The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 323

longings. 4-. In the experienced believer. Ho has found God as his God, as hie "exceeding Joy;" but there are times in tho experienceof many such when all that they have known and realized of God's love seems like a dream of the past; when the Jiaht of heaven is partially or even totally eclipsed. This may arise from bodily wcakn~s, from overwhelming sorrows, or from mental and spiritual gloom. But let the cause be what it may, it is agony to the saint when he can neither see, nor feel, nor find his God (see Job xxiii. 3-10; also Ps. xxi. 1, and our notes thereon). H. AT TIMES OF SORE DEPRESSION, TIIE BELIEVER LONGS FOR THE JOYS OF BYGONE DAYS. (Vers, 2, 4-.) At the time when this psalm was penned, its writer was unable to attend the house of God. He looked back to the time when he used to accompany the throng and to lead them in procession t'.) the sanctuary. In those days," the Lord lorn<l the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob;" an<l on many grounds the worship in the courts of Zion played a very large part in the spiritual delights of the saints. And though changes of circumstance and the advance of .the Divine dispensations have altered to some extent the relations between temple worship and home life, yet even now it is a sore privation to be debarred from the fellowship of saint,:, especially when other causes of depression are active at the same time; for in such a case the f!aints are shut out from the public service when they are most dependent on its helpful aid. Note: Even so, it is far better to have the heart to go and not be able, than to be able to go and not have the heart for it. Ill. THE ENEMY OFTEN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OUR TIMES OF BPECU.L WEAK.NESS. (Yers. 3, 10.) "They say daily unto me, Where is thy God?" We know not who these were that could be so intensely cruel to the psalmist when they witnessed bis woe. But he was not alone in his experience, though in detail the form of it with us may vary. 1. Very often the taunt of the unbeliever is equivalent to this, when wo are pointed to the weaknesses and distresses of the Church, and asked-How can your Christianity be Divine, if this is allowed? And in more private ways: 2. The ovil one will take advantage of our moments of distress to insinuate racking doubts. No kindly consiJerations will ever lead the devil to refrain from tempting us because we are weak. He seized on the Master" when he was an hungred." "The disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord." IV. STILL, THE CHILDLIKE HEART MUST ORY OUT, "GoD I" (Vera. 1, 6, 9.) It the light of heaven is shut out, the soul will cry after it. There is a world of difference between the light being kept out because the eye is closed, and its being hidden behind a dense black cloud. And even if the strength is so feeble that the tongue cannot cry, "Father I" yet the heart will. We were once visiting a dear friend in sickness. She said, "I am so weak, I cannot think, I cannot pray, I cannot enjoy God at all." We said to her, "Your little Ada. was very ill some time back, was she not?" "Very.'' " iVas she not too ill to speak to you ? " " Yes." " Did you love her less because she couldn't speak to you?" "No; I think I loved her more, if anything." Even so, when all that is possible is for the heart to yearn out, "0 my God I" the loving relations between God an<l the saint are not for a moment disturbed. V. AT THE DARKEST MOMENT, THERE 18 REASONING WITHIN BEAS0NIN<J. (Vers. 5, 11.) If there be any who have not passed through any such experience as that in this psalm, these words will be wonderfully uninteresting, if not unintelligible. They baffle the logic of the intellect; but the htart has a logic and an eloquence too, that are all it.a own. It is cast down, and yet chides itself for being cast down. It cannot see God, cannot feel him, yet knows he is there. It is in the depths, through billow after billow rollina0 over it, and yet at the very moment indulges in blessed memories and hopeful faith. Such are the mazes of the soul. It can scarce understand itself; but "He kuowelh our frame," with all its complicated and vexing play of doubt and chiding, of hope and fear. VI. FROM A RIFT IN THE BLACK CLOUD THERE IS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE, (Ver. 9.) "The Lord will command bis loving-kindness," etc. 'l'hen all is not lost. The saint may be " perplexed, yet not in despair ; persecuted, but not forsakon ; cast do~n,. but not destroyed." Here is a fine gro11p of words for a man to take upon h111 hps : "Jehovah ; " " loving-kindness in the daytime; " "in the night, a song; " "the Q;od of my life." Downcast soul, take heart. If all theso words are true, take heart. 'I he eclipse will soon be over. He whose face is as yet concealed will BOOll be revealed. PS, XLII, 1-11.] THE BOOK OF PS.ALMS. 335