Psalm 17

April 5, 2014

Tom Lowe

Psalm 17

Title: Hear a Just Cause, O Lord

A Psalm of David.

Psalm 17 (KJV)

1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.

2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.

3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4 Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.

6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.

7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,

9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly.

11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,

12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O Lord, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,

14 With Your hand from men, O Lord, From men of the world who have their portion in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.

15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Introduction

Psalm 17 is titled, “A Prayer of David.” Three psalms are titled “A Prayer of David (17, 86, 142). The question is, “When was it written?” It seems to be a prayer that came out of his wilderness experience. It probably concerns the time when Saul and his men were almost upon him and came close to taking him. This psalm reveals David’s trust in God, but in the final analysis it speaks primarily of the Lord Jesus Christ. The psalm can also be a prayer for us today when we find ourselves in similar situations of trial, anxiety, or danger. As we study this psalm, keep in mind that we are studying a series of psalms which have the characteristic features of the class designated laments of individuals; included are Psalms 3, 4, 5, and 7. Another group of expositors include this psalm in a group of five identified as “prayers” (17, 86, 90, 102, 142). I don’t think it matters where this psalm is placed, so we will move on.

When we do wrong and suffer for it, our own conscience tells us our punishment is just. But it is another story when our suffering is unrelated to anything we have done! This kind of suffering—the “suffering for righteousness sake,” as Peter calls it—is a perennial puzzle to the Child of God. David knew his share of it. But he also knew what to do about it. He took his case to the Righteous Judge. There he was confident of a fair trial. The psalmist is petitioning God for deliverance from enemies who menace his life (vv. 10-12). They have made charges against him (vv. 1-2), of which he vigorously protests his innocence. It is not clear what the charges were, but from verses 4 and 5 it appears that he was accused of committing some act or acts tantamount to the crime of robbery or violence. His last court of appeal is God. In the temple (v. 8) he pleads for vindication. We are not told how the answer was communicated, but it may be safe to assume that it came through divine revelation given by a prophet of God. The lament ends in the usual way for such psalms, on a note of confidence.

At times, David’s defense seems like it is coming from a man on a giant ego trip. He loudly declares his righteousness, integrity, and obedience. It almost sounds like he has reached a state of sinless perfection. But this is really not the case at all. David is not claiming guiltlessness in all areas of his life, but simply in the present circumstances. He is saying that he did not do anything to provoke the current hostility of his foes.

Commentary

1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.

The psalmist was used to praying; prayer for him was like breathing, something he couldn’t keep from doing, so it was not his distress and danger that brought him to do his duty. His current dangerous situation was only one part of his prayed, which included bold statements of his confidence in the Lord’s faithfulness, strength, lovingkindness, guidance, and care. This is a prayer of David—probably when he is being pursued by Saul—and his life is in danger. This prayer comes from the heart, and he says what he is really thinking. There will be no “put on” in it; He is not going to speak with “deceitful lips.” In other words, there will be no insincerity in what he is saying. This is the first indispensable condition of real prayer—a good conscience. We cannot hope to get anywhere with God if we come to Him “tongue in cheek,” as it were, simply putting on a show. He knows us too well. The Bible says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” If we come to God with unconfessed sin in our heart or with the deliberate intention of doing something contrary to His mind and will, we might as well save our breath.

David begins his prayer with an appeal (v.1) and a petition (v. 2). The urgency of his need is seen in his threefold petition, Hear, Attend to my cry, Give ear. This prayer was not a silent one; it is a loud cry and a fervent prayer. Through it the right or a “just cause” will be set forth, for he speaks with lips free of deceit. False accusations have been made against him by his enemies and he is bringing his cause before the Lord for His decision, because his truthfulness has been challenged. He saw God as a righteous judge who would give him a fair trial. King Saul and his leaders believed and circulated all kinds of lies about David, but the Lord and David knew the truth. David asked God to hear his plea, examine his life, and declare his integrity by giving him victory over the forces of Saul. Then everyone would know that God was with David, the man He has chosen to be Israel’s king. God knew that David’s prayer was sincere, and that his life, though not sinless, was blameless.

