Psalm 141:7-8

The text presents three contrasts, which we shall do well to consider.

I. Our union with past generations and the intense reality of our present life. Observe the use of the word "our:" "Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth." He looks at the bones, and speaks as if they were partly his own, as if they belonged partly to living men. He identifies himself with past generations. This human life that we are living now is not a new thing. It is old, very old. From the scattered bones the Psalmist learnt intensity. "Mine eyes are toward Thee, O God the Lord." The man who keeps his eyes directed towards God feels life new and fresh, although the bones of many generations are scattered around him.

II. In the text we see the littleness and the greatness of man. The scattered bones proclaim the littleness of man. Look back on the ages; men rise and fade like bubbles on a stream. Man is weak, very feeble, and mean. Yet when I think of man in his weakness turning his eyes to the infinite God, when I reflect that man can think of a boundless and perfect One, that man looks to Him, that he has an eye that sees the invisible God, that he claims the society of the Maker of all worlds and is restless till he finds it, then I see the greatness of man. There is nothing wider or higher than looking to God and eternity. The grave is the proof of the weakness of man; but a being that can write over the grave, "He is not dead, but sleepeth," is not mean.

III. The text presents a melancholy prospect and a rising above it. The prospect before us all is this: by-and-bye our bones will be scattered about the grave's mouth. We ought to contemplate steadily the fact, for unless this is done, we shall not feel the necessity of rising above the prospect by higher thoughts. There is just one remedy, one antidote, one means of conquering all thoughts of this kind; and the text presents it: "Mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord."

J. Leckie, Sermons Preached at Ibrox, p. 275.