Psalm 14:6
“You evildoers frustrate the counsel of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.”
One would imagine that true religion, as brought into lively and habitual exercise, should commend itself to all; it is so reasonable a service, that one would suppose none could find fault with it. Yet, never has it been maintained by anyone since the first introduction of sin into the world, without provoking hostility from those who were not under its dominion.
As for David, he suffered for it through all the reign of Saul, and through a great part also of his own reign; for, though a king, he was an object of derision to all the scoffers in the land. Of this he complains in the Psalm before us; for though it is probable that Absalom was the great instigator of the present evils, the people, too, readily sided with him, and exulted in the thought, that this despised monarch would now be destroyed.
The Psalm, though primarily applicable to that occasion, was really, as Paul tells us, of a general import. See verses 2-3 with Romans 3:10-12. And therefore, taking the text in that view, I will explain, and vindicate, the counsel that is here referred to.
I. Explain the text.
The people designated as “the poor,” are the Lord’s people generally.
It is certain that the great mass of the Lord’s people are taken from the lower walks of life. There are “not many rich, not many mighty, not many noble, called.” In the days of our Lord, it was “not the Scribes and Pharisees that believed on him,” but the poor. who were deemed accursed, John 7:49. “The common people heard him gladly, Mark 12:37.”
But the name is given to the Lord’s people principally because they are “poor in spirit, Isaiah 14:32; Isaiah 29:19. Zephaniah 3:12,” feeling their utter destitution of everything really good; just as a person in the state of Lazarus feels his lack of all the comforts of life. In this sense the name is given to them in a great variety of passages; and throughout the whole world they answer to the character contained in it.
They invariably “make the Lord their refuge”.
They feel their lost and undone state; and in themselves they find no remedy. But in Christ they see a fullness and sufficiency, even for the very chief of sinners. They look into the Scriptures, and see the “counsel” given them, to “look to him,” and to “flee to him;” and this counsel they both follow themselves, and give to all around them. They determine, both for themselves and for others, to “know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified!”
But this conduct exposes them to much obloquy. I will therefore proceed to,
II. Vindicate the text.
In “frustrating the plans of the poor,” the ungodly will pretend to reason with them.
They will deride their plans as unnecessary; since there is no occasion for them to feel any such alarm about their souls. They reprobate it as presumptuous; for, can they suppose that God should pay such peculiar regard to them, to accept them, sanctify them, save them—when all the rest of the world are perishing in their sins? They pour contempt upon it as ineffectual; for to think of setting aside all good works in point of dependence for salvation, can be no other than a desperate delusion Such are the arguments with which the ungodly will endeavor to shame the poor out of their confidence in God.
But we will defend their counsel against all these unjust aspersions.
Their counsel is not unnecessary; for there is not a creature in the universe that can be saved in any other way.
Their counsel is not presumptuous. What presumption is there in believing God’s promises, and in obeying his commands, and especially that command of coming to Christ and relying on him alone for salvation, 1 John 3:23.
Their counsel is not ineffectual; for there never was, nor ever shall be—one soul left to perish, that sought for mercy solely and entirely by faith in Christ. The cities of refuge afforded a safe asylum to him who fled from the avenger of blood. Just so, whatever have been the sins of the believing penitent, “he shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end, Isaiah 45:17.”
Address,
1. The despisers.
We need not go far to find people of this character. In fact, those who do not follow it, despise this counsel—even though they should never cast any particular reproach on those who adopt it. But, I beg permission to ask, what counsel will you give? Shall it be, to despise all religion? or to rest in outward forms? Or to say, “Lord, Lord, while you do not the things which he says?” You may boldly maintain this counsel now; but will you do it in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment? Know, assuredly, that you will be ashamed of it then, whether you be now, or not.
But that is the only wise counsel which will be accepted by God, and issue in your everlasting salvation. All else is but to “make lies your refuge, and to hide yourselves under falsehood, Isaiah 28:15;” or, in other words, to “build on a foundation of sand, that will fall,” and crush you under its ruins.
2. The despised.
What harm has it done you hitherto, that you have been despised by an ungodly world? Only seek your happiness in God, and you need not mind what man shall say concerning you. Man’s judgment is but for “a day, 1 Corinthians 4:3—whereas God’s judgment will be forever. The Prophets, the Apostles, and our Lord Jesus Christ—were they approved by men? On the contrary, was there anything too bad for men to say concerning them? Be content, then, to be “partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when he shall appear, you may be glad also with exceeding joy! 1 Peter 4:13.” In truth, to be despised for righteousness’ sake is your highest honor, 1 Peter 4:14. Acts 5:41, and shall surely issue in your more exalted happiness! Romans 8:17.
Charles Simeon