“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. “
This is a psalm of thanksgiving for the great deliverances which God had wrought for David. Some believe it was penned upon his recovery from a dangerous fit of sickness or some sin he committed, which might happen to be about the time of the dedication of his house. Whatever the occasion, David expresses thanksgiving and gratefulness for such a mighty deliverance. In verse 5, David has offended God and when we offend Him, He is angry with us for insulting His holiness, as beloved children of His. Notice, God is slow to anger and not soon provoked, so when He is angry, upon our repentance His anger is soon turned away and He is willing to be at peace with us. If weeping endureth for a night, and it be a wearisome night, yet as sure as the light of the morning returns after the darkness of the night, so sure will joy and comfort return in a short time, in due time, to the people of God; for the covenant of grace is as firm as the covenant of the day. This word has often been fulfilled to us in the letter. Weeping has endured for a night, but the grief has been soon over and the grievance gone. Observe, As long as God’s anger continues so long the saints’ weeping continues; but, if that be but for a moment, the affliction is but for a moment, and when the light of God’s countenance is restored the affliction is easily pronounced light and momentary. Our happiness is bound up in God’s favour; if we have that, we have enough, whatever else we want. It is the life of the soul, it is spiritual life, the earnest of life eternal.
Commentaires