The Treasury of David
by C.H. Spurgeon
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS
(Psalms 115 Verse 12)
EXPOSITION
Verse 12. The Lord hath been mindful of us, or "Jehovah hath remembered us." His past mercies prove that we are on his heart, and though for the present he may afflict us, yet he does not forget us. We have not to put him in remembrance as though he found it hard to recollect his children, but he hath remembered us and therefore he will in future deal well with us.
He will bless us. The word "us" is supplied by the translators, and is superfluous, the passage should run, He will bless; he will bless the house of Israel he will bless the house of Aaron. The repetition of the word "bless" adds great effect to the passage. The Lord has many blessings, each one worthy to be remembered, he blesses and blesses and blesses again. Where he has once bestowed his favour he continues it; his blessing delights to visit the same house very often and to abide where it has once lodged. Blessing does not impoverish the Lord: he has multiplied his mercies in the past, and he will pour them forth thick and threefold in the future. He will have a general blessing for all who fear him, a peculiar blessing for the whole house of Israel, and a double blessing for the sons of Aaron. It is his nature to bless, it is his prerogative to bless, it is his glory to bless, it is his delight to bless; he has promised to bless, and therefore be sure of this, that he will bless and bless and bless without ceasing.
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS
Verse 12. The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us. God hath, and therefore God will, is an ordinary Scripture argument. John Trapp.
HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS
Verse 12. What we have experienced. What we may expect. Matthew Henry.
Verse 12-13.
- What God has done for his people: "He hath been mindful of us."
- Our preservation proves this.
- Our mercies.
- Our trials.
- Our guidance.
- Our consolations. Everything, even the minutest blessing, represents a thought in the mind of God respecting us. "How precious are thy thoughts concerning me, O God, how great," etc., and those thoughts go back to an eternity before we came into being. "The Lord hath been mindful of us"; then should we not be more mindful of him?
- What he will do for his people -- "He will bless us."
- Greatly. His blessings are like himself, great. They are blessed whom he blesses.
- Suitably. The house of Israel, the house of Aaron, all who fear him, according to their need, both small and great.
- Assuredly. "He will," "he will," "he will," "he will." With one" will" he curses, with four "wills" he blesses. G. R.