Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 119:65

Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. The expression, "according to thy word, "is so often repeated in this psalm, that we are apt to overlook it, or to give it only the general meaning of "because of thy promise." But in reality it implies much more. Had God dealt "well" with David according to man's idea? If so, what mean such expressions as these "O forsake me not utterly, "(Psalms 119:8) "I am a stranger in the earth, "(Psalms 119:19) "My soul cleaveth unto the dust, "(Psalms 119:25) "My soul melteth for heaviness, " (Psalms 119:28) "Turn away my reproach which I fear, " (Psalms 119:39) "The proud have had me greatly in derision, " (Psalms 119:51) "Horror hath taken hold upon me" (Psalms 119:53)?

In view of such passages as these, can it be said that God "dealt well" with David, according to man's idea? David's experience was one of very great and very varied trial. There is not a phase of our feelings in sorrow which does not find ample expression in his psalms. And yet he says, "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, according to thy word."

How, then, are we to interpret the expression, so often repeated here, in accordance with the facts of David's spiritual life?

God dealt well with him "according to his word, "in the sense of dealing with him according to what his word explained was the true good not delivering him from all trial, but sending him such trial as he specially required. He felt truly that God had dealt well with him when he could say (Psalms 119:67), "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word." Again, (Psalms 119:71), "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes." Such dealing was hard for flesh and blood to bear, but it was indeed "well, "in the sense of accomplishing most blessed results.

It was "according to his word" too, in the sense of being in accordance with his revealed manner of dealing with his people, who are chastened for their profit.

Again, God had "dealt well" with David according to his word or covenant; the present fulfilment (even if in itself bitter) being a sure earnest of his final perfecting of his work, and glorifying himself in the entire fulfilment of his word, in the completed salvation of his servant.

According to thy word, O Lord, thou hast dealt well with thy servant. Thy word is the light and lamp that shows things in their true aspect, and teaches us to know that all things work together for good to thy people; that thou doest all things well. "Open thou mine eyes, O Lord, that I may see wondrous things out of thy law." What can be more wonderful than such views to our eyes?

According to thy word: not only "because of thy promise, "but in such a manner and measure as thy word declares. See how such an understanding of the expression opens out the idea of "Be merciful to me according to thy word" (Psalms 119:58). All the sweet promises and declarations of God's infinite mercy rise before us, and make it a vast request. Again, "Quicken thou me, "and "strengthen thou me according to thy word" up to the full measure of what thou hast promised and provided for thy people. See the fulness in this view, of Psalms 119:76, "Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word." Again, Psalms 119:169, "Give me understanding according to thy word"; Psalms 119:170, "Deliver me according to thy word." In each of these we are led to feel that the request includes the thought of all that the word teaches on the subject.

Let our prayer then for mercy, and strength, and comfort, and understanding, and deliverance, ever be a prayer for these, in the full measure in which they are revealed and promised in the word of God. Mary B.M. Duncan (1825-1865), in "Under the Shadow."

HINTS TO PREACHERS.

Outlines Upon Keywords of the Psalm, By Pastor C. A. Davis.

Verse 65-72. The Lord's dealings. Gratefully acknowledged (Psalms 119:65), and their instructiveness still desired (Psalms 119:66), even affliction from him is "good" (Psalms 119:67-68), and with its beneficial result is preferred to the prosperity of the wicked (Psalms 119:69-72).

HINTS TO PREACHERS.