Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 119:58

We may learn how a seeker may come to enjoy saving favour, by a careful study of

1. The Profession: "I intreated thy favour with my whole heart."

(a) What he did: "I intreated." Heb. "I painfully sought thy face." Earnest desire. Importunate supplication.

Painful sorrow for sin.

(b) How he did it: "With my whole heart." The intellect, affections, will, all engaged and concentrating effort.

Otherwise, seeking is solemn trifling. This only worthy of our purpose, pleasing to God, and successful.

(c) The evidence that we are doing it. Frequent prayer, searching the word, often enquiring. The first and main business Giving up for Christ.

2. The Petition: "Be merciful unto me."

(a) God's favour to be expected on the terms of mercy only.

(b) Happily, this is a prayer every sinner can and should use.

(c) Blessedly true it is, that it never fails.

3. The Plea: "According to thy word."

(a) A plea that cannot be gainsaid is a great thing in an entreaty.

(b) The promise of God is just such a plea.

(c) Seek it out, lay hold of it, and urge it. J.F.

Psalms 119:59*