Rest in the Lord
Or "be silent to the Lord" F16; be still, and know that he
is God; quietly submit to his will, and acquiesce in all the
dispensations of his providence: it does not design a stupid
indolence, or a stoical apathy, that we should be like sticks and
stones, without any concern at the hand of God upon us; nor an
entire silence under afflictions; we should own that they are of
God, and that we are deserving of them; we should pray to him to
sanctify them, to support under them, and deliver out of them; we
should bless his name that they are no worse, and that they are
any ways useful to us; and we should speak to others of the
divine goodness experienced under them; but this stands opposed
to an arraigning or murmuring at the providence of God, and
intends a patient bearing the hand of God, and a resignation of
will to his will; for it follows,
and wait patiently for him:
for the enjoyment of him, help from him, and deliverance by him;
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of
the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass;
this explains the sense of ( Psalms 37:1 ) ; it
being often an additional uneasiness to the people of God under
affliction, when they observe the prosperity of men that go on in
a sinful way, and have all or more than heart can wish; and
whatever they contrive and devise, though wicked and criminal.