My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my being. Sermons
I. FIXITY IN PRINCIPLE IS THE SECRET OF FREEDOM. Illustrate by the tree, which is only free to spread and wave its branches, and put itself forth in flower and fruit, when the roots go well into the ground and hold firm. A man is not free who has no established principles, no fixed laws of conduct. He seems free, but really is a slave to his senses, and to all who have skill to offer sense-gratifications. True freedom is liberty to do right, and to do wrong, when a man is fixed that he will not do wrong. Sin enslaves those who are not fixed for God. II. FIXITY IN PURPOSE IS THE SECRET OF STRENGTH. Illust.: Joshua. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." That resolve inspired a strong, unflagging life of service. Or take St. Paul. His resolve is, "To me to live is Christ;" so he exclaims, in conscious strength, "I can do all things through him that strengtheneth me." The man who knows what he means can gather up and unify his forces; hold them in restraint, and use them wisely. III. FIXITY IN HABIT IS THE SECRET OF DEFENCE. Here reference is to the habit of praise. This is the Christian's guard against depression and against temptation. What can the tempter do with a man whom he finds rejoicing in God? - R.T.
For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. I. THE SOURCE OF TRUE SATISFACTION IS GOD.1. The soul being made in His image has infinite yearnings which nothing finite can satisfy, and powers which can only find their due exercise in Divine worship and service. 2. The soul is fallen and therefore has need of restoration which nothing finite can accomplish. II. THE RECIPIENTS OF TRUE SATISFACTION. Longing souls — men and women who realize their celestial origin. In time past, they may have turned to the world for satisfaction, they may have hewn them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water, but now they seek to slake their thirst from the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13). They may in the past have been among the dissatisfied, saying, "Who will show us any good?" (Psalm 4:6). Now they know that blessedness consists in having the light of the Divine countenance shining upon them. III. THE CONDITION OF TRUE SATISFACTION. Obedience. The obedience which springs from filial trust and submission to the will of God. To those who hearkened to the Divine commandments the promise is (Isaiah 48:18). They shall be God's people, and He shall be their God. God for them, and with them, and in. them shall be a source of perfect and eternal satisfaction. (H. P. Wright, B. A.) 1. That it wants something which it has not got. Pardon, peace, purity, God. 2. That it wants something which it cannot provide for itself. 3. That the want of this something unsettles and makes it discontented. II. WHAT IS THE SATISFACTION WHICH GOD GIVES TO THE LONGING OR HUNGRY SOUL. The gifts of God to the soul, of pardon, health, and life, are its coronation; its honour and glory; its satisfaction. Beyond this it cannot go on earth. This is being filled and satisfied with goodness. (Anon.) I. THE SOUL'S THIRST. 1. The soul comes from God, and its happiness is inseparably connected with obedience to the Divine will. 2. It is immortal. 3. It was made for God, in whom alone can it find true satisfaction. 4. It needs God, His smile, favour, and companionship. 5. How do men try to gratify this desire of the soul?(1) Some force the body to do double work to make up for the lack of spiritual food. But the body resists excess. Man was made to be something nobler than a mere eating and drinking apparatus.(2) Some with money — business. But the man who thought fifty pounds would give him complete satisfaction was unsatisfied with five hundred. Man should be better than a money-making machine, a slave to business.(3) Some with worldly pleasure, drinking constantly at the wells of worldly bliss, which only increases their thirst. You may as well strive to catch the east wind as try to satisfy immortal hunger with sensual pleasures. II. THE SOUL'S SATISFACTION. 1. The world can stimulate and excite, but cannot give rest. 2. How may the soul be satisfied?(1) In being at peace with God (Romans 5:11).(2) In mutual sympathy, reciprocal affection.(3) In regeneration, sanctification, moral likeness to God.(4) In doing God's will. "To do the will of Jesus: this is rest."(5) In constant communion with God. Through Christ we have access by the Spirit unto the Father. (C. Cross.) People David, Manasseh, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics 2, David, Fixed, Glory, Gt, Heart, Honour, Lt, Melody, Music, O, Praise, Praises, Prepared, Psalm, Psalms, Sing, Song, Songs, Soul, Steadfast, YeaOutline 1. David encourages himself to praise God5. He prays for God's assistance according to his promise 11. His confidence in God's help Dictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 108:1Library Jesus is Arrested. Jesus was standing with his three Apostles on the road between Gethsemani, and the Garden of Olives, when Judas and the band who accompanied him made their appearance. A warm dispute arose between Judas and the soldiers, because he wished to approach first and speak to Jesus quietly as if nothing was the matter, and then for them to come up and seize our Saviour, thus letting him suppose that he had no connection with the affair. But the men answered rudely, 'Not so, friend, thou shalt not escape … Anna Catherine Emmerich—The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ Let us See How He Continues after This: "These Events... The Alarum The Mercy of God Psalms Links Psalm 108:1 NIVPsalm 108:1 NLT Psalm 108:1 ESV Psalm 108:1 NASB Psalm 108:1 KJV Psalm 108:1 Bible Apps Psalm 108:1 Parallel Psalm 108:1 Biblia Paralela Psalm 108:1 Chinese Bible Psalm 108:1 French Bible Psalm 108:1 German Bible Psalm 108:1 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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