March 22

1 How long will thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long will thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; lighter mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

This Psalm is the language of that much-tried man of God, David, and "is intended to express the feelings of the people of God in those everreturning trials which beset them. If the reader has never yet found occasion to use the language of this brief ode, he will do so ere long, if he be a man after the Lord's own heart." This Psalm readily divides itself into three parts: the question of anxiety (1, 2); the cry of prayer (3, 4); the song of faith (5, 6)

"The departures of God from true believers are never final; they may be tedious, but they are temporary. . . . 'For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee;' here is not only a gathering after a forsaking, but 'great mercies' to make amends for 'a small moment.' He who hath engaged to be our God forever, cannot depart forever."—Timothy Cruso.

How far different is the end of this Psalm from the beginning! "Lo, the rain is over and gone, and the time of the singing of birds is come. The mercy-seat has so refreshed the poor weeper, that he clears his throat for a song."

Closet Promise.—The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way; though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, because the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.—Psalm xxxvii. 23-24.

Whate'er my God ordains is right, His will is ever just; Howe'er He orders now my cause I will be still and trust. He is my God, Though dark my road, He holds me that I shall not fall, Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate'er my God ordains is right, He never will deceive; He leads me by the proper path, And so to Him I cleave, And take content What he hath sent; His hand can turn my griefs away, And patiently I was His day. S. Redgast, 1675.