_Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations._ THE PRAYER OF MOSES The propriety of the title is confirmed by the psalm’s unique simplicity and grandeur; its appropriateness to his times and circumstances at the close of the error in the wilderness; its resemblance to the law in urg... [ Continue Reading ]
_Even from everlasting to everlasting Thou art God._ THE ETERNITY O GOD I. In what respects God is eternal. 1. Without beginning. 2. Without end. 3. Without succession or change. Of a creature it may be said, he was, or he is, or he shall be. As it may be said of the flame of a candle, it is f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men._ MAN’S THOUGHTS OF MAN I wish to point out our duty to the world of humanity; to the communities to which we belong; to the generation in which we live; to the great family of mankind, of which God has made us members. 1. Wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night._ GOD’S ESTIMATE OF TIME 1. Let us set this truth before our minds: that which seems a long season to man seems a very brief season to God. (1) God has lived for ever. Farther back than our strong... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou carriest them away as with a flood._ THE DEVASTATING RAVAGES OF DEATH The Israelites had not yet witnessed the swellings of Jordan, through which, by their Maker’s presence and power, they were to pass dry-shod; but they had witnessed--and never could they forget,--the watery ramparts of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we are consumed by Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we troubled._ MAN UNDER A CONSCIOUSNESS OF DIVINE DISPLEASURE I. It arose from a sense of moral wrong. “Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee,” etc. True it is that all our iniquities, even the most secret, those wrought in the deepest c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance._ SIN ESTIMATED BY THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN God and men view objects through a very different medium, and are placed with respect to them in very different situations. God is present with every object; He views it... [ Continue Reading ]
_We spend our years as a tale that is told._ LIFE--A TALE Assuming this version to give the true idea of the author, we have here three thoughts, 1. Significance. A tale has some meaning; is intended to impart some idea to others. Life is big with meaning. Amongst the many things which the tale o... [ Continue Reading ]
_The days of our years are threescore years and ten._ THE DAYS OF OUR YEARS I. Life’s earthly limit. “Threescore years and ten.” 1. How long when viewed in the light of time--when compared with the common lot of mankind. 2. How short when viewed in the light of eternity. II. Life’s common herit... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who knoweth the power of Thine anger?_ even according to Thy fear, so is Thy wrath. THE POWER OF GOD’S ANGER I. When I consider the difficulties which lie in the way of our measuring the power of anger that resides in the bosom of God, I conclude that it is chiefly His steady and orderly goodness... [ Continue Reading ]
_So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom._ MAN IMPLORING THE MERCY OF GOD Moses prays-- I. For a right estimate as to the duration of life. “Teach us to number our days,” _etc_., 1. There is a certain judgment to be formed as to the duration of our earthly life.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Return, O Lord, how long?_ and let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants. GOD’S RETURN TO THE SOUL OR NATION I. God doth sometimes desert and depart from His people for a time. Not in regard of their union, but in regard of communion and manifestation. Though nothing is hid from the heat of thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days._ AN EARLY INTEREST IN GOD’S MERCY ESSENTIAL TO A HAPPY LIFE 1. That a man may live happily, that he may rejoice and be glad all his days, it is necessary that he should be early freed from all fears of death. Will it... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil._ GLADNESS FOR SADNESS Our prayer should be for-- I. Proportionate gladness; that our God who has filled one scale with grief would fill the other scale with grace till they balance each oth... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory unto their children._ THE RELIGIOUS CONSECRATION OF OUR HOUSEHOLDS I. Truths suggested in this prayer. 1. That real religion, wherever it exists, is a Divine production in the human mind. “Thy works,” etc. It is a work, and a work of God. God... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us._ THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD We all feel moral beauty to be the highest. Much as we may admire the delicate touches of light and shade in a landscape, the rainbow tints on the rosy-coloured Alps, the beautiful gothic of the arched forest, the fragrant Ken... [ Continue Reading ]