The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 107

6. And Hs issue is a blessed fulfilment of the good man's hope (ver. 116). This practical wisdom rests upon- IV. A REVERENT PUnrosE OF HEART. (Vers. 106-115.) Enlightened by the Divine teaching, understanding what is the wise and what the foolish course, perceivina who are his friends and who his enemies, the disciple of the great Teacher (1) solemnly resolves that he will give himself, heart and life, to the pursuit and practice of right- eousness; (2) dismisses, without reserve, any evil companions he may have admitted to his friendship; (3) makes a formal and solemn vow, before God and man, that he will walk in the way of lifo. Then come-- V. PRAYER AND PRAISE. 1. Daily supplication for the upholding hand of God, without which the fairest and strongest resolutions fail ( vers. 116, 117). 2. Daily thanksgiving-the sacrifice of grateful speech and sacred song (ver. 108). Vera. 121-136.-Looking to God. A very large part of our Christian life is found in the uplifting of our heart to God in silent or vocal prayer. We look up for- I. His MERCIFUL REGARD. (Vera. 124, 132, 135.) We ask God to regard us as those who have humbled themselves before him, who trust in his mercy, who are his children in Jesus Christ; and we know that we shall not appeal in vain. To all such he has promised his merciful regard, the light of his countenance, his abiding favour, his Divine friendship. II. SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT. (Vera. 124, latter part, 125-135.) It is the con- tinually recurring note, "Teach me thy statutes." In the words of the awakened apostle, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" In our own ignorance, and in the confusion caused by so many contending voices, each purporting to be the truth, we may well cry, "Give me understanding," etc. (ver. 125). We want to know with whom, in the Church and in the world, we should be associated; what is the true meaning and what the real message our Master delivered by his own lips or through the writings of his apostles; how we can best serve him in the field of !£!_ive work, etc. We want to be able to distinguish between the plausible and the· true, between the attractive and the wise, in all the counsels that are uttered in his Name. There is nothing we more need than spiritual discernment, when so many lights are shining of which we may be sure that some are not kindled at the altar of heavenly wisdom. III. His PROTECTION. (Vers, 121, 134.) Oppression is not so rampant now as it has been, but it still exists in me.ny places and in me.ny forms. So that there is still need for the psalmist's prayer; e.nd it may be that me.ny a heart, in loneliness and suffering, finds relief in this appeal to God, "Leave me not to my oppressors." The psalmist goes further; he e.sks for- 1V. THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PROTECTION. (Ver. 122.) Such e.s God gave to Moses when he sent him to Pharaoh, and to David and Solomon when he gnve them their thrones; such as Christ ge.ve to Pe.ul when he was in Corinth and was shrinking in spirit before his stupendous task (Acts xviii. 9, 10). Our Lord gives us the assurance that no harm shall happen to us which he does not permit, which he will not control and overrule for good (Matt. v. 11, 1~; x. 29-31). V. THE PRESERVATION OF OUR SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY. (Ver. 133.) Our first and chief obligation is to continue in that path of holy service in which the gre.ce of God he.s placed us, e.nd to maintain our freedom from everything that degrades e.nd enslaves us. But this is a great thing to do; many have set forth on their Christie.a course confident of success, e.nd they he.ve been defeated. They have wandered from the way of wisdom; they he.ve become the victim of some degro.ding habit. They did not look up to God daily and earnestly, or they would he.ve been upheld. If there. be any signs, however slight, of moral entanglement, let " our eyes be ever unto the Lord, and he will pluck our feet out of the net" (Ps. xxv. 15). VI. Hm INTERVENTION. (Vers. 126, 136.) Grieved at heart, perplexed in spirit, overwhelmed by the forces of evil e.nd the temporary triumph of iniquity, what can we do? We may not cease to bear our testimony to the truth, but we may bring our burden to the Lord; we may plead that the cause of righteousness is not ours, but his, and pray, hopefully and even confidently, for the manifostation of his power. "It is time for thee, Lord, to work."  118 THE DOOK OF PSALMS [rs. CXI~. 1-176.