(4)In the dark as well as the light.3. Whence the march and trend of history, always revealing "a power not ourselves, which makes for righteousness," and which sweeps away opposition like dust before the oncoming storm? )God all-seeing:In the mythology of the heathen, Momus, the god of fault-finding, is represented as blaming Vulcan, because in the human form, which he had made of clay, he had not placed a window in the breast, by which whatever was done or thought there might easily be brought to light. His omniscience. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. (1)He knows our actions, ways, words, thoughts. So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. Some of God's children are the crookedest people that ever were in this world, and it must be sovereignty which chose them, for they are by no means naturally desirable or attractive. A Praise-Filled Heart is part of a sermon series looking at those heart qualities Christian's should possess. Now, in this condition of things, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. The word as used in Scripture means to be confident, to be sure, to be bold, and to be secure. There is no cry so pitiful as "Nothing to live for." OURSELVES. Helen Keller once said, “I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. If that Being has gone down into these depths of human depravity, and seen it with a more abhorring glance than could ever shoot from a finite eye, and yet has returned with a cordial offer to forgive it all, and a hearty proffer to cleanse it all away, then we can lift up the eye in adoration and in hope. He’s training you—and He’s going to perfect that which He’s begun no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes. That of adoring and constantly thoughtful reverence (vers. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN KNOWS OF HIMSELF. The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways. His mercy and His grace are the grand springs of all the happiness and blessings we possess, and of all the hopes that inspire the heart and animate the soul. (2)His knowledge of us is entire, complete.2. How great is the gratitude that is due to God from His saints, how innumerable are His blessings, how vast His mercy, how rich His grace and lovingkindness. But this is more especially true in the work of grace in the heart. 17, 18).2. 24).(W. A Psalm of David. In short, to live with God is to be perpetually rising above the world; to live without Him is to be perpetually sinking into it, and with it, and below it. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. He sees the whole of everything at the same time. But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. There is, therefore, nothing wrong in our forgetting that we are in the presence of God any more than there is anything foolish in our forgetting that we need air to breathe or light to see by, or that if we fall we may hurt ourselves: just in the same way as we very often, and quite rightly, forget that we are in the company of men who will take notice of our faults. What we are to understand by "that which concerneth me." the various events and vicissitudes of life, even before one of them existed. I can depend upon God to help me with dangerous circumstances, people, and challenges. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, — these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. So, too, by living in the presence of God and, as it were, in the courts of heaven, we shall assuredly learn something of a heavenly tone, and shake off some of that coarse worldliness, that deeply ingrained selfishness, that silly pride and conceit which now spoils our very best service. The so-called “gods” in Psalm 138:1 may have been supernatural beings who filled God’s heavenly court, or the term may refer to pagan powers and rulers.4. Our hearts will put us in mind of God's eye being upon us every now and then involuntarily. Psalms 137:9. His communion is unbroken. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. Focus of the study: I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; It is a simple question of time; a simple question whether it shall come here in this world, where the blood of Christ "freely" flows, or in the future world, where "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin.". The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? To reveal the supreme interest of human life. --John Trapp. 6 Dr. Michael Guido, “Will Power or His Power,” 12 August 2014, Daily Devotional, The Guido Evangelistic Association, Internet, http://www.sowerministries.org/?p=3620, accessed on 17 November 2016. How full are the New Testament pledges to this effect that He will complete His work in our character — Philippians 1:6. He sees the whole of every object. His omniscience. ", 2. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. The psalmist affirms —. Though the transgressor is ignorant of much of his sin, because, at the time of its commission, he sins blindly as well as wilfully, and unreflectingly as well as freely; and though the transgressor has forgotten much of that small amount of sin, of which he was conscious, and by which he was pained, at the time of its perpetration; though, on the side of man, the powers of self-inspection and memory have accomplished so little towards this preservation of man's sin, yet God knows it all, and remembers it all. That act whereby another being knows my secret thoughts and inmost feelings is most certainly inexplicable.I. PRAISE THE LORD WITH THE WHOLE HEART PSALM 138: 1-8Key verse: v. 8, "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Verse of the Day Verse 8. