04.004. The Habit of Godliness
The Habit of Godliness My soul followeth hard after Thee-- Psalms 63:8.
Literally “cleaveth hard,” involving three things: diligence in effort, nearness of contact, and tenacity of grip--a fast hold. These six words express a habit of godliness, an ever present and close following after God. The emphasis is upon the present tense--the continuous present. But a careful search into the structure of this devout lyric shows the past, present and future tenses of the believer’s life, and hints their mutual relation. For example, the Present: “My soul thirsteth for thee; my flesh longeth for Thee;” (Psalms 63:1) “I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.” (Psalms 63:6) “Thou art my God.” (Psalms 63:1) The Past: “I have seen Thee in the Sanctuary.” (Psalms 63:2) Thou hast been my help.” (Psalms 63:7) The Future: “Early will I seek Thee.” (Psalms 63:1) “My lips shall praise Thee. I will bless Thee while I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise Thee ….” (Psalms 63:3-5) “In the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.” (Psalms 63:7) “The King shall rejoice in God.” (Psalms 63:11) These tenses have obviously a mutual relation.
I. The past, recalled by reflection and remembrance, inspires to present gratitude and duty, love and joy. Past visions and interpositions of God quicken longing for other visions, and stimulate faith to a new following of God. What a hint of the hallowed office of the powers of Reflection and Memory!
II. Note the peculiar emphasis upon the present. Four present tenses are prominent, and how inclusive! There is such longing as only finds expression in intense thirst, the most agonizing form of desire. There is reflection and remembrance, and the result is a close following.
III. And all this is the prophecy of a future. Here is the inspiration of Hope, and hope kindles prayer and praise, and assures of complete satisfaction and joy. The soul that looks back with holy memories looks forward with confident expectation. The Present is, however, always the Crisis. It is the Today of Action. Without it Memory is but a dream, and Hope but an illusion. My soul followeth hard after thee. The nearest New Testament passage to this is 1 Peter 2:21 : “Leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps.”And four particulars are given there which delineate that matchless example:
A sinless conduct: “Who did no sin.” (1 Peter 2:22)
A guileless mouth: “In whose mouth guile was not found.” (1 Peter 2:22)
A surrendered will: “Committed himself to Him,” etc. (1 Peter 2:23)
A vicarious passion: “Who bare our sins.” (1 Peter 2:24)
Are not these to be also the features of our following?--a life without blame, a tongue without guile, a surrender of will and a spirit of unselfishness?