Of Beholding The Transgressor With Grief.

Adapted From A Sermon By

Philip Doddridge

I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved.

(Psalms 119:158 KJV)

I look at the faithless with disgust.

(Psalms 119:158 ESV)

Our sermon from Philip Doddridge this morning is titled: Of Beholding The Transgressor With Grief.

The text is Psalm 119:158 which is translated in the ESV as: I look at the faithless with disgust. The second part of which other translations have as grieved, or to be sick at heart. This is how Doddridge understood the verse: I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved. However, whether we take the verse one way or the other the feelings expressed in the sermon align with other Scriptures and so the encouragements it provides remain helpful.

We have in this verse a hint of David's piety and zeal, of humanity and goodness as he himself portrayed it; not published to the world with the base intention of garnering human applause, but rather expressed in the presence of that God, whom he describes as one who searches all hearts and discerns the thoughts of the mind. "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved."

In the preceding verses, he had humbly described the perilous situation to which he was subjected by the multitude and ferocity of his adversaries, who, with unrelenting malice and insatiable anger, had long pursued their persecution against him: "Many are my persecutors and my adversaries."{Psalm 119:157} However, he finds solace in the fact that he had not strayed from God's precepts, nor permitted himself to deviate from the path of duty, even when it might have offered him the greatest advantage over them, in moments when Providence appeared to have delivered them into his grasp.

Here, he further notes that, despite all the afflictions he endured at their hands, he was not so overcome by resentment due to personal injuries sustained as he was with a devout sorrow upon contemplating the dishonor they cast upon God and the harm they inflicted upon themselves: "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved."

It is this aspect of David's character that we will explore, and will,

I. More specifically, delineate the disposition he conveys in the words of the text.

II. Demonstrate how reasonable it is that this should be our disposition; that we, upon beholding transgressors, should feel grief.

III.Further illustrate the subject by discussing certain specific circumstances of some transgressors, which make them particularly deserving of compassion.

IV. And then conclude with some inferences from the whole.

The hope is that this will stir us to a disposition towards the sinful world around us that is, in its essence, highly reasonable and could, in its outcomes, prove helpful to both ourselves and others!

I. In the first place, let us consider David's character as expressed in the words of the text: I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved.

The word "grieved" in the Bible has a very strong and complex meaning, covering emotions like sorrow, anger, and disgust.

Apart for those who take it in negative sense of loathing, some interpret the verse to mean, "I beheld them, and immediately was grieved; as soon as I saw them, my soul was touched and pierced with the sight." Others would translate it as, "I looked upon them with grief," indicating that he often endeavored to fix his thoughts on this sad scene, so that he might be deeply affected by it, and engage with it with the appropriate seriousness and concern. Overall, Doddridge's, view is that the disposition David expresses can be described as follows:

It is a mixture of indignation and tender sorrow, stemming from a careful examination of the character and condition of wicked men, moderated by other aspects of a devout mindset, and applied to some rational and beneficial ends. This was David's temperament, and it is the temperament which we are encouraged to adopt. Looking at it in a little more detail,

1. This is a mixture of indignation and sorrow. Indignation, the word most strongly expresses, and the occasion evidently requires; and David carries this sentiment so far as not only to say, "Am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?" (the same word as is used in the text), but further, "Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate you?"{Psalm 139:21 KJV} Yet, this indignation is directed towards the crimes, not towards the persons of the sinners, and it carries with it a tender sorrow which is inseparable from love under such circumstances, lamenting that unhappy creatures should act in such a foolish and fatal manner with regard to themselves. This sentiment is most poignantly and beautifully articulated in Psalm 119:136, "My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law."

2. This grief comes from carefully observing the nature and situation of sinful people. It's not an uncontrolled outburst but a thoughtful, calm sorrow that is deep and profound because it's based on understanding. It's similar to the grief Jesus felt for people's stubborn hearts, yet he remained dignified and composed when he healed the man with the withered hand in the synagogue. This type of grief involves understanding sin, recognizing God's disapproval of it, and realizing the danger it poses to those who do not repent. It is supported by logic and faith, and deepened by the Christian teachings about judgment and the afterlife.

3. It must be a grief that is consistent with, and moderated by other aspects of a pious mindset; specifically, it should involve submission to God, and contentment in him.

