He wants to fulfill His purpose in me. Hoyt, D. D.: — This psalm sings of —I. And it is not his way to leave off what he once begins. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. 14, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1989), 468. 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. Self-consciousness has been the problem of the philosophic mind in all ages; and the mystery is not yet unravelled. 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. 13-16).4. From his failure came his success because he was willing to turn from will-power to God-power. It is from the mercy of God that He works for us, and works in us. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. NET RSV ASV YLT DBY WEB HNV. : — 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. Self-consciousness has been the problem of the philosophic mind in all ages; and the mystery is not yet unravelled. Nothing can escape Jehovah's eye, for He is behind and before, i.e. THE LORD PUTS IT INTO HIS PEOPLE'S HEARTS TO PRAY, AND SUPPLIES THEM WITH A PLEA. 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. Some are too small and some too distant. 24).(W. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. 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. The Saints' Final Perseverance Secured by the Mercy of God, The saints' final perseverance secured by the mercy of God. His omniscience. This psalm of thanksgiving — one of those songs that was composed after its author had come through a rather tight scrape — offers praise to the Lord in response to an experience of deliverance. 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. But yet there is another, not less powerful than any, which deserves special mention. (1)He knows our actions, ways, words, thoughts. G. T. Shedd, D. D.)God's presenceArchbishop Temple. 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. 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. 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. OURSELVES. 17, 18). The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! Every one of us trusts in something or someone. 17, 18).2. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. 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. 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.". I can depend upon God to help me with dangerous circumstances, people, and challenges. God has made us so. Ps 143:8. That of a prayerful seeking of the Divine guidance (ver. The self-knowledge, remember, must come in the one way or the other. So be it. 3 Jim Erwin, “A Thankful Heart,” Psalm 138:1-8, 21 July 2016, Lectionary Reflections Year C (2015-2016), Logos Bible Software Notes, Internet, accessed on 17 November 2016. "He is both, sir." There are many things which concern me; but what they are I leave to the Lord to determine; for I often find, as many others have told me is true of them likewise, that I much concern myself about things which, after all, do not really concern me, and about which, therefore, I need not trouble. 24).(W. He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways.