integrity or aim, is put thereby at the very gate of faith, where all God's helps are waiting for him" (Bushnell). There is a vital connection between "integrity" and "truth" (vers. 1, 3). "Truth" is of God. "Integrity" belongs to us. We can only have truth, as we receive it from God. We can only have "integrity" as we allow God's truth to rule our hearts and our lives. First the heart is made right by being directed into the love or God, and then the life is made holy and beautiful by beiug swayed by the will or God. This leads to unity and completeness of character. Ill. INTEGRITY JS ESSENTIAL TO THE RIGHT DISCIIARGE 011' OUR SOCIAL DUTIES In society we meet with "vain persons,"" dissemblers," and "evil-doers" (vers. 4-6). This is a test and an education. A man is known by his friends. There is a power for good in good companionships, and for evil in evil companionships. But if we are walking in truth, we cannot but hate all that is alien and hostile to truth. Our choico will be truth, and not vanity. Our delight will be in honesty, not in "dissemblers." Our fellowship will be with the righteous, and not with "evil-doers" (Pa. cxix. 63). It is only as we ourselves are true that we can commend the truth to others. It fa only as we ourselves are upright in all our dealings that we can secure respect and confidence, and that we can best advance the interests of religion. , IV. INTEGRITY IS ESSENTIAL TO FULL DELIGHT DI RELl(JI0US ORDINANCES. (Vers.· 6-8.) There are some who are neglectful (Heb. x. 25); there are others who satisfy them.selves with formal observances (2 Tim. iii. 5). In these ends there can be no real pleasure in what is done. But where there is integrity, the heart is engage,l, there will be diligence, preparation and prayer, and increasing joy in the worship and service of God (Pss. xxxiii. 31; cxix. 2). God's presence is the attraction and life of all true worship. The more deeply we feel our sinfulness, the more earnestly will be our cry for mercy. The more truly we realize that the will of God is "our sanctifi- cation," the more fervently shall we "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." V. 'l'IIAT INTEGRITY IS ESSENTIAL TO TIIE ASSURED IIOPE 011' A BRIGIIT FUTURE. (Vers. 9-12.) The very fact of what we are is a prophecy as to destiny (Rom. v.10; Phil. i. 6). Looking to the past, we confess that it is wholly of grace that we have been turned unto God. Looking within, we are conscious or a sincere resolve to follow after holiness. Looking to the future, we are able to cast ourselves with implicit confidence on the care of God our Saviour. God is true, and he will not forsake. God iR just-, and he will never condemn the righteous with the wicked. It is only those whose hearts are right with God that can fnce the future without fear. ,vhen we commit ourselves to God we are safe. \Ve have not only a sure standing, as accepted in Christ Jesus, but we are comforted by the fellowship of kindred hearts, and cheered by the hope of being kept from falling, and having in the end an "entrance ministered to us abun<lantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. i. 6-11).-W. F.
Vers. 1-12.-The oppressed righteous man. It is impossible to say on what occasion the psalm was coillposed, or from what kind of trouble it prays to be delivered. 'l'he theme is-Only he who can say with truth, "I have walked in integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord," may depend upon Divine aid in trouble; but we may do so with full confidence. In the first verse the whole psalm is summed up. J. A PRAYER FOR HELP IN Tn0UDLE. ,, Judge me," equivalent to" vindicate my rights and rescue me from injustice." The only clue to the meaning of the prayer is in the ninth verse, "Take not my soul away with the wicked, and my life with men of blood." He was in some way suffering; but he prays that he may not foll iuto the utter ruin which is the portion of the wicked-the penalty or daring sin, nor the fatherly chastisement of infirmity. The psalmist's faith was that God could not involve the righteous in destruction with the ungodly, but would separate between them even in their outward lot. 'l'hie in great part true. "Godliness has the promise or the life that now is "-outwardly and inwardly. So far as we know, the psalmist did not know or any other world where God could interpose to show his approval of the righteous and his disapproval or the wicked. II. THE GROUND OF THE PSALMIST'S PUA YER. "I have walked in mine intc:;rity, I have trus(ed in the Lord." Dut if I have not, do thou show it me (ver. 2). But I 198 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. XXVII. 1-14.
thin 'k I have; for thy love has been before my eyes, nnd I continually thought upon thy truth, or faithfnln~ss (ver. 3). The two main grounds on which he prays for help are his mon'llity and piety-integrity and tl'>usf, .. xpanded further in the life (ver. 8). l. His morality. "Integrity," equivalent to" with the mind aiming at the right and true, and with an undivided purposC'. He had 1woided all voluntary association with the wicked (vcrs. 4, 5). He would neither go (walk) nor sit with them. All hie sympathirs went against thl"m, equivalent to" hated them." The company we keep from choice i~ a true and strong indication of our character. 2. His piety. " I wash my hands," C'tc. The hands the instruments or action. Hi~ actions are cleansed from defilement; and this is his preparation for worship. "If thy brother hath aught against thee . . . first be reconciled nnto thy brother," etc. "I hold fast by thine altar." This placed in opposition to the assembly of the wicked, which he shuns. The purirying of the heart and conduct is naturally followed by worship, and preceded by it. Be would prorlaim God's wondrous works to the people: only he whose heart is full of them can worthily and truly publish them. He shall come to share in new wonders. He loved the house ef God, because there God manifested his glory to him (ver. 8). Manifested himself; alld he sees him as Isaiah saw him, "high and lifted up." He fully tru.~ted in the deliverance he sought; for he expected to praise the Lord in the congregation (ver. 12).-S.