Our sorrow for the sins and suffering of others should be controlled by a proper submission to God. We should not let this grief lead us to challenge God, wondering why He has not stopped the sin or why He does not instantly fix everyone's problems with His power. This is difficult to accept, but we must not let it confuse us or make us dislike God or doubt His goodness, as that would be us acting superior to Him. While we should be sad about people's sins and work towards their improvement and joy, we need to accept God's current plan as the best. We should blame human actions and free will for the problems, not God's lack of help. Even if we see that many might face eternal punishment, we should grieve but not complain; instead, we should honor and celebrate the necessary and just severity of God's actions, like the church in Revelation did, praising God's mighty and fair deeds. "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!"{Revelation 15:3}

Moreover, our sadness about others' sins should not take away from our joy in God. Every good person should feel this way. David showed this when he said, "Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous,"{Psalm 33:1} and lived it by saying, "I will rejoice and be glad in the Lord, in God my exceeding joy." {Psalm 68:3, 43:4} It is like a child who might be sad about a sibling's troubles but still finds happiness in the family's overall well-being and enjoys time with a loving father. The teachings of God are all in harmony, so we shouldn't focus on just one aspect of the Christian character at the detriment of another.

4. Our grief for the sins of others must be directed to some valuable and useful purposes.

It's a seriously misguided idea in religion to chase after emotional highs just for the feeling itself, thinking they're the same as being good or virtuous. If we care about people who've done wrong, we should do something to help them, not be emotional about it. Otherwise, our tears are just signs of weakness and foolishness, making us feel worse and highlighting the neglect of our duties. If there's a famine or a big illness going around and we can do something to help but only sit and cry instead, isn't that just hypocritical rather than showing real friendship? David didn't just mourn for the sinners; with the comfort of knowing God forgave him, he taught them God's ways, lessons that still teach new generations, with his real goal being to turn sinners back to God.

We have now heard several suggestions, which should hopefully have made very clear the disposition which we are encouraged to have which is essential to pave the way for the next heading, which is that,

II. It is eminently reasonable that we should foster this disposition within ourselves; upon witnessing transgressors, we ought to be moved to grief. We will consider the argument exclusively from the standpoint of the dishonor brought upon God, the detriment inflicted upon society, and the disaster and ruin that man precipitates upon himself.

1. We should feel sorrow when we see people going astray, thinking about the dishonor they cast on God and religion. If we've truly become children of God through grace, we'll definitely love our Heavenly Father, which will stir up a passion for his interests and a care for his reputation on earth. While others might be sensitive with respect to their own honor or any insult to their feelings, we, as the Bible says, should be zealous for the Lord of Hosts, and this zeal will make us grieve when we see transgressors.

Sin is clearly an insult to him; John describes sin as breaking the law, which speaks poorly of its Maker. David felt this deeply when he said, "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word." It's a sad state of affairs that God would come down to set up his kingdom among us, name us as his people, and give us laws to live by, only for those laws to be broken with disdain.

A government based on such noble principles, run with such mercy and kindness, is disrespected, with people thinking they're champions of freedom when they reject his laws. This is truly sad! But it gets even more sorrowful when you consider that sin also mocks the gospel, which Scripture describes with dread as trampling on the blood of the covenant like it's nothing sacred.

Can a Christian see this without feeling sad? Can we, who have joyfully given our souls to the grace of the gospel as our only hope and remedy, just stand by while this grace is rejected? The love of our Redeemer, celebrated by saints on earth and angels in heaven, is treated by those on a path to hell as something unnecessary, useless, worthless?

Can we not grieve when we see Jesus Christ speaking to sinners with such gentle yet urgent love, offering them the greatest blessings bought with his blood, only for them to ignore it for trivial pursuits that oppose him? Can we not feel sorrow when the Holy Spirit patiently tries to reach out to sinners, time and again, often in vain, as his efforts are stifled, he is grieved, and ultimately driven to depart? An insult to each Person of the Holy Trinity; a slight to the love of a Savior and the authority of the supreme Lawgiver, justly provokes both anger and grief.

