The Treasury Of David: First in a Series

At various times, for the next few weeks, I want to include some wonderful commentary on the Psalms. One of the most amazing undertakings on the Psalms was by the greatest preacher of the 19th Century- Charles H. Spurgeon. “This work was first published in weekly installments over a twenty-year span in the London Metropolitan Tabernacle's periodical, The Sword and the Trowel. Completed sections were released volume by volume, until the seventh and final volume was released in 1885. Within a decade more than 120,000 sets had been sold. ‘The Treasury of David’ is a superb literary achievement. Eric Hayden, pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle a century after Spurgeon's ministry began there, calls this work "Spurgeon's magnum opus." Spurgeon's wife said that if Spurgeon had never written any other work, this would have been a permanent literary memorial.” [From The Spurgeon Archive, www.spurgeon.org]. I will use as much of Spurgeon’s words as I can get by with, and as little of mine as I can. For the sake of brevity, all quotes by Spurgeon will be from: The treasury of David. containing an original exposition of the Book of Psalms: A collection of illustrative extracts from the whole range of literature: A series of homiletical hints upon almost every verse ; and lists of writers upon each Psalm. Spurgeon, C. H. (1990). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson or The Treasury Of David by Charles H. Spurgeon (Database © 2014 WORDsearch). I will not delineate the difference, as there is little to none.

As we dive into the great song book of the Nation of Israel, we want to find as much as possible to help us. I’ve decided to start at the very first Psalm, though we won’t attempt to cover all 150 Psalms or even in a particular order. Spurgeon notes in the intro to this first Psalm, “This Psalm may be regarded as The Preface Psalm, having in it a notification of the contents of the entire Book.” He then notes, “It is the psalmists's desire to teach us the way to blessedness, and to warn us of the sure destruction of sinners. This, then, is the matter of the first Psalm, which may be looked upon, in some respects, as the text upon which the whole of the Psalms make up a divine sermon.” We must not miss Spurgeon’s point, which the Psalms, all of them, can relate back to this first one, “the way to blessedness” for the followers, or as often described in the Psalms-those that “fear Him”, and the way of sinners. The entirety of the Psalms are built upon this principle, saint and sinner, to use New Testament type language.

Spurgeon depicts this Psalm in a constant contrast of ‘ways’ or descriptions that contrast the ‘blessed’ and the ‘sinner’. The Psalmist clearly is making a contrast of those who are following the Lord and those who are not. Spurgeon is careful to not allow us to forget the “blessed” are sinners, too, “Although a sinner himself, he is now a blood-washed sinner, quickened by the Holy Spirit, and renewed in heart. Standing by the rich grace of God in the congregation of the righteous, he dares not herd with the multitude that do evil.” As you go thru this Psalm, the back and forth is poetic, as you would expect in a poetic composition. Yet, the dichotomy is astounding, as Spurgeon describes it, “His footsteps are ordered by the Word of God, and not by the cunning and wicked devices of carnal men. It is a rich sign of inward grace when the outward walk is changed, and when ungodliness is put far from our actions.” Back and forth the writer reiterates a contrast, explicitly or implied.

Other Writers

One of the features of this great collection is Spurgeon’s use of other writers in commenting on the Psalms. Recently, I discovered Richard Baxter (1615-1691) a Puritan church leader, writer, theologian, poet, and hymn-writer. He was a controversial figure in early English-speaking aspects of the Protestant Reform movement. To my delight, Baxter is featured in Spurgeon’s section, he titles, ‘Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings’ which are helpful in understanding the Psalms. Baxter’s contribution is helpful, “Whole Psalm. This whole Psalm offers itself to be drawn into these two opposite propositions: a godly man is blessed, a wicked man is miserable; which seem to stand as two challenges, made by the prophet: one, that he will maintain a godly man against all comers, to be the only Jason for winning the golden fleece of blessedness; the other, that albeit the ungodly make a show in the world of being happy, yet they of all men are most miserable.—Sir Richard Baker, 1640.” Another quote, “Where the word blessed is hung out as a sign, we may be sure that we shall find a godly man within.—Sir Richard Baker.” We see Baxter again, quoted, “"Walketh Not....Nor standeth....Nor sitteth," etc. Negative precepts are in some cases more absolute and peremptory than affirmatives; for to say, "that hath walketh in the counsel of the godly," might not be sufficient; for, he might walk in the counsel of the godly, and yet walk in the counsel of the ungodly too; not both indeed at once, but both at several times; where now, this negative clears him at all times.—Sir Richard Baker.”

Hints to the Village Preacher

Another great feature or subsection is what Spurgeon titled, ‘Hints to the Village Preacher’ which Spurgeon supplied as early sermon starters. Spurgeon, in his preface of the book, stated, “The Hints to the Village Preacher are very simple, and an apology is due to my ministerial readers for inserting them, but I humbly hope they may render assistance to those for whom alone they are designed, viz., lay preachers whose time is much occupied, and whose attainments are slender.” They are sometimes brief, as such: “in connection with the whole Psalm. The wide difference between the righteous and the wicked.” He would include the works of others in this section as well. A good example is this quote, “Teaches a godly man to beware, (1) of the opinions, (2) of the practical life, and (3) of the company and association of sinful men. Show how meditation upon the Word will assist us in keeping aloof from these three evils. The insinuating and progressive nature of sin.—J. Morrison.”

Works Upon The First Psalm

Finally, Spurgeon included ‘Works Upon ...’ which was a Bibliography for the Psalm in question. Many of the works included are hard, if not impossible, to come by. Some, like Baxter’s works, are available at no charge, as they are public domain now, in Kindle and other e-book forms. Spurgeon includes a few for this Psalm, including, “Meditations ad Disquisitions upon the First Psalm of David.—Blessed is the Man. By Sir Richard Baker, Knight. London. 1640” This volume is available (here) . Without cost, as many of the early writings of Baxter, as well as Spurgeon's are. Great value can be gleaned from the ancient Puritans and early church fathers, and Spurgeon points us in the right direction to discover them.

In actuality, we have only covered the first Psalm and almost exclusively the first verse. Spurgeon’s in depth analysis, thoughtful insights, and uncompromising belief in God’s Word is evident on every page of this masterful work. I would recommend you find a copy- printed, e-book, and/or on the web, like (here) . Diving into God’s Word is always productive, Spurgeon’s work will cause you to dig a little deeper. His ability to expound on texts is note-worthy and should be gleaned from by generations to come (as the past generations have done). Spurgeon’s words are still quoted in pulpits all over the world, and the reasons become evident in this very first Psalm. I’ve spent the last 1300 words or so to describe Spurgeon’s work, on Psalm 1:1, and to compare, Spurgeon used over 2300 words. He has a lot more to say than I do, and I would recommend this work as a tremendous resource.

#Psalms #CharlesSpurgeon