MERCY AND TRUTH

Today we catch further glimpses of God’s mercy in this precious psalm, this time by linking a general promise, v. 10, with a personal appeal, v. 16. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies”, v. 10. By “the paths of the Lord”, David means the path along which the Lord is willing to lead His people. He had just written, “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way”, v. 9. Meekness implies a readiness to be led by the Lord, to be dependent on and sensitive to His guidance in daily life. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake”, Psa. 23. 3. Those who tread those paths will experience both mercy and truth at God’s hands, proving Him to be both kind and trustworthy in His dealings with them. They will be those who “keep his covenant and his testimonies”, fulfilling His requirements and obeying His Word. These are abiding principles, as relevant for us as they were for David. He knew these things to be true from his own experience as well as from his observation of others. Verses 12-14 strike a similar note.

But as in so many of his psalms, David was writing under severe adversity. He felt the need of the personal enjoyment of these blessings. So his general reflections give way to renewed longing: “Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net”, v. 15. It is good to cultivate a heavenward gaze, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith … at the right hand of the throne of God”, Heb. 12. 2. Then comes the urgent appeal, “Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted”, v. 16. David’s boldness here is born of troubles and distress, v. 17, affliction and pain, v. 18, and the cruel hatred of his enemies, v. 19.

He cries to the almighty God of the universe: “Turn thee unto me”, v. 16. He feels neglected and vulnerable, as though God were “busy elsewhere” in the hour of his acute distress. David longed for a consciousness of the Lord’s nearness.

Prosperity rarely creates such longings. “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word”, Psa. 119. 67. Let us remember that He is never far away.

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”, Heb. 13. 5.