The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-10-23
GOLDEN TENT.-isiessed IL he whose
TRANSPORTATION is forgiven. whose ain

GOLDEN TENT.-Blessed IL hr those
transgrcsSion is forgiven. whose sin ,
In covcrcd.-Ps. 32:t.
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION |
The Blessed of rorsivtness.......Ps . :2a2
SORROW Turned TO Joy..........-...P s. 100
Hope for All In The Psamists Exper RI
ences OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES fs. s-..-.4
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The connection between this lesson
and those that have preceded il is plain
though il is one of thought rather than
Of historical incident. Our last lesson
included the story OF DaNld's sin and
repentance, and to impress its lessons
more strongly upon us. the marvellous
prayer OF the broken heart in the Fifty
first psalm From that study Of the OK
perience OF one who had sinned and re-
pented we go on to tbs study OF the
blessedness Of forgiveness and the way
Ia which one may find 1t.
Ups. 32:1, % There are three words
used here for sin. and. while in general
synonymous, each adds shade OF mean
ing not in the others. TRANSMISSION
"A breaking loose from God. !" disP gard
ing His will. sin This word in the
original suggests a missing OF the marx
for sin is terrible blundcr and failure
as well rs a terrible wrong. "lniquity."
A distortion or peryersion. A fine face
distorted. becomes hideous. and gooc
thing perverted may become the worst
of bad things. Whose sin is covered
The figure suggests that sin is something
horrible to look upon. ard that God
mercifully draws the veil over 1t. I'M
puteth not iniquity." Does rot charge
his sin against him. NO guile" No
insincerity; no pretending
Tvs. 3-5.) when | kept silence
Sullelly trying 10 ignore his sin. NY
bones wasted away" No man can def.
his conscience with impunity. This IL
a leaffrom the personal experience OF The
psalmist. and we know what he means
from our own personal experience. Thy
hard was heavy upon me- The hand
of conscience is the hand Of God. II is
laid upon the sinner not primarily 10
make him suffer but 10 make him re-
form. 1.-The drought Of summer A
guilty conscience checks all soul growth
and contracts ard shriyels and dries ur
life as the blasts of the hot south wiids
Try M all vegetation in midsummer
drought. Note that the psalmist speaks
IF having had regret and sorrow all this
time. but IL was not repentance. What
Vas the difference?
Alexander Maclaren has said that this
psalm is "a chart OF one mans patti
from the depths to the heights and avails
10 guide all" The change comes In
verse 5. III was The breaking down of the
stubborn, defiant spirit. the dropping OF
he fiction of goodness when there was
no goodness. and the humble opening
IF the heart to the Father In confession.
Thou forgayest the inIquity." God Is
ever ready to forgive and to consider a
nan az separated from his sin when lie
sees that the man has with all his heart
nut his sin away. God cannot consider
/, mans sin put away until it Is. He
cannot deal In fictions. Recall here
-hrist's teaching in the parable Of the
prodigal son.
rvs. GID For this" Because Of
This: therefore. Every one that Is
rotly." Those who are true to God and
strive TO do His will--for the best Chris
.ians need still to pray for forgiveness
when thou mayest be found" The
In. v. marginal reading Is in the time o!
finding out Sim This is possible. The
preferred reading suggests that there Is
time when 1t is too late not because
God is not ready to forgive. but because
man has lost the capacity to become =
new man." Il will instruct thee. etc
1T Is usual TO suppose that the psalmisi
stfll speaks. but surely I will counsel
.hee with mine eye upon thee docs not
AZ human lips. Alexander Maclaren
The psalmist represents Jehovah al
speaking The reassuring words OF verse
a Verse Q suggests the reason why
many sorrows shall be to the wicked.
The psalm ends with shout OF Joy
Every tear sparkles like diamond ir
he cunshine of pardon, and he who b..
,ins with the lowly cry for forgiveness
will end with lofty songs Of JOY. and b
made, by Gods guidance and Spirit
righteous and upright In heart"
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
The one whom God has forgiven is In
iced blessed. His Is the peace which
,asseth understanding.
Hidden sin is hidden pain There Il
10 comfort for those who transgreGs
Gods holy laws.
Repentance and confession are sure I,
,ring relief from the pain and tortur'
" sin.
For those who flee to God for pardon
here are songs instead OF siehs ant
yroans.
borrowed money makes time short.