our wild oats. But now we look at things differently. We have seen not only the seed, but the fruit (Rom. vi. 21), We have, besides, gained insight, and our con- sciences have become more tenrler from living near to God. We judge, therefore, not only with better evidence, but by a higher standard. IV. MIBErtABLE BENSE OF HELPLESSNESS. We see and deplore the evil, but cannot remedy it. We are like one standing by a house on fire. 'l'here was a time when we could have stopped the flame, but it is now too late, Perhaps some brother or sister has erred through our fault. If counsel could avail, we would give it. If tears and repentance on our part could atone, they would not be wanting. But no; it is too late; our only help is in God. V. 'l'ERRIBLE FOREBODINGS, Think how distressing it must be to see the bad results of our sins in others. Some have died who had been hurt by us; others are living now in sin, whom we had helped to lead astray. Our own sins are reflected in the sins of others. Of Jeroboam it is said," Who sinned, and made Israel to sin," Alas I he has had many folluwers. The sins of youth may become the groans of age (Job xiii, 26). VI. FAITH IN 'l.'HE MERCY AND POWER OF Goo. Jn our distress we turn to God, We cannot hope that he will forget; but he can forgive. We must not think that he will alter his law-that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap;" but he is able to change our minds and hearts, so that we shall accept his law as holy and just and good; and then what we have regarded as stern rebuke will be turned into loving discipline, and our severest chastisements will end in our highest good. What a blessed change it makes, when into the confusions and the miseries and the sorrows of this world we bring the light and the love of God! We make our confession to him, and find peace. We cast our burden upon him, and are sustained.-W. F. Vers. 8-14,-Here we may learn something as to Gorl's revelation to man. I. That God's revelation MUST BE IN HARMONY WITH ms CHARACTER, With God there can be no contradiction, What he does shows what he is. His words and bis works agree. H we were created in the image of God, then we reasonably infer that, when God makes a special revelation to us, it will be in accord with our moral nature. This is what gives the gospel its preciousness and its power. "God wns in Christ." II. 'l'hat God's revelation IS MADE TO THE SPIRITUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE. (Vera. 8, 0.) In this there is nothing arbitrary or strange. It must be so, from the very nature of things. As Coleridge sings- " 0 lady, we receive but what we give, And in out lives alone does nature live." And a greater authority has said, "The natural man rcceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. ii. 14). "To many among us neither heaven nor earth has any revelation till some personality touches ours with .a peculiar influence, subduing thorn into recep- tiveness." III. That God's revelation CAN ONLY DE RECEIVED IN ITS FULNESB DY THE OBEDIENT, (Vera. 10-14.) The question is asked," Who is the man that feareth the Lord?" and this is as good as saying, "Find me such a man, and I will tell you how it will fare with him. God will reveal himself to him otherwise than he does to the world. Between them there ie sympathy and sweet accord." God opens his mind to those who love him. He lets them into his secrets. 'l'hey are in ·the way of light, aml evermore, as they advance, the light sbiues on them more fully. 'l'he word of the psalmist is confirmed and completed in the teaching of our Lord (John 11:v. 7-15). '!'his has been tho experience of God's people in all nges. Abraham in his tent (Gen. xyiii. 17), David with his flocks, Daniel in the king's palace, the npostle iu the dungeon:at Philippi,-all have felt alike that God reveals himself to those who truly serve him.-W. F.
Vers. 15-22.-There are three stages depicted here in the godly man's life, I. Tmi: GODLY MAN IN FEAR. 'l'rouble comes. Perhaps there has been over-confidence, or nnwatchfulncss, or entanglement with the things of the world. Our feet arc caught in the net. Enemies scoff. We are h11rassed and perplexed. Our efforts to relieve 190 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS. XXV, 1-22,
ourselves ml\y make things worse. It is hard to be alone when one falleth • but it is harder when troubles increase till they are heavier than can be borne and there seems no eye to pity nor arm to bring deliverance. ' II. Trr_E GODLY M,~N CR~ING FOR RESCUE, (Ven,, 16-22.) Prayer is a sure resource Ill trouble. lo whom but God cnn we lay bare our hearts? and who is there but God that c~n bri_ng help when the help of man failctb? He loves us; therefore we cnn cry to him with hope. \Ve can weary him with our sins but never with our pmyers. The very_ grc_atncss of our ~ec~ is ?ur best plea for God's doing great things, for us. Our cause 1s bis care; our relief 1s his pleasure ; our salvatiou is his glory. . Ill. THE GOnLY MAN REJOICl~G FOR DELIVERANCE. (Vers, 20-22.) The prayer implies the performance. The hope which God begets he will never betray. The co_nsciousncss or integrity, of simple faith and willingness to submit to God's guidance, without byways or secret wnys, gives the assurance that God will save, "They shall not be ashamed that wait for me," is the promise. Having this confidence we can rejoice, not only in deli,·era.nce for ourselves, but in like deliverances for other;, whose needs arc like ours. As it was in the past, so shall it be to the end. From many a land, and in many a tongue, the cry will go up, "The troubles of my heart are enlarged." But let us be of good cheer. Christ lives, He has not only overcome the world, but he promise~ the victory to his people also. He bas not only ascended to heaven, hut he has engaged to bring his people there also, "where there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying" (John xiv. 3; Rev. xii. 4).-W. F.