_Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity._ LEADING PROOFS OF PERSONAL PIETY I. A strong craving for a knowledge of the real state of the character. “Judge me, O Lord.” Implying-- 1. A belief in the possibility of being self-deceived. 2. A desire to be made right, at whatever cost.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart._ OUR NEED OF DIVINE SCRUTINY I. It is possible that we may try ourselves by false principles. Self-examination is an all-important duty, but when we have searched most diligently we need that God should examine us. Now, we are prone to... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have not sat with vain persons._ SEPARATE, YET NEAR The eyes which have God’s loving kindness ever before them are endowed with penetrative clearness of vision into the true hollowness of most of the objects pursued by men, and with a terrible sagacity which detects hypocrisy and shame. Associat... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass Thine altar, O Lord._ PURITY OF HEART AND LIFE I. What this resolution implies. 1. All apprehension of the holiness of God. 2. The condition--holiness--in which alone he could have communion with God. 3. Great desire for it. 4. Willing to... [ Continue Reading ]
_That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works._ DECLARING BOLDLY GOD’S MERCY AND GOODNESS I have no notion of a timid, disingenuous profession of Christ. Some preachers and professors are like a rat playing at hide and seek behind a wainscot, who puts his h... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes; and I have walked in Thy truth._ THE LOVING KINDNESS OF THE LORD CONTEMPLATED I. We have a pleasant object of contemplation--the loving kindness of the Lord. God has ever been manifesting this. In creation, especially in the creation of man. Other princ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gather not my soul with sinners._ THE GREAT CARE AND CONCERN NOW THAT OUR SOULS BE NOT GATHERED WITH SINNERS IN THE OTHER WORLD, CONSIDERED AND IMPROVED It is taken for granted that at death souls are gathered together after their own sort, and that horror is felt at being gathered with sinners.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their right hand is full of bribes._ VIRTUE HATED BY THE WICKED Saul not only sought David’s life with his own hand, but bribed others to seek it, and betray him into his power (1 Samuel 22:6). In this way the Jews treated the Son of David. Failing to accomplish His death themselves, they at last... [ Continue Reading ]
_My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord._ AN EVEN PLACE I. The even place on which the believer’s foot will stand. II. The benefits in possession, in experience, and in prospect which he will derive from this standing. III. The occasion, and the manner in w... [ Continue Reading ]