Here is, 1. David's humble petition for the tongue of the learned, that
he might know how to speak a word in season for the glory of God: Take
not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth. He means, "Lord, let the
word of truth be always in my mouth; let me have the wisdom and courage
which are necessary to enable me both to use my knowledge for the
instruction of others, and, like the good householder, to bring out of
my treasury things new and old, and to make profession of my faith
whenever I am called to it." We have need to pray to God that we may
never be afraid or ashamed to own his truths and ways, nor deny him
before men. David found that he was sometimes at a loss, that the word
of truth was not so ready to him as it should have been, but he prays,
"Lord, let it not be taken utterly from me; let me always have so much
of it at hand as will be necessary to the due discharge of my duty." 2.
His humble profession of the heart of the upright, without which the
tongue of the learned, however it may be serviceable to others, will
stand us in no stead. (1.) David professes his confidence in God:
"Lord, make me ready and mighty in the scriptures, for I have hoped in
those judgments of thy mouth, and, if they be not at hand, my support
and defence have departed from me." (2.) He professes his resolution to
adhere to his duty in the strength of God's grace: "So shall I keep thy
law continually. If I have thy word not only in my heart, but in my
mouth, I shall do all I should do, stand complete in thy whole will."
Thus shall the man of God be perfect, thoroughly furnished for every
good word and work, 2 Tim. iii. 17; Col. iii. 16. Observe how he
resolves to keep God's law, [1.] Continually, without trifling. God
must be served in a constant course of obedience every day, and all the
day long. [2.] For ever and ever, without backsliding. We must never be
weary of well-doing. If we serve him to the end of our time on earth,
we shall be serving him in heaven to the endless ages of eternity; so
shall we keep his law for ever and ever. Or thus: "Lord, let me have
the word of truth in my mouth, that I may commit that sacred deposit to
the rising generation (2 Tim. ii. 2) and by them it may be transmitted
to succeeding ages; so shall thy law be kept for ever and ever," that
is, from one generation to another, according to that promise (Isa.
lix. 21), My word in thy mouth shall not depart out of the mouth of thy
seed, nor thy seed's seed.