Psalms 103:9 - Homilies By S. Conway

He will not always chide.

This psalm is full of the recital of things to be thankful for, and of expectation that we be thankful. Amongst these things, this fact declared in our text is one. And—

I. WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL THAT IT IS ONLY CHIDING , not something worse. God is speaking to his own children, not to the world of the ungodly. These latter he is angry with every day, and sternly punishes, and if they repent not he will destroy them. But though God chide his children, there is not the severity, nor the lack of alleviation, nor the endlessness and hopelessness, which characterize his dealings with hardened and ungodly men.

II. THAT THERE IS SUCH CHIDING . "For what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" ( Hebrews 12:7 ). If God did not make sin full of smart and pain, we should be sure to go back to it again. But when the world sees that there is no partiality with God, that his own children have to suffer even as, and often far more than, others when they do wrong, this tends to beget a holy fear. Yes; blessed be God for our chiding!

III. THAT EVEN THIS WILL HAVE AN END . When we repent of our sin, when God's purpose is fulfilled, when we enter heaven. "Therefore humble yourselves," etc.—S.C.