The Remembrance of Past Mercies an Inducement to Present Confidence in God
C. Bradley, M. A. Psalm 63:7-8 Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings will I rejoice.… This psalm is not one of complaint or sorrow, nor of settled joy, but of the transition from the one to the other. David has just recovered his confidence in God, and feeling assured that his soul will soon find rest and confidence in Him. Believers, now, are often in this state of mind, in this transition state. Oh, let us see to it that we go forward, as David did, and not backward into deeper gloom; for this is possible: we may sink down as well as rise. That we may rise, note how David acted in such case. I. HE STATES A FACT — "Thou hast been my help." And surely we can say this; indeed, we must say it, for the Lord has been our help. When in our sin, He became our Saviour, and by His Holy Spirit turned us to Himself. We have had other helpers, but none such as He. And every true believer recognizes this. Others practically regard themselves as their own real helpers, not God. II. A RESOLUTION FOUNDED ON THE FACT. "Because... therefore in the shadow of," etc. "The shadow of Thy wings" signifies the parental protection of God, His watchfulness, love and tenderness. The whole sentence expresses — 1. The most assured safety in God. As the chickens deem themselves safe while under the wing of the mother-bird, so are God's people safe under His protection. And not only safe from danger, but hidden from it: it cannot find them. 2. A determination in the psalmist to fly to God for safety. When he says he will rejoice in the shadow of God's wings, he plainly intimates that he will betake himself there (Psalm 57:1; Psalm 143:9). We are not to look for God's mercy without seeking it. "The name of God is a strong tower," but "the righteous" will, must, "run into it," would he be "safe." The everlasting wings are spread out for us, we must run and keep beneath them would we be safe. 3. An anticipation of pleasure and joy in God's protection. "I will rejoice," not merely be safe, but be happy. He is not going to a shelter he is driven to, but to a home he loves. These two ideas of safety and comfort in God are ever kept together in David's mind (Psalm 23:4; Psalm 90:l). And — 4. This resolution is grounded on the fact the psalmist set out with. "Because Thou hast been," etc. It is a poor use to make of God's mercies to get only a present comfort from them; the memory of them ought to be treasured up for use in future trials. III. THE EARNESTNESS WITH WHICH THE PSALMIST CARRIES HIS RESOLUTION INTO EFFECT. "My soul followeth hard after Thee." In affliction we are apt to be languid and wanting in all energy, It seems to say, "If I am to have comfort, the Lord must come and bring it to me, I cannot turn to Him and seek it." But how different David's thought. Oh, let us rouse ourselves, determine to use a holy violence with ourselves when we are in affliction. What we want is such an enjoyment of God as will leave us neither time nor inclination to dwell upon our troubles. Let all remember, there is rest and happiness in God, and especially for every penitent contrite soul. (C. Bradley, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. WEB: For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.