I. AN EXPRESSION OF PERSONAL CONFIDENCE IN GOD. Some trust in themselves; others in their fellow men; others, in the laws of nature. All this is so far good. It is well to be self-reliant. It is well to take advantage of the wisdom and help of others. It is well to act in the line of law, and in dependence upon the settled order of things with which we are connected. But there is something higher and better. The true way is to trust in God. Trust in God puts things in their right places; inspires courage and fortitude; ennobles and satisfies our whole being (vers. 5-7).

II. AN EARNEST EXHORTATION TO ALL MEN TO PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD. (Vers. 8-12.) All men have their trials. There will come times when they are troubled and perplexed, when they must look out of themselves anxiously for help. They are tempted. They are in danger of putting their trust in objects that are vain and worthless. If disappointed, they are apt to get soured and hardened in sin. The remedy counselled is twofold.

1. Trust. God is the true and only Being worthy of supreme trust. There is everything in him to inspire confidence and hope. "At all times." In the darkness and in the light, in adversity as won as prosperity; when he hides his face as when he makes his countenance to shine upon us.

2. Prayer. We are always free to come to God. We may tell him all that is in our hearts. What a joy in this trust! What a comfort in this unbosoming of ourselves! God will not only hear, but have pity. He will not only answer, but magnify his "power" and his "mercy" in our deliverance. Who so fit to give this counsel - as to trust and prayer - as the man who is speaking from the depths of his own experience, and from the abiding convictions of his own heart (2 Corinthians 4:13; 1 John 1:1-3)! - W.F.

I. SIGN OF FAITH. The soul says, "I can trust and wait."

II. RECORD OF CONFLICT. There has been a struggle. Peace has not been won without a hard fight, and "strong crying and tears." We must sacrifice self before we can say, in the silence of our hearts, "All is well."

III. EXPRESSION OF THE SOUL'S COMPLETE ACQUIESCENCE. There may have been disappointments from men, but there is hope in God. He is to be trusted at all times. His will is holy and good, and all our "expectation is from him." Hence there is the stillness of content (vers. 5-8).

IV. FORESHADOWING OF VICTORY. "Power belongeth unto God," and that power is pledged in behalf of his people. How God may work we cannot surely tell, but we wait for light. There is a time to "stand still" (Exodus 14:13); and there is a time to "go forward" (Exodus 14:15). When we do as the Lord commands, we shall "see the salvation of God." - W.F.

I. DANGER.

1. His kingly dignity was threatened. (Ver. 4.) The position of the Christian is in constant danger.

2. His life was in danger. (Ver. 3.) His enemies rushed upon him to overthrow him as if he were a bowing wall or a tottering fence. Our spiritual life is in danger from numerous foes.

II. SAFETY THE MOST ABSOLUTE.

1. He silently trusts in God as Salvation. Does not pray, but confidently trusts, as a child in his father. Heaps epithet on epithet, denoting the sense of safety. "High Tower, Rock," etc. The perfection of trust in God.

2. He exhorts others to the same perfect trust. "At all times." God is the common Refuge and Salvation for all who will trust him, because he "careth" for all.

III. THE REVELATION ON WHICH HIS TRUST WAS GROUNDED. (Vers. 11, 12.)

1. That God has universal power. If we need strength, we are to seek it, not in robbery or riches, but in God, who is Almighty.

2. That God is filled also with loving kindness. "Power without love is brutality, and love without power is weakness;" but when both are combined they are the guarantee of righteous rule, and that God will "reward every man according to his work." - S.

I. CONSCIOUSNESS OF RIGHTNESS.

II. THE SENSE OF BEING BACKED BY THE POWER OF GOD.

III. THE OVERMASTERING FORCE OF LOVE.

IV. THE EXULTING PROSPECT OF FINAL VICTORY. Paul said, "None of these things move me" (Acts 20:24). So all strong in the love of God and in the confidence that right must triumph in the end, will suffer rather than sin, and die rather than be false to Christ (Hebrews 12:1, 2). - W.F.

I. RANK. Precedence among men does not depend on moral worth. It is a matter of etiquette. The man of "low degree" before men may be of "high degree" before God. The man who gets the "lowest place" in the great houses of this world may sit in the highest place in the kingdom of God. "Knighthoods and honours borne without desert are titles but of scorn" (Shakespeare). The true honour is that which cometh from God only.

II. RICHES. Most people would like to be rich. In this, as in other matters, there is a right way and a wrong way. It is hinted (ver. 10) that if riches increase, it may be by "oppression" and "robbery." But though they should be obtained lawfully, they bring great responsibilities and risks, and often prove a delusion and a mockery (1 Timothy 6:9). The true riches are not in the hand, but in the heart; not in the abundance of things outward, but in faith and love and good works - in being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

III. REFUTATION. What others think of us is of importance. It so far settles our place and our influence in society. But the judgment of men is not the judgment of God. In the world, in society, in the Church, our reputation may stand high, but if our reputation and our character - which is what we are really and in the sight of God - do not agree, we are but hypocrites and liars. "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 5:20). - W.F.

I. EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION. All around us we see evidences of power. Much of it can be traced to man. But besides, mark the forces that are continually at work, in the earth and in the heavens, - and behind all these is God. He is the Force of all forces. Even with man, in sight of all his works, boasting is excluded. What have we that we have not received? "In God we live and move and have our being."

II. EMPLOYED FOR THE HIGHEST INTERESTS OF MEN. Power in bad hands is a curse. But in good hands it is a blessing. God alone is capable of using power in the wisest manner, and for the best and holiest ends. It is true that, as God works by means, he of necessity limits himself. He has established a certain order of things, and by this he is pleased, so far, to bind himself in his actions. But in everything we may see his mercy and truth. In the material, the mental, and the spiritual world he is ever working, animating, upholding, and controlling all things for the advancement of his own holy ends and for the highest good of his creatures.

III. SECURING THE ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS OF THE GOOD. Power without love is brutality. Love without power is weakness. God's power is in Christ - for our redemption (Romans 1:4; Acts 10:38; Ephesians 1:19; Matthew 28:18; John 17:2). This power is quickening (Ephesians 2:1), regulating (Acts 9:1-9), energizing (Philippians 4:19), elevating (Ephesians 1:19), consoling (2 Corinthians 12:9). It rests as a beneficent influence on God's people, for time and for eternity. - W.F.