Psalms 39:12. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry;
See how David’s "prayer" grows into a "cry." It deepens in intensity; there is more power in a cry than in an ordinary prayer, it shows more earnestness, and implies greater urgency: "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry."
Psalms 39:12. Hold not thy peace at my tears:
That is a still more powerful mode of pleading. Tears are the irresistible weapons of weakness. Women, children, beggars, and sinners can all conquer by tears: when they can win by nothing else, if they will take to these pearly drops, and especially if they can look through them to the crimson drops of a Saviour’s blood, they can win what they will of God:
"Hold not thy peace at my tears."
Psalms 39:12. For I am a stranger with thee,
The believer is a stranger in this world, just as God is. The Lord made the world, but the world does not know its Maker, and it does not know his people.
"Tis no surprising thing, That we should be unknown:
The Jewish world knew not their King,
God’s everlasting Son."
"I am a stranger," not to thee, but "with thee, a stranger even as thou art." There is another very beautiful meaning to this expression. You know how the Orientals exercise hospitality to strangers; when they once take them into their tent, they supply them liberally, and treat them honourably. "I am a stranger with thee: "I am a poor alien who has come into God’s house to tarry for a while with him. I have eaten of his salt, I have cast myself upon his protection, so he will certainly take care of me: "I am a stranger with thee."
Psalms 39:12. And a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
"They did not remain here. My fathers used this world merely as an inn, at which they stayed for a night; in the morning, they hurried on to the city that hath foundations, on the other side of Jordan, -
"To the islands of the Blessed,
To the land of the Hereafter,"
where the saints dwell for ever with their Lord.
Psalms 39:12. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry;
See how David’s "prayer" grows into a "cry." It deepens in intensity; there is more power in a cry than in an ordinary prayer, it shows more earnestness, and implies greater urgency: "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry."
Psalms 39:12. Hold not thy peace at my tears:
That is a still more powerful mode of pleading. Tears are the irresistible weapons of weakness. Women, children, beggars, and sinners can all conquer by tears: when they can win by nothing else, if they will take to these pearly drops, and especially if they can look through them to the crimson drops of a Saviour’s blood, they can win what they will of God:
"Hold not thy peace at my tears."
Psalms 39:12. For I am a stranger with thee,
The believer is a stranger in this world, just as God is. The Lord made the world, but the world does not know its Maker, and it does not know his people.
"Tis no surprising thing, That we should be unknown:
The Jewish world knew not their King,
God’s everlasting Son."
"I am a stranger," not to thee, but "with thee, a stranger even as thou art." There is another very beautiful meaning to this expression. You know how the Orientals exercise hospitality to strangers; when they once take them into their tent, they supply them liberally, and treat them honourably. "I am a stranger with thee: "I am a poor alien who has come into God’s house to tarry for a while with him. I have eaten of his salt, I have cast myself upon his protection, so he will certainly take care of me: "I am a stranger with thee."
Psalms 39:12. And a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
"They did not remain here. My fathers used this world merely as an inn, at which they stayed for a night; in the morning, they hurried on to the city that hath foundations, on the other side of Jordan, -
"To the islands of the Blessed,
To the land of the Hereafter,"
where the saints dwell for ever with their Lord.