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I. DAVID'S BRIEF PETITION. "Look Thou upon me."

1. His own eyes had failed him (ver. 123).

2. Man's eye had misjudged him (ver. 134).

3. He knew that God's eye perceives what His servant needs.

4. He leaves all with God.

5. God's look will be a sign of Divine favour.

6. God's look would prepare him for future obedience.

II. DAVID'S HUMBLE CONFESSION. "Be merciful unto me."

1. His prayer grew out of this confession.

2. By this petition he evidently sought forgiveness.

3. Upon this ground alone he sought for the blessing he desired.

III. DAVID'S TACIT PROFESSION. "As Thou usest to do," etc. David hardly dares to say that he does love God's Name, but he does practically say it by praying that God will treat him as He treats those who do love His Name. Some of those who love God best are not the loudest in proclaiming their love. The true child of God does love His Lord's Name. This includes —

1. The person of God.

2. The character of God.

3. God's revelation.

4. The glory of God.

IV. DAVID'S GRACIOUS ASPIRATION.

1. He would be dealt with as saints have always been dealt with. Well, you know what He used to do to those who loved His Name; He used to come and visit them. For instance, there were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These all had visits from the Lord, as did Moses, when God was in the burning bush. God not only used to visit those who loved His Name, but He used to instruct them What teachings they had from Him! What revelations and manifestations of Himself! Lord, teach me as Thou usest to teach those who loved Thy Name! How patient also He was with them! They had many faults and failings, and they grieved His Holy Spirit; but He forgave them, and went on teaching them; and when they fell and wandered from Him, He restored them, and brought them back again. Then you know the Lord was always faithful to those who loved His Name. When He made them a promise, He always kept it. But notice this also, the Lord used to whip them when they needed it; those who loved His Name were chastened. Asaph said, "All the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning." Well, suppose you should have the same treatment, you can thank God that He is doing to you as He used to do to those who loved His Name.

2. I think also that, when using these words, David meant that he was quite willing that God should deal with him in His usual way, in His regular order. He did not want to have some special railway thrown up for him, in which he could ride first-class to glory; but he was willing to go the old way, the way the holy prophets went, and the saints, and martyrs, and confessors of God; that is to say, he did not want salvation without holiness, he did not want justification without sanctification, he did not want pardon without regeneration.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

WEB: Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.