Psalm 71:15
“My mouth shall tell of your righteousness and your salvation all the day, though their number is past my knowledge!”
Perhaps, of all mankind, no one person ever experienced more signal deliverances than David. In his early life he was exposed to the most imminent dangers from Saul. During his whole reign he was engaged in almost one continual scene of warfare; and in his old age, his own son Absalom conspired against him, and sought his life. It was on this last occasion that he penned this Psalm; and gave it to the church, as a memorial of God’s unbounded mercy and faithfulness towards him.
The spirit which he breathes in the words before us shows,
I. What the subjects of our daily contemplation should be.
We, like David, have numberless mercies to acknowledge at God’s hands. Could we but see one half of the deliverances we have received, we would be perfectly overwhelmed with wonder and astonishment. From our youth up, even to the present moment, his care of us has been unintermitted, and his interpositions truly wonderful. But still greater has been His care for our souls. Behold the blessings of “salvation” which He has revealed to us; truly their number surpasses knowledge! Behold, I say,
1. How inestimable are our numberless mercies!
Who can ever declare the value of pardon or peace, or holiness or eternal glory? Go down to the dread abodes of Hell—and see the misery of unpardoned sin! Or go up to the regions of bliss in Heaven—and see the joys that are at God’s right hand for evermore! Or ponder the state of God’s redeemed people here on earth—and contrast the liberty enjoyed by His children, with the bondage endured by the slaves of Satan! Then you will see what unspeakable obligations we owe to God for his electing, redeeming and regenerating grace!
2. How incalculable is the price paid for our numberless mercies!
“You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God! 1 Peter 1:18-19.” In comparison with this, ten thousand worlds would have been a worthless sacrifice. How inconceivable the cost! Truly, “their number is past our knowledge!” Nor could all the angels in Heaven count the mighty sum!
3. How unsearchable is the grace displayed in our numberless mercies!
All of our numberless mercies are the fruits of God’s Sovereign Grace! And all are bestowed on the very chief of sinners. Yes, all of them are not only unmerited by us, but unsought and unsolicited!
In the first instance, they were given to man when he was risen up in rebellion against his maker; and even still they are conferred on men, “not according to their works, but according to God’s purpose and grace, which he purposed from all eternity in Christ Jesus” our Lord! 2 Timothy 1:9.
Let us, then, consider,
II. What the frame of our minds in relation to our numberless mercies should be?
Our determination should resemble that of David “our mouth should tell of your righteousness and your salvation all the day”.
1. In grateful acknowledgments to God.
It seems really astonishing, that men so indebted to their God should be able to find time for everything, but praise. David in his Psalms, sets us a good example, “I will extol you, my God, O king; and I will bless your name forever and ever! verse 8 with Psalm 145:1-2.” Let us only learn to appreciate the mercies we have received aright, and there will be no bounds to our gratitude, no end to our praise!
2. In affectionate commendations to men.
David desired to make known to others the goodness of his God. In the Psalm just cited, hear how he dilates upon this subject, “I will speak of the glorious honor of your majesty, and of your wondrous works; and men shall speak of the might of your awesome acts; and I will declare your greatness; they shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk of your power; to make known to men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of your kingdom, verse 24 with Psalm 145:5-6; Psalm 145:11-12. See also Psalm 40:9-10.” What other subject of conversation can we ever find so interesting, so useful, so worthy of a rational being, and, above all, so suitable to a redeemed soul?
Behold, then,
1. What glorious subjects have ministers to proclaim!
The apostles “preached to men the unsearchable riches of Christ! Ephesians 3:8.” So filled with this subject was the apostle Paul, that “he determined to know nothing among his people but Jesus Christ, and him crucified! 1 Corinthians 2:2.” This is an utterly inexhaustible subject; in it “are contained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! Colossians 2:3.” O, that every minister would bring it forth to his people! Surely his hearers should soon be enriched; for it cannot be that the Savior should ever be exhibited in vain, and his salvation be offered unto men in vain. But,
2. How unlike David are the generality of professors!
David would think and speak of nothing else but God’s righteousness and salvation; but the generality of men scarcely ever speak or think of it at all. Indeed, this is the one subject which, beyond all others, is, as it were, by universal consent, proscribed; so that we may mix in company for years and scores of years, and never once hear it brought forward in the way that David and the apostles spoke of it. And even Christian men are too little impressed with it, either in their conversations with men, or in their secret addresses at the throne of grace.
Mark the frame of your minds, brethren, from day to day, and see whether you have not reason to blush and be ashamed for the little impression which this subject makes upon your minds. But as for the world at large, if anything under Heaven can show them how far they are from God, methinks they must see it by comparing their experience with that of David in our text.
3. What a resemblance to Heaven is the saint’s life on earth!
Let us suppose a saint resembling David, and uttering from his inmost soul the expressions in my text; and you will immediately be reminded of the heavenly host, who “rest not day and night,” ascribing, without a moment’s intermission, and with all the powers they possess, “Salvation to God and to the Lamb!” take this view, then, of real piety, and seek, my brethren, to begin your Heaven upon earth.
‘Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare!” Psalm 40:5
Charles Simeon