What God the Lord will speak.
Note, by way of introduction, that we have here:
1. A personal resolve. "I will hear." Some would not; others could not; others would offer to hear for him and report; but the psalmist makes the wise resolve that he will hear for himself. It is ever best to go direct to God, and employ no intermediaries.
2. It is also a firm resolve. Whether the word be rendered "I will," or "I would," or "let me hear," it denotes resolve. And no one will ever hear what God the Lord will speak unless his will be settled in that purpose. The devil hates such hearing of God, and will do all in his power by raising up every kind of hindrance—who knows not this?—to prevent it.
3. It is a sincere resolve. The hearing means no mere listless listening, but it is that of the heart, with real desire to hear what God the Lord will speak. Therefore the hearing will be, as it ever should be, attentive, prayerful, obedient. Consider—
I. THE SPEAKER. God the Lord. Three things are taught.
1. That God the Lord will speak. His very name involves this. He is the covenant God; hence his name Jehovah, Lord, is added, which declares him to be the God of Israel. But such name indicates that he will not be heedless of his people's prayer. And he has spoken of old time. Their records are full of the story of his interpositions in their times of need. And it is what we should expect, the need of his speaking being so great. Revelation, incarnation, atonement, the work of the Holy Ghost, are all antecedently probable; man, God's offspring, needing them so terribly.
2. That we can hear. This is man's distinction; he is a spiritual being, and can receive messages from God, who is a Spirit; he does perpetually receive and respond to them: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face, my heart said," etc.
3. That what God speaks is what man needs to hear. Man has heard enough of what his own sinful heart has to say, and of what his fellow men say, in their doctrines, imaginations, counsels, and a miserable hubbub and confusion their discordant utterances make; but the psalmist resolves to come away from all this, and hear God. It is our wisdom as well as his.
II. WHAT HE SPEAKS. "Peace unto his people."
1. Peace with himself. They have quarrelled with him, rebelled again and again, but now when they turn to him his word shall be of peace.
2. And amongst themselves. "He stilleth … the tumult of the people:" the nations shall learn war no more.
3. And in their own hearts. "The Spirit beareth witness with our spirits," etc. (Romans 8:1-39.; Luke 7:48). None can over-estimate the worth of this peace, and none need be without it.
III. HOW DOES GOD SPEAK?
1. Authoritatively. "He speaks, and it is done."
2. My his Spirit.
3. Through the Holy Scriptures, and by the voice of his providence and the response of our conscience and reason.
IV. THE CONDITION ON WHICH HE SPEAKS. "Let them not turn again," etc.
1. It is implied that they have now turned from their folly. Note that name for sin; sometimes it is called by far sterner names. But is it not "folly"? All these prayers and vows show that there has been repentance.
2. Let them not turn again. There is no need that any should. And we never shall if we abide in Christ.—S.C.