The power of a holy soul.
I. THAT DAWN WAS SUCH WE ARE BOUND TO BELIEVE, notwithstanding the flagrant and most grievous sins which are recorded against him. They stagger us when we read of them, and we wonder how such a man could ever have been called "the man after God's own heart." But in this psalm, as so constantly throughout the Holy Scriptures, we come across statements which prove that, in the estimation of the people of his day, and of those who knew him best, he was held most dear. A passionate enthusiasm of honor and affection gathered round his name and memory, the evidence of which is met with simply everywhere. How could this have been if he were only what many in our day say he was, and who hold him up, not for warm approbation, but for severe reprobation? We are bound to judge of a man, not according to the standards of our own age, but of his, and to accept their testimony and not our inferences from statements which it is impossible for us in this age fully to understand. His own people loved and honored him, and that is enough.
II. AS SUCH HE WAS DEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD. For his descendants felt that they might plead his name as an argument in their prayers. They believed that they might call upon God to "remember David." There is no hint here or anywhere that they were wrong in this. Doubtless they were right. There is no saint-worship in this, and no seeking David's intercession with God; but there is the valid plea that God would remember the prayers and sorrows of his faithful servant—sorrows which came to him in consequence of his love and zeal for God. The people of God knew how God had remembered Noah, and saved him and his from the Flood; how he had remembered Abraham, and for his sake had saved Lot out of Sodom; and now they believed he would remember David, and would bless them as David had prayed. Such is the power of a holy soul to bring down blessing upon his children and upon his people.
III. WHAT MADE HIM THUS DEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD?
1. Because dishonor to God was distress to him. It was a grief of mind that the ark and service of God should be so ill cared for (cf. 2 Samuel 7:2). It was to him a public dishonor done to God to allow such a thing to continue. How few there are who feel like this! All people seek their own, not those things that are God's. It was an affliction to David that God was not honored. Oh that it may be so to us!
2. Because he not only grieved for the dishonor, but earnestly sought to remove it. See how intense was his desire that God should have a fit habitation (Psalms 132:5). He would not rest in his house, nor lie down, etc. (Psalms 132:3, Psalms 132:4), until, etc. (Psalms 132:5). Oh for zeal like this! What a witness for God it would be! And how solemnly he bound himself over to this work (Psalms 132:4)! And it was ever his anxious concern; this the meaning of "his affliction" in Psalms 132:1. Now, because of this, though he was a man of so many faults, and though he never did build the Lord's temple, yet was he beloved of the Lord.
IV. THE RESULT THAT FOLLOWED, AND STILL FOLLOWS, FROM WHAT DAVID WAS.
1. His name became a valid plea with God.
2. An inspiring memory for all time, and especially to those who succeeded him.
3. A perpetual encouragement to all who work and suffer for God.
4. A call to us to cherish holy zeal for the honor of God.—S.C.