Page images
PDF
EPUB

"the more is my admiration of those divine compositions increased -and I feel deeply the wish of good Bishop Horne, that whenever death comes, it may find my mind. adapted to the perusal and relish of them. As my long-continued prosperity has made gratitude the prevailing sentiment of my heart, the 103rd and the 145th are most frequently in my mouth, especially since I read somewhere that the ancient Hebrews had a tradition that a man could not fail to secure a place in heaven, if he would repeat to himself the latter part of these Psalms every day. You, who are, perhaps, better able to judge than I am, will, I daresay, agree with me that nothing in ancient literature is at all comparable to the Psalms, even as human compositions ;-what is Pindar to the 139th among others?"

The petitions recorded in the Psalms, and the manner in which they are urged, are the dictates of the Divine Spirit who "helpeth our infirmities," and "maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Some are stumbled at the repetitions found in these inspired prayers; but these are not "vain repetitions;" it is the language of the heart full fraught with the vehemency of holy affection. There is nothing to be condemned in the longest prayer where the heart speaks every word, though it be repeated over and over again. Says one, who enjoyed in a pre-eminent degree the spirit of prayer-" I had rather share with the publican in his own words, and say it often over as if I had nothing else to say, God be merciful to me a sinner,' saying it with such a heart, than the most excellent prayer where the outside is the better half." Still, in using the language of others in prayer, even

the words "which the Holy Ghost teacheth," much care is necessary, that we may pray in the spirit and with the understanding also. If we do not properly know the meaning of the petitions offered, and of the pleas urged; if we do not feeltheir suitableness to our own character and circumstances, how can our prayers be acceptable and profitable? In making use of the

rich treasure of devotional sentiment and feeling, we have so graciously provided for us in the Book of Psalms, we need the spirit of all grace to enlighten the understanding, and apply the truth to our own business and bosom :

[ocr errors]

Thus shall we prove the power of prayer,
To strengthen faith, and sweeten care;
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring all heaven before our eyes.

When the Psalmist prays-"preserve my soul; for I am holy," the propriety of such a plea, to some persons, may not be at first sight apparent. It may seem, perchance, somewhat somewhat strange that David should urge his holiness as a reason why his petition should be heard and answered. Some of God's saints, from a deep consciousness of indwelling corruption, have been unable to been unable to urge this scriptural, pertinent, and availing argument, which has power with God, and will prevail. But, why so? the plea is as powerful as the petition is important. is important. May the spirit of God teach us its import and appli

cation!

What a mercy it is, distinguishing and undeserved, to be converted to God; to be born again; to be brought, by rich, free, sovereign grace, out of the kingdom of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear son! To have our guilty, condemned, lost soul, pardoned, justified, saved, what a privilege! But this, though indis

pensable, is not all that is necessary. We need to be "the preserved in Christ Jesus," as well as the "called." We are not only begotten again by God's abundant mercy" to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away," but we need to be "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." Hence the petition" preserve my soul."

Here is something implied-a sense of danger; hence the cry for Divine protection. In many ways, we all, and always, need that preservation, which God only can afford. God alone can preserve our life, health, faculties, friends. Whereever we are, at home or abroad, on land or sea, we need His protecting arm to be over us and ours. all circumstances, we need to present the prayer of the Psalmist "Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I put my trust."

In

But it is our "soul" that is most precious, and most in peril; this is what gives David most concern. True, we are taught in God's word, that when the soul is really committed to Christ, it can never perish. The Saviour's sheep are the purchase of His blood; their salvation is the reward of his obedience unto death; of them he says "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall any one pluck them out of my hand."

His honour is engaged to save
The meanest of his sheep;
All that his heavenly Father gave,
His hands securely keep.

But many profess to be His, who are not. Many seem for a time to follow Him, and then fall away. And the true child of God fall into sin; enter into temptation; fall from his own steadfastness into

may

the gins and snares on his right hand and his left, "and pierce themselves through with many sorrows." The paths that lead astray are numerous; the entrance into these paths is deceitful; our weakness and waywardness are proverbial; the sad consequences of our stumbling or falling are so serious to ourselves and others--to the Church and the world--that none should be high-minded, but fear. The warnings of God's word, the melancholy wrecks that are seen around us, and the woeful experience of our own deceitful heart, should lead us all to cherish a constant sense of continual danger. How needful the petition-O God, "preserve my soul !"

Here is something requestedDivine help; God's persevering aid in every stage and step of our pilgrimage. Preserve my soul;" from the snares of the world; from the wiles of the devil; from the workings of depravity within-those traitors ever ready to betray. "Preserve my soul;" in the fear of God; in the faith of Jesus; in the comforts of the Holy Spirit; that I may continue stedfast to the end, and have at length an abundant entrance into eternal glory. God only can thus preserve our souls. The youngest and the oldest saints are all ever and equally dependent on Him. We cannot keep our selves; we cannot keep each other. Our faith, prayers, holy resolves, diligent watchfulness, will all be in vain, unless He who keepeth Israel, and who never slumbers nor sleeps, keep underneath and about us His everlasting arms. He who is the Redeemer is also the Preserver of His people; hence the oft-repeated petition of David-Oh, my God! preserve my soul."

