Psalm 14:7
“Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”
We know not on what occasion this Psalm was written, but there are two things which render it pre-eminently worthy of our attention.
The one is, that, with very little alteration, it is repeated in another Psalm, Psalm 53.
The other is, that a very considerable part of it is cited by the Apostle Paul, not for the mere purpose of illustrating any point, but for establishing that doctrine which lies at the very foundation of Christianity, the universal and total depravity of human nature. Compare verses 1-3 with Romans 3:10-19.
The Psalmist has evidently been reflecting on the extreme wickedness of the human heart, in that men, for the purpose of following their evil ways without fear, would banish God himself from the universe! verse 1; and, by impious derision, drive out all regard for piety from the world! verse 6.
Being oppressed, and overwhelmed, as it were, with this painful contemplation, he breaks forth into this devout rapture, “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”
We may conceive him in these words looking forward, not only to the times of the Messiah, but to the Messiah himself, who is frequently designated by the name of Savior, Isaiah 62:11 with Isaiah 45:21-22, and who in New Testament, under that character, comes forth out of Zion, Romans 11:26, and is an object of desire to all nations Haggai 2:7.” But, perhaps, it is rather “salvation” itself that is here spoken of, and which the Psalmist contemplates.
I. Salvation, as an object of desire.
And truly so it is,
1. To the world at large.
View the state of the world, especially as it is described in the Psalm before us—how inexpressibly awful! And how fully is this description verified in all around us!
Respecting the heathen world, we are willing enough to acknowledge the truth of the accusation; but, respecting the professing Christian world, we are ready to conceive of it as exaggerated and false. But Paul quotes these very expressions to prove the wickedness of all mankind; and the smallest measure of candid observation will confirm all that he has spoken.
Say, then, whether salvation is not needed; and whether the Psalmist’s wish should not be the most ardent desire of our souls, “O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!” The Gospel brings precisely such a salvation as men’s necessities require; and happy would it be, if its blessings were proclaimed to the utmost ends of the earth!
2. To every heavy-laden sinner.
Are any of you convinced of your sinful and undone state? Consider the remedy provided for you. O how precious should it be to your souls! How infinitely dearer to you than thousands of silver and gold! As great as your guilt undoubtedly is, it may all be washed away in the Redeemer’s blood; and as deeply-rooted as your corruptions are, they may all be rooted out by the operation of his holy Spirit on your souls. Reconciliation is made through the blood of the cross; so that God, from being your enemy—is ready to become your Father and your friend! And, if only you embrace the salvation offered to you in the Gospel, all the glory of Heaven shall be yours! Cherish, then, this holy desire; and, in reference to your own souls in particular, be constantly saying, “O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!”
Realizing in his mind the object of his desire, the Psalmist proceeds to view,
II. Salvation, as actually attained.
Salvation has been effected by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Already salvation has produced great joy in the world.
To a great extent has the captivity of God’s spiritual Israel been turned. Thousands and millions, both of Jews and Gentiles, have been delivered from the power of Satan, by whom they were once led captive at his will. And what joy the deliverance occasioned, we well know.
On the day of Pentecost. not less than three thousand, who had been pricked to the heart with a sense of sin, were, by the glad tidings of the Gospel, enabled to eat their bread with gladness and singleness of heart, blessing and praising God. And to this hour do all who hear the joyful sound experience the same holy feeling in their souls. Tell me, you who have ever been released from the bonds of sin and Satan—have you not been constrained to say, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior?”
Yes, in every place where the Gospel comes, and in every bosom where it is received, “the oil of joy is given in the stead of mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
But what joy will it not excite, when salvation shall prevail to its full extent?
There is a period yet future, when the Gospel shall be conveyed to all nations, and “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Then shall the dominion of Satan be altogether broken, and the whole race of mankind be brought to “serve the living God.” What joy shall prevail over the face of the whole earth! Truly the descriptions given of it by the Psalmist will fall infinitely short of the reality, Psalm 98:1-9; for Heaven itself will then appear to have come down upon the earth, Revelation 21:2-4, and all the glorified saints to have descended to swell the chorus of the redeemed! Revelation 20:4.
From hence,
1. We learn what conversion is.
Whatever mystical representations are given of it, it is simply this, “a turning of us from the captivity” of sin and Satan, and bringing us “into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” This it was for which the Savior came into the world; and this it is which he effects, in all who are partakers of his salvation. Let any say whether it is not a proper object of desire, or whether a captive soul can ever desire it too much.
2. We learn that salvation should be our great aim in life.
The deliverance, to whoever it is given, is only gradual, “the flesh will yet lust against the Spirit, as well as the Spirit against the flesh; so that, to the last hour of our lives, we shall not be able to do all that we could wish, Galatians 5:17.” Even the Apostle Paul, after having served the Lord for twenty years—yet was constrained to cry, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me! Romans 7:24.” To grow in grace should be the daily object of our ambition; and to “put off the old man, and put on the new,” should be the one labor of our souls; nor should we ever cease from this labor, until we have attained the full measure of the stature of Christ.
3. We learn that salvation should endear the thoughts of death to us.
Death will break all our chains, and set us at perfect liberty. While here, we still are complaining that “we are tied and bound with the chain of our sins.” But no complaint shall ever be heard in Heaven. There we shall be “pure, as Christ is pure;” and “perfect, as our Father who is in Heaven is perfect.” Let us learn, then, to look on death as a friend, and to number it among our richest treasures, 1 Corinthians 3:22. That it is disarmed of its sting, is no small part of our present joy; and that it shall translate us into the immediate presence of our God, is sufficient to make us pant for its arrival, “desiring to depart and to be with Christ, as far better” than the happiest lot that can be enjoyed on earth! Philippians 1:23.
Charles Simeon