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN KNOWS OF HIMSELF. His omnipotence (vers. As we approach this Thanksgiving season, I may spend time celebrating with friends and family a wonderful American holiday. G. T. Shedd, D. D.: — One of the most remark. : — While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. And are not temptations everywhere, and so many of them subtle and strong, and before which many souls have fallen? And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. Does not suddenly break off and stop. IV. 2 Russell H. Dilday Jr. and J. Hardee Kennedy, “Psalms,” in The Teacher’s Bible Commentary, ed. So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. The two prayers "Cause me to hear", and "Cause me to know." Verse 8. (Weekly Pulpit. --John Trapp. But praising, like praying, should be a habit.1, Although David’s name appears with the psalm, certain manuscripts of early translation add the names Haggai and Zechariah. And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. It has to do with what or who we 'trust in'. Martin Luther wrote in his book Table Talk: “The greater God’s gifts and works, the less they are regarded.”. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. Though the transgressor is ignorant of much of his sin, because, at the time of its commission, he sins blindly as well as wilfully, and unreflectingly as well as freely; and though the transgressor has forgotten much of that small amount of sin, of which he was conscious, and by which he was pained, at the time of its perpetration; though, on the side of man, the powers of self-inspection and memory have accomplished so little towards this preservation of man's sin, yet God knows it all, and remembers it all. 13). But he knows it and bows in reverence before the sublime truth. The brilliant searchlight sweeping the broad ocean and revealing even the smallest craft on its surface is but a faint type of the Eternal Light from which no sinner can hide his sin. 5 Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes, electronic ed. His power did not work. That of adoring and constantly thoughtful reverence (vers. The poet had experienced what the psalms call “a day of trouble” (see Psalms 20:1, 27:5; 41:1), a “day of … Continue reading "Commentary on Psalm 138:1-8" Those who live much in a court acquire courtly manners. There is, therefore, nothing wrong in our forgetting that we are in the presence of God any more than there is anything foolish in our forgetting that we need air to breathe or light to see by, or that if we fall we may hurt ourselves: just in the same way as we very often, and quite rightly, forget that we are in the company of men who will take notice of our faults. And how, through us, others would be blessed! Justice, in this reference, is out of the question. What the Scripture Says. II. Your right hand will save me. Said Milton, speaking of his travels abroad when a young man: "I again take God to witness that in all places where so many things are considered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all profligacy and vice, having this thought perpetually with me, that though I might escape the eyes of men, I certainly could not the eyes of God."4. It is common-sense — the common-sense of religion. Our hearts will put us in mind of God's eye being upon us every now and then involuntarily. That of adoring and constantly thoughtful reverence (vers. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. He is in —(1)Heaven. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. And how it would bless us! GOD.1. Those who are always hearing pure and high principles set forth as the guides of life learn to value and to know them even faster than they can learn to live by them. )LinksPsalm 138:8 NIVPsalm 138:8 NLTPsalm 138:8 ESVPsalm 138:8 NASBPsalm 138:8 KJVPsalm 138:8 Bible AppsPsalm 138:8 ParallelPsalm 138:8 Biblia ParalelaPsalm 138:8 Chinese BiblePsalm 138:8 French BiblePsalm 138:8 German BiblePsalm 138:8 CommentariesBible Hub, (2)His knowledge of us is entire, complete.2. Though the transgressor is ignorant of much of his sin, because, at the time of its commission, he sins blindly as well as wilfully, and unreflectingly as well as freely; and though the transgressor has forgotten much of that small amount of sin, of which he was conscious, and by which he was pained, at the time of its perpetration; though, on the side of man, the powers of self-inspection and memory have accomplished so little towards this preservation of man's sin, yet God knows it all, and remembers it all. But in almost every case the dazzling rays of a searchlight frustrated the attempt, and the fugitives' vessel was captured by the Americans. There is a sweetness and a power in the very monosyllable, "Thy mercy"; because it is peculiar to God, it is His own property, it distinguishes Him. The thought will flash across us that God sees us. : — The fact that God is always present and knows every minute trifle in our lives, and that His unerring judgment will assuredly take count of every detail of our character and our conduct, neither exaggerating nor omitting, but applying absolute justice; this truth is one of those which lose force from their very universality. His omnipresence. ", 2. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. This is living with God. IN WHAT DID IT ISSUE? A lonely woman in a nursing home will appreciate a visit more than a popular woman with a party thrown in her honor. There is, therefore, nothing wrong in our forgetting that we are in the presence of God any more than there is anything foolish in our forgetting that we need air to breathe or light to see by, or that if we fall we may hurt ourselves: just in the same way as we very often, and quite rightly, forget that we are in the company of men who will take notice of our faults. His omnipotence (vers. His omnipotence (vers. And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. That act whereby another being knows my secret thoughts and inmost feelings is most certainly inexplicable.I. