The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-10-28
Sunday School Lesson for October 29
Psalms of DeliVeramce.
PSALMS IS AND 126.
BY J. e. GILBERT, D. D., L. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education
PSALMS IS AND l26.

trouble or distressed by sin, the pray
ing man has hopc of relief. Hence,
having made known his wants, the
Psalmist assumes en- attitude Of eNpec
fancy. He listens that he may hear
the Lords answer, assured that lie
viii speak peace UIab. II. u, that He
Will interpose His mercy and power as
To prevent His people from turning
again unto folly g Pet. II. 20). With
much confidence our author expresses
IN beautiful language his reliance upon
God. The words ought to be COM
mitted to memory to sustain every
soul in time when blessings are to be
sou ht Perhaps there is no place i'm
Scripture where the mercy of the Lord
Is more appropriately described, caus-
ing the heart to rejoice as the mind
meditates upon IT.
THE OUTCOME CVerses II, 12. 13)--
The Psalmist passes quickly onward
from these expressions of faith and
nope to describe the condition of the
nation after the blessing has been OBJ
tanned for which prayer was made
Truth would be like the grass, the
shrubs and the trees that spring up all
over the earth. and righteousness like
the rain would descend from heaven.
This first declaration is paraphrased
by the second, that the Lord shall
give what is good and the land shall
yield her increase. The thought is that
prosperity comes from above, (James
i1O and that God is willing to bestow
1t upon righteous people. This point
Is enlarged and emphasized. Right
eousness must go before, that Is pre-
cede, the Lords doing, as a courier
hles in advance of the king, calling the
people to prepare the way (John
li;3) righteousness on the part of the
people sets them. in the way of the
footsteps of the coming Lord and so
secures for them all the good which
He comes to bestow. The new spirit
ual life OF the Jews was the promise
of untold good
THE GLADNESS oversees /. .. 81
Psalm 50 began with the consideration
Of Gods goodness in bringing home
the captives; Psalm 126 opens with an
account of the spirit in which the
people returned. At first they were
bewildered and surprised, 1T seemed 20
them a dream or vision, (Acts :9l
and not a reality But as this feeling
passe daway JOY took it's place. They
| broke forth into laughter as eX-
| pressions OF great gladness We're ex-
| changed among them and that was
| succeeded by more appropriate and
abiding exercise as they united in sing
| ing to the praise of God. dob Viii:21.)
Nor did they pause with mere rejoicing
among themselves. They went forth
to the heather, singing as they went.
THE Lord has done great things for
us, whereof we are glad" Here is the
same recognition of Gods goodness as
was given in the first verse of the for
mer Psalm, only it is published abroad
to those who did not serve God This
is one of the most beautiful exhibition:
| of gladness. as to it's source, the high.
est possible psalm xxxiii:D; as to its
effects, directed toward the ungodly.
THE COMPLETION (verse A.
Gladness sometimes becomes a kind OF
intoXication, causing people to give
themselves wholly to merry making
and TO forget important matters re.
quirng attention Joy in the Lord pro.