The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 298

Ver. 10.-Good haters. These are sadly wanted. Evil is not hated as it ought to be, I\S in this verse it is commanded to be. The world and the Church alike aro suffering from need of those who bate well. The world is left without guidance, and the Church without strength, or honour, or joy. I. THERE ARE MANY WHO HATE NEITHER GOOD NOR EVIL. 1. They do not hate goodness. They would be shocked to be told they did. They often say fine things about it, and, like Herod with J obn the Baptist, do "many things" because of it. They do not practise it much-never, unless it is conventional and in good form. Still, they do not hate it. It would be almost better if they did. For then they could not deceive themselves as now they do. They imagine all is well with them, simply because they do not openly oppose goodness. 'l'hough not with it, they are, so they flatter themselves, not against it. It was specially to such that our Lord spoke hie stern, solemn word, "He that is not with me is against me." They are the would-be neutrals. Our Lord likens them to the "house swept and garnished," from which one devil is gone out, but who soon comes back with seven others worse. The publicans and harlots, who know and feel their sin, go into the kingdom of heaven before such. 2. .And assuredly they do not hate evil. If it be very gross and flagrant, they will condemn it, but if it comes to them in plausible and specious garb, as it generally does, they make excuses for it, and allow it both in themselves and others. The devil has it pretty much his own way so far as these people are concerned. He fears none but those who hate evil. n. BUT THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD MUST HATE EVIL. 1. It stands to reason. Such hatred of evil is but the necessary consequence and concomitant of the love of the Lord; where the one is, the other is also. 2. They will do so always and everywhere. Must and first of all in themselves. Not only in its outward manifestations, but in its secret spring-the heart from whence it procef!ds. It is of no use fulminating against evil in others whilst we cherish it in ourselves. This they deeply feel, and hence their perpetual prayer i, for the "clean heart." And they will hate e:vil in others also. Tl:iey will not connive at it, nor in any way countenance it; their lives will be a witness and protest against it, they will be " the salt of the earth." Ill. THE MOTIVES THAT URGE THEM ARE l"ULL OF FORCE. 1. Sin is the curse of hu;,,anity. Its steps are blood-marked all through the world's history. It "brought death into the world, and all our woe;" and as it was, so it is still. 2. It slew our Lord. How would we feel towards the murderer of our dearest friend? 3, Whenever we in any degree allow it in ourselves, it weakens and humiliates us, and brings darkness into our souls. 4. It is life or death with us. If we do not destroy it, it will destroy ns. 5. It robs 11,s of power over others, save to do them harm. IV. BUT THIS HATRED OF EVIL NEEDS TO BE DILIGENTLY CHERISHED. For we are in peril of getting UEed to it, and so of acquiescing in it as a thing that cannot be helped. Therefore: 1. Pray the Holy Spirit to fill you with the love of Ohrist. 2. To reveal you to yoursel,f, 3. Walk in the light. 4. Confess at once if you have sinned. 5. Openly commit yourself on the Lor<fs side. 6. Attack evil wherever pussible. 7. Pray without ceasing.-S. C. Ver. 11.-The seed of light. The sacred writers often use strange metaphors; as here, light is said to be "sown for the righteous." Milton uses the same figure of the dew- " Now Mom, her rosy eteps in th' eaetem clime Advanciug, eowed the earth with Orient pearl" But let us get beneath the strange figure, and ask- !. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 1. What is meant by light, It is a constant symbol for joy, gladr,ess (Etsth. viii. 16; Ps. u:vii. 1, etc.). And, on the other band, sorrow is like!led to darkness. 2. What cwea the word "sown " mean 1 It is e. very suggestive rs. XCTVII, 1-12.] THE: BOOK OF PSALMS. 835