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1. It is a special stay to the troubled heart, to consider how it hath striven to be at peace.

(1)  It calleth to mind the strife betwixt the flesh and the spirit, which argueth that God hath a portion there.

(2)  It showeth our desire of well-doing which must needs be the work of grace.

(3)  It daunteth Satan our adversary, depriving him of hope to prevail.

(4)  It administereth us hope, that we shall stand even in the strongest temptations.

2. The right and thorough meditation of God's punishments upon us for sin, and our striving to profit thereby, hath always hope of the issue.

(1)  Because it taketh away all those refuges which naturally we flee unto, as friends, wit, riches, strength, etc., and forceth us to fly unto God.

(2)  The Lord respecteth, and is ready to help the broken and contrite hearted (Isaiah 66:2).

3. All our care in peace and in affliction must be how to gather to ourselves a certain hope that God will be merciful unto us.

(1)  Because we have more need of it then of all things else.

(2)  Satan will labour more to deprive us of it than of anything else.

4. It is our duty to hope for God's favourable hand to rid us out of any trouble that we are in, though it continue and increase upon us, and no means of redress appear.

(1)  Because God afflicteth us not to east us off, but to amend us and try us.

(2)  He useth so to deliver His servants.

5. The consideration of God's heavy rod upon us in this life giveth us hope to find favour for the life to come.

(1)  God chastiseth those whom He receiveth.

(2)  It is a token of bastardy to be without correction.

(3)  The whole life of the godly hath been continual affliction

(J. Udall.)

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KJV: I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.

WEB: I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.