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Morning Bible Reading - Psalms 56

  1 <> Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.  2 Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.  3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.  5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts [are] against me for evil.  6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.  7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in [thine] anger cast down the people, O God.  8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they] not in thy book?  9 When I cry [unto thee], then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God [is] for me.  10 In God will I praise [his] word: in the LORD will I praise [his] word.  11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.  12 Thy vows [are] upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.  13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline David seeks mercy from God, amidst the malice of his enemies. (1-7) He rests his faith on God|s promises, and declares his obligation to praise him for mercies. (8-13)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-7 Be merciful unto me, O God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need no more to make us happy. It implies likewise our best plea, not our merit, but God|s mercy, his free, rich mercy. We may flee to, and trust the mercy of God, when surrounded on all sides by difficulties and dangers. His enemies were too hard for him, if God did not help him. He resolves to make God|s promises the matter of his praises, and so we have reason to make them. As we must not trust an arm of flesh when engaged for us, so we must not be afraid of an arm of flesh when stretched out against us. The sin of sinners will never be their security. Who knows the power of God|s anger; how high it can reach, how forcibly it can strike?

Matthew Henry Commentary:   8-13 The heavy and continued trials through which many of the Lord|s people have passed, should teach us to be silent and patient under lighter crosses. Yet we are often tempted to repine and despond under small sorrows. For this we should check ourselves. David comforts himself, in his distress and fear, that God noticed all his grievances and all his griefs. God has a bottle and a book for his people|s tears, both the tears for their sins, and those for their afflictions. He observes them with tender concern. Every true believer may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and then I will not fear what man shall do unto me; for man has no power but what is given him from above. Thy vows are upon me, O Lord; not as a burden, but as that by which I am known to be thy servant; as a bridle that restrains me from what would be hurtful, and directs me in the way of my duty. And vows of thankfulness properly accompany prayers for mercy. If God deliver us from sin, either from doing it, or by his pardoning mercy, he has delivered our souls from death, which is the wages of sin. Where the Lord has begun a good work he will carry it on and perfect it. David hopes that God would keep him even from the appearance of sin. We should aim in all our desires and expectations of deliverance, both from sin and trouble, that we may do the better service to the Lord; that we may serve him without fear. If his grace has delivered our souls from the death of sin, he will bring us to heaven, to walk before him for ever in light.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 56:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 56:8-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Psalms 57

  1 <> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] calamities be overpast.  2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth [all things] for me.  3 He shall send from heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.  4 My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.  5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.  6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.  7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.  8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I [myself] will awake early.  9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.  10 For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.  11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline David begins with prayer and complaint. (1-6) He concludes with joy and praise. (7-11)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-6 All David|s dependence is upon God. The most eminent believers need often repeat the publican|s prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner." But if our souls trust in the Lord, this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities will at length be overpast, and in the mean time, by faith and prayer, we must make him our refuge. Though God be most high, yet he condescends so low, as to take care that all things are made to work for good to his people. This is a good reason why we should pray earnestly. Look which way we will on this earth, refuge fails, no help appears; but we may look for it from heaven. If we have fled from the wrath to come, unto Jesus Christ, he that performed all things needful to purchase the salvation of his people, will do for us and in us all things needful for our enjoyment of it. It made David droop to think there should be those that bore him so much ill-will. But the mischief they designed against him, returned on themselves. And when David was in the greatest distress and disgrace, he did not pray, Lord, exalt me, but, Lord, exalt thine own name. Our best encouragement in prayer, is taken from the glory of God, and to that, more than to our own comfort, we should have regard in all our petitions for mercy.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   7-11 By lively faith, David|s prayers and complaints are at once turned into praises. His heart is fixed; it is prepared for every event, being stayed upon God. If by the grace of God we are brought into this even, composed frame of mind, we have great reason to be thankful. Nothing is done to purpose, in religion, unless it is done with the heart. The heart must be fixed for the duty, put in frame for it; fixed in the duty by close attention. Our tongue is our glory, and never more so than when praising God; dull and sleepy devotions will never be acceptable to God. Let us awake early in the morning, to begin the day with God; early in the beginning of a mercy. When God comes toward us with his favours, let us go forth to meet him with our praises. David desired to bring others to join in praising God; and in his psalms, he is still praising God among the people, singing to Him among the nations. Let us seek to have our hearts fixed to praise his boundless mercy and unfailing faithfulness; and to glorify him with body, soul, and spirit, which are his. Let us earnestly pray that the blessings of the gospel may be sent through every land.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 57:1-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Psalms 58

