Psalm 42:8 Yet the LORD will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me… I. THE CARRIAGE OF GOD TO DAVID. 1. The nature of it. (1) Lovingkindness. There is a common end ordinary kindness which God shows to all sorts of men, upon whom He causes His sun to shine and His rain to fall: but He is peculiar in His favours towards His people, and bears special lovingkindness to them of all others besides (Psalm 25:10). Now, this peculiar lovingkindness is that which David here speaks of (Ephesians 1:4, 5). This is the kindness and love of God our Saviour, which does in time appear unto us, as it is (Titus 3:4). And all other kindnesses besides flow from this first kindness to us, whether spiritual or temporal; this is the common and general spring and fountain and source of all the rest. David in his present condition of distress was now in the depths; "deep calleth unto deep," etc. But yet he does promise to himself an experience of God's favour: "Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness," etc.; that is, He will do somewhat which may help me in this my affliction, as a fruit of His lovingkindness towards me. We should be careful to have good thoughts of God in the worst conditions that can happen unto us, and be well persuaded of His favour towards us, as well as we can; not to say, when any evil befalls us, it will always be thus, it will never be otherwise. No, but there will a change come, when God sees fitting and most expedient for us. God hath a spring of lovingkindness in Him, and this it will stream itself forth in answerable expressions from:Him, and that suitable to our occasions, and the conditions in which we are. If we be such as belong to Him, we may assure ourselves of so much from Him, and He will not be wanting to us in it; He never fails those that wait upon Him. (2) By "His song" we may understand those comfortable expressions of God's lovingkindness to David's soul which caused him even to sing for joy (Psalm 32:7; Acts 16:25). It is a thing which cannot be expressed, the great comfort which the people of God find and feel oftentimes from Him at such times as the world looks upon them as in a miserable condition, while He does secretly whisper to their souls many sweet and gracious intimations. (a) His acceptance of their persons, and of that favour in which they are with Him (Daniel 9:23). (b) His observations of their condition and the affliction under which they are; He does hint, also, that unto them (Exodus 3:7). (c) Hope of freedom and deliverance. 2. The conveyance of it. (1) While it is said here that God will command:His lovingkindness, there are divers things which are implied in this expression; but that which seems principally to be intended is, the efficacy of it; He will command it, therefore it shall take effect. (2) The second is, "Shall be with me"; which does denote the promptness and readiness of it at hand: When trouble is near to afflict, comfort shall then be near to support, and to uphold against trouble (Psalm 46:1). Because God Himself is with us, therefore His songs shall be with us also, as coming from Him. 3. The time and season. "In the daytime, and in the night." These two divide our whole time, day and night, and they do both of them still tender us somewhat of God's goodness; His lovingkindness in the daytime; His song in the night; the one as the time for the performance, the other as the time for considering and meditating upon it. (1) The businesses of the day are commonly of two sorts, our employments and our refreshments, and in either of these do we partake of the lovingkindness of the Lord. (a) First, in our employments, by way of assistance, as He does enable us to the performance of them; and by way of success, as He does give a blessing and efficacy to them. (b) So likewise as to our refreshments, it is He which puts a comfort into them, without which they could not be so refreshing and comfortable unto us. (2) The night is a time of horror and dreadfulness and fear; yea, but then have the servants of God His songs with them; and He refreshes them with gracious intimations when they lie awake in the night. Look, as that is the time wherein conscience is most stirring, so then, also, are there sweetest impartments and communications of the comforts of God to those also who have communion with Him. II. THE CARRIAGE OF DAVID TO GOD. "My prayer unto the God of my life." 1. A duty. David knows that God will do thus and thus for him, that "He will command His lovingkindness," etc., but yet he will not neglect prayer notwithstanding, but makes use of that as a means which God hath sanctified for the obtaining of favour from Him. God (says he) will do this and this for me, but I will pray to Him for the accomplishment of it. 2. A privilege. David speaks of it here triumphantly, as he did of all the rest, and mentions it as a great relief to him in his present distress. There are two ways in respect whereof prayer is very comfortable, and a very great advantage to God's servants, which make conscience of it: first, in the act and performance; and, secondly, in the issue and effect. (Thomas Herren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. |
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