Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-06-10
LESSON FOR JUNE 10
sLEssEpNEss OF FORGIVENESS

LESSON TEXT-Psalm 50.
GOLDEN TEXT-Blessed Is he who's,
transgression is forgiven. whose sin 4
co~vered-Psalm SCI
This psalm Is believed . to have
grown out of David's experience witt
Nathan (see Rom. 1853. 1t is the
second OF the seven socalled "peni
tential psalms" u, 32, 3S, 81, 102, 1870
143). While 1t is sad, 1t is at the same
time one Of the most joyful OF all
psalms. 1t is the record Of bitter sor
row and also of heartfelt praise, and
is as vital in its message today as the
day 1t was given to the world.
l. The state or Condition Of HappI'
ness. ~ What 10 happlnessr w.
I, 2. The blessed or happy mar is the
one whose sin is covered. God only
can forgive sin and has plainly SET
before us his agency, viz, the shed
blood. David as king enjoyed the
pleasures Of life, but he also knew the
result of hidden sin, Of sins covered,
The Joy Of forgiveness is offered to
all who accept Gods gift Of justif1ca.
ton (Acts 10:43). The psalmist seems
to multiply words. "Transgression"
means rebellion; ''sin" to miss the
mark from. 1929; 'iniquity," to be
crooked. When men try to cover sin
we are expressly told the result prov.
1918. but God literally takes away
when he forgives and covers" sin
John 1929: Ps. 103:12; S5:2). Mel
Their mar or devil can uncover what
he has covered. (2) Who 10 unhappy?
w. 8, 4. Contrasted with the state or
condition Of happiness granted to the
forgiven sinner is presented that of
those u%nforgiven. David kept silence
without only to have a raging tempest
within-lips silent, bones roaring"
During the days Of David's silence fol-
lowing his sinful act he was guilty Of
increased acts Of sin and cruelty q
Sam. 12:31). The origin of the word
Selah Is not known. 1t probably indi.
Gated a musical interlude and in this
psalm most appropriately and dramat-
ically appears. C3) How we may be
happy, w. 5, 8. All sin is uncovered
to God. His all-seeing eye can pene.
trate mans futile endeavors to hide
his transgressions. The first step to
forgiveness and to happiness is con.
fession Of guilt. Gods heavy hand
wrought saving faith In David and
such faith has as its first condition
confession. Il acknowledged my sim"
Such confession is full and frank.
Nothing is held back nor has 1t any
element Of hypocrisy. and 1t always
secures results Il John 1:9; Luke 10:
20.23).
The godly man, the man who is the
recipient Of Gods grace thus bestowed,
prays in a time when thou mayest be
found" or tsee margin) I'm the time
Of finding out sin" ". 6 R. W. The
prophet tells us that there is a time
when we may not find God lisa. $3.50
and Paul tells us when he may be
found Oh Cor. 6:2).
u. How to Continue In the State Of
Being Happy. "a Our security w.. ".
When men forgive they do not cover"
What God hides he forgets lisa. Ss:17;
Micah 7:19). Our security, our hid.
ing place" is Jehovah. Our preserver
is Jehovah FPS. s1:31; lisa. 32:1, p.
Jehovah preserves from trouble those
whom he forgives FPS. 34:19). Such
have a serenity, q peace" even
the peace of God" which the sinner
can never have lisa. 1858; Rom. 81;
Phil, 40. (2) Our instructor wv. 8.
81. (a) Positively-we have one who
not only forgives and blots out the
past but m who has promised to
instruct" to teach" and to guide"
all believe that the introduc.
ton Of the personal pronouns in verse
8 indicate that God is speaking In
response to David's appeal recorded in
verse 6. Jehovah guides with his "eye
upon" us ". 8 R. W He instructs
Us by his spirit through his Word
FPS. 1896; John 1919. % Neg
atively-Some must needs be directed
by "bit and bridle." Some have to
earn through bitter experience. We
have our choice. Those who will not
listen to instruction are compared to
he horse and the mule who have no
understanding" Even SO they are
more useful than those who wildly
after sin. Only thus can some
come near" ". 8 R. W though that
s better than not to be brought near
It all. go Our faith ". 81. What
lind Of a life will Gods forgiven chill
lren live? What is one Of the fore
most characteristics Of a happy life?
Here is the answer, "He that trusteth
the Lord" This is the conclusion
Z the whole matter.
Our only Joy is in the Lord "who
ath done marvellous things whereof
70 are glad"
Christ Is the incarnate mercy and
race Of God. In him we have Gods
He supplies our every need (Phil.
:19). He ~pardons, heals, restores. d.
ects, gives power Matt. 2S:18-20).
Joy and impurity are never compan.
ms. Only the pure can purify. Only
10 healthy can heal. Only the right.
ous and free a pardon.
Rejoice in Jehovah! and leap for
", o righteous! and gladly shout all
D upright in heart."-Maclaren.