Psalm 119: 169 - Give we understanding according to your word.
The especial
work of the Holy Spirit in the illumination of our minds unto the understanding
of the Scripture is called "understanding." The Psalmist prays
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law" (verse 34). So the
apostle speaks to Timothy: "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee
understanding in all things": 2 Timothy 2:7. Besides his own
consideration of what was proposed unto him, which includes the due and
diligent use of all outward means, it was moreover necessary that God should
give him understanding by an inward effectual work of his Spirit, that he might
comprehend the things wherein he was instructed. And the desire hereof, as of
that without which there can be no saving knowledge of the word, for advantage
by it, the Psalmist expresses emphatically, with great fervency of spirit in
verse 144: "The righteousness of thy testimony is everlasting: give me understanding,
and I shall live." Without this he knew that he could have no benefit by
the everlasting righteousness of the testimonies of God.
All understanding,
indeed, however it be abused by the most, is the work and effect of the Holy
Ghost for "the inspiration of the Almighty gives
understanding": Job 32:8. So is this
spiritual understanding in an especial manner the gift of God. In this
"understanding" both the ability of our mind and the due exercise of
it is included. This one consideration, that the saints of God have with so
much earnestness prayed that God would give them understanding as to his mind
and will as revealed in the word, with his reiterated promises that he would so
do, is of more weight with me than all the disputes of men to the contrary. No
farther argument is necessary to prove that men do not understand the mind of
God in the Scripture in a due manner, than their supposal and confidence that
so they can do without the communication of a spiritual understanding unto them
by the Holy Spirit. This self confidence is directly contrary unto the plain,
express testimonies of the word. — John Owen.
Quoted in Charles Spurgeon's The Treasury of David.
Quoted in Charles Spurgeon's The Treasury of David.
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