_I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I offend not in my tongue; I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle._ THOUGHT AND PRAYER UNDER TRIAL I. Thought under trial. 1. Its utterance repressed. “I said, I will take heed to my ways.” (1) This effort as repression was pious. Why did he essa... [ Continue Reading ]
_I was dumb with silence._ SILENCE: SINFUL AND SACRED Was David right in keeping silence “even from good”? Matthew Henry remarks, “Was it his wisdom that he refrained from good discourse when the wicked were before him, because he would not cast pearls before swine? I rather think it was his weakn... [ Continue Reading ]
_My heart was but within me; while I was musing, the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am._ A SENSE OF OUR FRAILTY A SUBJECT FOR PRAYER Bishop Horsley says that David, moved by a godly contr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth: and mine age is as nothing before Thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity._ THE BREVITY AND VANITY OF HUMAN LIFE These simple words have an energy in them which none but a dying man can fully understand. We may, indeed, have... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely every man walketh in a vain show._ THE BITTERNESS AND BLESSEDNESS OF THE BREVITY OF LIFE (with Psalms 39:12):--These two sayings are two different ways of putting the same thing. There is a common thought underlying both, but the associations with which that common thought is connected in t... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, Lord, what wait I for?_ my hope is in Thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. THE APPEAL AND PRAYER OF A WAITING SOUL I. His waiting. 1. What he did not wait for--not for any earthly good. 2. What he did wait for--manifestation of love of... [ Continue Reading ]
_While I was musing the fire burned._ THE PLACE OF FEELING IN RELIGION David was one who felt, thought and acted strongly. There were no neutral tints about him. And he felt that he needed to restrain himself, lest his strong feeling should hurry him into sin. Hence he said, “I will take heed to na... [ Continue Reading ]
_I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because Thou didst it._ SILENT BEFORE GOD This psalm is the utterance of a man in trouble. It thrills with a strong but repressed feeling. In a thoughtful man, trouble always doubles itself. Added to the smart of the immediate affliction is the moral problem whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth; surely every man is vanity._ THE SECRET BLASTING OF MEN These words give an account of two things which are the matter of the greatest wonder. 1. How it comes to pass there are so many and s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hold not Thy peace at my tears._ EARTHLY TEARS AND HEAVENLY SONGS This is a beautiful world, but there are tears in it. All eyes have them, and they fall fast and often. Their causes are varied. 1. God’s rebukes for sins. Therefore repent. 2. The reign of temptation. Seek God’s strength. 3. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence and be no more! _ A PRAYER IN THE PROSPECT OF DEATH I. A departure anticipated. Death is clearly referred to, not annihilation. The text suggests the idea of departure--“going hence.” A traveller departs from an inn at which he has been r... [ Continue Reading ]