Psalm 119:75 I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me. I. THE TRUTHS DECLARED. 1. In all the afflictive events of life, we are to recognize, not only a directing and an overruling Providence in general, but also the application of its provisions and dispensations to individuals. 2. All God's providential dispensations, not excepting the most painful ones, are in accordance with perfect rectitude. 3. The dispensations of Providence in application to those whom God designs to bless, are the operations of Divine love. II. THE CERTAINTY EXPRESSED. We know also that God's judgments are right, and that His afflictive dispensations are but the awful visitations of love. But how? 1. From the Bible. The doctrine that there is a comprehensive, minute, all-wise Providence, and that all providential dispensations towards the people of God, however afflictive, are expressions of faithful love, and in close connection and harmony with the "designs of the Cross of Christ, is conveyed in every part of the Word of God. 2. From the revealed character of God. He is just, and wise, and good. It is our bliss to be assured of this. To His natural perfections of eternity, intelligence, power, and immensity is added every moral attribute in infinite perfection. What He is in Himself, that He is in His doings. III. THE STATE OF MIND MANIFESTED. 1. Here is expressed a proper sense of the nature, in themselves, of the painful events which befall us. They are viewed as "judgments," and felt to be afflictions. 2. Here is manifested the absence of all disposition to murmur, repine, and rebel against the appointments of God. The language indicates a heart, as well as a tongue, free from hard thoughts of God. 3. This language is expressive of the deepest submission to the will of God. 4. Here is expressed confidence in God, that some gracious design is comprehended in His painful visitations, and that they will terminate in some merciful result. It is faith ascending her watch tower, putting herself in the posture of expectation, and looking out for the blessing, though she does not know from what quarter, at what time, or in what form the blessing will come, yet still believing it will come. (J. A. James.) Parallel Verses KJV: I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.WEB: Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. |
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