The whole of these verses are but the expansion of do as Thou hast said.' But they are not vain repetitions. Rather they are the outpourings of wondering thankfulness and faith, that cannot turn away from dwelling on the miracle of mercy revealed to it unworthy. God delights in the sweet monotony and persistence of such reiterated prayers, each of which represents a fresh throb of desire and a renewed bliss in thinking of His goodness. Observe the frequency and variety of the divine names in these verses,--in each, one, at least: Jehovah God (2 Samuel 7:25); Jehovah of hosts (2 Samuel 7:26); Jehovah of hosts, God of Israel (2 Samuel 7:27); Lord Jehovah (2 Samuel 7:28-29). Strong love delights to speak the beloved name. Each fresh utterance of it is a fresh appeal to His revealed nature, and betokens another wave of blessedness passing over David's spirit as he thinks of God. Observe, also, the other repetition of' Thy servant,' which occurs in every verse, and twice in two of them. The king is never tired of realizing his absolute subjection, and feels that it is dignity, and a blessed bond with God, that he should be His servant. The true purpose of honor and office bestowed by God is the service of God, and the name of servant' is a plea with Him which He cannot but regard. Observe, too, how echoes of the promise ring all through these verses, especially the phrases establish the house' and for ever.' They show how profoundly David had been moved, and how he is laboring, as it were, to make himself familiar with the astonishing vista that has begun to open before his believing eyes. Well is it for us if we, in like manner, seek to fix our thoughts on the yet grander for ever' disclosed to us, and if it colors all our look ahead, and makes the refrain of all our hopes and prayers.
But the main lesson of the prayer is that God's promise should ever be the basis and measure of prayer. The mould into which our petitions should run is, Do as Thou hast said.' Because God's promise had come to David, therefore hath Thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto Thee.' There is no presumption in taking God at His word. True prayer catches up the promises that have fallen from heaven, and sends them back again, as feathers to the arrows of its petitions. Nor does the promise make the prayer needless. We know that' if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us'; and we know that we shall not receive the promised blessings, which are according to His will, unless we do ask. Let us seek to stretch our desires to the width of God's promises, and to confine our wishes within their bounds.