[ocr errors]

But what of the argument here used?" for I am holy." Is David

lofty opinion of himself; he styles
himself in
in this Psalm, poor

and needy," and makes his spiri-
tual poverty his plea, v. 1. He
cries for "
cries for "mercy," which is com-
passion to the unworthy, v. 3. He
makes mention of the Divine be-
nignity, and grounds his plea on
God's character and grace" But
thou, O Lord, art a God full of
compassion, and gracious, long-
suffering, and plenteous in mercy
and truth," v. 15. He exalts the
Lord, and lays himself in the dust.
Why, then, plead-" for I am holy?"

indulging a self-righteous spirit? Is he pleading his own merits? Does he ask, and expect to be heard and answered, because of the cleanness of his hands and the purity of his heart? No, verily. David knew much of the depravity of his nature; and all the proofs of this depravity in his spirit, speech, and behaviour, in these Psalms, he often confesses and deplores. No one could enter more deeply than he into the words of Daniel-"O, my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by that name; for we do not prosent our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies." Hence his pleading in the day of his deep distress-perty; save me, therefore, for thy "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions." Yet, here he prays"Preserve my soul; for I am holy." How is this?

Holiness sometimes signifies in Scripture sanctity, moral purity, conformity to the will and image of God. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." In other parts of God's word, it means something consecrated, set apart, dedicated to God. The first fruits were separated from common use, and set apart, or consecrated to God; and thus they are called "holy." Thus the Sabbath is called "holy;" and the sacred vestments, and vessels, and sacrifices under the law were thus denominated, because they were separated from common use, and set apart for God's service. It is in this latter sense that David here rses the word "holy." He does not refer to his personal sanctity -this he could never make a plea with God that his petition might be heard. He had no

His meaning is "I am thine; devoted to thee; set apart; consecrated; 'holy to the Lord' (Lev. 27, 21). I am thy servant; the son of thine handmaid; thy pro

mercy's sake." This plea is of the same import as his appeal in Ps. 119, 94.-"I am thine, save me," He says, Ps. 116. 16.-"O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast loosed my bonds." It is explained in the latter clause of the verse-"O thou, my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee."

This plea every child of God may urge at the Throne of Grace—“ Ŏ Lord, I am not mine own, but thine. I am thine, blessed Saviour, by the Father's donation, when he gave me to thee as my covenant-head and representative, to seek and to save. I am thine by thine own purchase, when, as my Redeemer, thou didst I am pay the price of my redemption. I am thine by actual possession when thou didst come, in sovereign grace, and call and take me into sweet and blessed union with thyself. I am thine by profession, by personal, public surrender; by hearty, hallowed, unreserved dedication of myself to thee, to be thine, only, wholly, and for ever. I have given myself first

to the Lord, and then to his people, through the rivers, they shall not by the will of God."

Be all my heart, be all my days
Devoted to Thy single praise;
And let my glad obedience prove
How much I owe, how much I love.

God says to his people, "What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." David's language is the response of the renewed soul to this touching appeal. It acknowledges God's God's claim, and grounds a plea on this blessed relationship, that the soul may be preserved in faith, fidelity, and fruitfulness to the very end. "Preserve my soul; for I am holy." This plea is both pertinent and powerful. It is laying hold of God's strength; connecting our perseverance with His purpose, promise, and power; pleading for our good, because it secures His glory; urging our petition at the Throne, because an answer of peace will redound to His eternal praise. And how does God respect such a petition, and such a plea? Mark His words :-"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; THOU ART MINE. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and

overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil. He shall preserve thy soul."

What an encouragement it is to prayer when our conscience tells us we are the Lord's! "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not; then have we confidence towards God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." Let God's saints, young and old, realize their dignified position, and make the most of it. Cleave to the Lord; hold fast the beginning of your confidence firm unto th end. Wherever you rove, whereever you rest, let this be your petition, and this your plea—“ Proserve my soul; for I am holy. O thou, my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee."

"Lord by profession we are thine,
Devoted to Thy will;

Oh, may we every law divine
With constant zeal fulfil!

From common and inferior things,
We now divided stand;
Domestics of the King of Kings,
We wait at His command.

Sacred to Thee, we would no more
Thine holy things profane;
We wouid the form of sin abhor,

And shun the slightest stain.

Nay, we would still in zeal improve,
Grow more devoted still,
Feel more the force of holy love,
And better do Thy will."

THE HEAVENLY CITY.

(Lines suggested by a Recent Paper.)

O City Beautiful! from heaven descending,
Through the rent clouds our gaze is fixed on thee;
All wistfully her suppliant glance extending,
Creation travails sore her Lord to see.

Throne of the Highest, dwelling-place divine-
Hail, realm celestial! Love's eternal shrine.

Thy battlements, with endless sunlight glowing
Thy gates of jewelry no breath can dim;
Thy river-Life's own stream-for ever flowing,
Its every ripple musical of Him;

Thy homes-the least a palace-and thy street
Of shining gold-fit walk for shining feet.

Oft have we seemed thy crystal pavement treading,
Where through all space they wander, or bow low;
Oft have we thought of orbs of glory shedding
Their lustré, where no night is, and no woe;
Stars of the day, not darkness; each a soul
Lit with the light that blazes on the whole.

Thy harp-notes-they have come to us soft-stealing
O'er the rapt spirit to high musings strung;
Evoking from the heart fresh bursts of feeling,
And a new song from the rejoicing tongue,-
Harp-notes, whose memories still hold peaceful sway,
Amid the turmoil of life's stormiest day.

Type-art thou not ?-of that Divine election,
Mysterious body of mysterious mould,
Which knows no death and asks no resurrection,
Risen erewhile in far-off years of old,

When at the master's tomb, in mortal ear,
Angelic voices breathed, "He is not here."

I pause; a loftier vision has come o'er me;
A holier light attracts my dazzled eye :
The type outshone, with white-robed train before me,
The bride herself, in nuptial pomp, sweeps by.
"Lift up your heads, ye gates," no more to close;
Eternal life eternal access knows.

« EelmineJätka »