The blessedness of the holy life.
I. SUCH LIFE IS POSSIBLE. It would not be spoken of here and throughout the Scriptures as it is, if it were only an ideal but not a possible life. Surely, if sin be the abominable thing which God hates, he must have contemplated, in his redemptive work, our deliverance from it. What is the first and great commandment, but a command to cherish that spirit towards God which is the spring of the holy life?
II. IT IS ENTERED INTO BY A DEFINITE WAY.
1. By self-surrender, which consists in the abandoning of whatever we know to be contrary to the will of God; giving it up, though it be dear as the right hand or eye; and in the surrender of all our powers and possessions to the absolute control and direction of God.
2. Then, when we have thus given ourselves up to God, we are to believe that he accepts us, and we are to keep trusting him, day by day and hour by hour, to cleanse us by the blood of Christ from all sin. If we will persevere in this surrender and trust, nothing can hinder our entering into this holy life. Then—
III. IT IS MOST BLESSED.
1. For what it escapes: the misery of a condemning conscience; of paralyzed power—for none can effectually work for God if they are abiding in sin; of knowing that your influence has been evil rather than good; of God's face hidden from you.
2. For what it wins: the blessedness of inward peace; of confidence towards God; of power with God for man, and with man for God; of the possession of God's loving kindness, which is better than life (Psalms 63:1-11), and of assured hope. When the people of God live this life, then there will be a turning to God on the part of the world, as now there is not, and for long ages has not been. For men will see that God's people possess a secret spring of joy, and peace, and purity, and strength, and they will come to covet it with a great desire (Psalms 106:4, Psalms 106:5).—S.C.
A holy aspiration.
It is threefold (see Psalms 106:5), and it is preceded by earnest prayer for that grace of God which, in the psalmist's belief, was indispensable for its fulfilment.
I. THE ASPIRATION.
1. "That I may see the good of thy chosen." He regards God's people as the subject of a Divine choice; as, indeed, they are. There were many others who, to human eyes, seemed more worthy and more likely to bring glory to God. But God had chosen them. And he had appointed "good" for them. Good outwardly, in the possession of the promised land; good inwardly, in the possession of God's Holy Spirit and the Divine Law written on their hearts; good instrumentally, in the blessed influence they should exert on others (cf. Psalms 67:1-7.). And all this abiding evermore. And this he craved to see; that is, to share in. It is a good desire.
2. "That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation." He believed Israel to be God's nation; as, indeed, the true Israel of God are. And he believed that the mark of their life was gladness. In their best days Israel was a glad people (Psalms 144:15). And the Israelite, indeed, is ever a happy man. We are made for gladness—the ways of the Lord lead surely to it; but men do not believe this. Nevertheless, these "ways are ways of pleasantness," etc. (Proverbs 3:17). And in this gladness the psalmist would share.
3. "That I may glory with thine inheritance." Note, again, the title given to the people of God. They will glory in God himself, for he is their "exceeding joy;" in what he has done for them, in them, through them. What themes for glorying there are in all this! "Worthy is the Lamb," etc. (Revelation 5:12). Now, this holy aspiration is preceded by Psalms 106:4.
II. THE PRAYER for what is needed for its fulfilment. He prays:
1. "Remember me, O Lord, with," etc. What a humble prayer it is! as if he feared he might be overlooked and forgotten, and felt that he deserved to be. And what a holy prayer! And it is one that has never yet been refused.
2. "Visit me," etc. He would that God would have compassion on him, and actually bring him his salvation.—S.C.