Psalms

In Job man had been taught to know himself. In Psalms he is taught to know the Lord.

1: 1. Walketh, standeth, sittcth.

3. All the Lord’s trees are evergreens.

3: T RIAL. Vs. 1, 2.
RUST. Vs. 3, 7.

RIUMPH. V. 8.

4: How to win the ungodly to Christ: — V. 1. Prayer for help.
V. 2. Expostulation.
V. 3. Warning.
Vs. 4, 5. Exhortatipn.
Vs. 6-8. Testimony to the joy of religion.

7. The believer’s heart is God’s storehouse.

5:3. To be miserable, look within.
To be distracted, look around.
To be happy, look up.

8:4. “What are men that He should heed us?” cried

the king of sacred song;

“Insects of an hour, that hourly work their brother insect wrong.”

9: 8. When Roland Hill was asked what would become of the heathen, he said that if he did not meet some of them in heaven, he would see the reason why.

V. 17. The forgotten God.
V. 18. The unforgetting God.

11: 5. God tests the righteous, but detests the wicked.

12:2. “Double heart.”

“Fixed heart.” Ps. 67:7.
“Glad heart.” Ps. 16: 9.

14:1. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” The Bible was not written for fools: a wise man knows there is a God, so he need not be told so in the Bible. Root — no God.

Trunk — corrupt.

Fruit — alxpminable works.

15: 3. Righteousness in word, act, and thought.

16: 11. Joy: Quantity — fulness.

Dignity — at thy right hand. Duration — forevermore. For short sorrow, we shall have eternal joy. For a little hunger, an eternal banquet. For a little sickness and affliction, everlasting health

and salvation.

For a little bondage, endless liberty. For disgrace, glory. For evil surroundings, the elect. For Satan’s temptations, the comfort of Christ. For the lion’s den, the presence of the Lion of the

tribe of Judah.

17: 15. a. Man’s life, a sleep.

I. Death, man’s awakening.

c. The inheritance at the other side.

(I. Satisfaction.

19: 7. Fourfold action of God’s word: converting; making wise; rejoicing; enlightening.

20: V. 1. The defending name.
V. 5. The displayed name.
V. 7. The name depended upon.
Ps. 22. Yesterday.
Ps. 23. To-day.
Ps. 24. For ever.

Ps. 22. The good Shepherd laying down his life for his sheep.

Ps. 23. The good Shepherd blessing them. Ps. 24. The good Shepherd leading them to the promised land.

22: 1. This Psalm begins with the atonement-cry of Christ,

and ends with the cry that indicated the finish of the atoning work.

31. The original reads: “They shall come and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, — It is finished.”

23: “Blessed is the day,” said an old divine,” when

Ps. 23 was born!”

Nearly everyone can repeat Ps. 23 from memory,
but not everyone from the heart.
Perfect satisfaction. V. 1.
Rest, quietness. V. 2.
Restoration, guidance. V. 3.
Consecration, joy. V. 5.
With me — the Lord.
Beneath me — =- green pastures.
Beside me — still waters.
Before me — a table.
Around me — mine enemies.
After me — goodness and mercy.
Ahead of me — the house of the Lord.
Happy life. V. 1.
Happy death. V. 4.
Happy eternity. V. 6.

3. “He restoreth my soul.” “That’s a dead ‘un,” said an army doctor, as he pointed to one of the bodies in the trenches before Sebastopol. “Oh, no,” said the body, “I’m worth a good many dead men yet.” And the “dead ‘un ‘’ is now,’ Lord Wolseley.

23 4. You may talk about Jesus, but as soon as you pet

into the valley you will talk to him. A shadow will not hurt, but the shadow of a dog means a dog somewhere around.

5. When-fore doth the Lord make your cup run over,

but that others might taste, the liquor?

6. The Shepherd leads, and goodness and mercy bring

up the rear.

, All God’s children have two footmen, goodness

and mercy, coming on behind them.

The niirnfg of (foil illustrated lpy J’salm 23.

*Ps. 23: 1. Jehovah-reah, the Lord my Shepherd.

Gen. 22: 14. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide.

Judges 6: 24. Jehovah-shalom, the Lord send peace.

Ex. 15: 26. Jehovah-rophi, the Lord that healeth.

Jer. 23: 6. Jehovah-tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness.

Eze. 48: 35. Jehovah-sham raah, the Lord is there.

