Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-10-22
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
October Is.
Subject: David's Joy Over Forgiveness, Psalm
32-Golden Text, Pisa. 81, Memory =
Verses, 81 - Commentary On
the Days Lesson.

Jk-uOlden Iext, rsd OA' i-s"0iS
Verses, 81 - Commentary On
the Days Lesson.
I. Confession and forgiveness, Tvs. l-5|.
l., .. Blessed" an the Hebrew this
word is plural and an exclamation, thus,
oh, the blessednesses! Only a forgiven
man can know the delights of pardon"
"Transgresson." A going out OF the way,
passing a given boundary, doing, what Is
P%roh the pardoned sinner is eased of bur,
den and enjoys pardon. "Sin." Missing
the mark falling short of a given point.
Sin is the transgression, OF the Jaw, Ii
covered" Sin makes lis loathesome, filthy,
and abominable in the sight OF God, ana
utterly unfit for communion with HIM. III
must be covered by God; When 1t Is par
doned it is covered by divine mercy IRON
Justice. "Imputeth." Chargeth not to his
account, "does not require for sins, the
debt of punishment" but pardons them.
"No guile" No deceit, no false estimate
of himself, nor inslncerity before Sod'
Sin is the only cause OF misery, and lot
giveness is the beginning OF sinners
when I kept silence" Before !
humbled myself and confessed my SIM 1t
seems that David before Nathan came to
him had often been exceedingly. tortured
in his conscience on account of the crimes
he had committed e Sam. ll:27; ~, %,
vet reluctance to humble himself before
God, or to be considered criHmnihal py
men, led him to keep silence. My bones
waxed old" my spirits failed and the
strength of my body decayed." Roaring.
Moaning or grooming because of the con.
tinual horrors of conscience and sense or
Gods wrath. This shows the depth OF his
repentance, -, c.,. ..oo.;,. hand
whereby He scourgcth His children, bring,
ing remembrance OF guilt. MY moisture
is turned" There is spiritual drought
when the soul is in anguish instead OF
refreshing seasons from the presence OF the
Lord David lived in country where
parching heats and saturatlnS moisture al
tcrnate, and the valleys. sometimes green
and fruitful and fragrant. were at otner
times desolate and parched. 1t is quite
possible that sin in Davids case rs in so
many others, brought physical illness as a
result, "Sclah." This is used in Hebrew
poctrv and music to indicate u pause; 10
emphasize the truth and express devonC
response of the heart unto God, 1t indl.
Gated also that at that point the writer
had been inspired and taught some new
lesson. 1t sometimes indicates change
in the subject. r.
5. Il acknowledged hou torgav'
| cst 1t was after much anguish and strug'
/ cling that David was brought to confession.
hut his reward was abundant, Tor mercy
was extended He had covered his SIN nn,
successfully, vet when he uncovered 1t 'Ho
covered it effcctuallly. Where nciore h ne
had felt hardness of heart and distress OF
soul he now felt forgiveness OF his sins
and the mercy of the Lord extended.
II. Confidence in God Tvs, GID. u.
"For this" Because the Lord had so
graciously answered his prayer. every one
That was goodlv should be encouraged TO
pray. In time. Compare lsa. oo:oi;
Himself so ready to hear even the SINNER,
the plous are urged to cry to Him before
some sudden food of temptation has made
them lose His presence; so shall the great
waters in which the plamist sank be pre-.
vented from ever reaching them. AayeSt
be found Literally, the time OF md
ing" it NAV lust as readily refer to the
finding of forgiveness rs to the finding OF
Jehovah. Great waters" In tins case
there may be particular allusjon to the
interval between the SIN and punishment,
during which the confessions and lmpoI,
tunatc petitions of the sinner, may avail
to arrest the judgments which must IN
cvitaby follow. Violent TRIALS. aiilicuonS
and temptations shall not overcome the
soul who prays acceptably and trusts I'M
plcitly; but the sinner who persists IN
nirity shall certainly be swept away by
the floods OF divine judgment and so Tor
:. s. "iIiding place" City Of refuge,
protection against enemies. Preserve
"Compass me Surround me as with,
WALL enclose me within. Songs OF dG'
hverancc." The free spirit poured torth
songs of praise and thanksgiving on al
occasions thus admitting no place Tor
evil words or thoughts. A constant re-
membrane OF pardon bestowed was
protection against further SIN. Instruct
thee" A gracious promise given to
humble pardoncd soul, securing his de-
yplopment in the ways Of righteousness;
God Himself being teacher, Il will guide.
Exercise the most watchful, accurate and
personal care
0, "As the horse" etc Do not he tub
born or hoadstrong like the horse OF muic,
A different class is here addressed that
cannot be trusted upon the ground OF
reason or moral obligation. and must he
Governed bv force BIT and bride That
is. by harsh aud iorcble means. Our rca'
son and wisdom ought to do for u4 what
the bit does Tor the mule. Else they will
not come near" The r. V, gives the cor
rect rendering. Without bit and bride
the animals referred TO will not stay within
reach. Ii man will not draw near to God
and obey Him Of his own free will. he low
ers himself to the level OF brute lisa. l:3),
and must expect to be treated accordingly
and disciplined by the judgments OF God
lisa. 2G,o-ln.
10. IL. Many SORROWS" etc. Sin and
misery 90 together. Those who are insub'
ordinate God will curb and chasten by
of]icti,n. both to humble them and show
them His power. "Ihs verse teaches that
events are good or bad according to the
goodness or badness OF the man they at
feet; that the riches OF a rich worldllng are
bound to be a curse and TO bring many
sorrows, while to the humble, trusttul soul
comes great blessing" Mercy shall
compass" He shall be surrounded with
mercy, as one Is surrounded by the mir or
bv the sunlight. lie shall find mercy and
favor evcrywhcrc-at home, abroad; by
dar. by night: in society, in solitude; III
sickness, in health; in life, in death; in
time. in eternity He shall walk amid
idctcie,; he shall die amid mercies; he
shall live in better world in the midst
Of eternal mercies. 'Be glad E. rejoice
shout" How wonderful that such
c%u'tqtion may follow such iniquity and
r,morsc! There must be sincere sorrow.
! full confession. earnest prayer, SIMPLE
| faith and hottest purpose to cease from SIN.
F., Then there is full remission and freedom
| of snirit. IA sense Of dcliverance and or
| divine mercy that causes all within the
ransomcd nature to rejoice. This is the
essence of Joy unspeakable and full OF
| glory. Compare Pet is.
| A SilI<WoTm OF Che Sea.
| ;u obtaino1 from the Shp1lnSn