Stablish Thy Word

The following is a commentary on Psalm cxix., verse 38: “Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.”

By THOMAS MANTON.

WHY doth David pray thus, “Stablish thy word to me,” since God’s word is more certain and so stable in itself that it cannot be more so?” (II Peter i. 19). “We have a more sure” or a more stable “word of prophecy,” as the word signifies. How can the Word be more stable than it is? I answer, it is sure in regard of God from whom it comes, and in itself. In regard of the things propounded it cannot be more or less stable; it cannot be fast and loose. But in regard of us it may be more or less established. And that two ways: (1) By the inward assurance of the Spirit increasing our faith; (2) By the outward performance of what is promised.

First, by the inward assurance of the Spirit, by which our faith is increased. Great is the weakness of our faith, as appears by our fears, doubts, distrusts, so that we need to be assured more and more. We need say with tears as he doth in the gospel: “Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark ix. 24); and to cry out with the apostles, “Lord increase our faith” (Luke xvii. 5). There is none believeth so, but he may yet believe more. And in this sense the word is more established. When we are confirmed in the belief of it, and look upon it as sure ground for faith to rest upon. Secondly, by actual performance, when the promise is made good to us. Every event which falls out according to the Word is a notable testimony of the truth of it, and a seal to confirm and strengthen our faith. Three ways may this be made good.

1. The making good of some promises at one time strengthens our faith in expecting the like favour at another. Christ was angry with his disciples for not remembering the miracle of the loaves when they fell into a like strait again. “Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves?” (Matt. xvi. 9). We are to seek upon every difficulty; whereas former experience in the same kind should be a means of establishment to us. “He hath delivered, and doth deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (II Cor. i. 10). In teaching a child to spell we are angry if, when we have showed him a letter once, twice, and a third time, yet when he meets with it again, still he misseth; so God is angry with us when we have had experience of His Word in this, that, and the other providence, yet still our doubts return upon us.

2. The accomplishment of one promise confirms another; for God that keepeth touch at one time will do so at another: “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom” (II Tim. iv. 17, 18). In such a strait God failed not, and surely He that hath been true hitherto will not fail at last.

3. When the Word is performed in part, it assureth us of the performance of the whole. It is an earnest given of all the rest: “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen” (II Cor. i. 20). A Christian hath a great many promises and they are being performed daily; God is delivering, comforting, protecting him, speaking peace to his conscience; but the greater part are yet to be performed. Past experiences do assure us of what is to come. Thus, “Stablish thy Word,” that is, make it good by the event, that I may learn to trust another time either for the same or other promises or accomplishments of thy whole Word.