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I. DAVID'S EXPERIENCE. "Thou hast been my help."

1. This implies his necessity. First, as having much work. Secondly, as having many enemies. Thirdly, as having but little strength. Those which are in these circumstances have need of help to be administered unto them. And this is the case and condition of all Christians.

(1) They have much work, a great deal of business to be despatched by them, which they are not able very well to run through of themselves. Take the meanest Christian that is, and in the lowest rank and order amongst men, yet he has work enough to do if it be but to save his own soul, to live soberly, and righteously, and godly in this present world. But if he be anything higher, then it is so much the more; in the family as a master, or in the church as a minister, or as a magistrate in the commonwealth. Here, now, the greater occasions and opportunities that there are of doing good, the greater is the work itself, and the more need of help in it.

(2) They have many enemies. These two they do usually and commonly go together. Much work to be done, and many enemies to oppose themselves against it (1 Corinthians 16:9).

(3) They have but little strength, or, indeed none at all.

2. He hath help afforded him by God Himself.

(1) He is a strong helper.

(2) He is a ready helper. He is a God at hand, and not a God afar off, aa the Scripture often expresses Him. When trouble is near, He is near too; which is a matter of very great comfort and encouragement to all those that depend upon Him.

(3) He is the only help also. There's none can help without Him, nor, indeed, none besides Him. The improvement of this point to ourselves, in a way of application, comes to this purpose —

1. As a word of comfort and consolation to the people of God in all those difficulties and distresses which they are surrounded and encompassed withal; that they have such an One as this to help them, and to relieve them, and to be assistant unto them.

2. We may make use of this point also in a way of excitement, and that to a threefold performance, which is very rationally consequent hereupon.

(1) If God help us, let us then also help Him.

(2) If God help us, let us then also help ourselves.

(3) If God help us, let us then also help one another.

II. THE IMPROVEMENT OF THIS EXPERIENCE.

1. David's purpose or resolution, which he takes up to himself.

(1) By the shadow of God's wings we are especially to understand His providence and fatherly protection; and we find mention of it often in Scripture (Psalm 17:18; Psalms 57:1; 36:7). It is an expression of safety. Look, as the chickens are safe while they are under the wings of the hen, even so are God's people safe while they are under His providence and protection; and there is nothing which is such a defence and safeguard and security to them as this indeed is. Those which are kept by Him, they are kept safely, neither shall they need anything to fear in the days of evil and trouble which are upon them. It is an expression of secrecy. The wing hides and conceals those which are kept under it; as it preserves them from danger, so it likewise keeps them from discovery. Thus does likewise this wing of God (Psalm 91:4; Psalm 17:8; Psalm 31:20; Jeremiah 36:28). It is an expression of tenderness and singular affection (Deuteronomy 32:11, 12).

(2) While he says that herein he will rejoice, there are these things implied in it, as considerable and pertinent unto it. Recourse unto them. Complacency and contentment in this condition. Thanksgiving and outward expression.

2. The occasion or ground of his resolution; and that is, the experience of God's former goodness to him. This is signified in the connection of these latter words with the former, because, therefore; because Thou hast been my help hitherto, therefore will I rejoice in Thy protection for time to come. Here's the force of David's reasoning; and the reason it holds good upon a twofold consideration. First, in a way of confidence. Secondly, in a way of acknowledgment. I will trust in Thee, and still wait upon Thee in a way of dependence. And again, "Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice." That is, I will publish this protection which I have from Thee in a way of thankfulness. According to the first notion so there is this in it, that good Christians do improve former experiences to future dependence. According to the second notion, so there is this in it, that good Christians, where they do receive mercies from God, will be there careful to acknowledge and to be thankful for them.

(T. Horton, D. D.)

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KJV: Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

WEB: For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.