I-.-...”>- :11. Jrhovah-nakah, the l.»:’’l will -uiilr thee.

Isa. 1: 9 (Rom. 9: 29). Jehovah-sabaoth, the Lord of hosts.

Ex. 17: 15. Jehovah-nissi, the Lord my banner.

Jer. 51: 56. Jehovah-gemulah, the Lord of recompense.

24: 1. This verse is inscribed on the wall of the Royal Exchange, London.

3. “Ascend.” V. 3.
“Stand in.” V. 3.
Abide.” Ps. 15 :1.

25:11. David prayed, “Pardon mine iniquity.” Pharaoh prayed, “Take away the frogs.” The latter prayed to escape the punishment; the former, the cause of it.

26: The heart. V. 2.

Eyes. V. 3.
Hands. V. 6.
Voice. V. 7.
Feet. V. 12.

27: 5. A man must have both feet firmly planted on the

Rock before he can pull sinking men out of the floods.

28: 1. Sometimes God is silent because of his love to us.

Zeph. 3:17.

Sometimes, to test our faith. Matt. 15: 23. Sometimes, because he has spoken, but we have not

listened.

30: 5. “In His favor is life,” or, “His favor is for a life-time.” R. V. margin. “Life-time” contrasted with “moment.” Cf. Isa. 54:7, 8.

32: 1, 2. Seven steps to blessedness of forgiven sin, etc.: — Conviction. Vs. 3, 4.
Confession. V. 5.
Forgiveness. V. 5.
Prayer. V. 6.
Protection. V. 7.

Guidance. Vs. 8, 9.
Joy. Vs. 10, 11.

1, 2. Sin forgiven and subdued.

34: 8. Men must taste of God’s grace here, or they will never taste of bis glory hereafter.

36: 1-4. Seven steps of wickedness: —

(1.) No fear of God before his eyes.

(2.) Flattereth himself in his hateful iniquity.

(3.) Words of his mouth, iniquity and deceit.

(4. ) Left off to be wise and do good.

(5.) Deviseth mischief upon his bed.

(6.) Setteth himself in a way not good.

(7.) Abhorreth not evil.

37:38. Strauss, when dying, said to his daughter, “This is the last of me. Now we separate. I sink into nothing.”

40:2,3. Pit — rock — song — celebration.

Till you know the depth of the pit into which you have fallen, you will never properly praise the hand which raises you out of it.

7. “In the volume of the BOOK it is written of ME.” Luther asks: “What book and what person?” “There is only one book — the Scriptures; and only one person — Jesus Christ.”

41: 4. Saul and Judas both said, “I have sinned;” David adds:” against Thee.”

42: 11. Hope is like the sun, which, as we travel toward it, casts the shadows behind us.

44: 1. While the songs of other nations sing of the heroism of their kings, the songs of Israel celebrate the doings of God.

45: 7. The cause,

The nature,
The measure,

of God’s anointing.

10. Four calls :-
Hearken.
Consider.
Incline thine ear.
Forget.

49: 7, 8. The body- might be redeemed from man by money (Lev. 25: 47-49), but God himself redeems the soul. V. 15.

51: 4. A saint says, “What have I done?” A sinner says, “What must I suffer?” One mourns for the active evil, the other for the passive evil.

52: 5. The wicked rooted out of the land of the living. 8. The righteous rooted in the house of God.

55:9-11. Seven terms declaring the wickedness of the city: Violence and strife; mischief, and sorrow, and wickedness in the midst of it; deceit and guile in her streets.

19.” They have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” When all goes well with a man, it is almost sure to be his ruin.

55:22. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord.” The original is, “roll thy burden onto the Lord.” We could not pick up the heavy ones and cast them.

56: 3. Fear should lead to faith.
11. Faith should put away fear.

58: 2. Outward acts are more scandalous among men, but inward wickedness is more dangerous before God. 61: Distance — the end of the earth. V. 2.

Distress — overwhelmed. V. 2.

Deliverance — the Rock. V. 2.

Defense — a shelter and a strong tower. V. 3.

Dwelling-place — thy tabernacle. V. 4.

Duration — forever. V. 7.

Destiny — abide before God. Vs. 4, 7.

Determination — I will sing praise unto thy name forever.

62: “Only.”

10. “I do not observe that grace always grows in the

same ratio with a growing income.” It is often said that such a man owns millions; but most frequently the millions own the man.

