Psalm 140:6

EXPOSITION

Verse 6. I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God. Here was David's stay and hope. He was assured that Jehovah was his God, he expressed that assurance, and he expressed it before Jehovah himself. That had need be a good and full assurance which a man dares to lay before the face of the heart searching Lord. The Psalmist when hunted by man, addressed himself to God. Often the less we say to our foes, and the more we say to our best Friend the better it will fare with us: if we say anything, let it be said unto the Lord. David rejoiced in the fact that he had already said that Jehovah was his God: he was content to have committed himself, he had no wish to draw back. The Lord was David's own by deliberate choice, to which he again sets his seal with delight. The wicked reject God, but the righteous receive him as their own, their treasure, their pleasure, their light and delight. Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. Since thou art mine, I pray thee hear my cries. We cannot ask this favour of another man's god, but we may seek it from our own God. The prayers of saints have a voice in them; they are expressive pleadings even when they sound like inarticulate moanings.

The Lord can discern a voice in our waitings, and he can and will hearken thereto. Because he is God he can hear us; because he is our God he will hear us. So long as the Lord doth but hear us we are content: the answer may be according to his own will, but we do entreat to be heard: a soul in distress is grateful to any one who will be kind and patient enough to hearken to its tale, but specially is it thankful for an audience with Jehovah. The more we consider his greatness and our insignificance, his wisdom and our folly, the more shall we be filled with praise when the Lord attends unto our cry.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 6. The voice of my supplications. The one safety for simple and unlearned people when assailed by the crafty arguments of heretics and infidels is not controversy, but prayer, a weapon their adversaries seldom use and cannot understand. --Bruno of Aste, 1123.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 6.

1. The language of assurance.

1. The plea for acceptance in prayer.

Verse 6-7. David comforted himself,

1. In his interest in God: "I said ... thou art my God."
2. In his access to God: he had leave to speak to him, and might expect an answer of peace: "Hear", etc.
3. In the assurance he had of help from God, and happiness in him ( Psalms 140:7 ).
4. In the experience he had formerly of God's care of him: "Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle." --Matthew Henry.

Verse 6-8. Three arguments to be pleaded in a prayer for protection.

1. The believer's covenanted property in God. "I said ... thou art my God."
2. The past mercies of God. "Thou hast covered", etc.
3. The impropriety of the wicked being encouraged in their wickedness, Ps 140:8. --J. F.

Verse 6-12. The Consolations of the Believer in Time of Trouble.

1. What he can say.
2. What he can remember.
3. What he is assured of.

Verse 6-7,12-13. Times of Assault, Slander, and Temptation should be special times of Prayer and Faith. David here makes prominent five things.

1. Possession asserted.
   1. The Possession: "My God." Opposed to idols. Beloved by self.
   2. The Claim published.
   3. The Witness selected. Secret. Sacred. Searching.
   4. The Occasion chosen.
2. Petition presented.
   1. His prayers were frequent.
   2. His prayers were full of meaning.
   3. His prayers were meant for God.
   4. His prayers needed divine attention.
3. Preservation experienced.
   1. God had been his Armour bearer.
   2. God had guarded his most vital part.
   3. God had saved him.
   4. God's strength had been displayed.
4. Protection expected.
   1. God is a righteous Judge.
   2. God is a compassionate Friend.
   3. God is a well known Guardian.
5. Praise predicted.
   1. Praise assured by gratitude.
   2. Praise expressed by words.
   3. Praise implied by confidence.
   4. Praise practised by communion.