Psalm 71:20 You, which have showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth. This is a psalm of experience: it begins with trusting and ends with praise, which is the usual ending for such beginning. I. THE FACT RECOGNIZED, that troubles are often sent by God. If David were the author, then he might have remembered the troubles which arose — 1. From Saul's jealousy. See the history, and learn, that advancement in social life is no security against trouble; and that the more we may do for another's good, the greater, oftentimes, shall be the ingratitude we shall receive. 2. From the accusings of conscience. The conscience of a man who is not an habitual sinner! a great source of trouble. 3. From the rebellion of his son. 4. The being forsaken by his friend. 5. The jeers of the ungodly (vers. 10, 11). 6. But the greatest trouble of all was when he thought God had left him. 7. We, today, may know some of all those things. II. THESE TROUBLES ARE ALWAYS SENT FOR A GOOD PURPOSE. To admonish, to purify, etc. III. RIGHTLY RECEIVED THEY SHALL ISSUE IN JOY. (A. F. Barfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. |
    |