Psalms 119:49-56 - Homilies By S. Conway

Songs in the night.

The comfort of God in time of trial is the theme of this section. As to these songs, we are told—

I. GOD GIVES THEM . ( Psalms 119:49 .) The Word which it is prayed the Lord would remember is God's own Word; and it is told what that Word has done—"caused me to hope." This God's Word ever does.

II. THEY ARE OUR COMFORT IN AFFLICTION . ( Psalms 119:50 .) And what a number of these precious words there are! There is no conceivable stress of soul which is not thought of and provided for by some fit and sure word of the comfort of God.

III. THEY HOLD US FAST IN THE RIGHT WAY . ( Psalms 119:51 .) To be held up to scorn and derision is more than most can bear; they give way, yield, and swerve beneath its pitiless power; but not so he to whom the comfort of God is known. The sense of his approval, the gleam of the crown of life, the anticipation of his "well done." and of the joy of the Lord, hold fast the heart, and steady the wavering will. It has ever been so, and will ever be so.

IV. THEY BRING TO MEMORY THE VERDICT OF GOD . ( Psalms 119:52 .) This:

1. When man ' s verdict has been clearly and cruelly given against us . ( Psalms 119:51 .) They deemed him a miserable fool

2. When thinking of how God will judge them who are now judging him. He can leave them to his tribunal, whence righteous judgment will go forth.

3. When contemplating the high-handed wickedness of those that forsake God ' s Law . ( Psalms 119:58 .) Burning indignation and horror take hold of him at the sight of them, but again the memory of God's judgments has been his comfort. The history of Israel had recorded many such judgments.

V. THEY HAD BRIGHTENED THE WEARY JOURNEY OF THE DAY AND THE DARK HOURS OF NIGHT . ( Psalms 119:54 , Psalms 119:55 .)

"Such songs have power to quiet

The restless pulse of care,

And come like benediction

That follows after prayer.

"And the night shall be filled with music,

And the cares that infest the day

Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,

And as silently steal away."

(H. W. Longfellow.)

VI. BUT ONLY THE FAITHFUL CAN HAVE THESE SONGS . ( Psalms 119:56 .) How true this! The joy of the Lord comes not to the half-hearted and the compromiser and the unfaithful. But to him who keeps God's precepts they do come.—S.C.