The Treasury of David
by C.H. Spurgeon
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS
(Psalms 89 Verse 22)
EXPOSITION
Verse 22. The enemy shall not exact upon him; he shall not be vexed and persecuted as a helpless debtor by an extortionate creditor.
Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. Graceless men shall no longer make his life a burden. David had in his earlier history been hunted by Saul like a partridge on the mountains, and though he had striven in all things to act justly towards Saul, because he was the Lord's anointed, yet Saul was never content with his displays of loyalty, but persecuted him relentlessly. The covenant, therefore, engaged that his life of hardship and oppression should come to an end for ever; it did so in David's own person, and more remarkably still in the life of Solomon his son. Who does not in all this see a type of the Lord Jesus, who though he was once seized for our debts, and also evil entreated by the ungodly, is now so exalted that he can never be exacted upon any more, neither can the fiercest of his enemies vex him again. No Judas can now betray him to death, no Pilate can deliver him to be crucified. Satan cannot tempt him, and our sins cannot burden him.
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS
Verse 22. The enemy shall not exact upon him. The allusion appears to us to be made to a cruel and unjust creditor, who exacts not only his just debts, but some exaggerated demand, with usurious interest, which was not permitted. --Williams, quoted by Ed. of Calvin.
HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS
Verse 22-23.
- A prophecy of the conflict of the Messiah with Satan. Satan could not exact any debt or homage for him.
- Of his refutation of his enemies. "I will beat down", etc. The Scribes and Pharisees were beaten down before his face.
- Of the destruction of their city and nation. "And plague them", etc.