Psalm 77:5,11; Isaiah 46:9
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times…I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else.
JOHN COLLINGES (1623-1690): There are many careless observers of providence, who indeed see events rather than providences; they see much that comes to pass in the world, but consider nothing of God in them.
DAVID DICKSON (1583-1662): Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red Sea, Psalm 106:7. One sin is a step to another more heinous; for not observing, is followed with not remembering, and forgetfulness of duty draweth on disobedience and rebellion.
JOSEPH CARYL (1602-1673): They provoked him. Wherein lay their provocation? They remembered not the multitude of his mercies. The former mercies of the Lord did not strengthen their trust in present troubles; that was one provocation.
JOHN FLAVEL (1630-1691): Remember God, and He will not forget you.
STEPHEN CHARNOCK (1628-1680): It is our duty to seek after God, though we can never arrive to a perfect knowledge of Him: Job 11:7, Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? He prohibits not the searching, but asserts the impossibility of finding Him out to perfection. What hath God given us faculties for, but to search after Him? And we must not do it to satisfy our curiosity, but to increase our knowledge, and consequently our admiration of His wise and powerful care.
MATTHEW POOLE (1624-1679): The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, Psalm 111:2. Either the works of creation, or rather, the works of His providence in the world, and especially in and for his church and people, of which he speaks in the rest of the Psalm—are great, for the infinite power, wisdom, and goodness manifest in them. Sought out; highly valued and regarded, as this very word and phrase is used, Deuteronomy 11:12; Isaiah 62:12; or frequently called to mind, and diligently meditated upon, when others either never regarded them, or instantly forget them.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered, Psalm 111:4. He meant them to remain in the recollection of his people, and they do so: partly because they are in themselves memorable, and because also he has taken care to record them by the pen of inspiration, and has written them upon the hearts of his people by his Holy Spirit. By the ordinances of the Mosaic law, the coming out of Egypt, the sojourn in the wilderness, and other memorabilia of Israel’s history were constantly brought before the minds of the people, and their children were by such means instructed in the wonders which God had wrought in old time. Deeds such as God has wrought are not to be admired for an hour and then forgotten, they are meant to be perpetual signs and instructive tokens to all coming generations; and especially are they designed to confirm the faith of his people in the divine love, and to make them know that the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. They need not fear to trust his grace for the future, for they remember it in the past.
SIR RICHARD BAKER (1568-1644): I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands, Psalm 143:5. This meditation gives an ease to the overwhelming of my spirits, a comfort to the desolateness of my heart; for I am thinking sometimes upon Jonah, how he was overwhelmed with waters and swallowed up of a whale, and yet at last delivered; sometimes I am thinking of Joseph, how he was bound and left desolate in a pit, and yet at last relieved; and then I meditate thus with myself: Is God’s power confined to persons? Could He deliver them in their extremities, and can He not deliver me in mine?
THOMAS MANTON (1620-1677): 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.
JOHN RYLAND (1723-1792): Let us remember what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the energy of His mighty power.
JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): Let us remember what great things the Lord has done in answer to prayer.
F. W. KRUMMACHER (1796-1868): Through prayer, Moses turned away the fierce wrath of the Almighty from Israel; with outstretched arms he smote the host of Amalek; and Manoah, by the voice of his cry, drew down a visible manifestation of the Divine presence in human form. Through prayer at Mizpeh, the prophet Samuel smote the army of the Philistines, and caused the thunder of terror to roll over Israel’s. Through prayer, Josiah the prince died in peace. Through prayer fifteen years were added to Hezekiah’s life; the three men were preserved in the burning fiery furnace; and to Daniel it was said by Gabriel, “I am come because of thy words.” At the prayer of the brethren on the day of Pentecost, the heavens were opened; and, another time, after they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and all were filled with the Holy Ghost. Prayer burst the fetters of Peter, and broke open the doors of his prison. Prayer rebuked storms, healed the sick, and brought back the dead to life. And what shall I say more of the power, the wonders, and the performances of prayer—the whole Scripture is full of them.
BROWNLOW NORTH (1810-1875): When you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers.
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): Before you drop on your knees next time and begin to speak to God, try to remember His greatness and His majesty and His might, and then go on to remember that He is life, that He is holy, that He is righteous, that He is just, and that He is of such a pure countenance that He cannot even look upon evil. Remember that you are speaking to the Judge of the whole world.
C. H. SPURGEON: But remember His love. Since Jesus first came to you, and saved you, many a time you have been in trouble, and He has comforted you. You have been in labour; and He has sustained you. You have been in disrepute; but He has honoured you. Alas, you have proved yourself unworthy of His love; but He has forgiven your backslidings. You have wandered from Him; but He has restored you. Remember His love.
BROWNLOW NORTH: Does He not love us, and does He not know what is best for us? Oh, for grace to remember, not only when His dispensations are agreeable to the flesh, but also when they are painful and flesh-crucifying, that the Lord reigneth, that the Lord is our Father.
CHARLES BRIDGES (1794-1869): My dear children, call to mind the former days, and the years of ancient times…Remember also the Word—the Word, I say, upon which the Lord hath caused you to hope. If you have sinned against light; if you are tempted to blaspheme; if you are down in despair; if you think God fights against you; or if heaven is hid from your eyes, remember…
