PSALM

GIVE GOD THE GLORY
PSALM 29:1-11

Key verse: v. 2, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

Introduction:

“In the Vulgate Latin version is added, “at the finishing of the tabernacle”; suggesting that this psalm was composed at that time, and on that occasion; not at the finishing of the tabernacle by Moses, but at the finishing of the tent or tabernacle which David made for the ark in Zion, 2 Samuel 6:17, ‘And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.’

The title in the Arabic version is, ‘a prophecy concerning the incarnation, ark, and tabernacle.’” —John Gill’s Expositor

I. RECONGIZE GOD’S GLORY AND MIGHT

A. Who can be compared to our God? v. 1; Psalms 89:6, “For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?”

1. He is glorious in HOLINESS, Exodus 15:11, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”

2. He is glorious in PROPHESY, Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10- Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”

3. He is glorious in MERCY, Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”

B. He is to be GREATLY FEARED and REVERANCED, v. 2; Psalms 89:7, “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.”

1. He saves man that he might make His MIGHTY POWER KNOWN, Psalms 106:8, “Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.”

2. One generation DECLARES God’s MIGHTY ACTS to another, Psalms 145:4, 12, “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 12- To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.”

II. THE GLORY OF GOD THUNDERS

A. The Lord MAKES KNOWN His VOICE, vv. 3-9; Psalms 18:13-15, “The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14- Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15- Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.”

B. He manifests HIS POWER and CONTROL of this world, Exodus 9:28, 33, “Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. 33-And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.”

C. Man should LISTEN ATTENTIVELY to the NOISE of His voice, Job 37:2-5, “Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3- He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4- After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5-God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.”

1. HEAR WITH YOUR HEART when He speaks, Hebrews 3:15, “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”

2. The Lord does GREAT THINGS that we DO NOT UNDERSTAND, Isaiah 40:28, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”

3. His WORKS are GREAT and MARVELOUS, Revelation 15:3, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”

III. HE IS KING FOREVER

A. He is King in JUDGMENT, Psalms 1:5, “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”

B. He is the King of RIGHTEOUSNESS, Hebrews 7:2, “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;”

C. He is the King of SAINTS, Revelation 15:3, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”

D. He is King of PEACE, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

E. He is King FOREVER, 1 Timothy 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

F. The King WILL BLESS HIS PEOPLE with PEACE, John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

1. He spoke HIS WORD to us that we might have PEACE, John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

2. He TAUGHT US that His Kingdom IS righteousness, peace, and joy, Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

CONCLUSION:

Paul invoked the Lord’s peace upon the saints of Thessalonica saying, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

HEAR THE VOICE OF MY SUPPLICATIONS
PSALM 28:1-9

Introduction:

“The thorn at the breast of the nightingale was said by the old naturalists to make it sing: David’s griefs made him eloquent in holy psalmody. The main pleading of this Psalm is that the suppliant may not be confounded with the workers of iniquity for whom he expresses the utmost abhorrence; it may suit any slandered saint, who being misunderstood by men, and treated by them as an unworthy character, is anxious to stand aright before the bar of God. The Lord Jesus may be seen here pleading as the representative of his people.” —Charles Spurgeon.

I. THE POWER OF GOD TO ANSWER PRAYER

A. WHO beside our God has SUCH POWER, v. 1; Psalms 18:31, “For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?”

1. There is NO God LIKE our God, Psalms 86:8, “Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.”

2. The is NO OTHER God, 1 Samuel 2:2, “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.”

B. The IMMUTABLE Jehovah is our ROCK, 2 Samuel 22:2-3, “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 3- The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.”

1. He is the IMMOVEABLE ROCK of all our HOPES and our REFUGE in time of trouble, 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

2. We should be determined TO FLEE TO HIM as our STRONGHOLD in every hour of danger, Psalms 143:9, “Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.”

C. David PLEADS to be heard, vv. 2-3; Psalms 35:22-23, “This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. 23- Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.”

1. David TURNS in the DIRECTION of HOLY of HOLIES in the Tabernacle when he prays, Psalms 5:7, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”

2. Solomon prayed to the Lord asking for such a response for those who would turn toward the Temple in prayer, 1 Kings 8:30, “And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.”

D. David prays that the Lord will REWARD EVIL DOERS according to their works, vv.4-5; 2 Timothy 4:14, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:”

1. Because they REGARDED NOT the works of the Lord, v. 5; Isaiah 5:12, “And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.”

2. These had NOT LOOKED OR CONSIDERED what the Lord had done, Isaiah 40:26, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”

II. DAVID EXPRESSES HIS FAITH THAT GOD WOULD ANSWER HIS PRAYERS

A. David gives THANKS to the Lord for ANSWERING his prayers, v. 6; Psalms 31:22, “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.”

