_Lord, Thou hast been favourable unto Thy land._ A PSALM OF DELIVERANCE; SONGS AND SIGHS A part of the nation had returned, but to a ruined city, a fallen temple, and a mourning land, where they were surrounded by jealous and powerful enemies. Discouragement had laid hold on the feeble company, en... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?_ A PRAYER FOR REVIVAL I. What is the time for such a prayer as this? 1. When we can remember some gracious acts of God in the past. After some mercy drops, it becomes us to cry for showers of blessing. 2. After tokens of Divine... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will hear what God the Lord will speak._ THE RETURN OF PRAYERS I. When a man hath put up prayers to God, he is to rest assured that God will in mercy answer his prayers; and to listen diligently, and observe how his prayers are answered. 1. Because otherwise you take an ordinance of God in vai... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him._ THE NEARNESS OF SALVATION TO PIETY The fear of God does not mean servile terror, but loving reverence; it means piety. The subject of these words is the nearness of salvation to piety. They are so near that they are inseparable; in truth, they are... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other._ THE BRIDAL OF THE EARTH AND SKY This is a lovely and highly imaginative picture of the reconciliation and reunion of God and man. The poet psalmist, who seems to have belonged to the times immediately after the ret... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven._ THE MORAL PROSPERITY OF EARTH THE JOY OF HEAVEN I. The history of earth will one day be characterized by moral prosperity. Truth--what a seed is this! The deadly foe of all falsehoods and wrongs, the root of virt... [ Continue Reading ]
_Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps._ RIGHT STEPS I. The essential steps of the Lord’s dealings with us. The first thing in God’s dealing towards us is that He gives His well-beloved Son; and the first thing in His manifestation of Himself to us is to open o... [ Continue Reading ]