_O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth. .. show Thyself._ PERSECUTORS AND THEIR VICTIMS I. The awful condition of the wicked persecutor. The persecutors referred to (Psalms 94:1) are represented as “proud,” speaking “hard things,” as “workers of iniquity,” as “breaking in pieces” the people of G... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it._ THE ABSURDITY OF LIBERTINISM AND INFIDELITY In the style of the sacred authors, particularly in that of our prophet, to deny the existence of a God, the doctrine of providence, and the essential difference between ju... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that planted the ear, shall He not hear?_ He that formed the eye, shall He not see? EVOLUTION AND DESIGN These words contain the germ of all natural and moral philosophy. There are two great underlying ideas--First, the abstract argument from design that intention and purpose, not blind chance... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity._ GOD’S INDICTMENT OF OUR THOUGHTS In treatises on morals and in manuals of religion, much has been said about controlling one’s thoughts. This is a difficult task to perform. I. God in the text brings a severe charge against our thought... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of Thy law._ BLESSED DISCIPLINE I. God’s children are under tuition. Other children may run about, and take holiday; they may wander into the weeds, and gather the flowers, and do very much what they like; but. God’s own childre... [ Continue Reading ]
_Until the pit be digged for the ungodly._ THE RETRIBUTIVE DOOM OF THE WICKED I. It is terrible; it is a “pit”; conveying the idea-- 1. Of darkness; no sunlight. 2. Confinement; enclosed all around. 3. Of desolation; no society. II. It is preparing. The pit is being “digged,” it is in process,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who will rise up for Me against the evil-doers?_ or who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity? THE SUMMONS TO HOLY WORK It is hardly possible to read this psalm through without feeling that the inspired voice in it denounces the unbelief of the heathen’ world. When a man has come... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy mercy, O Lord, held me up._ A COMMON INCIDENT OF THE JOURNEY The soul in peril can seldom say much, but that which is said is generally expressive. Take, for example, these words: they imply faith in the presence of One able to help--abhorrence of the sin to whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul._ COMFORT AMID DISQUIETING THOUGHTS The word here translated “thoughts” means thoughts of a pensive, anxious nature--thoughts which have in them nothing bright and pleasant; thoughts which yoke themselves with cares; which perp... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with Thee, which frameth mischief by a law?_ WRONG LEGALIZED I. Iniquity has a “throne” on earth. It is a ruling power, it has the sway everywhere. Wrong is an imperial power. II. The “throne” of iniquity is incompatible with God. “Shall the throne of... [ Continue Reading ]