14. 26. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27. 'The fear of the LORD is the fountain of life, to depart from the sinners of death. v. 26, 27. The fear of God comprehends the substance of true godliness, and great is the blessedness thereof. (1.) It gives strong confidence; for they who walk in God's fear, may be assured of his protection. (2.) In every day of trial, God's children have a fair refuge from all the storms of wrath, and the rage of earth and hell. (3.) This fear is a fountain of life, it is what brings present comfort and satisfaction to the soul, and will spring up to everlasting life hereafter. (4.) All who are governed by it, depart from the sinners of death; it keeps us from sin with all its allurements, and thereby shields us from the sufferings which are the wages of sin. Lord, put this fear in my heart! 28. In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. As numbers are the great security of a kingdom, it is the labour of every good king, by the mildness and equity of his administration, to encourage trade, manufactures, and agriculture; and the flourishing condition of his subjects redounds to his honour. Whilst, where the government is rigorous, tyrannical, and arbitrary, property is insecure, the spur to industry is lost, the land uncultivated and deserted, and the nation's forces weakened, leave it a prey to every invader. Heb. Short of Spirit. 29. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit, exalteth folly. A deliberate liar is an undone soul; but a man of integrity speaketh the truth from his heart; suffices what he hath heard and knows, without wavering or variation. 29. A wicked man hardneth his face: but as for the upright, he directed his way. They shew great understanding who curb their passions, restrain their anger, continue undisturbed under provocations, and in their patience possess their souls; but a man hasty of spirit, that fires in a moment, and in looks, words, or actions, hears his anger, exalteth folly, the slave of his passion, and exposing himself to contempt. PC. call. 10. 30. A found heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Impunient sinners cease to blush at their abominations, and despise alike the terrors of the law, and the wrath of the Almighty: no rebuke confounds, no correction humbles him; but the upright, he directed his way, according to the rule of God's word. 30. "There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the LORD. 31. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD." v. 30, 31. Many are the devices that human and diabolical craft have planned against the kingdom of Jesus and his people; but vain are the deepest politics, or the most subtle designs; God mocks at the efforts of impotent malice: and as no counsel can prevail against him, neither can any strength protect without him. However just the cause, or great the preparations made, the issue of the battle depends upon him who giveth it not always to the strong. Under his protection we are false in the midst of danger: and as in all human conceits the victory or salvation is of the Lord; so in all our spiritual conflicts also, his power and grace alone are our stability, and secure our eternal salvation amidst the attacks of corruption, earth, and hell. A found heart, right with God, and truly turned to him, or a healing heart, that seeks to compose all differences, or a light heart, good humoured and cheerful, is the life of the flesh, or fifties, contributes to our own and other's health and comfort; but envy the rottenness of the bones, it waftes the body, preys upon the spirits, and brings men to be walking corpses, before they go into the grave.