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. "Forsake not the work of Thine own hands." But in almost every case the dazzling rays of a searchlight frustrated the attempt, and the fugitives' vessel was captured by the Americans. So, too, by living in the presence of God and, as it were, in the courts of heaven, we shall assuredly learn something of a heavenly tone, and shake off some of that coarse worldliness, that deeply ingrained selfishness, that silly pride and conceit which now spoils our very best service. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. His omnipotence (vers. 17, 18).2. So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. I will share some of these answers during the sermon. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. We see that mercy has provided for the ruined life to be restored and built up again according to the plan of the great Architect. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, — these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. His omnipresence. OURSELVES. 23, 24). The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. Think of all those who, on the night of the Passover, came out of Egypt, but yet never entered into Canaan; their carcasses fell in the wilderness, because of their unbelief. )God all-seeing:In the mythology of the heathen, Momus, the god of fault-finding, is represented as blaming Vulcan, because in the human form, which he had made of clay, he had not placed a window in the breast, by which whatever was done or thought there might easily be brought to light. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. 1. I. Said Milton, speaking of his travels abroad when a young man: "I again take God to witness that in all places where so many things are considered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all profligacy and vice, having this thought perpetually with me, that though I might escape the eyes of men, I certainly could not the eyes of God."4. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. And this perpetual though not always conscious sense of God's presence would, no doubt, if we would let it have its perfect work, gradually act on our characters just as the presence of our fellow-men does. First the Psalmist begins with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, then he addresses the work of the Lord among the nations, and thirdly he speaks of the Lord's purpose for his life. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. I shudder when I remember all the occasions that I spoiled for myself—even when I was in the best of health—by false pride, synthetic values, and fancied slights.5, “On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.” (Psalm 138:3, HCSB). The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. Cultivate a loving affection for Him.(Homilist. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. How shall we learn to walk by His side? As they are the works of His hands, they must be very dear unto Him, — He cannot but love them and delight in them, and He rests in His love. Though the transgressor is ignorant of much of his sin, because, at the time of its commission, he sins blindly as well as wilfully, and unreflectingly as well as freely; and though the transgressor has forgotten much of that small amount of sin, of which he was conscious, and by which he was pained, at the time of its perpetration; though, on the side of man, the powers of self-inspection and memory have accomplished so little towards this preservation of man's sin, yet God knows it all, and remembers it all. Our relation toward such a God should be —1. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. This morning I want to talk about 'trust'. (1)He knows our actions, ways, words, thoughts. And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. Trusting Omniscience in everything. But in almost every case the dazzling rays of a searchlight frustrated the attempt, and the fugitives' vessel was captured by the Americans. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. That of siding with Him against evil (vers. God is really at work on our behalf. The separate, personal thinking of God toward every one of us.(1)Innumerable.(2)Constant.II. He never could have known anything about dying, for on his face were no tokens of pain or struggle, nor was there any reason to believe that he ever awoke till he lifted up his eyes amid the cherubim. Said Milton, speaking of his travels abroad when a young man: "I again take God to witness that in all places where so many things are considered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all profligacy and vice, having this thought perpetually with me, that though I might escape the eyes of men, I certainly could not the eyes of God."4. Nor does such a feeling indicate malevolence. Yet we must be clear, this unbridled praise is always grounded in gritty reality. That of siding with Him against evil (vers. Keeps His promises (v. 2). You have a plan on hand. )God and ourselvesW. Psalm 138 is a glorious song of praise to the Lord, and a very practical Psalm for us to consider. Always I am with you. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. Though the transgressor is ignorant of much of his sin, because, at the time of its commission, he sins blindly as well as wilfully, and unreflectingly as well as freely; and though the transgressor has forgotten much of that small amount of sin, of which he was conscious, and by which he was pained, at the time of its perpetration; though, on the side of man, the powers of self-inspection and memory have accomplished so little towards this preservation of man's sin, yet God knows it all, and remembers it all.