HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers.1--5.-Thepowerofaholysoul. I. THAT DAVID WAS SUOB WE ABE BOUND TO BELIEVE, notwithstanding the flagrant and most grievous sins which are recorded against him. They stagger us when we read of them, and we wonder how such a man could ever have been called "the man after God's own heart." But in this psalm, as so constantly throughout the Holy Scriptures, we corue across statements which prove that, in the estimation of the people of his day, and of those who knew him best, he was held most dear. A passionate enthusiasm of honour and affection gathered round his name and memory, the evidence of which is met with simply everywhere, How could this have been if he were only what many in our day say he was, and who hold him up, not for warm approbation, but for severe reprobation? We are bound to judge of a man, not according to the standards of our own age, but of his, and to accept their testimony and not our inferences from statements which it is impossible for us in this age fully to understand. His own people loved and honoured him, and that is enough. 11. As BUCH HE WAB DEAR TO THE HEART OF GoD. For his descendants felt that they might plead his name as an argument in their prayers. They believed that they might call upon God to" remember David." There is no hint here or anywhere that they were wrong in this. Doubtless they were right. There is no saint-worship in this, and no seeking David's intercession with God ; but there is the valid plea that God would remember the prayers and sorrows of his faithful servant-sorrows which came to him in consequence of his love and zeal for God. The people of God knew how God had remembered Noah, and saved him and his from the Flood; how he had remembereJ Abraham, and for his se.ke had saved Lot out of Sodom; aucl now they believed he would remember David, and would bless them as David had pmyed. Such is the power of a holy soul to bring down blessing upon his children and upon his people. llf. WHAT MADE HIM THUS DEAR TO THE HEART OF GoD? 1. Because dishonour to God was distress to him. It was a grief of mind that the ark and service of God should be so ill cared for (cf, 2 Sam, vii. 2). It was to him a public dishonour done to God to l\llow such a thing to continue, How few there are who feel like this l All people seek their own, not those things that are God's. It was au affliction to David the.t God was not honoured. Oh that it may be so to us I 2. Because he not only grieved/or the dishonoor, but earnestly sought to remove it.. See how intense was bis desire that God should have a fit habitation (ver. 6). He would not rest in his house, nor lio down, etc. (vers. 3, 4), until, etc. (ver. 6). Oh for zeal like this I Whut a witness for God it would bo I And how solemnly he bound himself ovor to this work (ver. 4) I And it was ever his anxious concern; this the meaning of" his affliction" in ver. 1. Now, because of this, though he was I\ man of so many faults, and though he never did build the Lord's temple, yet was he beloved of the Lord. IV, 'fHE RESULT 'l'liAT FOLLOWED, AND STILL FOLLOWS, FROM WHAT DAVID WAS. 1. His name became a valid plea with God. 2. .An inspiring memory for all time, nnd especially to those who succeeded him. 3. .A perpetual encouragement to all who work and suffer for God, 4, .A call to us to cherish holy zeal/or the honour of God, .......s. c.
Ver. 6.-" .A plaafor the Lord." I. To SECURE THIS snoULD nE TlIE ODJECT OF oua INTENSE. DESIRE AND ENDEAVOUR, 1. Because the Lord so desires it. See hi:; name here, "the mighty God of Jacob." What a poor mean wretch Jacob too often was l And yet how God compassionated, pitied, uplifted, and saved him! Wllat does not 262 'l'HE BOOK OF PSALMS. (rs. oxxxu. 1-18,
such a redeeming God deserve and demand! 2. For the S'Lke of our fellow-men. It is the world's great and crying need-that the Lord God should dwell among them, It is heaven where "the tabernacle of the Lord is with rnen.'1 3. For our own sake. For God's" loving-kindness is better than life." God is the soul's exceeding Joy. II. WHERE WE SHOULD MAKE THIS ENDEAVOUR. 1. In our own heart. Until he have a place, a habitation, there, it is no good our trying to find him a place elsewhere. 2. In our ho~. Let our own family be the scene of our first aggressive work. 3. In the branch of the Church to which we belong. 'l'he Church should be -God's rest for ever; he would have it so (ver.13). Dut it too often is not. And until the Church is right, the world will remain wrong. 'l'o have a better world we must have a better Church. 4. In our own neighbourhood. All who dwell around ought to be the better for our dwelling in their midst. "Let your light so shine," etc. 5. Throughout the world. 'l'hc missionary cause should be dear to our heart. III. How WE SHOULD GO TO WORK. 1. By personal self-surrender to (Jhrist. This stands at the threshold of all our work. Nothing can be done till this is done. 2. By believing prayer, importunate and persevering, and by holy ex.ample and faithful testimony. 3. By consecration of our substanr,e to this work. 4. By continual self• denwl. 5. By perpetual trust in Ghrist. 6. By firm, holy, and abiding resolve. (Vers. 2-4.)-S. C.