Psalm 119:126-128 It is time for you, LORD, to work: for they have made void your law.… At different periods in the world's history, in particular places and with respect to particular acts, transgression has been so common and flagrant, that there has been danger of the law of God being cancelled, and the law of sin everywhere written instead. Such times have needed special interpositions, which are tacitly asked for in the text. I. THE COMPLAINT. To make void God's law is to misinterpret it, to encumber it, to ignore it, to defy its penalties, or to deny its obligation. II. THE APPEAL. They have made void Thy law — "it is time for Thee, Lord, to work." There are three works possible here. The vindication of the law by punishment, the republication of the law, and the restoration of men to obedience. And which of these is the greatest? Punishment causes the law to be honoured in the punished, but not by them. The promulgation of the law puts it forward in work, but not necessarily in deed. The restoration to obedience honours it in spirit and in life. And while a man of God may live in times rendering the promulgation of law needful, and may see punishment desirable, the main desire of his heart will be that God will honour His law in the restoration of men to true obedience. (S. Martin.) Parallel Verses KJV: It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. |
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