December 16

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice; have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me, put not thy servant away in anger, thou hast been my help, leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Denver me not over unto the will of mine enemies; for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the LORD.

This Psalm is a song of cheerful hope, well fitted for those in trial who have learned to lean upon the Almighty arm. It may with profit be "read in a threefold way, as the language of David, of the Church, and of the Lord Jesus. The plentitude of Scripture will thus appear the more wonderful." The last two verses of this wonderful song of Confidence constitute an admonition. The real meaning of verse 13 is—"Oh had I not believed, how miserable, how abject I should now be!" This intimates very strongly the duty of trusting in the Lord

"Faintness of heart is a common infirmity; even he who slew Goliath was subject to its attacks. Faith puts its bottle of cordial to the lip of the soul, and so prevents fainting. Hope is heaven's balm for present sorrow." C. H. Spurgeon.

"Wait on the Lord." "Wait at His door with prayer; wait at His foot with humility; wait at His table with service; wait at His window with expectancy. . . . David, in the words 'I say,' sets his own private seal to the words which, as an inspired man, he had been moved to write. It is his testimony as well as the command of God, and indeed he who writes these scanty notes has himself found it so sweet, so reviving, so profitable to draw near to God, that even on his own account he also feels bound to write, 'Wait, I say, on the Lord.'"

Closet Promise.—The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.—Psalm lxxxiv. 11.

The devout mind is wont to connect God with everything. Not that He is directly the author of every event, but His sovereign sway is recognized, controlling and overruling, so that "all things," no matter what, "work together for good." Even things that are strangely adverse, seemingly crushing, are transformed into chariots in which saints ride gloriously, their Beloved Himself being by their side. Consider then all the minutiae of life in His hands, and your brow will be crowned with light, and your heart bound with joy at every step.