_Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my supplication._ THE COMPASSIONABLE, THE COMMENDABLE, AND THE CENSURABLE IN LIFE I. The compassionable. David appears here an object for pity and compassion, as the victim of-- 1. Malignant oppression. 2. Overwhelming terror. 3. Foul tre... [ Continue Reading ]
_The terrors of death are fallen upon me._ ON THE FEAR OF DEATH I. The nature of the fear of death. It appears to arise from an instinct of nature, which is increased and strengthened by observation, reflection, and conscience. A feeling which springs from such sources, however unpleasant or painf... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fearfulness sad trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me._ THE NERVOUS TEMPERAMENT We are to meditate now on the nervous temperament, and to study especially the relation which the Gospel occupies in relation to it. There may be other anodynes of consolation, physical and mental... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest._ DISSATISFACTION THE LAW OF LIFE I. It impels to all earthly and moral progress. Arts, sciences, literature, commerce, civilization, are obviously the results of that dissatisfaction with things present and pos... [ Continue Reading ]
_We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company._ THE UNION OF RELIGION WITH FRIENDSHIP RECOMMENDED I. Religion will, in a very high degree, multiply and exalt the present pleasures of friendship. The pleasure of sympathy, we know, always hears a direct proportion to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice._ PRAYER I. The nature of our prayer. Prayer is the humble expression of our wants and of our desires to Almighty God; and it comprehends, at least, the following particulars. 1. Prayer is an acknowledgment... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God._ NO CHANGES Who can they be--where can they live, of whom it can be said that they have not changes! Can they be inhabitants of this world of which, if one thing can be said of it with greater certainty than another, it is that it is a sc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cast thy burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain thee._ GRACE TO BEAR THE BURDEN LAID ON US I. See that your burdens are all of the Lord’s appointment. How many are the burdens that we make for ourselves, which we need not and ought not to bear. They are sinful, and we ought to cast them away.... [ Continue Reading ]