Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-10-05
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 7
PSALMS OF DELIVERANcE.

the true patriot. The PSalmlSt 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 S5.
|. Praises for Merces Received
(vv. 1-3).
Praise is given for
(D Deliverance from Captivity ".
u.
He had in mind the specific mercies
of given time; perhaps it was one
of the expressions of the Philistines
from which they had been delivered.
There seems to be no good ground for
thinking that this was a 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 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-Existing One.
(2) Forgiveness of Sin wv. 2, 81.
"Thou hast forgiven the iniQuity-
covered all their sin." Gods restora-
tion was the proof that he had par
Ci
Jacob, but Gods forgiveness was great
er. He is peculiarly a 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 ae
can do this is that he has found
way by which he can be just, and at
the same time justify the sinner (Rom.
ID :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.
II. Prayer for Restoration From
BacksIiding (vv. 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 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:
(1) That God would turn the hearts
of his people toward himself ". ~.
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 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
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 tt
Gods heart to know that he delights
In the welfare of his children, delights
In their joy. The sure proof Of a re
vival is joy.
(c)Shall show them mercy ". y.
make it visible" is his cry. Gods
judgment was most real. His desire i!
that his mercy would be just as real.
III. ExuItant Anticipation wv. S-13)
Having spoken the sentiment Of thu
repentant people, the poet expresses
confidence of the Lords response. 81
faithful is God that those who sin
cerely pray to him can go forward
with the assurance of petitions granted
~ "He will speak peace" ". 81.
He knew that gentle answer woul,
come, but its continuance would de
pend upon the fidelity of the people
Turning to folly would provoke agail
his wrath.
(2) Will bring his salvation nea
". 81.
Only as his salvation was near coul
glory be in the land.
(3) Devise a way by which 'Merc
and truth" righteousness and peace,
) may be united wv. 10, 1).
: He did not suggest a way. He ma
! not have known it. Faith now see
, the way in Christ. In him such
union has been blessedly effected.
az The land shall become fruitfu
". 1D.
When sin is removed, temporal pro:
: perity shall follow. Earths barreI
ness is due to sin. When the curse !
removed fruitfulness shall follow.
2 90 Righteousness shall be tn
guide of his people ". 12).
In that golden, glad age Gods righ
eous ways will leave track in whic
: his own may walk with security.
Psalm 126.
l |. The Fact of Zion's DeIiveranc
s wv. 1, p.
s % By whom ". ~. The Lord.
q (2) Effect Of wv. 1,2).
g (a) The people were scarcely alb
to believe it. So sudden and unexpec
ed was their deliverance that
seemed to them as a dream. They e
= pressed their feeling in joyful laughte
r (b) The heather noted their delive
d ance as marvellous, and ascribed it
God ". p.
Song and Prayer.
II. The Song of the People ". 81.
They ascribed their deliverance
n the Lord and expressed their gratitu(
n in singing Gods praise.
e III. The Prayer ". ~.
J, The people cried to God to visit the
s restoration with fruitfulness, even
the streams from the SOuth snread q,