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God is a mystery, unsearchable, unfathomable, inscrutable. So am I; so is everything. In his poem, "Flower in the crannied wall," Tennyson stored one of his profoundest thoughts: If I could explain God He would cease to be God. An infinite subject can never come within the limitations of a finite mind. It matters not whether we surround God with clouds and darkness, or "light inaccessible" — He is equally hidden by either. Since the prophet uttered the text, men have advanced no further into the sanctuary that veils from sight the Deity. Science has made many discoveries, solved many mysteries, but upon one subject sheds no light, and in the presence of God is "dumb with silence."

I. GOD HIDES HIMSELF IN NATURE. "In Him we live and move and have our being," yet where is He? Worlds move in their orbits and "stars in their courses," because an unseen hand upholds and guides. The telescope brings distant worlds in view and reveals everywhere His presence and power, but no telescope is so powerful as to bring God within range of our vision. Study the origin of life, and with aid of the microscope gaze upon the simplest germs fresh from the hand of God, and that hand seems almost in sight, but; still He eludes our sight.

II. THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE HIDES HIMSELF. "Thy way is in the sea, and Thy footsteps are not known." His providences stagger human reason, and His purposes and ways are past finding out (Psalm 73.). We look on the wrong side of the pattern, but God is behind the curtain. His hand holds the shuttle, His foot is on the treadle, He will weave the web of our life into a pattern beautiful and glorious according to His Divine design. History is the unfolding of His providence on a large scale, which "almost reveals, but does not quite conceal," the finger that writes its records.

III. THE GOD OF GRACE HIDES BEHIND HIS PURPOSES OF GRACE. The analogy between nature and grace is very striking.

IV. WILL GOD HIDE HIMSELF IN HEAVEN ALSO; OR WILL HE COME FORTH TO VIEW IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY? "No man shall see Me and live" seems to imply a possibility after death. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." But do not the pure of earth see God in that sense? In a certain sense we will "see His face," but in all probability He will even in eternity be a God that hideth Himself, in order that eternity may be a continual revelation more and more of His beauty and glory.

V. GOD HIDES HIMSELF, BUT NOT HIS MERCY. His love shines on every page of the Scriptures, and "His mercy is in the heavens," above the brightness of the sun. Whatever else may be dark, the way of life is plain.

(S. L. Morris, D. D.)

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KJV: Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

WEB: Most certainly you are a God who hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Savior.'"