Upon such a text as this, Psalm 92:11, “Mine eye shall see my desire on my enemies; mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.” I have heard one say it gave some shock to his thoughts, it compelled him to behold none but the great Messiah speaking. When it came to be sung in the Assemblies of Zion [at church], the thoughts were constantly awakened in him were, Lord, my desire is that my enemy may be pardoned and come to have a share with me in the blessings of goodness. This truly were to sing with melody in his heart unto the Lord.

Hereupon I consulted the original, I found this word my desire is not in the original.[1] I wish that some other word of supply might be brought unto the translation instead of my desire. Why may not we read, What God shall do, or, what shall be done? Accordingly, Darby in his version of the Psalms, when that clause comes in Psalm 54:7, Mine eyes has seen its desire on my enemies, turns it so, Thou makest my foes to fall before mine eyes.

One says very truly, “‘Tis an easy thing to forgive injuries when God has changed the properties of the and turned them into blessings.” I hope you got so much good by your defamations that you can bless God for them. Then it will be no hard thing for you to wish a blessing on the author of them.

Nor shall your generosity stop there. It is part of the gracious yoke which our Savior has laid upon us, Matthew 5:44, Do good unto them that hate you. I think you should watch the next opportunity after an injury, and particularly after an injurious defamation to do some kindness unto the person that has injured you. Do something wherein he may be the better for you. It was an ancient maxim, Disce diligere inimicum si vis cavere inimicum. Sir, love your enemies and you will bravely arm yourself against your enemies.

Never decline any justice or service which may lie in your way to do unto such a person because he has defamed you. But let his ill-doings provoke you to love and good works; provoke you of some way of being useful to him, which else you ahd never thought upon. Your discretion may so manage the circumstances of your action that the man shall not be hardened in sin by what you do. It may be so managed that you may find the sweet accomplishment of that word, Romans 12:20, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” That is to say, thou shalt melt him. The expression may seem to carry some damage in it, but the allusion has not been commonly understood. It alludes unto them that are concerned with the melting of metals. The metals which will not be melted by fires put under them are melted with coals of fire are heaped upon them; are laid over the crucible. It may be by such good conduct of yours, you may overcome evil with good. You may bring your adversaries such a remorse, that they shall bear this glorious testimony of you, He is a good man. Whether this be done or no, it is most certain you will, by such a conduct exceedingly glorify Christ. Your concern for such a conduct will exceedingly discover the love of God flaming in your soul. The consolations of that love will be wonderful! Be wonderful!

---

[1] The verse is translated variously,

          And my eye has looked exultantly upon my foes,

          My ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me.

Psalm 92:11 (NASB95)

              My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;

  my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

Psalm 92:11 (ESV)

      My eyes look down on my enemies;

      my ears hear evildoers when they attack me.

Psalm 92:11 (HCSB)

      My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;

my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

Psalm 92:11 (NIV)