The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 298

HOMILETICS. Vcrs. 1-10.-Acceptable sacrifices. The more distinctive teaching of this psalm respects- I. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAYER. (Vers. 2, 8, 9.) When the sacrificial services of the tabernacle (or temple) could not be rendered, it was open to the devout Israelite to "lift 1:1P his hands" in reverent, believing prayer. And this, we are sure, was acceptable to" him that heareth prayer." The essence of all sacrifice was an appeal to God by the spirit of man, the going forth of the human spirit to the Di vine Spirit; it was this that was symbolized by the incense or slain lamb. The presentation of the visible meant and expressed the offering of that which was invisible-the grateful, or the penitent or the dedicatory thought and feeli □ g of the worshipper. Prayer, therefore, was of the essential uature of a true sacrifice. We cannot oll'er, at any altar, anything which is more well pleasing to God than the prayer which "goeth not forth from feigned lips," which rises from the heart-the morning sacrifice of supplication for guidance and protection throughout the duties and difficultie~ and temptations of the day; the evening sacrifice of thanksgiving for the blessings that have been bestowed, of prayer for the forgiveness of imperfect service, aud of trustful surrender of body and spirit to the Divine keeping for the coming night. II. THE SACRIFICE OF SPEECH AND SILENCE. (Ver. 3.) The psalmist prays God to "keep the door of his lips" (see Pss. xxxiv. 13; xxxix. 1; Jas. iii. 3-12). It is well to ask God to do this, but it is also well to recognize that he requires of us that we should do this also. The use we make of our tongue, that member which is "our glory" (Pss. xxx.12; lvii. 8), and too often is our shame, is a very serious and important feature of our Christian life. 1. By a determined silence when we are tempted to speak and to strike, we may save ourselves and others from a "fire" (Jas. iii, 6) which might desolate and destroy. He that "ruleth his spirit" and huldeth his tongue is a true conqueror (Prov. xvi. :l2). 2. And when we use our tongue to utter words of con• ciliation, to express regret for ine.dvertent error or omission, to excuse unintentional or pardooable faultiness, to pardon wrong, to encourage weakness, to enlighten ignorance, to impel to duty or devotion, to lead men in prayer to God, we are offering a very acceptable rncrifice-" the calves of our lips" (Hos. xiv. 2). III. THE SACRIFICE OF SEt'ABATION AND ABSTINEN0E. If we pray (sea ver. 4) to be delivered from an inclination to join the wicked in their evil courses and in their un~odly revelries, we must exerciRe in ourselves a strong restraint: we must resolve to "entn not into the path of the wicked," to" turn from it and pass awe.y" (Prov. iv. 14, 15). '!'he duty of declining invitations from the unholy, of keeping awe.y from the heartli and the table where nothing virtuous or valuable is to be gained, and where much that is most precious may be lost or injured, is a duty, a sacrifice, very needful to the young. Regard or disrPgard of it may make all the difference between life and death, .A. wise separateness from sin (2 Cor. vi. 17) will be a very acceptable sacri6ce to him who is our thrice-holy Lord, will save us from a peril which has meant ruin to many who imagined themselves strong e.nd safe, and will place us by the side of him who himself was "undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. vii. 26). IV. THE SACRIFICE OF DOCILITY. (Ver. 5.) "1t is allowable to learn from e.u enemy." It is much more obviously right to learn from "the righteous; " and, though they speak reprovingly and reflect on what we have said or done, their words should be well received, 1. The correction of man may be, in truth, the guidance of God. He may be speaking to us through his servant~; it has often be_~n the case with others, and it ma_y well Le so with us. It may be a Samuel, or an EhJah, or a Nathan, or a Paul that 1s speaking in God's name. 2. Vve acknowledge ourselves to be in error, to be at fault, generally; why should we be unwilliug to learn when we are so in particular instance~! 3. The docile reception of rebuke may save us from much graver sorrow that wo eliou1a otherwise irnfTer; it may result in an improvement of cooouct and enlargement of JSefulness for which we shall give God heartiest thanks, PS, CXLI. 1-10.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 335