HINTS TO PREACHERS

HINTS TO PREACHERS

Verses 2, 3.—I. Fears are common to all men, at one time or another. II. Improper and inefficacious means of removing fear are often resorted to. III. There is here suggested a true and effectual method of removing fear.—Robert Morrison (1782-1834), in “A Parting Memorial.”

Verse 3.—“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Whensoever we are afraid of any evil, we are still to put our trust in God. I. What is it to put our trust in God? 1. To keep our hearts from desponding or sinking down under any fears. 2. To comfort ourselves in God. 3. To expect deliverance from him. II. What is there in God we ought to put our trust in? 1. In his promises. 2. In his properties. His power, wisdom, justice, mercy, all-sufficiency. III. Why should we in all our fears put our trust in God? 1. Because there is none else can secure us from our fears. Whereas, 2. There are no fears but God can secure us from them, either by removing the thing feared, or by subduing the fear of the thing.—Bishop Beveridge.

Verse 3.—I. There is fear without trust. II. There is trust without fear. III. There is fear and trust united.—G. R.

Verse 7.—I. From iniquity there is an escape. II. By iniquity there is no escape. The mercy of God secures the one. The justice of God prevents the other.—G. R.

Verse 8.—Here are—I. Manifold mercies, to reclaim from wanderings. II. Tender mercies, putting tears in a bottle. III. Covenant mercies, “Are they not,” etc.—G. R.

Verse 9.—I. God is on the side of his people. II. He is known to be on their side. III. In answer to prayer he appears on their side. IV. When he appears enemies flee. Or—I. The fact, God is for me. II. The knowledge of that fact—“This I know.” III. The use of that knowledge—“When I cry,” etc. IV. The consequence of that use—“Mine enemies turn back.”—G. R.

Verse 10.—I. “I will praise God for his word.” II. In his word, as he is there revealed. III. By his word. “Thou hast put a song,” etc.

Verse 12.—Here is—I. Past dedication. II. Present consecration. III. Future glorification.—G. R.

Verses 12, 13.—You have here—I. The commemoration of former mercies: “Thou hast delivered.” II. The confidence of future: “Wilt not thou.” III. The end of all: “To walk before God in the light of the living.”—Stephen Charnock.

Verse 13.—I. The language of Gratitude—“Thou hast,” etc. II. Of Faith—“Wilt not thou,” etc. III. Of Hope—“That I may walk,” etc.—G. R.