The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-06-10
INTERNATIONAL
SONDNS0lOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR JUNE 10
slssss pNess OF FORGIVENESS.

e~sa
This psalm is believed to have
grown out OF David's experience with
Nathan (see Rom. <:6-s). II 10 the
second Of the seven socalled "peni.
tentiai psalms" (6, 80, 3s. 81. 100. 1870,
1897. whie II 10 sad. II is at the same
time one Of the most joyful Of all
psalms. II IL the record OF bitter sor-
row and also OF heartfelt praise, and
Is as vital In its message today a. the
day It was given to the world.
.. The state or Condition Of Happl-
ness. az What 10 happlnsss7 w.
4. 2. The blessed or happy man Is the
one whose sin IL 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 10 offered to
all who accept Gods gift OF justifca-
ton Acts 1o:<3). The psalmist seems
to multiply words. "Transgression"
means rebellion; sin" TO miss the
mark from. 3:29; ''iniquity." to be
crooked. When men try to cover sin
we are expressly told the result prov.
2s:13), but God literally takes away
when he forgives and covers" sin
John 1:29; Ps. 103:12: s5:2. Nei
ther man or devil can uncover what
he has covered. tO Who 10 unhappy
w. g. 4. Contrasted with the state or
condition OF happiness granted to the
forgiven sinner 10 presented that OF
those unforgiven. David kept silence
without only TO have . 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. 12:3D. The origin OF the word
Selah IL not known. II probably indi.
Gated q musical interiude and In this
psalm most appropriately and dramat-
icaily appears. t3) How we may be
happy, w. 8, 9. All sin 10 uncovered
TO God. His all-seeins eye can pene-
trate mans futile endeavors TO hide
his transgressions. The FIRST step to
forgiveness and to happiness 10 con-
fession OF guilt. Gods heavy hand
wrought saving faith In David and
such faith has a. Its nrst condition
confession. Il acknowledged my sin"
Such confession 10 full and frank
Nothing 10 held back nor has II any
element Of hypocrisy. and II always
secures results Il John lie; Luke Is:
20-23).
The cody man. the man who 10 the
recipient Of Gods grace thus bestowed.
prays In q time when thou mayest be
found" or tsee margin In the time
Of fnding out sin" ". 8 r. W. The
prophet tells US that there IL Q time
when we may not ind God lisa. $50
and Paul tells US when he may Be
found I'll Cor 6:2).
u. How TO Continue In the state Of
Being Happy. ~ Our security ". ~.
When men forgive they do not cover"
What God hides he forsets lisa. IS: II:
Micah 7:lg. Our security. our hid
ing place" 10 Jehovah. Our preserver
10 Jehovah FPS. 1881: Isa. 32:l. ~.
Jehovah preserves from trouble those
whom he forgives Fps. 3<:ls). Such
men have q serenity. . peace" even
the peace OF God" which the sinner
can never have lisa. ass; Rom. 81:
Phil. t:D. (2) Our Instructor wv. 9.
81. (s) Positively-we have one who
not only forgives and blots out the
past but one who has promised to
instruct" to teach" and TO guide"
Nearly all believe that the introduce
ton OF the personal pronouns in verso
8 indicate that Ged 10 speaking In
response to David's appeal recorded In
verse 6. Jehovah guides with his EYE
upon" US ". 9 r. w. He instructs.
US by his spirit through his Word
FPS. 1ls ;lo5; John l6:l0. (b) Neg
atively-some must needs be directed
by bit and bride" Some have to
learn through bitter experience. We
have our choice. Those who will not
listen to instruction are compared to
the horse and the mule who have no
understanding" Even SO they are
more useful than these who wildly
run after sin. Only thus can some
come near" ". . r. W. though that
Is better than not to be brought near
at all. 90 Our faith ". 81. What
kind Of q life viii Gods forgiven chill
dren liver What Is one OF the fore
most characteristics of q happy lief
Here Is the answer. HE that trusteth
In the Lord" This 10 the conclusion
Of the whole matter.
Our only Joy is in the Lord who
hath done marvellous things whereof
we are glad"
Christ Is the incarnate mercy and
grace Of God. In him we have Gods
forgiveness.
He supplies our every need phil.
4:l9). He pardons. heals, restores. d.
reefs. gives power Matt. 2s:ls-20).
Joy and impurity are never compan-
ions. Only the pure can purify. Only
the healthy can heal. Only the right
eous and free can pardon.
Rejoice In Jshovahi and leap for
Joy. o righteous! and gladly shout all
20 upright in heart"-Maclaren.
To shout a cody and acceptable
shout demands that We be upright IN