Ps. cxix. 59, 60. / thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
AT what period of David's life these words were written, we are not informed : if in his early youth, they relate to his first conversion to God ; but if in his middle or more advanced life, they declare the daily habit of his soul. Under any circumstances they are very instructive. To young people they shew, that it is never too early to begin a life of entire devoted- ness to God. To those engaged in business of any kind, they manifest, that, whilst in the world, they should not be of the world, but in the midst of all their cares they should preserve their minds spiritual and heavenly. To the great and noble, yea, to princes and kings, they hold forth a solemn admoni- tion to imitate the Jewish monarch, and to be as eminent in piety, as they are elevated above others in state and dignity. This all may learn from them, that if ever we would find acceptance with God in the great day, we must turn to him, I. With care and diligence —
Inconsideration is the source of almost all the evil that exists —
[Men will not give themselves the trouble to look back upon their past conduct. They take for granted that all has been right, or at least not materially wrong ; and that they have done nothing that calls for any particular humiliation before God. Of this the prophet Jeremiah complains a ; as does our Lord also of the Jews in his day b. Nor will men take much pains to ascertain the path of duty in reference to what is future : they love rather to act from the impulse of the moment ; nor have they any apprehensions that they shall offend God by any thing that they may do. " They do what is right in their own eyes," without inquiring whether it be right in God's sight, or not; or whether he remembers it, or notc.]
But we should compare our actions carefully with the word of God —
[The sacred volume is the only adequate standard of truth and virtue. If we satisfy ourselves with the opinions of men and the customs of the world, we shall be sure to err. We should take " God's testimonies," and try our ways by them. In particular, we should notice what God has testified to us in his gospel ; and see whether in our spirit and conduct we are
a Jer. viii. 6. b John hi. 19, 20. c Hos. vii. 2.