_O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy en-dureth for ever._ MEN AND MERCY I. Men consciously needing the mercy of Heaven. Morally, we are all distressed travellers, captives, invalids, mariners. The worst feature of this moral distress is that the subjects are not conscious of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the redeemed of the Lord say so._ “SAY SO” An overture, an antiphon, a doxology is this psalm, and in my text the psalmist calls for an outspoken religion, and requests all who have been rescued and blessed no longer to hide the glorious facts, but to publish them, and, as far as possible, let... [ Continue Reading ]
_They wandered in the wilderness._ THE SINNER HOMELESS The old legend of the Wandering Jew tells us how he who had struck and insulted Jesus as He left the Judgment Hall was condemned to wander homeless through many lands, a stranger, unwelcomed and uncared for, who found no city to dwell in. The l... [ Continue Reading ]
_And He delivered them out of their distresses._ THE WAY OUT This psalm is an Old Testament lovefeast. In the first three verses the redeemed are exhorted to speak out their experience of the goodness of God. In response, four representative testimonies are given. Travellers who had lost their way... [ Continue Reading ]
_He led them forth by the right way._ THE WAY AND GUIDE TO HEAVEN I. The end for which the people of God were led forth from Egypt was that “they might come to a city of habitation”; in other words, “to a city, or cities, which they might inhabit.” Are you by faith in Christ Jesus the sons of God?... [ Continue Reading ]
_Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness._ THANKSGIVING FOR A GOOD HARVEST The importance of the harvest season is universally known. The labour and produce of the whole year depend finally on it. A good harvest is not a particular, but a general benefit. Bread is the staff of life; and... [ Continue Reading ]
_For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness._ THE LONGING SOUL SATISFIED I. The source of true satisfaction is God. 1. The soul being made in His image has infinite yearnings which nothing finite can satisfy, and powers which can only find their due exercise in... [ Continue Reading ]
_He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death._ SONG FOR THE FREE, AND HOPE FOR THE BOUND The deliverance here intended is one which is brought to us by redemption, and comes by the way of the great sacrifice upon Calvary. I. Who are these favoured men? 1. Guilty men (verse 11). Hear... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fools, because of their transgression and because of their iniquities, are afflicted._ THE HISTORY OF SUNDRY FOOLS Here are four pictures, and you may find your likeness in one of the four; but, be not so unwise as to condemn yourself if you are not seen in the other three. “I never went to sea,”... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sent Him word, and healed them._ THE HEALING INFLUENCE OF GOD’S WORD Those who do not enjoy Divine revelation are in a very miserable state: they sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Their habitations are full of darkness; their lives are full of sin and misery, and they have no hope in... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters._ DISTRESSED SEAMEN AND THE SOVEREIGN OF THE SEA I. God’s sovereignty over the sea. Behind the laws there is the Lawgiver. Behind the force of the winds and waves there is the Force of all forces--the great God. To regard God... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then are they glad because they are quiet._ THE QUIET OF THE SABBATH I. Why on this day of rest ought we to be glad? 1. Because the week is the scene of perpetual activity. 2. Because the week is the season for impairing rather than increasing our spiritual vigour. 3. Because the week is the t... [ Continue Reading ]
_He turneth rivers into a wilderness._ GOD’S MANAGEMENT OF MAN UPON THE EARTH I. It involves great revolutions. 1. In the secular department (Psalms 107:33). Sodom’s fertile soil was smitten with barrenness. Canaan, at one time one of the most fruitful spots under heaven, is now one of the most w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord._ THE BENEFIT OF A WISE OBSERVANCE OF PROVIDENCES I. The wisdom of a devout attention to the ways of Providence. 1. They who are wise will observe those things--take notice of the hand of God... [ Continue Reading ]