63: 1. My soul thirsteth for thee.
5. My soul shall be satisfied.
8. My soul followeth hard after thee.

7. Seven shadows: —

Wings, for shelter. Ps. 63: 7. Tabernacle, from daily trial. Isa. 4: 6.

Hand, for service. Isa. 49: 2.
Rock, for refreshment. Isa. 32: 2.
Cloud, the Lord’s presence. Isa. 4:5, 6.
Almighty, for power. Ps. 91: 1.
Beloved, for rest. Cant. 2: 3.

66: 5. Come and see.
16. Come and hear.

66: 12. God brings through fire and water into a wealthy place. Satan casts into fire and water in order to destroy. Mark 9: 22.

71: 3. Continual abiding.

14. Continual hope.
72: 15. Continual prayer and praise.

78:11. A lively faith is blessed with a good memory. Forgetfulness is an early and sure sign of unbelief.

22. No sin dishonors God like unbelief.
24. Manna to eat, not to analyze.

27. Fowls for food.

Food for fowls. Ps. 79: 2.

31. Fat in body; lean in soul. Ps. 106: 15. 38. See note on Deut. 28: 28.

80: 5. “Thou f eedest them with the bread of tears.” “He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat.” Ps. 81: 16.

81: 3. Nowadays we have made an atheist of the trumpet.

83: 3. The Lord’s Hidden Ones”: —

With Christ in God, for salvation and life.

1 John 5: 11, 20; Col. 3:3. Under the shadow of his wing, for shelter and

safety. Ps. 17:8. In the secret of his presence, for communion

with him. Ps. 31: 20. In his pavilion, for testing and proving. Ps.

27:5; 18:11.

In his quiver, ready for use. Isa. 49: 2. In the shadow of his hand, for strength and

service. Isa. 49: 2.

84: 11. The soul of man depends on God to keep it in its

true orbit, just as the earth depends on the sun. Sever man from God, and he starts away into darkness and disorder.

86: 6. In all thy prayers let thy heart be ‘without the words, rather than thy words without the heart.

89: “Mercy of the Lord.”

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.”

V. 1.

“Mercy shall be built up forever.” V. 2. “Mercy shall go before Thy face.” V. 14. “My mercy shall be with him.” V. 24. “My mercy will I keep for him f orevermore.” V. 28.

90: 12. “So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” St. Augustine says we will never do that unless we number every day as our last day.

The last day is hidden that every day may be

heeded.

” I expect to pass through this world but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, any good I can do, any help I can give, let me do it now: let me not defer it or neglect it, for I will not pass this way again.”

91: The believer’s security. Vs. 1-12.

His victor y. V. 13.

His exaltation. Vs. 14, 15.

His eternal satisfaction. V. 16.

Saints are safe — “Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare... and from the noisome pestilence.” V. 3.

The evil is limited — ‘L Only with thine eyes shalt thou... see the reward of the wicked.” V. 8.

The Lord has reasons for preserving his own —” Because thou hast made the Lord, my refuge, the Most High, thy habitation.” V. 9.

4. The feathers of God’s wings are his tender mercies. See Psalm 145: 9.

91: 11, 12. Satan’s version — Presumptuousness. Christ’s version — Trustfulness.

14-16. Seven things God will do for the believer: — “I will deliver him.” Vs. 14, 15. “I will set him on high.” V. 14. ‘« 1 will answer his call.” V. 15. “I will be with him in trouble.” V. 15. “I will honor him.” V. 15.

“I will satisfy him.’1 V. 1C.

“I will show him my salvation.” V. 16. 92: 7. The wicked flourish to become fuel.

14. The righteous flourish for fruit.

94: 13. Grace withereth without adversity. The devil is but God’s muster-fencer, to teach us to handle our weapons.

96: 6. Some people say there is no need of beauty in God’s sanctuary; you should use the money for the heathen — meaning themselves.

97: 2. God’s government is often mysterious, yet always righteous.

101: Years ago a prince of Saxe-Gotha, whenever he thought that one of his ministers or judges was not what he ought to be, used always to send him Ps. 101 to read.

103: The mercy of God.

Its quality — ‘-tender.” V. 4.
Its measure — ’ plenteous. “V. 8.
Its extent — as high as heaven. V. 11.
Its duration — “from everlasting to everlasting.” V. 17.

13. Fatherly pity — filial fear.

105:37. “He brought them forth with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.” Wealthy and healthy.

