Blessed is he, literally, "O the blessings of him," those which he possesses, WHOSE TRANSGRESSION IS FORGIVEN, not condoned, but taken away, WHOSE SIN IS COVERED, so that the just and holy God no longer sees it, as it were. In what sense this is possible is shown in the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF A POOR SINNER. A psalm of David, Maschil, a contemplation, written probably after David had been restored to the grace of God, a little more than a year after his great sin with Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11:21. The psalm pictures sin in the fullness of its terror and shows that no... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, does not regard him as having committed the transgression, although sin in every form and manifestation cannot be undone, AND IN WHOSE SPIRIT THERE IS NO GUILE, no deceit and insincerity, which tries to cover up the wickedness, to excuse t... [ Continue Reading ]
When I kept silence, during that long year when he was conscious of his sin, but refused to acknowledge it, MY BONES WAXED OLD, wasting away, withering like a flower during the time of drought, THROUGH MY ROARING ALL THE DAY LONG, the howling and whining which went on in his inmost heart as the voic... [ Continue Reading ]
For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me, as long as he refused to turn to the Lord in true repentance; MY MOISTURE IS TURNED INTO THE DROUGHT OF SUMMER, all his vitality having left him. As long as sin is unforgiven, it devours the very marrow of the bones and kills all joy of life, like a cank... [ Continue Reading ]
I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, in a full and free confession, AND MINE INIQUITY HAVE I NOT HID. He had finally realized the guilt and damnableness of his crime; he had become conscious of the fact that he had transgressed against the great God in heaven. This sorrow of his heart he then made known... [ Continue Reading ]
For this shall every one that is godly, every true believer, as a saint in the eyes of God, PRAY UNTO THEE IN A TIME WHEN THOU MAYEST BE FOUND; for all repentant, believing sinners constantly entreat the Lord to grant them His grace. SURELY IN THE FLOODS OF GREAT WATERS, when God in His anger dispen... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou art my hiding-place, God's mercy being the protection against the anger which strikes the unrepentant; THOU SHALT PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE, from all terror and fear of damnation; THOU SHALT COMPASS ME ABOUT WITH SONGS OF DELIVERANCE; because his soul is saved by the mercy of God, the believer s... [ Continue Reading ]
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go, the eye of the Lord being directed upon every believer; I WILL GUIDE THEE WITH MINE EYE, counseling him with His eye upon him. That is a consequence of the sinner's justification, the new obedience, his willingness to walk in the wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, irrational brutes, WHICH HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING; WHOSE MOUTH MUST BE HELD IN WITH BIT AND BRIDLE, LEST THEY COME NEAR UNTO THEE, that is, without the aid of such means, without force, it is impossible to control and direct brute animals. The obedience of the bel... [ Continue Reading ]
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked, who are continually opposing the will of the Lord; BUT HE THAT TRUSTETH IN THE LORD, relying upon Him and following His guidance readily, MERCY SHALL COMPASS HIM ABOUT, the loving kindness of Jehovah surrounding him on all sides and showing itself in many deeds o... [ Continue Reading ]
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous, the grace of God which they have experienced being the motive for continual joy; AND SHOUT FOR JOY, ALL YE THAT ARE UPRIGHT IN HEART, thanking the Lord for all the blessings of His favor and compassion, as shown in the forgiveness of sins. Thus the enti... [ Continue Reading ]