], and consequently one with the superstructure built upon him. He is “the Husband” of his Church, and therefore one with his spouse [Note: Efésios 5:32.]. But the union is far closer than this: for “He is the vine, and they are the branches,” vitally united to him, and deriving all their sap and nourishment from him [Note: João 15:4.]. But neither does that come up to the full idea of our union with him: for “we are members of his body, even of his flesh and of his bones [Note: Efésios 5:30.],” yea, and are also “one Spirit with him [Note: 1 Coríntios 6:17.],” he being “the very life that liveth in us [Note: Colossenses 3:4 and Gálatas 2:20.].” In fact, there is no union with which it can be compared, but that which exists between the Father and Christ [Note: João 17:21.]: and hence St. Paul calls the collective members of his body by the very name of Christ: “As the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ [Note: 1 Coríntios 12:12.];” that is, so also is the Church of Christ, which is so identified with him, that it may well bear his very name. How can it be, then, but that he should make our cause his own?]

3. From the connexion which there is between their prosperity and his glory—

[When God threatened to extirpate Israel for their heinous provocations, Moses urged on God the consideration of his own glory, which would suffer, if that threat were carried into execution [Note: Êxodo 32:11.Números 14:13.]. On the other hand, God’s honour is represented as greatly advanced by their welfare. If they flourish as “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord [Note: Isaías 61:3.],” and “bring forth much fruit, God is glorified [Note: João 15:8.].” Hence, in the book of Psalms, this consideration is urged with earnest importunity as a plea for speedy and effectual relief: “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; and deliver us, and purge away our sins for thy name’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God [Note: Salmos 79:9.]?” In a word, as children by their conduct may reflect either honour or disgrace upon their parents according as that conduct may deserve, so God himself participates in the honour or disgrace of his people; “being blasphemed,” when they violate their duty [Note: Romanos 2:4.]; and lauded, when they approve themselves faithful in the discharge of it [Note: 1 Pedro 4:14.]

This point being clear, let us consider,

III.

The use which we should make of it in our addresses at the throne of grace—

We should plead with God precisely as the Psalmist does in the words of our text. Whatever be the pressure under which we labour, whether it be from men or devils, we shall do well in offering up this prayer, “Arise, O God, and plead thine own cause.”
[Let us suppose a person bowed down with a sense of sin, and an apprehension of God’s heavy displeasure: Is that a case wherein this plea may be urged? Yes, assuredly; for so it was urged by the Church of old, in language peculiarly strong, and, I had almost said, presumptuous: “We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake; do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us [Note: Jeremias 14:20.].” Precisely thus, however, may we also address the Father of mercies: for he has covenanted to receive all who come to him humbly in his Son’s name; and if he should cast out one, he would violate his covenant, and “disgrace the throne of his glory” — — — In like manner, if we are suffering under persecution, we may come to God in this very manner, and entreat him to plead his own cause: “Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight thou against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help: draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation ….. This thou hast seen, O Lord; keep not silence: O Lord, be not thou far from me! Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God, and my Lord [Note: Salmos 35:1; Salmos 35:22.].” There can be no situation whatever, where this plea is not proper; nor any in winch it shall not prevail, if it be offered in humility and faith — — —]

1. A word of caution, however, may not be unseasonable—

[It may be supposed, that, whilst we thus consider God as engaged to help us, we are at liberty to sit down in sloth and inactivity. But God will help those only who endeavour, as far as they are able, to help themselves. Hence, when the Church of old cried to him, “Awake, awake, O arm of the Lord! awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old!” he replied, “Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem!” and again, “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion [Note: Isaías 51:9; Isaías 51:17; Isaías 52:1.]!” The paralytic, notwithstanding his impotence, endeavoured to put forth his arm; and in that effort he was healed [Note: Mateus 12:13.]. And so also shall it be with us: let us labour to the uttermost to maintain our own cause, and God will then both make it his own, and plead it for us — — —]

2. A word of encouragement, at all events, must not be omitted—

[If God make our cause his own, what have we to fear? for “who can be against us, if He be for us?” Let our Saviour’s consolations in the depth of all his troubles be applied by you for the comfort of your own souls: “The Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old us a garment; the moth shall eat them up [Note: Isaías 50:7.].” Rely on God thus, and all will be well: for of “those who thus trust in God, not one shall ever be confounded.”]

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