you," etc. (Mo.tt. v,), 'I'he endure.nee, o.nd yet more the meek acquiescence in it, are e. rcnl revel11tion from God, that such a man is one of the Lord's very own. To know that is blessedness indeed. 2. Because of what it is followed "by. The Lord teaches him out of hie Lo.w. We are all of WI laggard scholars; some of us are too proud to learn. Dut God's chastenings have e. wonderfully humbling and softening effect, anrl bring the soul into the blessed and indispensable condition for receiving the teachings of God. 3. Becau.ie of what it ministers. "Rest from the days of adversity." They cannot trouble him. A while ago some works were being carried on at Dover pier; the men hod to go down deep in diving-bells to reach their work. One evening one of the men was drawn up, the day's work being done, and went to his home. It suddenly occurred to him that he had left one of his tools on the stone which he bad been working at. '£hat night a furious storm raged, and the 'sea was lashed into a wild tumult. When at length on the following day the man went back to his work, he made up his mind that he should never again see the tool he had left the previous day. But lo! when he got down to the depths where he had been at work, there was his tool, just where he harl left it the night before. The fury of the storm had not penetrated so far down ; it only bad power on the surface; in the depths beneath all hat.I been quiet and still. So is it with the soul of him to whom God gives rest from the days of :\dversity. His soul is in the depths of God's love, where no power of adversity can reach. And this has been proved true a thousand times, and will be for us all if we be really the Lord's. And by-and-by the adversity itself shall depart; it continues only "until the pit be digged for the wicked." Then there shall be rest without as well as within. Now he can have only the inward rest, and blessed indeed is that; but then externally as well as internally he shall be at rest. II. A STERN NECESSITY, The destruction of the wicked; for that is what the words just quoted mean. For until then God's people cannot be perfected, hut then they shall. Many object to this stern doctrine. They say God is too merciful ever to let such doom fall upon any soul. But what about his own people? If they cannot enter into God's rest until what is here said is fulfilled, does not this make it altogether likely that it will be fulfilled ; yea, that it must be? If mercy to the wicked be cruelty to the righteous, as it is, what is it likely that God will do? There can be but one answer. III. A TERRIBLE ONLOOK. "The pit digged," etc. 1. The.ie words assert the fact that such retribution will surely come. Scripture evermore affirms it. Conscience confirms the Scripture, and observed facts in the constant acting of God's providence- the awful retributions that we see do actually come on the wicked-attest the same awful truth. 2. They tell the nature of this retribution. "The pit." It brings up before the mind the dark horror which awaits sin. 3. Its gradual approach. The pit is not yet dug, but is being made ready. It becomes wider and deeper every day. 4. Those who are preparing it. God and the sinner himself. In an awful sense he is a "co-worker with God." 5. Its loud appeal. "Stop the digging I" If man stops, God will; he will not go on if you will not. Turn to him, and he will deliver you out of the horrible pit (Ps. xl. 1).-S. C.
Ver. 19.-The throng of our thoughts. It is not difficult to see how the experiences which are more or less plainly referred to in this psalm should produce a "multitude of thoughts." The text reminds us that- I. THOUGHTS co.ME IN THRONGS. To one standing on the golden gallery that surmounts the dome of St. Paul's in London, and looking down on the streets below, the sight of the thronging multitudes of people, hastening hither and thither, each intent on his or her own business, the traffic never ceasing, is very striking. How the people come and go, some one way, some another, crossing and recrossing each other, never still for a moment,-it is all e. picture of the minds of most men. Who could count or remember the multitude of thoughts that pass and repass, that come o.nd go across the path ways of the mind'! It is an incessant traffic, e. concourse that is never still. And they are of all kinds, good, bad, end indifferent, grave and gay, coming one scarce knows whence, and going one as little knows whither. II. MANY OF THEM OFTEN LliVE THE BO'OL SAD. There are those of an opposite character, and by God's mercy they are the mast numerous and orqinary. And there rs.~ r.,rs- ll. X 306 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS. XOIV, 1-23.
are people who seem never to think seriously at all-the mere butterflies of life. But the Christian cannot be one of them. We know what our Lord said of the "wayside" hearers. The good seed never takes root there. But the soul awakened to things that Rre eternal must often think seriously, and, not seldom, sadly likewise. It was so with the writer of this psalm. To him also the enigmas of this unintelligible world came clamouring for solution, as they do still. "Lord, how long shall the wicked triumph?" (ver. 3). That was to him one of the many inexplicable and heart-saddening facts of life. And how many minds are to-day agitated, perplexed, well-nigh shipwrecked, and their lives darkened by the mysteries they must meet, but cannot comprehend? But- III. Goo HAS PROVIDED RELIEF FOR sucH SOULS. Indeed, much more than simply relief. He has provided "delight" for them. Unquestionably-blessed be his holy Name for it !-God has done this. The testimony of saints in all ages has shown that God giveth "songs in tbe night." See the life and letters of men like Paul; above all, listen to " the Man of sorrows" himself telling of his "joy,'' and praying that it may "be fulfilled" in his disciples. And there are children of God now plunged in poverty or pain, or both, and yet who know and confess that God is their" exceeding Joy." IV. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY MEANS OF HIS "COMFORTS." "Thy comforts delight/ etc. 1. They are of God. Those that this world supplies could never accom- plish this. 2. They come through various channils. Sometimes through Nature-her calm and beauty and grandeur uplift the soul. Or through revelation. Think of all the "exceeding great and precious promises." Or through providence. Or by his Spir;t in the soul. This best of all. V. THE oo~'DITION IS-TRUST IN Gon.-S. C.