2. We should feel sorrow upon seeing transgressors, considering the harm they inflict upon the world.

Through their irregular behavior and neglect of life's duties and responsibilities, they strip the world of the benefits they could have contributed. It's clear how much family comfort, and at times societal well-being, depends on individual conduct. People have the potential to increase happiness with their wisdom and kindness, yet they can also cause great harm and grief through their wickedness and folly. The negative impact does not remain confined to a limited sphere. Many are led astray by their corrupt suggestions or infected by their sinful example, a contagion that spreads far, growing more malevolent as it moves from one man to another.

It's also worth noting, though it might have been mentioned earlier, that regardless of the religious beliefs of transgressors, they tend to be detrimental to those around them. It's quite likely that many might seek to escape the guilt of a troubled conscience and the daunting prospect of future retribution by denying the truth of Divine revelation. We often notice that such individuals are keen to disseminate their unsettling ideas, seemingly with no other motive than to rally support against the fears they themselves have not conquered. However, if the openly sinful man continues to profess religion, what purpose does he serve but to further discredit it, and to prejudice others against it, by showing that it can coexist with such blatant misbehavior? Thus, as has been stated elsewhere, through such men, the name of God is blasphemed among unbelievers, not only dishonoring the Divine Being but also causing significant harm to men's souls.

3. We ought to grieve when we behold transgressors, on account of the ruin they are bringing upon themselves.

As they dishonor God and harm the world, they inevitably cause great damage to themselves. Driven by a misguided and uncontrolled self-love, they become their own worst enemies. Divine wisdom declares, "He who sins against me wrongs his own soul," and this is not a trivial matter but so grave that it's rightly said, "All those who hate me love death." This is a fundamental mistake; for God has stated, "The soul who sins shall die," and our Lord Jesus Christ describes all unrepentant sinners who reject the gospel, regardless of their other traits, as already under condemnation, living in a state of death. "Whoever does not believe (in the Son) is condemned already," bearing the weight of a sentence of wrath for past sins, with their disbelief only increasing the guilt and the severity of the judgment.

Can we witness such a man and not feel grief? When we see criminals sentenced to death by human laws, no matter how heinous their crimes, we cannot help but feel some compassion. Is not the divine condemnation far more terrifying? The sentence comes from Him who, after killing, can cast both body and soul into hell! Where, then, does our indifference towards such individuals come from, with whom we interact every day?

But one might argue, these individuals are not under an irrevocable sentence; they have the hopes and offers of pardon, thus not as pitiable as described. Indeed, they have these chances, but how do they value them? How do they respond to them? If a condemned criminal were offered pardon upon asking with submission to his offended sovereign, yet he neglects this kind and gracious condition, spending his time in idleness and luxury without a thought or care for seeking that pardon, would you not consider his situation just as lamentable?

You might say, "The stubborn creature deserves his fate." True, but would you harden your heart against him for that reason? If the precious time for repentance were not yet over, would you not give him one earnest warning, one compassionate plea? Without doubt, you would. Our hearts are not hardened to that extent; we pity even the worst of mankind under these circumstances.

To awaken our zeal and compassion on this issue, let us remember that we were once under the same condemnation. As the apostle argues elsewhere, we too were once foolish and disobedient; yet divine mercy has awakened and reclaimed us. And should we not, who understand the nature of being lost in sin and at risk of eternal damnation, we who have felt its horrors, we who owe so much to the grace that saved us, should we not show compassion to those still caught in the very conditions from which we were rescued, where we would still linger had not the voice, the hand, the power of God intervened to save us from our impending doom? These are weighty considerations, which ought to convince us that when we see transgressors, we ought to be grieved. This grief will manifest itself if we hold a religious zeal for God's honor, a generous care for the welfare of our surroundings, or any compassion for these individuals in particular. For through their stubborn and unrepentant actions, they dishonor God, harm society, and bring about their own downfall.

III. And now, in the third place, we will consider certain scenarios that are particularly poignant, where we should view transgressors with an intensified sense of sorrow. Thus, if there are many of them; if they are people who have had substantial advantages in terms of religious education; if they've seemed to be on the road to righteousness; if they possess notably likable qualities in their nature and character; or if they are bound to us by ties of family or friendship. In these cases, there is ample reason for a special kind of grief.

1. It is especially distressing when we see a multitude of transgressors. In each of these situations, we find unique reasons for sorrow; and as numbers swell, the influence of their example becomes more potent, giving us significant reason to worry for others, since most people have a tendency to follow the crowd, especially when it's involved in misconduct. I might also add that widespread sin gives us reason to expect public judgments; because, as societies do not carry on into the next life, it might be more urgent for God to address them now, particularly when they become markedly corrupt concerning certain individuals.

