righteous were compared to e:i:cellent oil, which produced a most salutary effect on the head." _What seems plain, and what gives the best key to the allusions of this difficult psalm, 1s that the psalmist had done something which was very doubtfully right, perhaps even manifestly wrong. He was not, however, disposed to admit this to him- self, though at times he felt painfully uncertain. Other people were in no doubt at all as to the impropriety of his action, and his enemies made it the occasion of bitter scorn, while his friends, in their grave anxiety for him, sourrht to reprove him and liberate his c_onscience so that it might render its free testi~ony. The psalm' may very well be illustrated by the moods of David when he had sinned in the matter of Uriah. I. SCORN OF A YAN IN SIN DOl!'il BUT HARDEN HIM, Many a man has gone into greater lengths of sin simply because he failed to get sympathy and help in his first stumbling. II. REPROOF OF A MAN IN SIN MAY BRING HIM TO REPENTANCE. A man in sin must not be left alone. But reproof, to be effective, must have love as well as righteousness, for inspiration. 11 Faithful are the wounds of a friend." ' JII. RESPONSE TO THI,; REPROOF OF THE GOOD REVEALS A IIIAN. There is hope if he is receptive to the personal persuasions of those whom he can esteem, and counts reproof a kindness.-R. 'l'. Ver. S.-Soul-destitution. "We have been so harrowed and torn that we are brought to the brink of the grave." 11 To be destitute in circumstances is bad, but to be destitute in soul is far worse; to be left of friends is a calamity, but to be left of God would be destruction. Destitute of God is destitution with a vengeance. The comfort is that God bath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'" The margin is, "Make not my soul bare;" strip rne not of every hope; leave me not complet.ely naked; abandon me not to nature's beggary and misery ; let me not go down to the pit with all my sins upon my head; leave not my soul destitute of pardon and peace. The mood is well indicated in David's sense of being left alone of God for long months after his sin in the matter of Uriah. A comparison may be made between this prayer, "Leave not my soul destitute," and the confident assurance, "None of them that trust in him shall be desolate." I. THE SOUL IN RIGHTEOUSNESS FEELS BEFRIENDED. '}'bat is, the soul that is in right relations, and has right desires inspiring right endeavours. That man can always say, "The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge." Aud that befriending makes him superior to all surroundings of distress, and all consciousness of frailty. II. THE soUL IN SIN FEELS DESTITUTE. He is conscious that he has put himself out of the atmosphere in which alone the God of love and righteousness can reveal himself. The prodigal son felt destitute as soon as "be came to himself,'' and realized that no love wrapped him round. When a man sins, and persists in bis sins, i~ is his soul that feels destitute. Hi, surroundings may not immediately change, but bis soul does. That loses what is its supreme treasure, the sense of God. "Man was me.de for God, and can find no rest till it gets rest in him." When man sins, and keeps his sin, he roust !use his treasure. But soul-destitution may set man seeking afLer God's return with a passionate intensity.-R. T. Vers. 1-10.-.A oomprehensive prayer. The psalm has some peculiar difficulties, due to the extreme abruptness with which the thoughts follow one anotbe~, 8:nd the grei\t obscurity which hangs over the allusions. Let us try and select the prmc1pal thoughts. 1. The psalmist was threatened with some immediate danger which _could brook no delay. (Ver. 1.) Like the disciples in t~e storm on th_e lake. If relief comes at all, it must come at once. 2. He seelcs that his prayer to this end rnay be as acceptable aa the incense of sacrifice. (Ver. 2.) True prayer more effectual than sacrifice. 8. But, though danger is close at hand, he woul~ be 'l!reserved from hasty words. (Ver. 3.) Reliaion should help us to be self-contamed m the presence of danger. 4. Though wickedness may seem to prosper, we must not be tempted by its success. (Ver. 4;) . If men become rich in evil-doing, we must not be seduce~ by the prospects of s1m1lnr gain. 6. The wounds of a friend are better than the kisses of an enemv. (Ver. 6.) re. OXLII. 1-7.J 'rHE BOOK 01<1 PSALMS.
It is good to welcome reproof from the righteous, even though it seems harsh. 6. Prayer is a better defence against persecutors than reta1iation. (Ver. 5.) If we cannot conq?er wickedness, we have still the resource and the comfort of prayer for our enemies. 7. When the leaders of insurrection are overthrown, then their followers should hear words of forgiveness. (Ver. 6.) A true sovereign will delight more in amnesty than in punishment. Ilis words will be sweet to the guilty. So also in private relations. 8. The bones of those straitened in a righteous cause are as seed cast into soil that has been plooghed. (Ver. 7.) "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." The allusion here is obscure; but the above would make a good meaoing. 9. But do not give up my life to destruction; but rescue me. (Ver. 8-10.) This the repetition of the prayer at the beginning of the psalm. How much all prayer is a repetition, because the some wants and desires are continually recurring !-S.