Middletown transcript., 1917-10-06
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNlAYSQlO0L
LESSON
lBy REV. P. b. FITZWATER, D. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
lCirnyrighf la11 Western NeWsna Union.
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 7
PSALMS OF DELIVERANCE.

LESSON TEXT-Psalms IS and 126.
GOLDEN TEXT-They that SOW IL
tears shall reap in joy.-Psalms 126:5.
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 part of us all.
Psalm 85.
I. Praises for Mercies Received
wv. 1-3).
Praise is given for
Q) Deliverance from Captivity ".
~.
He had in mind the specific mercies
Of a given time; perhaps 1t was one
of the expressions Of the Philistines
from which they had been delivered.
There seems to be 10 good ground for
thinking that this was deliverance
from the Babylonian captivity. His
praise is given to the Lord the name
revealed to Moses when the people
were in bondage. 1t was fitting Tor
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-Existing One.
(2) Forgiveness Of Sin wv. 2, -.
"Thou hast forgiven the iniquity-
covered all their SIM" Gods restora'
eon was the proof that he had par
Ened. 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.
Is :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 a change of heart. Without the
! change of heart forgiveness would be
| futile. A change Of heart can only be
by Gods help. Salvation and restora-
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:
G) That God would turn the hearts
of his people toward himself ". AZ.
knowing the peoples utter helpless
ness to turn to God, he cried out to
God to save them by turning them to
himself. He knew that Gods anger
could not turn from the people as long
as they were impenitent.
(2) That God would take away the
very remembrance Of their sins (vv.
5-7).
(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
ishment to be meted out to them.
(b) The return to the peoples joy
". 81.
Their joy could only be realized
through a revival from God. The
Psalmist now becomes more bold in his
requests He is getting near enough to
Gods heart to know that he delights
in the welfare of his children, delights
In their joy. The sure proof Of re-
rival is joy.
(c)Shall show them mercy ". y.
make it visible" is his cry. Gods
Judgment was most real. His desire is
that his mercy would be just as real.
~. ExuItant Anticip patton wv. 8-13).
Having spoken the sentiment of the
repentant people, the poet expresses
confidence of the Lords response. So
faithful Is God that those who sin
cerely pray to him can 60 forward
with the assurance Of petitions granted.
(1) HE will speak peace" ". 81.
He knew that 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 neal
". 81.
Only as his salvation was near could
glory be in the land.
(3) Devise a way by which Mercy
and truth" "Righteo2sness and peace
may be united wv. 10, 11).
He did not suggest way. He may
not have known it. Faith now sees
the way In Christ. In him such 8
union has been blessedly effected.
(4) The land shall become fruitful
". 1D.
: When sin is removed, temporal pros
perity shall follow. Earth's barren
ness is due to sin. When the curse IL
t removed fruitfulness shall follow.
90 Righteousness shall be the
guide Of his people ". 12).
: In that golden. glad age Gods right
eous ways will leuye track in which
his own may walk with security.