2. Their situation is especially heart-wrenching if they have benefited from exceptional religious advantages. If they've had access to Divine revelation; if they were raised by pious parents, taught early about God and their duties, brought up to engage in prayer, and encouraged from childhood to pray in private; if they've seen exemplary behavior in their own homes, and have been under the guidance of sound public ministry for a long time. These are the children of the kingdom, and it's particularly sad that they might be excluded. They know their Master's will, and thus, if they do not adhere to it, they must face serious consequences. These are people who have been lifted to heaven by their external privileges, and therefore, should they fall, they will plummet to the lowest depths of hell. Considering such cases, we must surely feel grief. Especially,

3. If they once displayed promising signs of a religious inclination. If they viewed instruction and worship as a joy rather than a duty; if, like Agrippa, they were almost persuaded to become Christians; if, like Herod, they received the word with joy and acted in many ways in accordance with it. If they prayed in private and asked for others' prayers, thus raising the hopes and joy of Christian parents and ministers. We were ready to declare, "These are the ones who will bring us comfort in our old age; these are those who will spread religion in our time and ensure it for future generations." We thought, "these shall be our comfort;" but, sadly, they have become our greatest source of sorrow. The disappointment in such cases is especially painful; in individuals who were so near to entering the kingdom of God. Our hearts cannot help but ache when we see them slipping back into perdition, knowing full well that it would have been better for them never to have known the path of righteousness than, having known it, to deviate from the sacred commandment.

4. It's even more disheartening if these individuals, despite all those advantages, still have something notably endearing about them. Though they may no longer show signs of deep piety, they have not completely lost their charm. Maybe there's an attractive appearance, a keen mind, a lively sense of humor, an affable nature, an engaging personality, courteous behavior, and, above all, a generous, compassionate, and sincere heart; so that, like the young man in the gospel whom Jesus loved at first sight, there is just one thing missing, and that is the one crucial thing. Who could observe so many natural gifts without lamenting the lack of spiritual grace? Who wouldn't be moved to sorrow seeing such a soul alienated from God, bound by sin, indifferent to the gospel, and, altogether, in such a condition that the best hope Christianity can offer in the present is that he might not sink as far into eternal damnation as some others; even when his condemnation for rejecting the gospel will be harsher than that of Sodom and Gomorrah on judgment day.

5. It's the most heart-wrenching of all when individuals in these predicaments are closely linked to us by bonds of family or friendship. Such connections, such personal investment in their well-being, make us acutely aware of all their other troubles; shouldn't we be even more aware of this? Consider do none of you have a relative, or a friend, dear to you, about whom you have reason to fear they are unrepentant transgressors? Let your conscience answer; should you not feel particular concern for them?

Notwithstanding the perspective of how their conduct might affect your own interests, nor how their waywardness might impact your worldly affairs; nor the responsibility you'll have to account for your actions towards these people and the efforts you could have made to steer them towards truth and happiness. Disregarding all these points, shouldn't friendship and love deeply influence your thoughts on this matter?

You who gaze upon them with delight and affection, who see them as the light of your eyes and the joy of your heart; you who would recoil at the thought of being separated from them even for a year; how can you bear the thought of an eternal separation? Or would your love drive you to join them in those places of misery where they are fated to dwell? You who, if you saw them going down into the grave, would almost wish to follow, how will you endure watching them descend into hell? Oh, what a parting there will be at death! Oh, what a reunion at the judgment seat of God!

And now we will close with,

IV. Some inferences and reflections that might logically stem from what we have been considering.

1. If all have so much reason to be grieved for transgressors, then surely transgressors have the greatest reason to be grieved for themselves.

Sinners! If we feel a compassionate concern for your well-being, how much more should you feel it for yourselves, reflecting, "I am the unfortunate, wretched individual, so mired in guilt and misery that all who live by the standards of God's eternal word look upon me with pity. I am the one who dishonors God, harms the world, and destroys my own soul." It is a pitiful condition; may God illuminate it for you in its stark reality, so you might grasp its seriousness! Yet, thank God, though it is grave, it is not hopeless. Though you are transgressors, the God with whom you must deal has revealed Himself as merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and rich in goodness and truth; forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.

