April 10

1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble.

2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor, let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, redeem the LORD abscureth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous; thy judg-

ments are far above out of his sight: or for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue it mischief and vanity.

8 He smeth in the lurking places of the villages in the secret places with he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

10 He crocheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hadeth his face; he will never see it. 12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. 13 Wherefore doth the wicked condemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. 14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to require it with thy hand:

the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. 16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. 17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine eir to bear; 18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

"To the Church of God during times of persecution, and to individual saints who are smarting under the hand of the proud sinner, this Psalm furnishes suitable language both for prayer and praise."—C. H. Spurgeon.

"Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?" "It is not the trouble, but the hiding of our Father's face, which cuts us to the quick. . . . . If we need an answer to the question, 'Why hidest thou thyself?' it is to be found in the fact that there is a 'needs-be,' not only for trial, but for heaviness of heart under trial (1 Pet. i. 6); but how could this be the case, if the Lord should shine upon us while he is afflicting us? Should the parent comfort his child while he is correcting him, where would be the use of the chastening? A smiling face and a rod are not fit companions. God bares the back that the blow may be felt; for it is only felt affliction which can become blest affliction. If we are carried in the arms of God over every stream, where would be the trial, and where the experience, which trouble is meant to teach us?"—C. H. Spurgeon.

Closet Promise.—O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.—Isa. xxxviii. 14.

Being perplexed, I say, Lord, make it right! Night is as day to Thee, Darkness is light. I am afraid to touch,

Things that involve so much:— My trembling hand may shake, My skillless hand may break: Thine can make no mistake —Anna Warner.