---

I. THE PROPOSITION.

1. To take it literally; God's lovingkindness is better than life; that is, than life properly so called, namely, this temporal life which we lead here below.

(1) It Is better than life, by taking life in the perfections and excellencies of it; if there be anything more than ordinarily desirable or commendable in this natural life, Shore is that in the favour of God which does transcend it and go exceedingly beyond it.

(2) It is better than life, by taking life in the imperfections and defects of it; if there be anything wanting in this life, which does fail and come short of our desires, there is that again in the favour of God which does abundantly supply it, and make it up. Now, the improvement of this point by way of application comes to this —

(1) It seems to teach us what we should chiefly look after and pursue. Let us with Mary choose the better part, let us not forsake the better, and give ourselves wholly to the worse.

(2) This gives us a hint of the excellency of a Christian's condition above all other men in the world. All the happiness of others is confined only to this life; it they be miserable here they are the miserablest creatures that are, they have nothing in the earth to sustain them, and uphold them. Yea, it is otherwise now with the children of God, if they should miss of these earthly comforts and their cheerings of this natural life here below; yet they have somewhat better to refresh them, and to keep up their hearts. If their hopes were only in this life, they were of all men most miserable, as the apostle speaks. But now this is their comfort, that they have hope of better than life, even of the favour and lovingkindness of God. God's favour is better than life, because it brings us to a better life. It is better than life temporal, because it brings us to life eternal (2 Corinthians 5:1).

2. We may also take it in the moral, according to that which it implies and holds forth to us; and that is this, That God's favour is better than all. The lovingkindness of the Lord is the greatest happiness and advantage of a Christian. And here again, for our further explication and enlargement of this truth in hand, we must know, that by God's lovingkindness we may understand two things especially: either first of all, the affection; or secondly, the expression of the affection, either as it is immanent in Himself, or else as it is transient upon us. You know that in parents and friends there are both of these considerable. There is the favour in the thing itself; and there is the breathings of this favour in regard of outward manifestation of it towards the person whom it is fastened upon. Now, both of these from God to a Christian are exceeding beneficial and comfortable; God's favour, as ye may take it for His love; and God's favour, as ye may take it for His embracements and love expressed. Now, the application of all to ourselves will run out in a fourfold question. How shall we know whether we have it? How shall we get it if we want it? How shall we keep it when we have it? How shall we recover it when we have lost it?

1. How shall we know whether we have it? This is known divers ways.

(1)  By His countenance. God looks otherwise upon us, as Jacob to his wives about Laban (Genesis 31:5).

(2)  By His presence and communion. Can two walk together and not be agreed? God converses with those which are His favourites (Genesis 17:22). Talked with Abraham. And so with Moses (Exodus 33:11).

(3)  By His love-tokens and sprinklings of favour. The hidden manna (Revelation 2:17). The earnest of the spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22), etc.

2. How shall we get it if we want it?

(1)  By labouring to be acquainted with those which are about Him. Thus men get to be acquainted with great ones.

(2)  Circumspect carriage and behaviour, walking exactly (Ephesians 5:15).

(3)  Industry and diligence in a man's place.

(4)  Study the temper and disposition of Him whom we seek to.

3. How shall we keep it when we have it?

(1)  By universal compliance; indulge no one lust whatsoever.

(2)  By sobriety and humility of enjoyment, not proud and lifted up.

(3)  By shunning of all occasions of offence.

4. How shall we recover it when we have lost it?

(1)  By an ingenious acknowledgment of our miscarriages past.

(2)  By doing our first works (Revelation 2:5).

(3)  By double diligence and zealousness for time to come.

II. THE INFERENCE. "My lips shall praise Thee." When it is said here his lips, we must not take it exclusively, his lips and nothing else; but effectively, his praise should break forth at his lips; this he promised. As where the inward man is rightly qualified, it will show itself in the outward. The connection seems to be double; either referring to the former verse, "Early will I seek Thee, because Thy lovingkindness is better," etc. And so here's an account of his importunity. Or else referring it to the latter, "My lips shall praise Thee, because Thy lovingkindness is," etc, And in this latter we now take it. David praises God for the excellency of His lovingkindness. First, what it was in itself, in its own nature, considered in God Him. self; God is to be praised for that which He is (Psalm 92:12). Secondly, for what he was to David; because I do enjoy this lovingkindness of Thine, which is better than life. David did not bless God only for a notion, but for an experiment, and the sense of God's love to Himself. And here now comes in the second notion of God's lovingkindness in the expression of it. First, out of a principle of joy which is communicated and full of diffusion. Secondly, out of a principle of love, as desiring to make others which were his brethren sensible of the same favour. Thirdly, out of a principle of thankfulness and ingenuity. Here's the difference betwixt the saints and the world. The world thinks the favour of God not worth the observing; God's people do much rejoice in it, and bless Him for it.

(T. Horton, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

WEB: Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.