Psalms 106:4-5 - Homilies By S. Conway

A holy aspiration.

It is threefold (see Psalms 106:5 ), and it is preceded by earnest prayer for that grace of God which, in the psalmist's belief, was indispensable for its fulfilment.

I. THE ASPIRATION .

1 . " That I may see the good of thy chosen. " He regards God's people as the subject of a Divine choice; as, indeed, they are. There were many others who, to human eyes, seemed more worthy and more likely to bring glory to God. But God had chosen them. And he had appointed "good" for them. Good outwardly, in the possession of the promised land; good inwardly, in the possession of God's Holy Spirit and the Divine Law written on their hearts; good instrumentally, in the blessed influence they should exert on others (cf. Psalms 67:1-7 .). And all this abiding evermore. And this he craved to see; that is, to share in. It is a good desire.

2 . " That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation. " He believed Israel to be God's nation; as, indeed, the true Israel of God are. And he believed that the mark of their life was gladness. In their best days Israel was a glad people ( Psalms 144:15 ). And the Israelite, indeed, is ever a happy man. We are made for gladness—the ways of the Lord lead surely to it; but men do not believe this. Nevertheless, these "ways are ways of pleasantness," etc. ( Proverbs 3:17 ). And in this gladness the psalmist would share.

3 . " That I may glory with thine inheritance. " Note, again, the title given to the people of God. They will glory in God himself, for he is their "exceeding joy;" in what he has done for them, in them, through them. What themes for glorying there are in all this! "Worthy is the Lamb," etc. ( Revelation 5:12 ). Now, this holy aspiration is preceded by Psalms 106:4 .

II. THE PRAYER for what is needed for its fulfilment. He prays:

1 . " Remember me, O Lord, with, " etc. What a humble prayer it is! as if he feared he might be overlooked and forgotten, and felt that he deserved to be. And what a holy prayer! And it is one that has never yet been refused.

2 . " Visit me, " etc. He would that God would have compassion on him, and actually bring him his salvation.—S.C.