Psalm 9:10
They that know thy name will put their trust in thee.
JOHN OWEN (1616-1683): The name of God is that whereby He reveals Himself unto us, whereby He would have us know Him and own Him. It is something expressive of His nature or properties which He hath appropriated unto Himself. Whatever, therefore, any name of God expresses Him to be, that He is, and that we may expect to find Him; for He will not deceive us by giving Himself a wrong name or a slave name. And on this account He requires us to trust in His name, because He will assuredly be found unto us what His name imports. Resting on His name, flying unto His name, calling upon His name, praising His name, things so often mention the Scripture, confirm the same unto us. These things could not be our duty if we might be deceived in so doing. God is, then, and will be, to us what His name declares.
WILLIAM GOUGE (1575-1653): God’s name, as it is set out in the word, is both a glorious name, full of majesty, and also a gracious name, full of mercy. His majesty worketh fear and reverence, His mercy faith and confidence. By these graces man’s heart is kept within such a compass, that he will neither presume above that which is meet, nor despond more than there is cause. But where God’s name is not rightly known, it cannot be avoided but that they who come before Him must needs rush upon the rock of presumption, or sink into the gulf of desperation. Necessary, therefore, it is that God be known of them that pray to Him, that in truth they may say, “We have called upon the name of the LORD.”
WILLIAM GREENHILL (1591-1677): Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known, Psalm 106:8.
For thy name’s sake.” The good which God doth unto His church, be it temporal or spiritual, is for His own sake. What I do (saith God), I do for mine holy name’s sake; there is nothing to move me but mine own name; that is holy, great, and glorious, and I will for my name’s sake do much for my church and people. That they were preserved in Babylon, was for His holy name’s sake; that they were brought out of Babylon, was for His holy name’s sake; that they were replanted in Canaan, was for His holy name’s sake; that they had a temple, sacrifices, priests, prophets, ordinances again, was for His name’s sake; when they were near destruction often, in former days, God wrought for His name’s sake, Ezekiel 20; so Isaiah 48:8,9.
It is not for the enemies’ sake that God doth preserve or deliver His people; nor for their sakes, their prayers, tears, faith, obedience, holiness, that He doth great things for them, bestows great mercies upon them; but for His own name’s sake. For man’s sake God cursed the earth, Genesis 8:21; but it is for His name’s sake that He blesseth it. The choicest mercies God’s people have, are for His name’s sake: They have pardon of sin for His name’s sake, Psalm 25:11, I John 2:12; purging of sin, for His name’s sake, Psalm 79:9; leading in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake, Psalm 23:2; quickening in their dead and dull hearts for His name’s sake, Psalm 143:11. Though His people offend Him, yet He forsakes them not, for His great name’s sake.
HENRY SCUDDER (died 1659): When entering into prayer, God should be represented to the mind, and should be called upon by names, titles, or descriptions that are most apt to kindle the desires and help the faith of them that pray. If many and general requests are raised, then such titles and names must be used that may persuade the hearers that they shall all be heard.
If some particular petition is lifted up, then names and descriptions of God are to be used that may help the heart in that particular need. Abraham’s servant, praying for success in his master’s business, said, “O Jehovah, God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham,” Genesis 24:12. When Peter entreated God to choose an apostle to supply the place of Judas, he said, “Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these thou hast chosen,” Acts 1:24. When David prayed against the enemies of God and His children, he said, “O Lord God to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself,” Psalm 94:1. A wise choice of apt names and titles with which to represent God shows knowledge of Him, and wisdom is needed to make use of His different attributes. God is pleased and delighted to behold both knowledge and wisdom mixed with faith in His children.
WILLIAM GOUGE: Be persuaded hereby so to offer up your spiritual sacrifice of supplication to God, that He may have respect to your persons and prayers, as He had respect to Abel and his offering. Learn to know the name of God, as in His Word it is made known; and then, especially when you draw near to Him, meditate on His name. Assuredly God will take good notice of them that take due notice of Him, and will open His ears to them by name who rightly call upon His name.
WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): Hence says David, They that know thy name will put their trust in thee; that is, they will trust with more ease and more firmness.
THOMAS MANTON (1620-1677): Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth, Psalm 124:8. O Christian! remember when you trust in God you trust an Almighty Creator, who is able to help, let your case be never so desperate.
