_Give ear to my words, O Lord._
THE INWARD AND OUTWARD SIDES OF THE DIVINE LIFE
The Psalm falls into two main parts-- Psalms 5:1, and Psalms 5:8. The
inward comes first; for communion with God in the secret place of the
Most High must precede all walking in His way, and all blessed
experience of Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_For unto Thee will I pray._
PRAYER
If you “restrain prayer before God”--
1. You act in opposition to your sense and confession of what is
right. You know that you ought to pray. How can you repel the charge
of inconsistency, when prayer is excluded from your practical system?
2. By neglecting p... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee._
HOW GO BEGIN EVERY DAY WITH GOD
I. The good work itself that we are to do. To pray. A duty dictated by
the light and law of nature, but which the gospel of Christ gives us
better instruction in. See how David expresses his pious resolutions.
1. M... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness._
THE GREAT MATTERS OF RELIGION
If we inquire how it comes to pass that man is fallen under God’s
displeasure, the text resolves it all into “wickedness.” This is
that which makes all the breach between God and us. This is that which
bath wrought... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy._
SANCTUARY WORSHIP
This noble resolution. It manifests--
I. An independence of character. “As for me.” How many there are
who follow the crowd! Whether for evil or good, where the multitude go
they will go. Hundreds stay away from the hou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness._
A RESOLVE AND A PRAYER
God is addressed as a friend. Three things in David’s prayer.
1. What is the rule according to which he looks for this Divine
guidance? “Lead me in Thy righteousness.” The righteousness here
is God’s faithfulness. All God’s dealings... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because Thou defendest them._
OUR PROTECTOR
I. The Lord is our good protector.
1. A sympathising Protector. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple
of His eye.
2. A sure Protector. He will save us with His right hand.
3. A personal Protector. He does not deal with the mass, but with the
indivi... [ Continue Reading ]