Ver. 1.-Th~ blessedness offorgiveness. What our Lord said to Simon befo1·e his fall, seems to have been said to David after his great transgression, "When thou art couvertcd, strengthen the brethren" (Luke xxii. 32; Ps. Ii. 12, 13). Nobly was the duty performed. Jlfany who were walking in darkness have here found light. Many who were deluding themselves with false hopes have here been taught the way of peace; many who have been hardening their hearts in sin have here been laid hold uf, and Jed, as with cords of love, back to God. The burden of the psalm is the blesEcduess of forgiveness. L In the first place, we are taught that this is A DOCTRINE ACCORDING TO GODLINESS, (Vers. 1, 2.) Three things are set forth. 1. What sin is. The terms used are very significant, and deserve the deepest study: "transgression," "sin," "iniquity." The evil is traced to the root. Our unhappiness is caused by sin (vers. 3, 4). 2. Then we are shown how rin may be taken away. This is God's doing. There is a twofold work-something done for us, and someth_ing done in us. God thus nrne!s the necessities of our case by not only removmg guilt, but by renovating charncter. 3. The result is blessedness. This is the doctrine of the Law and the prophets (Exod. x xxi v. 6, 7 ; Lev. xvi. 21; Isa. !iii. 5, 6; Dan. ix. 24). It is also the doctrine of the ::t;cw Testament. The Law is fulfilled in Christ. In him God is reconciled to us, and we are reconciled to God. Paul and David agree (Rom. iv. 6, 7). Justification is not of work,, but of grace. There can be no true happiness till with all frankness and sincerity we confess our sins, and cast ourselves with simple faith on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus (Prov. x.xviii. 13; Pa. cxxxix. 23, 24; 2 Cor. v. 19, 21). II. In the second place, THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORClIVENESS IS ILLUSTRATED FROM r1,RSONAL EXPERIENCE. The Bible contains both doctrines and facts, and while the doctrines explain the facts, the facts enforce the doctrines. When a man speaks of what he knoll's, when he tells of what he has himself gone through, when he sets forth 1 There are some who regard the eighth verse ae the utterance of God; so Goikie,
introducinv the words," Thou sayest," after ver. 7. Such sudden ohange of person ia not infrequeut'"in the Hebrew, and might be aeau_med hero, if the pasauge roquired it .. But e.s there is a stearl y flow of statemen la following nnturally one ~n the ?ther, there 1a no need for such a supposition here. Hengstenberg, Walford, Calvm, De-htzsch, nnd others regard the words as those of David. Calvin remarks thereon," We are reconciled to God upon ~ondition thut every man cndenvours to make his brethren po.rtokore of the same benefit." !:lee, bow ever, Dr. Macle.ren's 'Life of David e.s rettected hi his Psalms' (itiii. pp. 205-281). rs. xx.m. 1-11.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 243
facts boo.ring on our personal life nod needs, we readily listen to his story. 1. First, "'" e.re shown the misery of the man who lceeps silence as to his sins before God. (Vers. 3, 4.) For long David kept his sins to himself, in pride and sullenness. This was not only doi~g an injury to his own soul, but it was lying to men, and grievously ofTending against God. The result was wretchedness. He suffered in body and spirit. Ho could find no rest. Every effort that he made to better himself, so long as he refuser! to humble his heart before God by confession, only aggravated his pain. vVherevc, he went, his sins haunted him. Whatever he did, he could not rid himself of tho terrible thought that God's judgments would fall upon him. How vividly does this bring out the evil of sin and the mercy of God I If left to ourselves, our sins would be 9gr ruin; but God mercifully will not let us alone. His hand is laid upon us, in loving counsel and chastisement, till we are brought to repentance. 2. We are next shown the way of recovering the blessedness we have lost. (Vers. 5, 6.) There had been a long and painful struggle. Now it is ended. Instead of pride, there is humility. Instead of hiding of sin, there is frank and full confession. Instead of holding back in sullenness from God, there is absolute surrender to his righteous judgment. The relief is instantaneous. What a blessed change 1 It is coming out of the dark into the light. It is abandoning all concealment and guile, and finding peace in God's love and mercy. How beautifully does the picture here agree with that other picturo drawn by the band of our Saviour I-" I said, I will confess my transgres;iions unto the Lord;" "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee." "Thou forge.vest the iniquity of my sin;" "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him" (ver. 6; Luke x.v. 18-20). III. In the third place, TBE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS IS COMMENDED BY THE TESTIMONY OF GoD's SAINTS. Augustine and others have given us their Confessions. 'l'hese are not only a tale, but a testimony. '.!.'hey not only agree ns witnessing for God, but they are a directory for the benefit of all anxious inquirers. So it was with David. He speaks not only for himself, but for others. He as much as says, "My caso is not singular; God has dealt with others in the same way; this is the law of the kingdom." 11 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy." The lessons are-that forgiveness is a blessing greatly to be desired; that it is surely attainable by all who seek it in the right way; and that when enjoyed it brings new and abiding joys into life. There is both counsel and warning. God has his own way and his own time for showing mercy. '.!.'here is 11, limit (Isn. Iv. 6, 7; Heb. iii. 1). Every pain of body, every remonstrance of reason, every compunction of conscience, are premonitions of judgment, 11,nd call for instant action. God in his providence and in his Word saith, "Now is the accepted time." IV. In the last place, we 11,re shown how THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS IS IN AGREEMENT WITH GoD's GRACIOUS PURPOSES TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE. When Gou begins, he will make an end. Forgiveness is the first thing, but it is introductory to other 11,nd grenter blessings. Among men, when a criminal is released, he goes fortl1 into society as with the brand of Cain on his brow. But God's ways are not e.s our ways. When he brings the sinner into e. right relation to himself, he not only fully forgives, but he continues his love and mercy to the end. Life henceforth is divinely guided. Obedience is no longer a restraint, but a delight. The future is bright with hope, and will bring new blessings, calling for ever new gratitude and joy. When we can truly say, like Paul, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" then wo can look on without fear to the cnd.-W. F.