misunderstood, but that we shall be laying open all our griefs only before in6nite goodness and mercy. JV, THE SPEOIFIO PETITIONS IN PRAYER MAY BE VARIED Al:' OUR NEED, The petitions specified in tbis psalm are mainly for himself, but not exclusively. Those for himself are such as any child of God may present at any time. The special colouring given to each must need be the reflection of hues of his own, "fresh borrowed from the heart." Tbe psalmist's petitions for himself may be grouped under eight beads. 1. 'l'bat God would not put, him to shame before his enemies (ver. 2), 2. He prays for light (ver. 4). 3. For teaching in the way in which he should go (vers. 4, 6). 4. Tbat be may have experience in God's faithfulness (ver. 5; see noteg, •Variorum Bible'). 5. For loving-kindn!'SS and mercy (ver, 6). 6. For forgiveness (ver. 11). 7. For Divine guardianship (ver. 20). 8. For a gracious, compassionate look (ver. 18). 9. That amidst all temptations to \\'antler fro~ the way, he may be kl-pt in integrity and uprightness (vers. 21, 22). But the pleading one cannot close with •ut one prayer for the Church of God (ver. 22; cf. Ps. Ii. 18, 19). A noble, pious, public spirit existed in the Old Testament saints. Such a one as the writer of this psalm cannot forget his people at a throne of grace. Well would it be if such earnest public spirit were possessed by Christian people everywhere, so that, as priests unto God, they would never enter the holy of holies save with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel graven on their breast. V. THE PRAYING ONE MAY USE MANIFOLD ARGUMENTS JN PLEADING WITH HIS Goo. There is a blending of simplicity, boldness, and grandeur in the pleas of this prayer. 1. "I trust in thee" (ver. 2). When there is trust on one side, we may be sure it is reciprocated by love and pity on God's side. 2. "Thou n.rt the God of my salvation" (ver. 5). Tbou hast undertaken to deliver me, and thou wilt be true to tbice own promises. God loves to be remir..ded of his promises. He has never said in vain to the seed of Jacob," Seek ye me." 3. "Remember thy tender mercies," etc. (vcr. 6). David's past experience of God's mercy was a pledge tbat GJd would not forget him. 4. "For thy Name's sake" (ver. 11). Gracions answers to his people's prayer rungnify God's Name; they reveal his graco n.ud love. And the psalmist, in holy darin~, pleads with God to magnify his own Name in hearing him. Yea, more; a more startling argument still is used. 5. "For it [mine iniquity] is great" (ver. 11) ! Who but those who know how God delights to forgive, and even to multiply pardons, could ever venture to plead for forgiveness because their sin was so great t Yet surely the meaning is, " J;.ord, though my sin is great, tbe greater will thy mercy be, and the more lustrously thy pardoning love will shine forth on the background of my gnilt ! " Such prayers and such pleadings as these are not learnt in a day nor in a year. They can come only from one whose eyes are ever towards the Lord. VI. SuCH TRUSTING AND PRAYING ONES WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME. (Ver. 3, Revised Vrrsion.) They never have been. '!'hey never will be.1 They cannot be. The revealecl character and attributes of God assure us of this. 'l'be opening up of the new and living way to God, which our great High Priest has consecrated for ever for our use, ensures it. 'l'he blood of Christ sen.ls the same; it is the "blood o[ the everlasting covenant.'' The love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost is another pledge of the efficacy of prayer. Yen., the immutability of God himself confirms this; not only that prayer will avail, but n.lso that without prayer we have no right to expect the blessings we need. Our Lord 1111s said, "Ask, n.nd ye shall receive." Thus he teaches tho Divin~ rule for us. If, then, it is Go,l's will to give us blesBing when we ask, it is useless for us to think to change the mind of God, and to expect the blessing without asking for it.-C.
Vers. 1-7.-0nward and upward. There are diITcrcnt stn.ges in the life of godliness. Hence experiences vary. Some n.re but bn.bcs, others are strong men. Some hn.ve only started in the race, others are nearing the goal. Some havo only pn t on their armour, while others havo borne thcnt!!eh-cs bravely in mn.ny n. fight n.nd are waiting the crown. Some have only entered by the wicket-gn.te, while others have gone through most of their 1>ilgrimagc; they have climbc•l the Ilill Difficulty, have 1 J,'or innumernble instances of direct anell'ers to pro.yer in times of extreme difficulty and peril, see' Autobiography c>f J. G. Paton, lllissionllry to lho New lkbrides,' 1st pun. 188 'l'IIE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS. XXV, 1-2?.
passed safely thrnugb the Valley of Humiliation and Vanity Fair; bavo stood on the Delectable Mountains, a~d are now resling in the plcas.u1t Land of Deulah, till called home to the heavenly city. The psalmist here speaks like a man of matured wisdom and piety. His Yoice is not that of one beginning the spiritual life, but rather of one who, like "Paul the ag,,d," has seen many days, and has gathered lar"e stores of experience. We find here-- - b