The word for “cry” denotes a shrill, piercing cry that rends the night like when an animal falls prey to a predator. His cry is only for justice from the One who knows his innocence. Dear reader, perhaps you’re like me; I must ask Him for mercy, not justice, because I am a sinner saved by grace; justice would only condemn me.

2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.

He is willing for the Lord to inspect his life and pass judgment, because he believes he will be exonerated and reckoned righteous by the Lord’s discoveries. His prayer is that God would vindicate him from the false charges made against him. I don’t know about you, but I am not asking God for justice; what I need is mercy. What most of us need from Him is mercy. “Let my vindication come from Your presence”—Thy Tribunal.

“Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright (just and right)” expresses both David’s confidence that he is innocent of all charges and that God’s judgment would exonerate him. What a comfort it is to appeal from the accusations of men to the judgment bar of God. Even if there has been unwise behavior, God will judge our intentions and motives.

3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

In verses 3-5, David continues to declare his innocence and call on God to grant his petition. “You have tested my heart” . . . “tested me, and have found” no wickedness in me. Also, “You have visited me in the night,” when the soul is especially open to divine scrutiny (see Ps. 16:7){1]. Let the search be extremely thorough; the psalmist is sure of a favorable result, for “my mouth has not transgressed” (that is, by false witness or oath or worship) any command of thine. The word for “transgress” literally means “to pass beyond.” This is probably the most common sin of the tongue—to say more than was meant, more than was wise, more than was necessary. David was accused of wanting to take Saul’s life, but he is so far for doing such a despicable act that he will not even say a word against him, therefore he could say, “my mouth has not transgressed.”

It is interesting to note that when the Lord tested David, he did find something and, when he tested me He also found something. I have a notion that when He tested you, he found something also. These words must first of all be applied to Christ. He is the only one in which there is nothing sinful.

When the psalmist speaks in verse 1, of the prayer that did not go out of “deceitful lips” it is a perfect picture of our perfect Lord. Peter said this about the Lord, “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth" (1 Pe. 2:22). Peter goes on to say about Him, “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pe. 2:23).

The word “tried” literally means “proved.” His character was most rigidly tested, at all times, and by all methods, affliction etc.

The Lord Jesus is the only one who could ever have prayed such words as these. He opens up His life for inspection. He says, “Look at my life from all angles and exonerate me,” even the thoughts that came to Him in the dead of night, when so often we find our thoughts and desires wandering off down forbidden paths. There are those who say that Jesus could have sinned and He was tempted by Satan to see if He would. Nonsense! In his incarnation Jesus assumed everything that was essentially human, but He relinquished nothing that was essentially divine. God cannot sin. Jesus went through temptation—through fires and furnaces hotter than anything we could have faced—to prove it. He was sinless! He was pure!

4 Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.

“The works of men”—sinful practices.

The “destroyer” is none other than Satan. Because of his presence in the world, every child of God should be alert. David was in enemy territory, and he was aware of that when he was hiding from Saul. And we are in enemy territory—the earth is Satan’s bailiwick. To the church in Pergamos the Lord said, “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is . . .” (Rev. 2:13). I don’t know where you live today, but some of us think Satan’s throne is very close to Laurens, South Carolina. Our Lord didn’t fall into Satan’s trap, as we often do. The destroyer is thought by some to refer to Saul and his men who are at this very time seeking David with the intention of killing him.

“By the word of Your lips” indicates that Your blessed Word and its rules, provisions, promises, and threatenings, which by deep and frequent meditation I have hid in my heart, is the best antidote for sin and temptation. No matter what Saul and his men had said about him, David was able to affirm to the Lord that he had not spoken evil of the king. In fact, on at least two occasions, David could have slain Saul, but he refused to lay hands on God’s chosen and anointed leader. Saul would have killed David (v. 9, “deadly enemies”), but David obeyed the Word of the Lord and kept himself from violence. Though he was a fugitive in the wilderness, David walked on the paths of the Lord and obeyed God’s Law.

5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.

