The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-10-06


These Psalms breathe the spirit OF
the true patriot. The PsalmlSt sees
his afflicted country suffering for the
sins of the people, prays for their
restoration to the Divine favor, ana
with the eaEIe 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 So.
I. Praises for Merces Received
wv. l-3).
/ Praise is given for
/ Cd Deliverance from Captivity ".
/ ~.
He had in mind the specific mercies
of a given time; perhaps il was one
of the expressions of the Phiiisunes
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 hitting LOT
him TO appeal to God by the name
which expressed the Divine attribute
most concerned. The central meaning
of the name Lord is the Unchangihs'
Self Existing One.
(2) Forgiveness of Sin wv. .. 81.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity-
covered all their SIM" Gods restora-
ton was the proof that he had par
hn Sin
Jacob. but Gods forgiveness was great
err He Is peculiarly God OF mercy
Having forgiven the sins his anger ~
; 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.
ID :o6). In Christ's atopement all our
sins are blotted out, covered up, and
because OF this Gods burning. nerce
anger IS turned from US.
l 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. II 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:
u) 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 (vy.
SD.
(a) The ending of his anger ". D..
Inc desire SttIlS " DN thot Az 1885,
wipe out the very marks OF his DIS
pleasure by not longer allowing pun
ishment to be melted 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
ish. Gods heart to know that he delights
is In the welfare of his children, delights
,sts in their Joy. The sure proof of re
her. vival is joy.
can (c)Shall show them mercy ". y.
to make IL visible" is his cry. Gods
lart Judgment was most real. His desire II
own that his mercy would be just as real
M. ExuItant Anticipation wv. S-13)
Ia Having spoken the sentiment of thu
4 repentant people, the poet espresso
confidence of the Lords response. =
~ faithful is God that those who sin
>, cerely pray to him can go forwar
s;~ with the assurance of petitions granted
tho GD "He will speak peace" ". ~.
,,hs He knew that q gentle answer woul
, or come, but its continuance would d'
sun. pend upon the fidelity of the peopl'
nave Turning to folly would provoke agai
rim his wrath.
are (2) VIII bring his salvation nea
hem ". %.
. de Only as his salvation was near coul
,eau- glory be in the land.
,hair (3) Devise way by which Nero
IS q and truth" righteousness and peace
use may be united (vv. 10, III.
nd a He did not suggest a way. lie ma
not have known ii. Faith now se'
the way in Christ. In him such
es. union has been blessedly effected
mon. (4) The land shall become fruiu
sup ". ~.
long When sin Is removed, temporal pro
due perity shall follow. Earth's barre
, and ness is due TO sin. When the curse
inf removed fruitfulness shall follow.
airing *, Righteousness shall be {
z de- puide of his people ". 12).
In that golden. glad age Gods rigl
cons ways will leave track In viii