In the multitude of my thoughts within me
The word for thoughts is used of branches of trees, thick and
entwined, and so denotes perplexed and distressing thoughts; such
as good men sometimes have concerning God; his awful and
tremendous majesty; the perfections of his nature, particularly
his power, purity, and holiness; concerning their relation to
him, his presence with them, and good will towards them, which,
because of their sins, they are ready to doubt of: thoughts
concerning sin; that there are no sins like theirs, attended with
such aggravated circumstances; that they are such as will not be
forgiven; or they fear their corruptions will be too many for
them, and they shall perish by them; or that they shall so fall
as to bring dishonour on the ways of God; and sometimes that they
have sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost: thoughts concerning
the law of God their sins are a violation of, of the holiness and
spirituality of it; by comparing themselves with which, they find
they are very deficient, and very carnal; and ready to fear that
all the curses of it belong to them, and the condemnation of it
will light upon them: thoughts concerning Christ, the Saviour;
that he is the Saviour of others, but not of them; that he is
able to save, but they cannot think he is willing to save such
vile sinners as they are: thoughts concerning the work of the
Spirit of God upon them; calling it in question, fearing it was
never begun, because of the power and prevalence of sin and
corruption in them: thoughts concerning their present and future
state; how it is with them now, and how it will be with them
hereafter; how they shall pass through the troubles and
difficulties of this world, and pass over Jordan's river, or get
through the valley of the shadow of death; and how they shall
appear before the judgment seat of God; and how things will be
with them to all eternity: these are some of the perplexing and
distressing thoughts, a multitude of which rise up at times in
the minds of God's people, who yet are favoured with the same
gracious experience the psalmist was, expressed as follows:
thy comforts delight my soul;
such as flow from the love of God, is shed abroad in the heart;
from the presence of God enjoyed; from the exceeding great and
precious promises of the Gospel; from Christ, and the things of
Christ, shown, brought home, and applied by the Spirit; his
person, offices, fulness, righteousness, blood, and sacrifice;
all which are a fund of divine consolation to a distressed mind:
these are the consolations of God, of which he is the provider,
author, and giver, and therefore called "the God of all comfort";
they come from Christ, the "consolation of Israel", and by the
Spirit the Comforter, who sheds abroad the love of God in the
heart; reveals Christ, and the things of Christ; opens and
applies the promises; wherefore these comforts are called the
"comforts of the Holy Ghost"; and they are usually enjoyed by
means of the word and ordinances, which are "breasts of
consolation"; and these are not small, but strong, and even
everlasting, and which "delight the soul"; worldly comforts may
delight the animal part, and please the senses, but not delight
the soul, especially a wounded spirit, a distressed mind; but
these will satiate the weary soul, and replenish the sorrowful
soul with a joy unspeakable, and full of glory: the psalmist may
here represent the church in the latter day, when in the midst of
her troubles, and having many distressing thoughts concerning the
issue of things; the comforts of God, from his promises, will
delight her; ( Psalms 94:14
Psalms
94:15 ) , that he will not cast off his people, nor forsake
his inheritance; but judgment shall return to righteousness; that
he will keep her in the hour of temptation, and avenge the blood
of her slain.