David seems to open his inner being to the scrutiny and testing of God. He is in the Temple, and through the night he waits before his God, who explores the heart. He prays, and waits, and listens for God to speak; You “uphold my steps in Your paths” (We might say, “You keep me on the straight and narrow.”). He has obeyed God’s Word and that has kept him from going down the same path that evil men have walked. “That my footsteps may not slip” indicates that he has been able to stay consistently on the right path—I haven’t resorted to violence against my enemies even though I had plenty of opportunities to do so. David’s declaration of righteousness was not evidence of pride or hypocrisy but of faithfulness to the Lord in difficult situations. What was it that kept David from a slip that might cause him to fall off the right path? He was able to proceed and persevere in the ways of God through prayer which brought daily fresh supplies of grace and strength from Him.

6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.

David knew that God heard him. “I have called upon You”; it has been, and still is, and shall be my constant policy, to come to you for assistance and deliverance. The Lord Jesus Christ identified himself with his own. When He prayed, God heard Him. We can be sure, my friend, that He hears and answers our prayers when we are in trouble.

The enemy had surrounded him (vv. 9, 11; and see 1 Sam. 23:19-29), and though David was a masterful military tactician, he knew that without the Lord’s help, he could not escape.

These words could have been uttered by the Lord Jesus during that long night of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Surely we should pray like that—that doing God’s will might become an instinctive, intuitive thing in our lives, even in the face of testing, temptation, and trial. There are times in life when the enemies attack is so malicious, so persistent, so pressing that nothing but holy habit keeps us from destruction.

7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them.

In verses 6 and 7, David recalls God’s loving-kindness to him; that in history and experience the Lord has shown himself to be a God who answers the prayer of the innocent, shows wonderful kindness in His dealings, and saves those who look to Him for safety and protection. The psalmist has need of His help, because he is menaced by men who would take his life—“those who rise up.”

Jehovah is a God of marvels and wonders (Ex. 15:11){2] and great unfailing love (15:13){3], and His right hand works for his people (15:12){4]. If God could deliver His people from Egypt, He could deliver David from the hand of Saul (In Ps. 18 David will celebrate that victory.). David asked for a “marvelous” demonstration of God’s love in the defeat of his enemies.

Three reasons are given in the psalm for why God should hide His suffering servants:

1. Hide me because You know how to be merciful: “Show (that is, set apart as special and eminent”; see Ps. 4:3{5]) Your marvelous lovingkindness.”

2. Hide me for You know how to be mighty: “Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them.” God saves by His right hand, the hand of power.

3. Hide me for You know how to be moved: “Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me” (v. 8-9).

8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,

Here, and in verse 9, the petition is restated in more moving terms. David uses two images—the eye and the wings—to remind God that he was precious to Him. The “apple” of the eye is the pupil, the most delicate part of the eye. He is thinking of how it is protected by the eyelash, lid, brow, boney socket, and the swiftly uplifted hand. The Hebrew says, “The little man of the eye,” for when you look into someone’s eyes, you can see yourself. Just as we protect our eyes from injury, David wanted the Lord to protect him.

Years ago, God had used a similar expression when He said to Israel, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself” (Deut. 32:11; Ex. 19:4). This is a picture of where we are placed—in the shadow of His wings. Years later, the Lord Jesus said this of Jerusalem: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matt. 23:37).

During Israel’s long sojourn in the land of Egypt, the Israelites became very familiar with their false god’s. The phrase “the shadow of Your wings” may have been a figure of speech suggested by the wings of the symbol of the Egyptian sun-god, or by the wings of the Cherubim, or more simply by the protecting wings of a mother bird. The need for defense is urged by the characterization of the adversaries as “my deadly enemies (v.9).”

9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.

He is sincerely convinced of his own innocence; therefore, in loyalty and faith the psalmist cries out to God for shelter from his opponents, who are wicked men lying in wait for him; enemies who are seeking his life.

David asked the Lord to make his hiding place a Holy of Holies, the place of God’s throne and God’s glory, protected by the angels of God (see 36:7-8{6]; 57:1{7]; 61:4{8]; 63:7{9]; Ruth 2:12{10]). Because of the heavenly intercession of Jesus Christ, God’s people today can enter into the Holy of Holies and fellowship with God (Heb. 10:1-25).

