Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 119:153

Consider mine affliction. These prayers of David are penned with such heavenly wisdom that they are convenient for the state of the whole church, and every member thereof. The church is the bush that burneth with fire, but cannot be consumed; every member thereof beareth a part of the cross of Christ; they are never without some affliction, for which they have need to pray with David, "Behold mine affliction."

We know that in afflictions it is some comfort to us to have our crosses known to those of whom we are assured that they love us: it mitigates our dolour when they mourn with us, albeit they be not able to help us. But the Christian hath a more solid comfort; to wit, that in all his troubles the Lord beholds him; like a king, rejoicing to see his own servant wrestle with the enemy. He looks on with a merciful eye, pitying the infirmity of his own, when he sees it; and with a powerful hand ready to help them. But because many a time the cloud of our corruption cometh between the Lord and us, and lets us not see his helping hand, nor his loving face looking upon us, we have need to pray at such times with David, "Behold mine affliction." William Cowper.

HINTS TO PREACHERS.

Verses 153-160. Divine consideration besought. "Consider my affliction" (Psalms 119:153); my cause (Psalms 119:154); "for thy mercies' sake" (Psalms 119:156). Consider my persecutors (Psalms 119:157-158), and my love to thy precepts (Psalms 119:160) and act accordingly.

HINTS TO THE PREACHERS.

Ver. 153-159. The two considers. The subjects, the prayers, the arguments.

Ver. 153,154. Here

1. David prays for succour in distress. "Is any afflicted? let him pray"; let him pray as David doth here.

(a) He hath an eye to God's pity, and prays, "Consider mine affliction"; take it unto thy thoughts, and all the circumstances, and sit not by as one unconcerned. God is never unmindful of his people's afflictions, but he will have us to "put him in remembrance" (Isaiah 43:26), to spread our case before him, and then leave it to his compassionate consideration to do in it as in his wisdom he shall think fit, in his own time and way.

(b) He has an eye to God's power, and prays, "Deliver me, " and again, "Deliver me." Consider my troubles and bring me out of them. God has promised deliverance (Psalms 1:15), and we may pray for it with submission to his will, and with regard to his glory, that we may serve him the better.

(c) He has an eye to God's righteousness, and prays, "Plead my cause": be thou my patron and advocate, and take me for thy client. David had a just cause, but his adversaries were many and mighty, and he was in danger of being run down by them: he therefore begs of God to clear his integrity, and silence their false accusations. If God do not plead his people's cause, who will? He is righteous, and they commit themselves to him, and therefore he will do it, and do it effectually: Isaiah 51:22; Jeremiah 1:34.

(d) He has an eye to God's grace, and prays, "Quicken me."

Lord, I am weak, and unable to bear my troubles; my spirit is apt to droop and sink: Oh, that thou wouldst revive and comfort me, till the deliverance is wrought!

2. He pleads his dependence upon the word of God, and his devotedness to his conduct. "Quicken" and "deliver me according to thy word" of promise; "for I do not forget thy precepts." The closer we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we may have of deliverance in due time. M. Henry.