Verse 19. I am a stranger in the earth ] In the land. Being obliged to wander about from place to place, I am like a stranger even in my own country. If it refer to the captives in Babylon, it may mean that they felt themselves there as in a state of exile; for, although they had been seventy years in it, they still felt it as a strangeland, because they considered Palestine their home.
Verses 17-24 - If God deals in strictjustice with us, we all perish. We ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true life in keeping his word. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel must beg him to give them understanding, by the light of his Spirit Believers feel themselves strangers on earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort by erring from God's commandments. Ever sanctified soulhungers after the word of God, as food which there is no living without. There is something of pride at the bottom of ever wilful sin. God can silencelyinglips; reproach and contempt ma humble and do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the weight of the cross is above that we are able to bear? He that bore it for us will enable us to bear it; upheld by him we cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the innocent, are their betrayers The psalmist went on in duty, and he found comfort in the word of God The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God' testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. May the Lor direct us in exercising repentance of sin, and faith in Christ.