10 They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly.

In verses 10-12 there is a third reason given for God’s intervention and action against the psalmist’s enemies. He has already (v. 9) described them as ungodly, violent, bloodthirsty men from whom there is no hope of escape. He now goes on to say that they cannot be touched by any appeal for pity for “They have closed up their fat hearts,” that is, their hearts are numb to the perception and feeling of pity, that is, hearts that were callous from repeated disobedience to the Lord. In Scripture, “fatness” is sometimes associated with a selfish and worldly lifestyle (73:1-9; 119:70{11]; Isa. 6:10{12]), and at other times with being prosperous (wealthy). These people were morally and spiritually insensitive to what was right and weren’t upset when they did something wrong. Paul called this a seared heart (1 Tim. 4:2){13].

“They speak proudly” (arrogantly) because they are confident of their strength. Their mouths spew out the most frightening boasts of what they are going to do to David. They stealthily track him down. They have now “surrounded us” (v. 11), and intently “set their eyes” on us and intend to deliver the final knockout blow (vv. 11-12). Savage as a “lion” (v. 12) that is ravenously hungry, and sly as a young lion lurking in the brush, they are ready to “tear” me to shreds (v. 12).David’s enemies were not only prosperous and proud, they were persistent. They live in great splendor and prosperity, while David must hide in a cave, live off the charity of those who have remained loyal to him, and experience many and severe troubles.

11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,

The psalmist is not that concerned about God’s enduring protection, because he is convinced that God will help him. But the question is, when that protection will be made manifest, when the accusations will be proved false.

“They have now surrounded us in our steps.” We go from place to place, to rocks, to caves, to woods; but wherever we go they are not far behind and ready to surround us (1 Sam. 23:26){14].

“They have set their eyes.” They have found us, they keep their eyes on us, and we are unable to escape.

“Crouching down to the earth” suggests that they lay down on the ground so they will not be discovered, while always watching us and waiting for the best time to surprise us.

12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

David is crying out to God for protection from their leader who is pursuing him like a lion tracking its prey, ready to tear him apart. He is surrounded (v. 11) by his enemies—they are closing in, eager to thrust him down to the ground, their hostile eyes upon him—poised like a lion before he leaps.

13 Arise, O Lord, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,

“Cast down” can be translated “make him crouch down like a lion that has been subdued” (see verse 12). “Confront him, cast him down” indicates that the psalmist has singled out one of his enemies for God’s special attention, probably the leader. This man, as well as the rest of his enemies, lived for time, not for eternity, and for their own pleasures, and not for the glory of God. (See Luke 6:8, 25{15]; James 5:5{16]) He has in mind here that the Lord, in some decisive way, will answer him, deliver him from his enemies, and vindicate him.

David knew that nothing could happen that was not God’s will. “Not My will, but Thine be done” was the very prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane. He trusted God in His circumstance, “even though that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God” included a cross and a tomb. That’s the way to deal with circumstances beyond us.

“From men of the world who have their portion in this life,” we understand that God was storing up judgment for David’s enemies (Matt. 23:32{17]; 1 Thess. 2:16{18]), and their only reward would be in this life, not in the afterlife. Most men look on the things of this world as the best things, and they don’t care to provide for another life. The most afflicted Christian doesn’t need to envy the most prosperous men of the world, who have their portion in this life. The “men of the world” were full, they had many children who lacked nothing, and they would leave their wealth to their descendents. But the consequences of their sins would also be inherited by their descendents (Ex. 34:7{19]; Num. 14:18{20]). “May they have their punishment in full. May their children inherit more of the same, and may the judgment continue to their children's children” (v. 14 NLT).

David’s final petition is a passionate plea for vengeance: “Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,” that is, counter their sword with thy sword; and “may your hand destroy them and remove them from the land of the living.”

“Whose belly” means mind or appetite as the word is used in Job 20:20{21], and Proverbs 20:30{22].

“With Your hidden treasure,” that is, with the choicest and most precious good things, such as that which men hide or keep in a vault, and extraordinary wealth and glory, and all the delights and comforts of this present life.

“They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.” You have given them more than enough of material things. Even their “children” have an oversupply—enough to “leave” to “their babes.”