Furthermore, there is a Redeemer who has provided atonement and intercedes for those who have transgressed. Turn to Him with a humble confession of sin and a true desire to accept Him according to the gospel's way, and your sorrow will turn into eternal joy; your repentance will gladden those whom your sins have hurt. Your friends will celebrate; the church will celebrate; indeed, this joy will reach into the heavens, where sorrow is unknown; for our Lord has made it clear that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

2. If we have so much reason to be grieved for transgressors, what reason have we to rejoice in that Redeemer by whom they are recovered and saved.

We feel compassion for them, but, sadly, our sympathy is weak and lacks impact. We can mourn for them, we can implore them, we can even shout to these lifeless bones, "Live!" but, alas, what strength can we add to our pleas? Or what assurance could we have of their acceptance, or even our own, if not for the revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ? But in Him, we see the most exquisite combination of power and compassion; His is an omnipotent mercy that often saves where it sympathizes. When He was on Earth, He saw sinners and was grieved for them. He wept over them; and not only did He weep for a lost world, He bled and died; nor was His sacrifice in vain.

Innumerable dead sinners have been awakened; countless guilty souls have been pardoned; countless polluted lives have been cleansed and transformed: countless people once condemned by God and their own conscience are now lifted by Him to stand in the places of angels, eternally surrounding the throne of God.

It is to Him we owe the capacity to lead sinners to salvation as we try to rouse them; to Him, in whom our hope for them, as well as for ourselves, is anchored. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice. Rejoice in Him as the Savior of all men, especially those who believe; and, while you mourn over the sins of an ungodly world, deepen your hope in His covenant of grace.

3. If there be reason to be grieved on account of impenitent transgressors, what reason is there to rejoice that all are not of this character.

It is true that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; nor can anyone claim to be free from all transgression. Yet, through the abundance of Divine grace, there are those who are set apart from the corruptions of a wicked world, dedicating themselves faithfully to the service of God. Some have offered their bodies and souls as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; and despite being surrounded by numerous imperfections and still lamenting over the remnants of sin, they are nonetheless striving towards the prize of the high calling of God in Christ. We ought to rejoice in this.

We should rejoice if, through Divine kindness, we hope that this describes our own situation; that we have been rescued like brands from the burning; and though once distant, are now brought near by the blood of the cross. But our joy should not be limited to ourselves: we should express our gratitude to God that there are many others whom he has saved and called with a holy calling; some who act as the lights of the world and the salt of the earth; and who, aware of the honor of their relationship to God and the value of their hope, conduct themselves to some extent as children of God amidst a generation that is crooked and perverse.

This is cause for immense gratitude, it is a reason for praise, that God has raised up from among the descendants of fallen Adam individuals to serve him, to be counted as his own generation. And we should particularly acknowledge his benevolence, that even among us, as degenerate as we may be, the Lord of hosts has left a remnant that seems to be set apart for himself; while they work to glorify God, to benefit the world, and to advance their own spiritual and eternal happiness. The same principles that move us to view transgressors with sorrow should instruct us to regard these individuals with satisfaction and joy.

4. If we are to behold transgressors with grief, then surely we ought to esteem it a very great favor if Providence has placed us in circumstances that may render us peculiarly helpful to them.

Those connections, whether in public or private life, which provide us with opportunities or authority to address sinners on the profound matter of their eternal salvation, should be viewed with pleasure, regardless of the toil, fatigue, difficulty, or trials they might entail.

You, who are parents and heads of households, should see this as a fortunate situation, where, with the Divine blessing, you may aspire to be instrumental in reclaiming your children. And for those whom God has deemed faithful, appointing us to the ministry, may God ignite their zeal, both in their public duties and private interactions!

And may he bless this sermon as a means to achieve such a beneficial outcome! May he soften our hearts with holy sorrow and compassion when we see transgressors! And while we strive to guide them in his ways, with the aim that sinners might turn to him, may he fortify our efforts and crown our labors with success!

Through our endeavors, may we bring back many a wayward soul from the error of their ways, thereby saving their souls from death and covering a multitude of sins! So that when all the wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, we, having led many to righteousness, may shine like stars with exceptional radiance, and receive from the hands of the Chief Shepherd an unfading crown of glory!