Psalms 108:1-13

O God, my heart is fixed.

A threefold moral state of mind

I. Moral fixation of soul (Psalms 108:1). This concentration of soul is unknown to unregenerate men. They are unsettled, divided, distracted, and therefore more or less unhappy. The verses point to two of the grand results of this moral fixedness.

1. The highest happiness (verses 1, 2). All this is the language of exultation, and this exultation springs from a true decision of soul, self-unity, and concord.

2. The heartiest worship (Psalms 108:3). The thoughts and affections being fixed on Him who is transcendently good, beautiful, and true, worship follows as a matter of course.

II. The inflation of worldly success (Psalms 108:7). The psalm (Psalms 60:1) from which these verses are taken is a war song in anticipation of victory. The warrior is flushed by the prospect of triumph over his enemies, and looks down upon them with a heartless contempt. The tendency of worldly success is to make men supercilious and heartless; men who have won great success in any department of life, be it in war, commerce, or learning, have ever been disposed to look with contempt on those not so distinguished. The haughtiness of some is not only the most vile but the most pernicious state of mind. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

III. Consciousness of utter dependence (Psalms 108:10). This state of mind,--viz. a conscious dependence on God is right, for there is no creature more dependent than man,--lies at the foundation of our personal religion, for without it there is no looking to God, no prayer, no thanksgiving. (Homilist.)