_O God, why hast Thou cast us off for ever?_ why doth Thine anger smoke against the sheep of Thy pasture? THE WAIL AND PRAYER OF A TRUE PATRIOT I. The wail (Psalms 74:1). 1. Some communities of men are far more favoured of Heaven than others. The Jews were (Psalms 74:1). In this diversity of end... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees._ THE AXE AND THE ALTAR Shall we regard the text as an epitaph on the headstone of some worker for God and the good of man, long, long ago? If so, we shall find but the merest fragment of a sentence, which you have to comple... [ Continue Reading ]
_They have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land._ THE SYNAGOGUES OF GOD We do not know the precise circumstances under which this psalm was written. But we thank God our synagogues are not destroyed as were those of the Jews. I. Let us glance at the synagogues of Judaea and in the anci... [ Continue Reading ]
_We see not our signs._ SIGNS OF LIFE This psalm is clearly not one written by David. Verses 6, 7 prove that; but it is one of the psalms of the Exile. The signs here meant, which the writer mourns that he did not see, were certain outward marks of God’s special favour. It is said that there were... [ Continue Reading ]
_O God, how long shall the adversary reproach?_ shall the enemy blaspheme Thy name for ever? THE LONG FORBEARANCE OF GOD 1. Men’s patience is much short of God’s longsuffering and forbearance; for here it is the speech of a suffering people: “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach?” when wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth._ THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD I. Loyally acknowledged. “My King.” II. Of ancient date. “Of old.” III. Beneficent in operation. “Working salvation.” At this time, as the psalm indicates, His people were in a most desolate and affl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou brakest the heads Of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness._ LEVIATHAN We cannot certainly tell what animal is meant by leviathan, but whatever be intended, it is here used to represent Pharaoh with all his policy and power. Who were the peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
_The day is Thine, the night also is Thine._ THE DAY AND THE NIGHT I. God’s ordinances. 1. Day is a Divine institution, and is strongly characterized by that wisdom and goodness which are over all God’s works. In its principal feature--light--light over all, filling the heavens, flushing the eart... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: Thou hast made summer and winter._ SUMMER This season so changes the whole of life, so intensifies and blesses it, that we begin to think of summer as a personal friend. One of its chiefest charms is its fulness. And this fulness is its peace. And with t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Have respect unto the covenant._ THE COVENANT PLEADED It is the covenant of grace, not of works, that we are to plead. I. What is meant by this plea. 1. Fulfil thy covenant: let it not be a dead letter. 2. Fulfil all its promises. 3. Let nothing hinder or turn them aside. II. Whence this ple... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the poor and needy praise Thy name._ THE POOR AND NEEDY HAVE CAUSE TO PRAISE GOD’S NAME Rev. Mark Guy Pearse relates that he was walking once beside some cliffs, when he saw a father draw near with his children; the two boys were running on in front, and every now and then the father called t... [ Continue Reading ]