Verse 18. Deliver me because of mine enemies. ] Probably they now began to think that the redemption of these captives was not an impossible thing; that it was not far off; and therefore they had great rage, because they found their time was but short.
Verses 13-21 - Whatever deep waters of affliction or temptation we sink into, whateve floods of trouble or ungodly men seem ready to overwhelm us, let u persevere in prayer to our Lord to save us. The tokens of God's favou to us are enough to keep our spirits from sinking in the deepes outward troubles. If we think well of God, and continue to do so unde the greatest hardships, we need not fear but he will do well for us And if at any time we are called on to sufferreproach and shame, for Christ's sake, this may be our comfort, that he knows it. It bears har on one that knows the worth of a good name, to be oppressed with a ba one; but when we consider what a favour it is to be accounted worthy to suffershame for the name of Jesus, we shall see that there is n reason why it should be heart-breaking to us. The sufferings of Chris were here particularly foretold, which proves the Scripture to be the word of God; and how exactly these predictions were fulfilled in Jesu Christ, which proves him to be the true Messiah. The vinegar and the gall given to him, were a faint emblem of that bittercup which he drank up, that we might drink the cup of salvation. We cannot expec too little from men, miserable comforters are they all; nor can we expect too much from the God of all comfort and consolation.
