Psalm 109:21 But do you for me, O GOD the Lord, for your name's sake: because your mercy is good, deliver you me. I. GENERAL REMARKS. 1. The petition may be considered as addressed with equal propriety to each of the Persons in the Godhead, who are the joint objects of religious worship, possessed of the same adorable perfections, and equally concerned in carrying on the work, and conveying the blessings of salvation. 2. Though the good man may and should pray for others, yet he is and ought to be principally concerned for himself. "Do Thou for me"; for my body, for my soul, especially the latter. Begin Thy work there in conviction and conversion, carry it on in progressive sanctification, and perfect it in eternal glory. "Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation." 3. The good man desires that what God does may be for him, and not against him; that He would deal by him as a friend, and not as an enemy. 4. When we desire that God should "do for us," it is proper that we should leave the way and manner entirely to Him. II. WHAT IS IMPLIED. 1. Do that for me which I cannot do for myself. Reduce my wandering heart, direct my feeble steps, teach me both the way in which Thou walkest towards me, and the way in which I ought to walk toward Thee, the way of duty and of peace. 2. Do that for me which no one else either can or will do. They cannot restore case to a distempered body, nor comfort to a discontented mind; cannot reprieve one moment from the demands of death, nor disarm it of its terrors. 3. Do that for me which Thou knowest to be necessary, and without which I must be undone for ever. 4. Do all that for me which Thou hast appointed and promised, and whereby Thou mayest be glorified. In all our prayers it becomes us to have an eye to (1) The Divine appointments: for if our petitions do not refer to them, and are not regulated by them, they are not likely to meet with acceptance, nor to procure a blessing. (2) The Divine promises. (3) The Divine glory. III. IMPROVEMENT. 1. The prayer of the psalmist will apply not only to a state of prosperity, but adversity; not only to God's merciful dispensations, but also to those which are afflictive. "Do Thou for me," in wounding as well as healing, in casting down as well as lifting up. 2. The petition is suitable for those who have most to do for God, or their fellow-creatures; such as magistrates, ministers, masters of families and others. There are also peculiar seasons to which it is especially suited; when our path is intricate, and our work difficult, either in the morning of the Sabbath, or in the near approach of death. 3. It is likewise necessary at all seasons, and for all sorts of persons. (B. Beddome, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. |
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