1. God had NOT TURNED AWAY David’s prayer, Psalms 66:19-20, “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.”

2. David expressed HIS LOVE for the Lord because he heard supplications, Psalms 116:1-2, “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”

B. God is the SAVING STRENGTH of His chosen ones, vv. 7-9; Psalms 20:6, “Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.”

1. He is OUR STRENGTH in TIME OF TROUBLE, Psalms 37:39, “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”

2. God STRENGTHENS WHAT HE HAS DONE IN US when he ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS, Psalms 68:28, “Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.”

C. David concludes with a short comprehensive prayer for God’s people, v. 9; Psalms 25:22, “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.”

1. David prays for a blessing for his people, 1 Kings 8:51, “For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:”

2. He prayed that God would feed and lift up the flock of God, Isaiah 40:11, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

CONCLUSION

THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE
PSALM 27:1-14

Introduction:

David’s object here was to put a threefold shield, as it were, against his various fears, in order to ward them off. The term light is used in Scripture to denote joy, or the perfection of happiness.

To explain his meaning, he adds that God was his salvation and the strength of his life, as it was by His help that he felt himself safe, and free from the terrors of death. —John Calvin

I. JEHOVAH IS MY LIGHT

A. The LORD lightens the way, v. 1; Job 29:3, “When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;”

1. He does not leave us in darkness, 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

2. In Jesus the darkness is past, 1 John 2:8, “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”

B. David had an everlasting light in the Lord, Isaiah 60:19, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”

1. This Light is the light of men, John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

2. This is the True Light, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

3. This Light is the Light of the world, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

II. JEHOVAH IS MY SALVATION

A. He is the salvation of the righteous, vv. 1-3; Psalms 37:39, “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”

B. He is the One in whom we have confidence, v. 3; Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”

1. David’s confidence is seen in his psalms, Psalms 3:6, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.”

2. David’s confidence is seen is his actions, 1 Samuel 17:45-46, 50, “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46- This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 50- So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.”

III. JEHOVAH IS THE ROCK (STRENGHT) OF MY LIFE

A. David’s great desire was to dwell in the house of God, vv. 4-6; Psalms 26:8, “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”

1. In this David reaches for the things of God, Philippians 3:13, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”

2. In this he saw God’s blessings, Psalms 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

3. There he saw the beauty of God, Psalms 90:17, “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”

B. This was the secret of his confidence in the Lord, Psalms 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

1. He knew the source of his blessings, Psalms 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

2. The Lord has showed David great kindness, Psalms 31:21, “Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.”

3. David’s fear of the Lord was the basis of his worship, Psalms 5:7, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”

C. David’s pressing needs forces him to prayer, vv. 7-13; Psalms 4:1, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”

1. He sought the Lord’s face when in need, vv. 8-9; Psalms 105:4, “Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.”

2. When others failed him he knew the Lord would not, vv. 10-12; Isaiah 49:15, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”

3. David knew that he would see the goodness of the Lord, v. 13; Psalms 42:5, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

CONCLUSION:

David concludes in v. 13 by saying: “Wait on the Lord.” Psalms 33:20,“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.”

Those that wait on the Lord will have courage to stand, Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

He say that those who hope in the Lord will be strengthened, Psalms 31:24, “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

AN ENCOURAGING EXAMPLE
PSALM 26:1-12

David, the sweet singer of Israel appears before us as one enduring reproach and thus he “as the type of the great Son of David, and is an encouraging example to us to carry the burden of slander to the throne of grace.” C. H. Spurgeon.

It is supposed that David wrote this appeal to heaven at the assassination of Ishbosheth, the youngest of Saul’s four sons and the only one to survive Saul, by two of his captains from the time of King Saul. Ishbosheth was recognized by Abner, commander-in-chief of Saul’s army, as being the acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except the tribe of Judah for two years.

David was protesting his innocence of all participation in that treacherous murder. David declared that he had walked before the Lord in his integrity.

I. DAVID’S CONSTANT REVERANCE FOR GOD AND HIS GRACE, vv. 1-3.

A. The testimony of a good conscience bears him witness, Acts 23:1, “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

1. David, like the Apostle Paul had a conscience void of offence toward God, Acts 24:16, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

2. The testimony of his conscience that he had lived in Godly sincerity before men, 2 Corinthians 1:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you–ward.”

B. He appeals to God:

1. “Judge me,” v. 1; Psalms 7:8, “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.”

2. There are three modes of trial mentioned here, v. 2:

a. “Examine me,” v. 2; Look at me through and through; make a minute survey; put me to the question, cross examine my evidence, Psalms 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:”

b. “Prove me,” Put me again to trial; and see if I would follow such wicked designs as my enemies impute to me, Psalms 17:3, “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”

c. “Try my reins,” The kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically for “heart,” Job 31:5-6, “If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6- Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”

David is saying, “Assay me as metals are assayed in the furnace, and do this to my most secret parts, where my affections hold their court; see, O God, whether or not I love murder, and treason, and deceit.”

