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says Webster, "is that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without any fear or depression of spirits."

I. GENUINE MORAL COURAGE TESTED. By the alarming intelligence and cowardly counsels, not of enemies but of friends. They presented to his mind two facts to prompt him to a cowardly flight.

1. The imminence of his danger.

2. The uselessness of religion.

II. GENUINE MORAL COURAGE EXPLAINED. All this did not intimidate David. On the contrary, it reinspired him. What was the very spirit of his courage? Trust in an all-sufficient Helper. "In the Lord put I my trust." To show that He in whom he trusted was sufficient to help him, he refers to four things.

1. God's authority. "The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven." He is the King of the universe, and is able to control the events that are transpiring.

2. God's knowledge. "His eyes behold, His eyelids try the children of men." He is not ignorant of what is going on, nor is He a mere spectator. He examines the motives of every actor m the scene.

3. God's feeling. "The Lord trieth the righteous; but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, His soul hateth." He not only superintends and sees all that is going on, but He has a heart in the matter. His feelings are interested. He loves the good; He loathes the wicked.

4. God's retribution. "Upon the wicked He shall rain snares," etc. Such is the God he trusted in. One who has moral feelings, who recoils from the wrong and sympathises with the right. One who will exercise a righteous retribution. Who that trusts in such a God as this need fear?

(Homilist.)

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KJV: {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

WEB: In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain!"