  1 <> Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?  2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.  3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.  4 Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder [that] stoppeth her ear;  5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.  6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.  7 Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually: [when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.  8 As a snail [which] melteth, let [every one of them] pass away: [like] the untimely birth of a woman, [that] they may not see the sun.  9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in [his] wrath.  10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.  11 So that a man shall say, Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline Wicked judges described and reproved. (1-5) A prayer that they may be disabled, and their ruin predicted. (6-11)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-5 When wrong is done under the form of law, it is worse than any other; especially it is grievous to behold those who profess to be children of God, joining together against any of his people. We should thank the Lord for merciful restraints; we should be more earnest in seeking renewing grace, more watchful over ourselves, and more patient under the effects of fallen nature in others. The corruption of their nature was the root of bitterness. We may see in children the wickedness of the world beginning. They go astray from God and their duty as soon as possibly they can. And how soon will little children tell lies! It is our duty to take pains to teach them, and above all, earnestly to pray for converting grace to make our children new creatures. Though the poison be within, much of it may be kept from breaking forth to injure others. When the Saviour|s words are duly regarded, the serpent becomes harmless. But those who refuse to hear heavenly wisdom, must perish miserably, for ever.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   6-11 David prayed that the enemies of God|s church and people might be disabled to do further mischief. We may, in faith, pray against the designs of the enemies of the church. He foretells their ruin. And who knows the power of God|s anger? The victories of the Just One, in his own person and that of his servants, over the enemies of man|s salvation, produce a joy which springs not from revenge, but from a view of the Divine mercy, justice, and truth, shown in the redemption of the elect, the punishment of the ungodly, and the fulfilment of the promises. Whoever duly considers these things, will diligently seek the reward of righteousness, and adore the Providence which orders all thing aright in heaven and in earth.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Psalms 58:1-999 

Evening Bible Reading - Acts 28

  1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.  2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.  3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.  4 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.  5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.  6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.  7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.  8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.  9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:  10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.  11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.  12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried [there] three days.  13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:  14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.  15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-10 God can make strangers to be friends; friends in distress. Those who are despised for homely manners, are often more friendly than the more polished; and the conduct of heathens, or persons called barbarians, condemns many in civilized nations, professing to be Christians. The people thought that Paul was a murderer, and that the viper was sent by Divine justice, to be the avenger of blood. They knew that there is a God who governs the world, so that things do not come to pass by chance, no, not the smallest event, but all by Divine direction; and that evil pursues sinners; that there are good works which God will reward, and wicked works which he will punish. Also, that murder is a dreadful crime, one which shall not long go unpunished. But they thought all wicked people were punished in this life. Though some are made examples in this world, to prove that there is a God and a Providence, yet many are left unpunished, to prove that there is a judgment to come. They also thought all who were remarkably afflicted in this life were wicked people. Divine revelation sets this matter in a true light. Good men often are greatly afflicted in this life, for the trial and increase of their faith and patience. Observe Paul|s deliverance from the danger. And thus in the strength of the grace of Christ, believers shake off the temptations of Satan, with holy resolution. When we despise the censures and reproaches of men, and look upon them with holy contempt, having the testimony of our consciences for us, then, like Paul, we shake off the viper into the fire. It does us no harm, except we are kept by it from our duty. God hereby made Paul remarkable among these people, and so made way for the receiving of the gospel. The Lord raises up friends for his people in every place whither he leads them, and makes them blessings to those in affliction.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 28:1-15 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 28:3-15 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 28:4-15 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 28:7-15