GRATEFUL RECOLLECTIONS

Psalm 34:6

“This poor man cried; and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles!”

It is of great advantage to have transmitted to us the experience of God’s saints; because in them we see exhibited, as it were, before our eyes, what we ourselves are authorized to expect. David, in this Psalm, records his deliverance from the hands of Achish, king of Gath; who, there was every reason to fear, would have either put him to death or delivered him into the hands of Saul, if God had not mercifully interposed to prevent it. As for the means which David had recourse to, in order to deceive Achish, I am not prepared either to justify or condemn them, 1 Samuel 21:13-15. To feign himself to be insane before Achish, was surely a very humiliating measure. But, whether it was strictly correct or not, God was pleased to make use of it for the deliverance of his faithful servant from the danger to which, by fleeing to Gath, he had exposed himself; and David, in this Psalm, commemorates this gracious interposition, and records it for the benefit of the Church in all future ages.

Let us consider the text,

I. As a grateful acknowledgment.

It is not necessary to confine our attention to the immediate occasion of the words, since David uses nearly the same expression in reference to mercies received during the rebellion of Absalom, Psalm 3:3-4 with the title of that Psalm.

Throughout the whole of his life, David received marvelous mercies at the hands of God.

His temporal deliverances were great on numberless occasions, from the persecutions of Saul; the assaults of enemies; and the rebellion of Absalom; but from all his troubles God had saved him; and for this salvation he did well to offer to God his most grateful acknowledgments, 2 Samuel 22:1-7.

But what shall I say of the spiritual mercies given to him? These were beyond measure great, inasmuch as his terrors were sometimes of the most overwhelming nature, Psalm 6:1-6; Psalm 40:12; Psalm 42:7; and his sins, of almost unparalleled enormity Psalm 25:11. But from all of these had God delivered him, in answer to his prayers; and for these merciful interpositions he most humbly and most thankfully adores his God, Psalm 40:1-3.

And have not we also innumerable mercies, both temporal and spiritual, to acknowledge?

True, in respect of temporal afflictions, none of us can bear any comparison with him. But still there are few of us who have not experienced some deliverances; and there is not one who has not reason to bless God, with all possible ardor, for his forbearance, at least, if not also for his pardoning love! Let us call to mind the various interpositions of our God in times of sickness, or trouble, or danger. But more especially, it ever we have cried to God under a sense of our sins, and an apprehension of God’s wrath, and have obtained mercy at his hands, what thanks should we also render to him for such marvelous mercies! Methinks if we do not call upon all that is within us to bless his holy name, “the very stones will cry out against us.”

But David intended these words to be considered, also,

II. As an instructive record.

The whole preceding part of the Psalm shows that it was written by him with this view. “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles! Psalm 34:1-6.”

Behold, then, how plainly it instructs us:

1. That there are no troubles so great, but God is able to deliver us from them.

Neither our temporal nor our spiritual troubles can well exceed those of David; yet, if he was saved from his troubles, why may not we be saved from ours? “Has God’s ear become heavy, that it cannot hear; or is his hand shortened, that he cannot save? Isaiah 59:1.” We must on no account limit either the power or the mercy of our God; but “be strong in faith, giving glory to his name, Romans 4:20.”

2. That there are no troubles so great, but God will deliver us from them in answer to our prayers.

Who ever heard of any instance wherein God said to a man, “Seek my face in vain?” Jonah was heard from the bottom of the sea; and David, as it were, from the very gates of Hell. Manasseh, too, was heard, and accepted, after all his great and aggravated crimes! 2 Chronicles 33:12-13. Let none, then, despond, whatever his trouble may be, or whatever his guilt may be; but let all be assured, that if their faith be only as a grain of mustard-seed, it shall prevail, to the casting of all the mountains, whether of difficulty, or of sin, into the very depths of the sea! Matthew 17:20.

3. That answers to prayer, so far from puffing up a man with pride, will invariably humble and abase him.

Who is it that here designates himself by this humiliating appellation, “This poor man?” It is David, “the man after God’s own heart.” But did not God’s mercies to him puff him up? Quite the reverse. He never was more humble than when most honored by his God. And so it was with Jacob in the Old Testament, Genesis 32:10-11; and with the Apostle Paul in the New. If ever there was a man more highly honored than others, it was the Apostle Paul; yet he still continued to account himself “less than the least of all saints, Ephesians 3:8,” yes, and as “the very chief of sinners, 1 Timothy 1:15.” Just so will divine grace operate on us also. People imagine, that if we profess to have received special answers to prayer, and to have obtained the forgiveness of our sins, we must, of necessity, be elated with pride. But the very reverse of this was the effect produced on the minds of Job, and of the prophet Isaiah, who only loathed themselves the more in proportion as they were honored by their God, Job 42:5-6 and Isaiah 6:5; and thus it will be with every real saint; he will account himself “poor” even to his dying hour, and will be ever ready to “prefer others in honor before himself, Romans 12:10. Philippians 2:3.”

If, then, this retrospective view of God’s mercies is so sweet on earth, then:

1. What must it be the very instant we arrive at the gates of Heaven!

At the moment of our departure from the body, we shall have a complete view of all God’s dealings with us, whether in his providence or grace. And if here our partial views of these things fill us with such joy and gratitude—then what will a full discovery of them do? As to any undue elevation of mind, on account of the mercies given to us, it will produce a directly contrary effect; for all the glorified saints cast their crowns at the Savior’s feet, and prostrate themselves before him, and sound no other name than his! Revelation 5:8-10.

And there they will have their salvation altogether complete! No further “trouble” to all eternity will they experience; for “all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes forever! Revelation 7:14-17.” Oh! look forward to that day with holy delight; and let the foretastes of it, which you here enjoy, stimulate your exertions to honor God, and to obtain a fitness for the blessedness that awaits you.

2. How earnest should you be in commending to others the Redeemer who saved you!

The Psalmist sets the example for you, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:16-20.” Thus must you do also.

Do not be content to go to Heaven alone. Tell to those around you the efficacy of prayer; and extol the Savior, as “able to save to the uttermost, all who come unto God by him.” Thus will you fulfill the design of David in transmitting his experience to future ages; while you confirm his testimony, by your acknowledgment that God is still as gracious as ever, and an unchangeable Friend to all who come to him in his Son’s name

Charles Simeon