The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-24

N>~~>~4~~~~~~~
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS psalm is as
cribed to David the occasion on Whisn
1t was composed was not intlmated, nor
IS there now any way of asccrtalhils ~
without doubt there is a reference 70
personal experience but whether 70 th ne
experience connected With the mattel
Ba,h-Sneba and Uriah. or with some , oiii-
CT event, cannot be determined me as
sign of the composition is manifesto
show the pain resulting from conSlcl. ~,
OF sin and the J3S caused cause ~ ~ dan dnl ri
is remarkable that the psalm refers 50
much to the inward feelings and cor
tains no allusion to external aets, 10
tains to the soul and to God to the sor-
row OF pentcnce and the peace OF fur-
givcness. IT shows that there was AMONG
the Hebrews a just idea OF the nature
furnishes a true Illustration of CONVEX
sion. and as such may be studied with
profit by all under all dispensations III
all lands.
is happy whose sin is pardoned, As ING
act OF pardon occurs in tho Divine nina
there must be some mode OF c9lninuii.-
eating the fact to the. mind OF the pen I.,
tent This IS accomplished by the Holy
spirit Rom. viii: 16). who simultaneous
" with this witness mparts new HE
and strength, and from this flows the
pessedness. Forgiveness Of sin Is nee
from view, a blotting out Of record
no longer to be remembered psalm ell
l2). 1t is furthermore expressed as ia,l-
ure to mpute., to charge AGAINST a,f anu 70
held accountable fCr.i II will be sean
from these three observation-disclosures
ness, covering and no imputation-wnat
changes occur in the heart OF COO 70
ward the sinner when he seeks for nler-
cy The psalmist also refers to the state
Of the sinner at such tlnle-he IS tree
from guile. There is no deception or dis,
stimulation in his heart, which has all
tcen laid bare as he WELCOMED the search
infinite one psalm cxNxix: 80.
DlSTRESSED--(Ver 3 and 4-From
his present happy condition the psalmist
turns to describe his former state, when
He knew of sin, and probably he was
sorry for it measurably so at least. AT
any rate 1t gave him distress. His
strength failed It seemed as II the in
r,mitles Of old age were upon him. All
the day long he cried out with anguish
psalm xxi: y, and when night came
he found no relief. Slumber departed
from him, and his couch was a place Of
discomfort. Continually the hand Of God,
the hand of Judgment, seemed to be laid
upon him and to weigh him down Dob,
xii: 2D. 1t was, God who brought the
it upon his conscience, SO that he could
not throw it off The result of all this
was felt in his physical condition. AS
plants wither in the heat of summer for
lack of moisture. SO, under conviction the
soul loses its elasticity and buoyancy,
the strength wastes away and the mail
angulslles
not Intimate how long This distress con,
i in the wo rds When Kept slence.
that the psalmist hoped that his copvlc-
would cease Of itself, Or that employ.
nent-an engagement with the affairs of
the world--would soothe the anguish Of
his spirit, 1t often occurs that men
plunge into dissipation or Into scenes OF
amusement to ease their minds. But IN
this case all such attempts proved vain.
At last like the prodigal son Nuke, XIV:
ID, this convicted sinner saw that there
solved TO enter upon It, IN the privacy
of his own thought he said, u will con-
TESS my transgression." He knew that
this was all that God required u john.
l-0 There Is in universal humanity q
spiritual instinct that causes all men to
feel that the Divine heart Is moved with
pity toward the penltent. The resolve
was lmmgaldtely put in execution He
cXcusins nothing, And then came the
pardon mentioned above.
ENCoURAGED,-tYe sc 90 The bless
TIA % s ane whd by sra n9t
pnrdon-they extend to ali others who
know the facts Humanity never cones
cons fSSh s Rssh budp On De e ia
is borne bv all men. Even the heathen
expedlents to find relief, Accordingly.
whenever a soul has passed from con
demnation to peace all other become in
terested To- know how the result wa !
reached This is the reason that such
large numbers Of people gather in time
of revival and listen 50. iItently to the
testimony of converts. Hence, the palm
ist declares, that because of the change
| 1tyht |, IN IN n
ward godiiness would pray when They
| not be overcome IN the waters Of | GU
! blc-rthey would turn their hearts CON
| fdently toward the God OF all grace, en-.
| couraged to believe that help would be
extended. THE salvation Of one man Is
| ground to hope for that Of another,
| CONBIDED.-N erse II The thought o
| the passage now reVertS After consld
| ering the encpuragem felt by others
! the psamist expresses his own eat c1n
+, fideilce in God Before he was I. Q vi
| anxiety and dread non he tyr ) t. tn
| OF God all Is we'll. When pursued BY III
| hitdims 'place (Psam ix:e). figure o
! speech Immensely ntere ting TO hia wl'
| had been so loig and 50 bitterly Der
secuted by King saul IN
| Xvi I'LL lie, EXPECTED 20 hs IRE
served N the tins e onSlp feeling nla5 tha
Of protection Ard this fact viii max
him Joyful and he WI DO IN the c2iu
pany az ioyfGl people,,
Others Ike him VII sing ana seem 4
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