But it will be remembered, that this psalm speaks particu- larly of the omnipresence and omniscience of the Deity ; and these perfections, which are so terrible to the ungodly, and of which they would, if possible, divest him, are to the true Christian
c Compare Ps. civ. 34, 35. with Ps. cxxxix. 18, 19.
d Job xxi. 14. e ps> x. 4
f Job xxvii. 8, 10. & Ps. xxxvii. 4. Isai. lviii. 14.
a source of exquisite delight. Wherever he goes, he sees God at his right hand, ready to direct him in all his ways, ready to succour him in all his exertions, ready to preserve him in every danger. In many instances, his views are misapprehended, his actions misinterpreted, his character traduced. But he comforts himself in the thought that God knoweth his heart, and is acquainted with every motion there ; and that, whether he interpose or not to vindicate his character in this world, he will do it in the world to come ; and that, if man have his day, God also will have hish. True, he is conscious that God sees his infirmities ; but he knows that God can distinguish what man cannot so easily discern, the difference between unallowed infirmities and wilful sins ; and that if he behold our weaknesses, he is also acquainted with our sighs, our tears, our groans, every one of which attests the desire of our hearts, even where there has been too evident a failure in our attainments.]
2. In communion with him —
[These perfections of God, which are the subjects of the Christian's contemplation, are also the subjects of his devoutest praise. " Truly, his fellowship is with the Father, and with the Son, Jesus Christ."
Throughout the day " he walks with God," as Enoch did, communing with him, and committing to him his every concern. He would not willingly take a step but in entire dependence upon God. Not in his stated devotions only does he call upon God, but in ten thousand ejaculations through the day, accord- ing as circumstances arise to call them forth. In the whole habit of his mind " he dwells in God ;" as " God also, by the constant communications of his grace, dwells in him." This mutual in-dwelling of God in his people, and his people in him, is frequently spoken of in the Holy Scriptures1 ; and it well conveys the idea of that rest in God which every true Believer enjoys, and of that familiar intercourse, if I may so express myself, which subsists between his God and him.
But the expression in my text deserves a more particular consideration : " When I awake, I am still with thee." This implies all that we have before spoken ; namely, that in his meditations and prayers he was with God through the day : and it goes further to remark, that such was the entire rest of his soul in God, that, with the early dawn, as soon as he awoke, his very first thoughts rose to God, who was the one object of all his desires, and the one source of all his happiness. Now this is, perhaps, as striking a feature in the Christian's experience as any that can be named. During the day, a Christian may have much to occupy his mind, and much to engage a great
h See 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4. The Greek. * John vi. 56. and 1 John iv. 15, 16.
735.] a christian's deltght in god. 463
intensity of thought : at such seasons, therefore, the contem- plation of the Deity, and of communion with him, may be in appearance suspended : but, as the needle of a compass, which, by force, or superior attraction, has been diverted for a while from its proper rest, as soon as it is at liberty to resume its wonted position shews to all its faithful subjection to the polar influence ; so does the soul of a Christian, as soon as it is relieved from the pressure of contingent circumstances, return to God, as its proper, its chosen, and its only rest. And I wish you all, my Brethren, to be observant of yourselves in this particular ; and never to think that you have attained the full measure of communion with God, till you can say, " When I awake, I am still with thee."]