The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-10-04
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDGYSQIO0L
LESSON
iBy REV. u. B. FITZWATER. ID. D..
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago)
lCOpyright. l9l1 Western Newspaper Unlon.l
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 7
PSALMS OF DELlvERANcE.

These Psalms breathe the spirit OF
the true patriot. The Psalmist sees
his afflicted country suffering for the
sins of the people, prays for their
restoration TO the Divine favor, and
with the eagle eye Of faith anticipates
the joyful day Of spiritual and tenn
pOral blessings because Of restoration
to the Divine favor. Doubtless such
patriotism would be pleasing to the
Lord on the pnrt of us all.
Psalm So.
I. Praises for Mercies Received
(vv 1-3).
Praise Is given for
"a Dellverance from Captivity ".
! ~.
He had In mind the specific mercles
I OF given time; perhaps II was one
of the expressions of the Philistlnes
from which they had been delivered.
| There seems to be no good ground for
thinking that this was dellverance
from the Babylonlan captivity. His
| praise is given TO the Lord, the name
revealed TO Moses when the people
were In bondage. II was fitting for
him to appeal to God by the name
which expressed the Divine attribute
most concerned. The central meaning
of the name Lord is the Unchanging.
Self.Exlstlng One.
(2) Forgiveness of Sin wv. 2, 81.
"ThOu hast forgiven the iniqulty-
covered all their SIM" Gods restora-
yon was the proof that he had pars
I Yned. Great indeed was the sin OF
Jacob. but Gods forgiveness was great
er. He is peculiarly God Of mercy.
Having forgiven the sins his anger Is
taken away. He stayed his hand from
the Judgment which would have justly
fallen, to show his mercy. Many times
he does this with us. The reason he
can do this Is that he has found
way by which he can be Just, and at
the same time justify the sinner (Rom.
13 :26). In Christ's atonement all our
sins are blotted out, covered up, and
because of this Gods burning. fierce
anger Is turned from us.
u. Prayer for Restoration From
Backsliding wv. 40.
He knew how worthless the outward
blessings of the Lord would be unless
the people inwardly turned to the
Lord He, therefore, besought the
Lord to give them the greater blessing.
that Of change of heart. Without the
change of heart forgiveness would be
futile. A change of heart can only be
by Gods help. Salvation and restorn-
ton is only possible as God bestows
enabling grace. No one can come to
God by his own efforts. 1t was for this
reason that the Psalmist prayed that
God would turn them. Only as the
people turn from their sins can Gods
anger be turned aside. Two things are
prayed for:
(1) That God would turn the hearts
of his people toward himself ". 4).
Knowing the peoples utter helpless
ness to turn to God, he cried out to
Cod to save them by turning them to
| himself. He knew that Gods anger
could not turn from the people as long
as they were lmpenitent.
(2) That God would take away the
very remembrance of their sins wv.
5-O.
(a) The ending of his anger ". 81.
| The desire seems TO be that he would
wipe out the very marks of his dis
pleasure by not longer allowing pun
lshment to be meted out to them.
(b) The return to the peoples JOY
". O..
Their JOY could only be realized
through a revival from God. The
Psalmist now becomes more bold in his
requests. lie is getting near enough to
Gods heart to know that he delights
| I'm the welfare of his children, delights
In their joy. The sure proof of re-
rival Is JOY.
(c)Shall show them mercy ". y.
make 1t visible" Is his cry. Gods
Judgment was most real. His desire Is
that his mercy would be just as real.
~. Exultant Anticipation wv. S-13).
Having spoken the sentiment of the
repentant people, the poet expresses
confidence Of The Lords response. So
faithful is God that those who sim
cerely pray TO him can go forward
with the assurance Of petitions granted.
(D "He will speak peace" ". 81.
He knew that n gentle answer would
| come but its continuance would de-
pend upon the fidelity of the people.
Turning to folly would provoke again
| his wrath.
(2) VIII bring his salvation near
". 9).
Only as his salvation was near could
glory be In the land.
(S) Devise way by which Mercy
and truth" righteousness and peace"
may be united wv. 10, III.
He did not suggest way. He may
not have known 1t. Faith now sees
the way In Christ. In him such a
union has been blessedly effected.
(4) The land shall become fruitful
". 11).
When sin Is removed, temporal pros
perity shall follow. Earth's barren
ness Is due to sin. When the curse Is
removed fruitfulness shall follow.
(5) Righteousness shall be the
guide of his people ". 12).
In that golden, glad age Gods right
eous ways will leave track In which
his own may walk with security.
Psalm 120
1. The Fact Of Zion's Deliveranee
wv. 1, p.
(1) By whom ". y. The Lord.
10y Effect Of wv. 1,2).