The Condemned Prisoner
Psalm 79:11
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you; according to the greatness of your power preserve you those that are appointed to die;


I. OUR SAD AND GLOOMY CONDITION AS FALLEN CREATURES. There are many sorts of prisoners; some are so from debt, some by being taken captive in battle, some for criminal offences. The sinner is all these. He is, as the word may be rendered, a son of death; a criminal, respited, but not pardoned. He is as one waiting for execution. His doom is delayed, but not averted.

II. WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO DELIVERANCE? In the King who can reprieve he sees the adversary whom he has wronged, and the Judge who has appointed him to die. Omnipotent power, injured dignity, and immutable justice are leagued against him. What can the prisoner do?

III. That there is A WAY OF ESCAPE. In the face of every obstacle, deliverance is attainable. In proof of this we may notice —

1. The infinite knowledge of God. "Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee." From whatever depth of guilt and misery you breathe the prayer of a broken and contrite heart, that prayer is heard by a gracious God.

2. The Almighty power on which the plea is founded — "According to the greatness of Thy power." This must be exercised.

(Anon.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

WEB: Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are sentenced to death.




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