4. They that hate me. Surprising sin that people
should hate the altogether lovely one; truly is it added without a cause,
for reason there was none for this senseless enmity. He neither blasphemed God,
nor injured man. Besides, he had not only done us no evil, but he had bestowed
countless and priceless benefits. Well might he demand, “For which of these works do ye stone me?” Yet from his cradle to his cross, beginning with Herod and not ending
with Judas, he had foes without number; and he justly said, they are more than the hairs of mine head. The hosts of earth and hell, banded together,
made up vast legions of antagonists, none of whom had any just ground for
hating him. They that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty. It was bad that they were many, but worse that they were mighty.
All the ecclesiastical and military powers of his country were arrayed against
him. David’s adversaries were on the throne when he was hiding in caverns, and
our Lord’s enemies were the great ones of the earth, while he of whom the world
was not worthy was reproached of men and despised of the people. Then I restored that which I took not away. Though innocent, he was treated as
guilty. Though David had no share in plots against Saul, yet he was held
accountable for them. In reference to our Lord, it may be truly said that he
restores what he took not away, for he gives back to the injured honor of God a
recompense, and to man his lost happiness.
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