Matthew Henry Quotes(1)

I have recently begun to read a portion of Matthew Henry's commentary every day, being inspired by friends taking up the 'Matthew Henry Commentary Challenge'. Some attempt to read the whole commentary in only a year, others three years; I haven't a 'plan' in that regard, but am reading some every day! I have started in Psalm 119, which has been especially wholesome reading. Here are some portions that I found very insightful:

Psalm 119:83—For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

“Whatever our outward condition is we must not cool in our affection to the word of God, nor let that slip out of our minds; no care, no grief, must crowd that out. As some drink and forget the law, so others weep and forget the law; but we must in every condition, both prosperous and adverse, have the things of God in remembrance; and, if we be mindful of God’s statutes, we may pray and hope that he will be mindful of our sorrows, though for a time he seems to forget us.

Psalm 119:88—Quicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

“We cannot proceed, nor persevere, in the good way, unless God quicken us and put life into us; we are therefore here taught to depend upon the grace of God for strength to do every good work, and to depend upon it as grace, as purely the fruit of God’s favor… The surest token of God’s good-will toward us is his good work in us.”

Psalm 119:89-91—For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

“The stability of the ordinances of day and night, of heaven and earth, is produced to prove the perpetuity of God’s covenant… All the creatures are, in their places, and according to their capacities, serviceable to their Creator, and answer the ends of their creation; and shall man be the only rebel, the only revolter from his allegiance, and the only unprofitable burden of the earth?”

Psalm 84

1 How lovely is Your tabernacle,

O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, even faints

For the courts of the LORD;

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young—

Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,

My King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;

They will still be praising You. Selah

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

They make it a spring;

The rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength;

Each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;

Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

9 O God, behold our shield,

And look upon the face of Your anointed.

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts,

Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Two Essential Volumes :-)

Mom and Dad purchased a copy of the Scottish Psalter (version with tunes) this August at the FCC conference-- with my direction and pleading of course!! I am finally learning more psalm tunes! I have tried to adopt it as my own, but have had to learn to share... :-( My very favorite so far is Babel's Streams, and other tunes I have found I really like are Effingham, Wetherby, Stornoway, Kilmarnock, and Richmond. From the RPCNA psalter, I like Kingsfold (psalm 22), and Hope (psalm 121). It is so wonderful to be closer to having the ability to sing the psalms at will-- next goal is to not need the psalter so much. :-)

I have also been reading an excellent commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith (by Robert Shaw)-- which is incredibly helpful! I have read these things already in the Confession, but having them explained for me is incredibly valuable. I am still on the section about the Word of God, but the knowledge gained from his explanations has already been invaluable to me in conversing with unbelievers. If your stack of books is not yet too tall, add a good commentary on the confession! :-D