15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

The psalmist ends by expressing his conviction that the Lord has heard him, and by speaking of his glorious future: seeing God’s face and sharing God’s likeness. Obviously he is not setting his hope on the life after death, since at the moment he is hiding in a cave, and he calls out to God to deliver him in the life that now is. David knows that God is going to deliver him and that one day he will be in His presence. This is one of the few psalms that touches on the future life (see 16:11{23]; 73:23-26{24]). At the moment, however, the enemy seems to be so strong and powerful. “I will see Your face in righteousness”: He will be vindicated, and because of the righteousness of his life he will, in contrast to his enemies, enjoy God’s favor and grace. “When I awake”: After the night of testing (v. 3), whether the testing is by an examination of the heart or by some ordeal meant to challenge his faith, the psalmist will have the privilege of close fellowship with God. He is confident, not only that God will manifest his innocence, but that his vindication and assurance will be given him at a moment of intimate spiritual experience. In verse 3 the psalmist has in mind the spending of the night in the Temple under the examination of God. But when he wakes in the morning, he is confident that he will have God’s answer, a vision from God, a sense of His reality, nearness, and His acceptance of him— in Your likeness. “When I awake in Your likeness” is a phrase that brings to mind the resurrection of the body that will be experienced by all believers. David was confident that God would answer his prayers and would resurrect him after his death.

“Your likeness” is a word that implies a more intimate relationship than “thy face.” David says, “I do not envy their happiness, because my happiness and satisfaction comes from another source. I do not desire earthly and temporal treasures, as they do. My great desire is to behold God’s face, that is, the enjoyment of God’s presence and favor; which is indeed enjoyed to some extent in this life, but to a much greater extent in the life that comes after death, when we shall see His face and be like Him.

Happiness in the other world is prepared only for those who are justified and sanctified: they shall be put in possession of it when the soul awakes, at death, out of its slumber in the body, and when the body awakes at the resurrection, out of its slumber in the grave. There is no satisfaction for a soul unless it is in Christ, and in His good will toward us, and His good work in us; yet that satisfaction will not be perfect until we enter heaven.

You and I as God’s children look out on a world that is against us. We are like the little boy playing in a vacant lot who saw a big old weed growing there and decided to pull it out of the ground. As he was pulling, a man happened by, stopped, and watched him. The little fellow would pull on one side and grunt, then get on the other side and pull. Finally, with one great supreme effort the little fellow pulled, the roots of the weed gave way, and he fell back with a bump. For a few moments he set there, shocked. The man who had been watching him said, “Son that was a mighty big pull.” The boy replied, “It sure was ‘cause the whole world was pulling against me.” My friend, that is the position of the child of God today, but we have a resource and a recourse by coming to our Heavenly Father. This is what our Lord did while He was on earth, and so did David when He was in real danger.

Though David may have thought of spiritual blessings and God’s presence, the words lend themselves nicely to believers today, who with full New Testament revelation can anticipate a far more glorious prospect than they experience in this life. What a psalm to help those who are in trouble today—especially when we find we have enemies who are against us. Most of us who stand for God have enemies—we have enemies just like a dog has fleas! They seem to be part of a Christian’s life.

scripture reference and special notes

{1] (Ps. 16.7) I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

{2] (Ex. 15:11) "Who else among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is glorious in holiness like you—so awesome in splendor, performing such wonders?

{3](Ex. 15:13) With unfailing love you will lead this people whom you have ransomed. You will guide them in your strength to the place where your holiness dwells.

{4](Ex. 15:12) You raised up your hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.

{5] (Ps. 4:3) You can be sure of this: The LORD has set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him.

{6] (Ps. 36:7-8) How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your rivers of delight.

{7] (Ps. 57:1) A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune "Do Not Destroy!" Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past.

{8] (Ps. 61:4) Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

{9](Ps. 63:7) I think how much you have helped me; I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.

{10] (Ruth 2:12) May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully.

{11] (Ps. 119:70) Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your law.

{12] (Isa. 6:10) Harden the hearts of these people. Close their ears, and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn to me for healing."

{13] (1 Tim. 4:2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron:

{14] (1 Sam. 23:26) And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

{15] (Luke 6:8, 25) And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

{16] (James 5:5) Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

{17] (Matt. 23:32) Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

{18] (1 Thess. 2:16) Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

{19] (Ex. 34:7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

{20] (Num. 14:18) The LORD is longsuffering , and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

{21] (Job 20:20) Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.

{22] (Proverbs 20:30) The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

{23] (Ps. 16:11) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

{24] (Ps. 73:23-26) Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.