The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-10-24


whose transgression is forgiven. whose
sin is covered" Psalm 81: I.
The inscription that precedes this
Psalm, ascrihes il TO King David II
is full of expressions OF such charac-
ter as David exhibited in what are
known to be his spoken words No
man would have been apt to write such
a Psalm save one who had sinned.
and had been forgiven.
THE LESSON.
Nss, ! and , are a picture OF a soul
az peace. u has beer guilty, and full
OF unrest because OF sin. There have
been tears Of grief and brokcn-hcart-
edness for sin, but JOY has replaced
them ALL God has graciously forgot
ten all II IS lovely picture. Every
one who has been forgiven, even by
earthly parents or friends, knows how
wonderful forgiveness is.
Nss. 3 and are another sort OF pic
ture. II too is painted from life Here
is man who knew he had sinncd, and
had not nor would confess il. He was
trying to make himself think he knew
about his sin, and that no other per-
son did He was wretched and mis-
cradle. His whole body was racked
by the agony OF conviction. His very
bones ached. Fever filled his body.
He dreaded Gods wrath. How nat
ural all that is You may hide your
sins from the world, but there are two
persons from whom YOU cannot hodc
them. One is God. The other is
yourself
VS.. s Here the sinner came to his
right mind. See this word-picture.
Here is man on his knees all alone
telling God all about his wickednesss
He covers up nothing. He makes a
clean breast OF all He kept back
nathing This man was like the pub
lican OF whom Christ spoke. His only
cry was, God be mcrciiul to me a
sinner" He went 20 his house justi-
fed. said Jesus. So David writes.
Thou iorgavcst the niquity OF my
sin think that was the happicst
moment David ever knew
These five verses are very plainly
the record OF a real experience David
mentions no names. no places, no sins.
But God knew and he knew. and his
memory was keen Perhaps he wrote
this poem right after the experience
IL is like a letter 10 the world telling
OF one deep sorrow, and thus OF a
greater joy.
VSs. o and 7 are the hope and con-
hdencc OF the Podly man, Even the
godly need protection and must pray
for it God does not always deliver
from earthly troubles But he does
~, ., Z
overwhelming q soul il he is called
upon when he may be found When
is that, Here is eternal comfort III
with all your heart We truly seek me,
ye shall surely find me
That word ever" answers the qucs-
ton. Any pcnitcnt soul that conieSScs
sin and seeks forgiveness can find him.
The floods do no, ovcrwhclm such a
soul
VS. 7 is the iul expression OF the
particulars which constitute the JOY OF
forgiveness "A hiding. place" Sin
cannot find lis il we hide in God
Trouble cannot vcx the soul that
God preserves: not earthly trouble. but
that which comes from sin Think OF
the wall that defends such a soul. II
is made at songs OF dclivcrancc."
There is no better protection than a
heart filled with gospel songs makes
for itself II is good sign when one
sings spontaneously sacred songs. Gull
tivatc that habit Sing songs unto
God.
VS.. s is sometimes quoted as il it
were spoken by God. aS il its two parts
were each a promise from God. There
is gospel hymn which seems 10 make
God say &c will guide thee with mine
eye"
Let me suggest tina, David was still
writing; writing ont at his own cx-
pericncc; writing to some one whom
he loved. Hear him. with that thought
in mind II have had experience,
will teach thee. The way to walk is
the way oi confession oi sin; real JOY
comes by walking that road Ny eve
can see the road | have walked It.
Let me guide YOU Surely he could
have spoken in just such words ont OF
the fulncsS 81 his heart. 1t was the
natural thing Tor him to do II is nat
ural Tor us Have YOU been forgiven,
Do you not want Ia tell others who
are in trouble over sin; Do you not
want to say. Let me show YOU the
way will guide you:'
VS. is most sanitary. We often
say things 81 that sort. Don't be a
mule. Don't be crank Don't be
contrary" The man who listens to
wise counsel is always himself wise.
VS. 10 is Dayid's conclusion based
on his own experience He knew both
sides.
VS. II is call To rejoicing that
came directly from the heart Joy and
praise ought to be the chief character
istic OF Christian life
Let MS get a closer view OF this
Thirty second Psalm II was written
by man who had committed some
great sin which had made a mark on
his life that he never forgot That is
the strange thing about the effects OF
sin, God is SO great that he iorgcts il
BlotS it out Covers it. casts il behind
his back; forgives IT, That is wonder
full But the man who sins never quite
fnrpets IL There are times when IL