_Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart._ THE TROUBLE OF ASAPH In human biographies men are wont to cover up their heroes’ imperfections. They see no reason why they should be recalled, but many why they should not. And in religious biographies what evident exaggeration... [ Continue Reading ]
_But am for me, my feet were almost gone: my steps had well nigh slipped._ SPIRITUAL CRISES The problems of human life and destiny pressed sore upon the mind of the good and thoughtful Asaph, the writer of this psalm. The story of his struggle and victory is here recorded. I. The perilous crisis... [ Continue Reading ]
_I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked._ A POPULAR FALLACY EXPOSED The position I wish to lay down is this:--that the condition of the godly poor even in this world, is far superior to that of the ungodly rich. Public sentiment, I am aware, is against this doctrine;... [ Continue Reading ]
_For there are no bands in their death._ NO BANDS IN THE DEATH OF THE WICKED I. Their minds are occupied exclusively with the things of a present world (Philippians 3:19). 1. Habits. 2. Tastes. 3. Wants. II. The conscience and heart, then, exemplify the effect of long-continued resistance to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men._ THE MERCY OF A CHANGEFUL LIFE In the first verse a fact is stated; in the second verse an inference is drawn; and our business will lie with the showing you that the inference is just, The stated fact is, that the wick... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore His people return hither, and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them._ THE FULL CUP FOR CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE It is great comfort to meet amid the many references to the ungodly the mention of the people of God. But in the text he tells the sad truth that, owing to what they saw of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches._ PAGANIZED CHRISTIANITY The trouble with us is that in our everyday life we do not make our faith vital enough. We bring the ways of the world into the Church, instead of taking the ways of the Church into the world... [ Continue Reading ]
_Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency._ TRUST AND TROUBLE The innocent suffer with the guilty, often suffer for them, that so the guilty, spared, may be led by God’s goodness to repentance; to be helpful in such a ministry is an abundant recompense for all its p... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of Thy children._ SEARCHING AND FINDING RELIEF IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION . Searching for relief in the right direction (Psalms 73:16) He went where the mind of God was to be met with, where he obtained such ideas from the gr... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end._ THE RECTIFYING INFLUENCE OF THE SANCTUARY It is not perfectly clear what is here meant by “the sanctuary of God”; literally it means “the holies of God.” A few would unders... [ Continue Reading ]
_As a dream when one awaketh._ THE SLEEP AND DREAM OF UNGODLY MEN I. The ungodly are asleep. Not physically but spiritually. II. In this sleep they dream. They fancy the world and its joys are real, abiding, secure, satisfying. III. At death they awake. Their all is in this world, and lo, death... [ Continue Reading ]
_So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee._ FLESH AND SPIRIT A RIDDLE What secrets of inward experience we have in our text. Consider-- I. The confessions concerning the flesh. David was a great saint, yet he tells God--“So foolish was I.. . beast before Thee.” 1. Foolish. It... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand._ THE CHRISTIAN’S PORTION Four privileges of God’s servants are mentioned in the text. I. His presence with them--His constant presence. “I am continually with Thee.” It is another way of saying, ‘“Thou art continually... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory._ GOD-GUIDED FREEDOM Some, as the Church of Rome, would deny to men the right of free thought. They appeal to authority, and think it better that men should hearken only to their appointed guides. Now, I say that a Church whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whom have I in heaven but Thee?_ end there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. GOD THE ONLY PORTION “Whom have I in heaven but Thee?” Not “what.” Not in things, but in persons, the personal soul must find its portion. Not in many, but in One, to whom the soul can look, and to whom, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever._ IMMORTALITY The especial point of this whole psalm lies in the contrast between the present and the future, between the transitory and the eternal. His bodily frame, or “flesh,” the psalmist feels, is bre... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is good for me to draw near to God._ AN ASSUREDLY GOOD THING When a man is sick everybody knows what is good for him. They recommend specifics by the score. Amid such a babel, it is well for a man if he knows what is good for himself. And so in our spiritual troubles. Every friend commends som... [ Continue Reading ]