_Give ear to my words, O Lord._ THE INWARD AND OUTWARD SIDES OF THE DIVINE LIFE The Psalm falls into two main parts-- Psalms 5:1, and Psalms 5:8. The inward comes first; for communion with God in the secret place of the Most High must precede all walking in His way, and all blessed experience of Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_For unto Thee will I pray._ PRAYER If you “restrain prayer before God”-- 1. You act in opposition to your sense and confession of what is right. You know that you ought to pray. How can you repel the charge of inconsistency, when prayer is excluded from your practical system? 2. By neglecting p... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee._ HOW GO BEGIN EVERY DAY WITH GOD I. The good work itself that we are to do. To pray. A duty dictated by the light and law of nature, but which the gospel of Christ gives us better instruction in. See how David expresses his pious resolutions. 1. M... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness._ THE GREAT MATTERS OF RELIGION If we inquire how it comes to pass that man is fallen under God’s displeasure, the text resolves it all into “wickedness.” This is that which makes all the breach between God and us. This is that which bath wrought... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy._ SANCTUARY WORSHIP This noble resolution. It manifests-- I. An independence of character. “As for me.” How many there are who follow the crowd! Whether for evil or good, where the multitude go they will go. Hundreds stay away from the hou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness._ A RESOLVE AND A PRAYER God is addressed as a friend. Three things in David’s prayer. 1. What is the rule according to which he looks for this Divine guidance? “Lead me in Thy righteousness.” The righteousness here is God’s faithfulness. All God’s dealings... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because Thou defendest them._ OUR PROTECTOR I. The Lord is our good protector. 1. A sympathising Protector. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. 2. A sure Protector. He will save us with His right hand. 3. A personal Protector. He does not deal with the mass, but with the indivi... [ Continue Reading ]