Psalm 88:18 Lover and friend have you put far from me, and my acquaintance into darkness. I. THE HEAVY AFFLICTION WITH WHICH THE PSALMIST WAS VISITED. In the removal of his friends and relatives he had lost — 1. Their company. 2. Their counsel and advice. 3. The sight of their good works and examples. 4. Their prayers. II. THE PSALMIST'S DEVOUT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE HAND OF GOD IN THIS AFFLICTION. 1. He removeth our friends, who hath a right to do it. (1) They were our friends, but they are His creatures; and may He not do what He will with His own? (2) They were our friends; but do we not hope and believe that, by repentance, faith in Christ, and sanctifying grace, they were become His friends too? dear to Him by many indissoluble ties? Hath He not then a superior claim to them, and a greater interest in them? Is it not fit that He should be served first? His knowledge is perfect and unerring: His goodness boundless and never-failing. Application 1. The cause here described is a very pitiable one. Let us weep with them that weep, and pray for them. 2. Let us bless God for the friends we have had, and all the comfort we enjoyed in them. 3. Let us humbly submit to the will of God when He putteth our friends far from us. 4. Let us be careful and diligent to make a due improvement of such afflictions. (1) Let our departed friends still live in our memory, honour and affection. (2) Let us carefully recollect and consider what was excellent and praiseworthy in them, as every good man hath some peculiar, distinguishing excellencies, and let us imitate them. (3) Let us follow them in the path of Christian duty, obedience and zeal; endeavour to supply their lack of service, and be quickened to do so much the more good, because their time and opportunity are ended. (4) Let us particularly learn from their removal to be dead to this world. 5. Let us be thankful for our friends yet living, and faithfully perform our duty to them. 6. Let us make sure of a friend who will never leave us: even the almighty and everlasting God. (Job Orton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. |
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