106: They believed and sang. V. 12.

They believed not and murmured. Vs. 24. 25.

106: 15. Fat in body — lean in soul. See Psalm 78: 31.

107: Note the contrasts: —

No city to dwell in. V. 4. — A city of habitation. V. 7.

Hungry, thirsty, faint. V. 5. — Satisfied and filled. V. 9.

Caused to wander. V. 7. — Led forth. V. 40.

Sit in darkness. V. 10. — Brought out of darkness. V. 14.

Bound in affliction and iron. V. 10. — He brake their bands in sunder. V. 14.

Draw near to death. V. 18. — He saveth out of distresses. V. 19.

Go down to the sea. V. 23. — Bringeth to the desired haven. V. 30.

Commandeth and raiseth stormy wind. Y. 25. — Maketh the storm a calm. V. 29.

19. Free grace is a harbor into which few ships run, except through stress of weather. Till the end of the creature is reached, men will not seek the Creator.

116: A Christian’s experience: —

Conviction — “I found trouble and sorrow.”

V. 3. Prayer — “0 Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my

soul.” V. 4. Gratitude —” What shall I render unto the

Lord for all his benefits? “V. 12. Assurance — “0 Lord I am thy servant. ‘’

V. 16.

116:16. Freedom under Christ — “Thou hast loosed my bonds.”

117 :,’ 2. “The truth of the Lord endureth forever.” “I am the truth.”

il9: 18. Disciple’s prayer.” Hide not thy commandments

from me.’’ Promise. “I will instruct thee and teach thee.”

Ps. 32: 8. Fulfilment. ‘’Then opened he their understanding,

that they might understand the Scriptures.”

SI. “I have stuck unto thy testimonies.” The best law for Bible study is perseverance, stick ing- to.

59. 60. The prodigal son’s epitaph.
Thinking for himself.
Thuikmg about himself.
Practical and prompt.

71. It is a good wave that waso* the mariner on to the

rock.

94. Profession — “I am vhiue; “Prayer —” save me;” Plea — “for I have sought thy precepts.” “Thine,”- — by purchase, surrender. “Save me” — from sin, error, enemies, carelessness, temptation, self.

105. >4Thy word is a lamp unto my feet” — to walk by; not to our tongues to talk about.

114. “Thou art my hiding-place.” Hidden in Him, never from Him

136. Bendetti, a Franciscan monk, author of” Stabat Mater,” one day was found weeping, and when asked the reason of his tears, replied,” I weep

because Love goes about unloved.”

166. Trust and obedience. “Lord, I have hoped for

thy salvation, and done thy commandments.”

121: 4. Let not any think that the devil is now dead — no nor yet asleep. As “He that keepeth Israel,’ so he that hateth Israel, “neither slumbereth nor sleepeth.”

A poor woman in the East was robbed in the night. The sultan asked, “Why did you sleep? ‘’ u be cause I thought you never slept.”

Alexander the Great told his soldiers, ‘I wake that you may sleep.”

5. The Lord is thy keeper — day and night, in and out, forever.

122: 6 Wherever thou canst send a thought, God can command a blessing.

125: 1, 2. As the Lord encircles his people like a mountainrampart, he must be removed before they can be removed. Hence, “Stand fast in the Lord.” Phil. 4:1.

131: 1. Present.

2. Past.

3. Future.

138: 6. Pride never prepares a man for Paradise, but for perdition.

140: 5. The net is “1>y the wayside;” there is no danger

in the way.

141: 7, 8.” Our lxpnes are scattered at the grave’s mouth,

as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood u|xm the earth. But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord: in Thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.”

These texts are inscribed on the cross which marks the site of the well into which the dead bodies were dropped every night during the siege of Cawnpore, 1857 — (preceding the massacre of Cawnpore, in which about one thousand Europeans were murdered).

143: Full of prayers — “Hear!” “give ear!” “answer!” etc.

5. Remembrance — meditation — musing upon. The works of God’s hands cause eager desire and thirst.

145: 14. Lifting up.
15. Looking up.

17. What the Lord is —” righteous in all his ways,

and holy in all his works.”

18. Where the Lord is —” nigh unto all them that

call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

19. What the Lord will do — “He will fulfil the de

sire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

150: The most complete directory of praise: — V. 1. Whom shall we praise? Where? V. 2. Why?

V. 3-5. Wherewith? (Whatever is most helpful.) V. 6. Who shall praise?