C. H. Spurgeon

My Preface shall at least possess the virtue of brevity, as I find it difficult

to impart to it any other.

The delightful study of the Psalms has yielded me boundless profit and

ever-growing pleasure; common gratitude constrains me to communicate

to others a portion of the benefit, with the prayer that it may induce them to

search further for themselves. That I have nothing better of my own to offer

upon this peerless book is to me matter of deepest regret ; that I have anything

whatever to present is subject for devout gratitude to the Lord of grace.

I have done my best, but, conscious of many defects, I heartily wish I could

have done far better.

The Exposition here given is my own. I consulted a few authors before

penning it, to aid me in interpretation and arouse my thoughts; but, still I

can claim originality for my comments, at least so I honestly think. 'Whether

they are better or worse for that, I know not; at least I know I have sought

heavenly guidance while writing them, and therefore I look for a blessing on

the printing of them.

The collection of quotations was an after-thought. In fact, matter grew

upon me which I thought too good to throw away. It seemed to me that it

might prove serviceable to others, if I reserved portions of my reading upon

the various Psalms; those reserves soon acquired considerable bulk, so much

so that even in this volume only specimens are given and not the bulk.

One thing the reader will please clearly to understand, and I beg him to

bear it in mind: I am far from endorsing all I have quoted. I am neither

responsible for the scholarship or orthodoxy of the writers. The names are

given that each author may bear his own burden; and a variety of writers

have been quoted that the thoughts of many minds might be before the

reader. Still I trust nothing evil has been admitted; if it be so it is an

oversight.

The research expended on this volume would have occupied far too much

of my time, had not my friend and amanuensis, Mr. John L. Keys, most

diligently aided me in investigations at the British Museum, Dr. Williams's

Library, and other treasuries of theological lore. With his help I have

ransacked books by the hundred, often without finding a memorable line as a

reward, but at other times with the most satisfactory result. Readers little

know how great labour the finding of but one pertinent extract may involve;

labour certainly I have not spared : my earnest prayer is that some measure

vi

of good may come of it to my brethren in the ministry and to the church at

large.

The Hints to Preachers are very simple, and an apology is due to my

ministerial readers for inserting them, but I humbly hope they may render

assistance to those for whom alone they are designed, viz., lay preachers

whose time is much occupied, and whose attainments are slender.

Should this first volume meet with the approbation of the judicious, I

shall hope by God's grace to continue the work as rapidly as I can consistently

with the research demanded and my incessant pastoral duties. Another

volume will follow in all probability in twelve months' time, if life be spared

and strength be given.

It may be added, that although the comments were the work of my health,

the rest of the volume is the product of my sickness. When protracted illness

and weakness laid me aside from daily preaching, I resorted to my pen as an

available means of doing good. I would have preached had I been able, but

as my Master denied me the privilege of thus serving him, I gladly availed

myself of the other method of bearing testimony for his name. O that he

may give me fruit in this field also, and his shall be all the praise.

C. H. Spurgeon