3. GIMEL.

IN this Octonary, * David reckoneth up the impediments that he might meet with, in the keeping of Gods Law. 2. And prayes to God to remove them.

1. [Ver. 1] The first impediment was, a dead soul, and a dull heart, and therefore he prayes for restitution of grace, 1 of which he had lost the sense by his sin: [Ver. 2] Deal bounntifully with thy servant, that I may live again the life of grace, and keep thy Word.

2. 2 The second impediment was, the blindness of his understanding, and the vail upon his heart, the perturbations and passions of his soul, love, fear, desire, anger, with which being disquieted, he could not judge aright, and therefore he prayes, Open my eyes, that I may see the wonders, the wonderful equity, wisdom, and profit of thy Law.

3. The third impediment was, his present condition; he was but yet Ʋiator, [Ver. 3] a Traveller in his way to Heaven, and knew not well the way, he might mistake it, 3 and therefore he prayes; I am a stranger upon earth, I am regenerate but in part, and know the way but in part, therefore hide not thou t•y Commandments from me. It must be conceived, that David was not such a stranger in Israel, that he knew not the two Tables; that then he craves, is, That God by the power of his Spirit would teach him the use, the necessity, the profit, the obedience of these Com∣mandments. [Ver. 4]

4. The fourth impediment was, his infirmity and imperfections. 4 He found his de∣sires to be too often cool'd; he would, and he would not; he desired, and he did not desire; not so heartily as he should, which made his obedience imperfect, and the effect not to follow, and therefore he manifests here a stronger desire against that imperfection: My soul breaks, for the longing it hath to thy judgments at all times. As if he had said, help me, that I may perfectly and ardently desire, and that my desire may be brought to act; for my soul breaks, is contrite, and vexed that it is not so.

5. A fifth impediment, is pride of heart, [Ver. 5] that suffers not men to submit their necks to the yoke of Gods Law; 5 which impediment David doth not acknowledge in himself, but yet useth it for an Argument that he be obedient, because God hates, and curseth them, who out of pride and contempt violate his Law. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do erre from thy Commandments: None with a high hand breaks them, that escapes unpunished; not Lucifer, nor Adam.

6. A sixth impediment was, 6 the mocks and scorns that were put upon him by Saul, and his Courtiers, which he expresseth in the seventh verse, which, because they might be a great disheartning to him, [Ver. 6] therefore he first prayes. *

• 1. Remove from me reproach and contempt; which is a grievous temptation to a generous spirit, and therefore he desires of God to clear his innocen∣cy, adding this Reason; For I have kept thy Testimonies: I cannot be then that seditious, rebellious person, that troubler of Israel I am pre∣sented to be.
• 2. And yet Princes did sit and speak against me; Saul, Abner, [Ver. 7] Achito∣phel, Doeg, sate in their Councels, at their Feasts, and laid to my charge things that I knew not. It is a hard tentation, when the godly are trou∣bled by any wicked man; but much harder, when troubled by men in honour and authority: But yet David so assaulted by their tongues, * keeps still close with God: But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. He renders not reproach for reproach, nor contempt for contempt; this im∣pediment hinder'd him not to obey God.
• 3. About which he explains himself farther, [Ver. 8] shewing the fruit he reaps by it.
  • 1. Thy Testimonies also are my delight: In Adversity a Conso∣lation.
  • 2. And my Counsellors: In my doubts very faithful friends. Saul hath his Councel, and I have mine; he his Nobles, but I no other of my Councel, but the Commandments of God; from which I receive pleasure to refresh me, and Councel to govern me, and all my Affairs and Business.