3. “I have walked in truth,” v. 3; Psalms 101:2, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”

a. Thy lovingkindness, Psalms 52:1, “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.”

b. This was the ground of David’s hope, Psalms 42:5, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

II. DAVID’S DEEP, STRONG DISLIKE FOR SIN AND SINNERS, vv. 4-5.

A. The fruits of divine grace exemplified David’s life, Psalms 119:63, “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.”

B. The psalmist had not even associated with the lovers of evil, Psalms 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

1. “I have not sat with vain persons,” v. 4; Proverbs 12:11, “He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.”

2. Hypocrisy is double iniquity, v. 4b; Matthew 23:27, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”

C. “A man who DOES NOT hate evil TERRIBLY, does NOT LOVE GOOD HEARTILY,” v. 5; Psalms 139:21, “Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22- I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.”

III. DAVID’S SINCERE LOVE FOR THE PRECEPTS OF GOD AND HIS CARE FOR THEM, vv. 6-12.

A. David, the spiritual worshipper, presents songs of gratitude instead of animal offerings, vv. 6-7; Psalms 95:2, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”

B. I have loved thy house, v. 8-12; Psalms 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

CONCLUSION:

“I have in my congregation,” said a venerable minister of the gospel, “a worthy, aged woman, who has for many years been so deaf as not to distinguish the loudest sound, and yet she is always one of the first in the meeting. On asking the reason of her constant attendance (as it was impossible for her to hear my voice), she answered, ‘Though I cannot hear you, I come to God’s house BECAUSE I LOVE IT, and would be found in his ways; and he gives me many a SWEET THOUGHT UPON THE TEXT when it is pointed out to me: another reason is, because there I AM IN THE BEST COMPANY, in the more IMMEDIATE PRESENCE OF GOD, and among his SAINTS, the HONOURABLE of the earth. I am NOT SATISFIED with serving God IN PRIVATE; it is MY DUTY and PRIVILEGE TO HONOUR HIM REGULARLY IN PUBLIC.”…K. Arvine.

SETTING YOUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE
PSALM 25:1-22

Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Introduction:

“David is pictured in this Psalm as in a faithful miniature. His holy trust, his many conflicts, his great transgression, his bitter repentance, and his deep distresses are all here; so that we see the very heart of ‘the man after God’s own heart.’” Charles Spurgeon.

“This psalm is full of devout affection to God, the out goings of holy desires towards his favour and grace and the lively actings of faith in his promises.” Matthew Henry.

I. TO YOU LORD, I LIFT UP MY SOUL

A. I trust in thee, vv. 1-3; Ps 143:8, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”

1. David began his day in prayer, Psalm 59:16, “But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.”

2. He lifted up his soul (heart) to the Lord and not just his eyes and hands, Lamentations 3:41, “Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

a. Let me not be ashamed, v. 2; Psalm 142:6, “Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.”

b. Let none that wait on thee be ashamed, v. 3; Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

“Suffering enlarges the heart by creating the power to sympathize. If we pray eagerly for ourselves, we shall not long be able to forget our fellow sufferers. None pity the poor like those who have been or are still poor, none have such tenderness for the sick as those who have been long in ill health themselves.” —Spurgeon

B. Shew me thy ways, vv. 4-5; Psalm 5:8, “Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.”

1. Teach me, v. 4; Psalm 27:11, “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.”

2. Lead me in thy truth, v. 5; Psalm 43:3, “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.”

II. REMEMBER, O LORD,..

A. Your tender mercies, v. 6; Psalm 136:23, “Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:”

B. Your loving kindnesses, v. 6, Psalm 40:11, “Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.”

C. But not the sins of my youth or my transgressions, v. 7; Psalm 79:8, “O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.”

“The world winks at the sins of younger men, and yet they are none so little after all; the bones of our youthful feastings at Satan’s table will stick painfully in our throats when we are old men.” Spurgeon

III. GOOD AND UPRIGHT IS THE LORD

A. He will teach sinners the way, v. 8; Psalm 149:4, “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”

1. “The way” begins with a rebuke, Proverbs 1:23, “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

2. Then salvation by faith in Christ, John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

B. The penitent (meek) He will guide, vv. 9-11; Psalm 18:25-26, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26- With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.”

1. God teaches him to walk in His way, v. 9; Micah 4:2, “And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

a. He will teach man that way that he should choose, v. 12; Proverbs 2:5, “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

“Those whose hearts are right shall not err for want of heavenly direction. Where God sanctifies the heart he enlightens the head.” Spurgeon

b. His paths we will walk, Isaiah 2:3, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

2. God forgives sin for His Glory, v. 11; Psalm 79:9, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.”

a. The Lord does not forsake those that know His name, Psalm 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

b. He purges away our sins, Psalm 79:9, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.”

CONCLUSION