1 delivered from the fear of death and hell, he penned this psalm in the bitterness of his soul. He did not consider the Lord as his enemy, but as a friend and father, whom he had greatly offended. He longed to be reconciled; but could not as yet recover his former confidence. He hoped, indeed, that a time of refreshment would come from his presence; and therefore he continued waiting; but for the present he made heavy complaints, that his bones were broken, and his mouth stopped. He had lost his strength and life, and found he could not restore himself. He was struck dumb by his late fall; and therefore he breathes out this prayer, .66 Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise." From these words I propose to consider that mournful case, which too often happens in the Christian life, when the believer's mouth is stopped, and his lips closed, so that he cannot show forth the praises of his God. And in this view, 1. I shall point out to you the persons who have reason to make this complaint. 2. Explain what is implied in their lips being thus shut up. 3. Show you by what means the Lord opens the closed lips. And, 4. I shall observe, that when a person's lips are thus, opened, his mouth, and all that is within him, will certainly show forth the Lord's praise. May the Holy Spirit apply the word, and command a blessing upon the whole! I. This petition especially suits two sorts of persons. 1. The backsliding-believer; one who has formerly known the goodness of God; has rested in his love, and rejoiced in his salvation; "has tasted that the "Lord is gracious," and walked with comfort in the way of his commandments; but at length, by an unguarded conduct, or by building wood, hay, and stub ble, upon the Lord's foundationt, has grieved the good Spirit of God, and he is withdrawn. The comforter and instructor of his soul is far from him; and therefore he sits in darkness and silence. He only retains a sense of his loss, and can do no more than sigh out this "O Lord, open prayer: thou my lips.". 2. The doubting believer. The unbelieving believer, if I may be allowed the expression, I mean one who has been deeply convinced of sin, and taught by the Spirit of God, that there is no salvation but in the Lord Jesus Christ. One who loves the word, and ways, and people of God, who is careful to the utmost of his power to abstain from the evil that is in the world, and esteems "the loving kindness of the Lord to be better than "life §." One at whom the enemy has often thrust sore that he might fall, but the Lord has secretly upheld him through many a bitter hour, and he finds he is not cut off yet, though he perhaps expects it every day. Such as these have, indeed, sufficient ground to say, "If the Lord was not on my side, I had been swal"lowed up long ago **". They have reason to conclude with David," By this, if by nothing else, I know that "thou favourest me, seeing my enemies, who have as"saulted me so continually, have not yet prevailed "against mett." But yet, through a sense of past guilt, a sight of present corruptions, the prevalence of unbelief, the workings of a legal spirit, the want of a clear * 1 Pet. ii. 3. +1 Cor. iii. 11-13, Lam, i. 16, ** Psal. cxxiv. 3, apprehension of the Lord's way of justifying the ungodly, and from the force of Satan's temptations, who is exceeding busy to press all these things upon the heart, their mouths are stopped likewise. They cannot believe, and therefore they cannot speak. However, there are seasons and intervals when they obtain a little glimpse of hope, and then the whole desire of their souls is expressed in the words of my text, "O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth "thy praise." 26 II. I proceed to consider what may be included in this case, what it is to have the mouth stopped. The persons I have mentioned have the same liberty of speech in common affairs as others; but, because they cannot converse freely with him who, notwithstanding all their doubts, and fears, and follies, still maintains a secret hold of their souls, they account themselves no better than dumb. They cannot speak to the Lord, nor of him, nor for him, as they wish and ought to do. These are the three heads of their complaint, and therefore they sigh, and say, "O Lord, open thou my lips." 1. Alas! says the believer that has sinned, and lost his strength," that it was with me as in times past*!” I well remember when I had freedom of access, and found it good to draw near to my God; when I could pour out all my complaints and cares before him, and leave them with him. I remember the time when my heart was overwhelmed within me, and my spirit was burdened. I saw myself a wretched, helpless sinner. Innumerable evils took hold of me. I thought I was marked out for destruction. I found Satan at my right hand, waiting for a permission to seize my soul, and 1 make me his prey for ever*. I looked round, but saw no way to escape, and gave up all for lost. But, O! I remember, when none in heaven or earth could help me, how the Lord drew" near to me in the day of my distress, and said unto my soul, Fear not, I "am thy salvation." He revealed himself as an almighty, suitable Saviour. He said, "Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom t." "He brought me out of the horrible pit, and miry clay, "and set my feet upon a rock §." rock§." "He brought me "into his banqueting-house, and his banner over me "was love. I sat down under his shadow with great "delight, and his fruit was sweet unto my taste." This was the beginning; but it was not all. Many a gracious visit he favoured me with afterwards, O the sweet hours of secret prayer! O the happy communion in which I walked with him all the day long! "in the multitude of thoughts within me, his comforts "refreshed my soul **." Then I could smile at Satan's rage, and face a frowning world. Every blessing of common providence was doubly welcome, for I could read his name of love written upon it: and every affliction brought resignation and peace, because I saw my Father's hand in it, and found at a throne of grace renewed strength always suited to my need. Happy were those times but, alas! they are gone. I could hardly then persuade myself that I should be moved any more. I little thought there was such desperate wickedness in my heart, that, after so much experience of his goodness, I should foolishly wander from him again. But, O! • what a change have I lived to see! I have grieved that "Then Job, xxxiii. 24. ** Psal, xciv. 19. good Spirit of God by which I was sealed, and now I find myself in the hands of my enemies. The Lord hides himself, and stands afar off; and I have lost the power of prayer. Those precious promises which once were the joy of my soul, which I could boldly plead at the throne of grace, and say, all these are mine, have no longer any power or sweetness; I read them, but I cannot feel them; and my trials and sins, which once I could cast upon my Saviour, and find instant relief, are now a heavy burden, too great for me to bear. Mercies have lost their relish, and afflictions have lost their usefulness; since neither the one nor the other are of force to stir up my soul to prayer, "O Lord, open "thou my lips." to say, I remember likewise, when I had this freedom in speaking with God, how pleasing it was to me to speak of him. My heart was full, and running over with a sense of his goodness, so that it was my meat and drink "Come unto me all you that fear God, and I "will tell you what he hath done for my soul*. Then the company of his people was delightful indeed. The meanest of his children that would sit and hear me speak of his loving kindness, was precious to me: I esteemed them the excellent of the earth †, in whom was all my delight. "We took sweet counsel together, " and walked to the house of God in company." And I thank God I love them still; but I can neither help them, nor be helped by them, as in times past. In vain they say unto me, "Come, sing us one of the songs of "Zion. Alas! how can I sing the songs of the Lord "in a strange land? My harp is hung upon the wil"lows, my tongue cleaveth to the roof of my mouth §." *Psal. lxvi. 16. + Psal. xvi. 4. Psal. lv. 14. |