_Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered._ THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS Since the time of Origen, seven of the psalms have borne the name of Penitential; namely, Psalms 6:1; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 38:1; Psalms 51:1; Psalms 102:1; Psalms 130:1; Psalms 143:1. They were used in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_In whose spirit there is no guile._ SIGNS OF A SINCERE AND GUILELESS HEART 1. Observe thy actions. (1) In their nature. If they be single and pure, so is thy heart. As is the fountain and the root, such are the streams and the fruit. (2) In their end. An honest heart ever aims at God’s glory di... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I kept silence, my bones waxed old._ UNCONFESSED SIN On several grounds we may set forth the urgency of the duty of making immediate and penitent confession of our sins unto God. I. every sin is manifest unto God whether we confess it or not. His scrutiny penetrates every disguise, and analy... [ Continue Reading ]
_Day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me._ PREMENS GRAVISSIMA “_Premes gravissima. Sublevans suavissima et potentissima.” _So wrote one of our shrewdest commentators about the hand of which the psalmist speaks, in words which may be freely translated, “The hand of God, whilst pressing very hard,... [ Continue Reading ]
_I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou for-gavest the iniquity of my sin._ CONFESSION It is hard to look things in the face; yet we must do so; we must own our sins honestly. I. To our own hearts--and then, down comes our pride. We thought ourselves tolerably good, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee, in a time when Thou mayest be found._ THE DUTY OF PRAYER I. the nature of this duty. We may say prayers, even the most beautiful of prayers, such as we have in our liturgy, but all this may be and yet we may never pray. If our religion does n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art my hiding place._ OUR HIDING PLACE A man who is pursued as if he were a wild beast can appreciate the value of a safe hiding place. I. we need a hiding place for the soul. 1. For there is an enemy to our souls ever seeking their destruction. Is it true that there is a wicked devil? Som... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go._ A TEACHABLE DISPOSITION A teachable disposition is implied by the notable words, “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” We lay great stress on these words. It is manifest that the eye of God can guide none but those who are diligentl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding._ BIT AND BRIDLE: HOW TO ESCAPE THEM I. A privilege to be sought. 1. This guidance is very full in its nature. (1) God is prepared to give you an inward understanding of spiritual things; for His instruction is intensely effect... [ Continue Reading ]
_Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about._ THE PORTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED CONTRASTED Note the contrast in these words. The wicked, and those who trust in the Lord. And the “many sorrows” of the one, with the encompassing merc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shout for joy, all ye that are upright of heart._ HOW WE REJOICE IN THE LORD 1. When our joy is a fruit of the Spirit of the Lord (Galatians 5:22). 2. When it looketh to God and acknowledgeth Him the true God, and in His Son whom He hath sent, His God reconciled, appeased, and well pleased (Roma... [ Continue Reading ]