Middletown transcript., 1915-06-19
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRANER EoR rAE rEMprEo.

The style OF this psalm closely re-
sembles the known psalms of David In
the first part of the psalter. From
Its structure and character, 1t is to
be credited to David. In il are pre-
sented complaint, prayer and conf
dent hope of relief. 1t is petition for
deliverance from sins to which his af-
f1ictions tempted him, and from the
enemies who caused his afiiction.
!. Prayer. "My prayer directed"
(vV. l, p. There is good reason for
believing David wrote this while go
ing through the experience recorded
In Samuel "a. 1t is evident he is
passing through time of great stress
and was in dire need Of help for he
urges haste in giving heed to his
call, (Luke 1919. David looks to
Jehovah as his only and sure helper.
We are told to omit the first word
unto" in this verse and to read, Il
have called thee" Every human help
had failed and faith fearlessly turns to
God. Can God be urged? Surely we
are taught that God respects his
''remembrancers" who cry day and
night" psalm 40:13; 69:17, 1S; 70:5;
71:12; 1870. To fold the hands
weakly and to "bide his tine" is usu-
ally an evidence of spiritual debility
and of a desire to shirk the work
involved in a true exercise of prayer
True faith knows but one way Of de-
liverance, that Of prayer (Phil. 4:6. y,
and those who call in faith get deliv-
erance (Rom. 1913. Such prayer,
the fruit of heart and lips, Is before
God "as incense" and its effectiveness
does not depend upon its being pre-
septed In the tabernacle-it is q sac
rifice" of praise well-pleasing to God.
We are to pray to God through his
Son and in the Holy Spirit. Such
prayer is set forth before him as
sacrifice Of sweet smelling SAVIOR.
u. Practice. incline not my heart
to practice wicked works"
". ~. Such prayer as here suggested
demands a preparation of purity. AS
the incense" was prepared with
great care (Ex. 30:36) and its fra
GRANGE was brought out by fire from.
1926, q: Eph. 6:1S), so likewise there
must be a continual practice Of prayer
and an absence of wicked works"
In no way are we so apt to sin as
with our lips, but back of the lips is
the heart Matt. 1911; Luke 6:45).
The tongue can no man tame (James
3:8), yet God is able and his way Is
to cleanse the fountain. To have
the mouth filled frs. with prayer and
praise and then with evil is contrary
to reason and to Gods commands.
David recognized that the heart Is the
source of wicked works." and prayed
that he be not even inclined" to
them Matt. 6:13; Jam. 1913. II he
keeps the door" we have safe guard
Ps. 127:D. God permits circum-
stances to come upon US which test
our inclinations and cur desires. Da'
vid, feeling his own weakness and
wickedness, pleads for a heart that
is not inclined to evil and as further
safeguard that he be delivered from
the intercourse with men that work
iniquity." Association with such men
separate US from God lisa. 59:2). Thus
David prays for separate life. To
lust after the dainties of the world
and to participate therein soon leads
to having the hands occupied in
deeds of wickedness" ". 4 r. W.
III. Position. Let him reprove me-
w 81. Faithful are the wounds of
a friend" This seems to be the po.
sition David desired to occupy, one
that would be "a kindness" to him.
Such correction is as sweet oil. Oil
is healing and soothing and here sym
, bolizes the healing effect of correc-
ton. Fools hate reproof. wise men
plead for 1t. David not only welcomed
wisdom but (see R. W promises to
pray for such friends when calamities
] come upon them and in the time when
: they are overcome by wickedness
When such are cast down by the rocky
r roadside they shall hear my words.
| says David, and they will be sweet
The psalmist's experience, when hunt
ed as a partridge, taught him how to
appreciate the petitions Of Jonathan
? his friend, whose words to him were
1 sweet" A careful reading of verse
3 seven reveals David's dire extremity
4 (see Am. z. W. Death stared him
Q in the face. His soul was torn as 'one
ploweth and cleaveth the earth"
~. Protection. I'm thee do put my
= trust" (R. W. Though thus brought
3 low David knew where to turn, anC
: one to whom he could look. The
3 church of Christ reeds to look t
y God, to become like him. 1t needs the
Transforming, encouraging, energizinl
vision. David is VOW taking his eye!
of the difficulties and fixing them OF
) the one who enables him to over
come. Look unto rue and be y,
o saved" literally his prayer II
make not my soul naked" or "pou
not out my soul" David nad mad'
proof of God among the sheep, a
d the court, as q fugitive, on battlefield
y in adversely and in prosperity, even il
d gross sin, yet God had not forsakel
t. him. Our David has promised to abidl
a with all who put their trust in hin
q John I4:18 r. W. AS his enemie
10 had set their snares God had deliV
II cred David from them. Satan's gin
d, or snares are pride. passion, sensual
rs ity, intemperance, sloth, greed, mai
ice, covetousness, hat. &c, falsehooc
and so on. an interminable list, Hasil
seen as snaring others. hard to b
m recognized as snaring our own feet
r. We need to pray the prayer ''kee
y me" ". 81 as well as the prayer @
le verse ten.
In Whoever else man harms by hi