No More Learning

The second verse of this Psalm tells "the
enemy" (those who scornfully and foolishly forget
the power and the goodness of God) to become
wiser by watching how tiny babies grow and learn
to use the powers given them by God's wonderful
laws.
1 istfG 5 . ^ ^ yyjj ^y
In this Psalm David asks himself the great mote on
question, How can we please God, the Almighty P8. XV.
Creator of the world? He finds the answer in
thinking how we should guide our conduct in our
every-day life. He says, Be honest and fair, always
XV. 113
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
l-lote on speak the truth and think the truth. Never let
ps. XV. y0urself even for a moment think of saying what is
not exactly the truth. Drive such thoughts out ot
your heart. Never tell tales. Never break your
promise, however hard it may be for you to keep it.
Despise those who are dishonourable, but stand up
for your friends. Never let yourself have nasty mean
PSALM XIX.
Zo tbe Cbtef flSusician. a psalm of DavtD.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the
firmament sheweth His handy work. 2 Day unto
day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth
knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language;
without these is their voice heard. 4 Their line is
gone out through all the earth, and their words to
the end of the world. In them hath He set a
tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom
coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong
man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the
end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends oi
it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the
soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making
wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord
are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment
of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The
fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the
judgments of the Lord are true and righteous
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? THE CHILDREN'S tSALM-BOOK
thoughts in your heart. Always be kind and generous Mote on
in helping others. David describes thus one who is XV.
always trying to do to others as he would like to
be done by; who, as he is obeying the law of God,
feels strong and firm, for his principles can never be
moved, or shaken.
XIX. &
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
tie. XIX. altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than
gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than
honey and the honeycomb.
ii Moreover by them is Thy servant warned:
and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse Thou
me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Thy ser-
vant also from presumptuous sins; let them not
have dominion over me: then shall I be upright,
and I shall be innocent from great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation
of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.
mote on This Psalm is a very clear example of the way in
IPs. XIX. which Hebrew poetry was usually written.
The verses do not rhyme, but one half of each
verse makes a sort of echo, or contrast, to the
other. Sometimes that plan is extended so that not
only each verse is divided, but the Psalm as a whole
is divided, one part contrasting with the other, and
yet the whole making one poem, and leading up to one
great thought.
Psalm xix. is full of oriental imagery. 1 The
Psalmist exclaims that the heavens (if only we can
read them) are like a book that tells the works of
God. Day and night they wordlessly proclaim these
wonders to all people all over the earth.
In the heavens God has placed His most mar-
vellous creation, the Sun. By imagery the poet
describes the joy of sunshine. It is like a strong
1 For explanation of oriental imagery see Psalm cxxxiii.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
3-1 raw arna DHonan w ? rirv <<3nje nax p>>. xix.
at jt ? tt~ 'Tv:iv- it;- |j :it aw;
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man's joy in running a race; it is like the happiness mote on
of a bridegroom just married, as he steps from under X,X?
the Huppah, or canopy. (Jewish brides and bride-
grooms are still married under a Huppah, just as
they were thousands of years ago when David
wrote the Psalms! )
The description of the daily marvel of the sun,
rising on one side of the earth and setting on the
other, and thus warming and lighting the whole
earth, completes the picture of the wonders of
creation, for ever praising the Creator, and ends the
first part of the Psalm.
The second part (beginning verse 7) describes the
Infinite and merciful wisdom of God in relation to
man. "The law of the Lord is perfect, moving the
soul. " It brings the souls of those who obey it
near to God, even though they may have felt far off
from Him before they tried to obey His law. "The
testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
on simple. " Those who obey God's laws, though they
may be neither clever nor learned, have a sure guide
which is denied to those who rely only on their own
wisdom. "The statutes of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart. " To keep the statutes of the
Lord, such as the commandments to rest ourselves
and to let others rest on the Sabbath Day, not to
covet our neighbours' goods, not to steal, not to say
nasty things of other people,--these help every one
of us to real happiness, and also help us to make the
lives of others happy. "The commandment of the
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. " The com-
mandments of God make us see clearly the laws of
Right and Wrong that are true for all people and for
all time. "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring
for ever. " Fear is generally a thing to be ashamed
of and to shake off as quickly as possible, but the fear
of God is mingled with love and trust, and is a pure
and right feeling. It should be always with us to
warn us to resist if we feel tempted to do something
we know to be wrong. The fear of the Lord is not
such fear as is felt by a coward, who is ever seeking
ease and safety for himself; but it is the conscious-
ness of a humble-minded human being that his own
strength and his own wisdom are not enough to
make him strong and wise, unless he also obeys the
laws that God in His Infinite wisdom has made for
the conduct of our life. "The judgments of the
Lord are true, and righteous altogether. " Whatever
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
sorrow, or pain, or disappointment we may have to mote on
bear, we should know it is the will of God, and try X1X-
to bear it bravely, in the spirit of one of the Psalms,
which says, " I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments
are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted
me. " We know that God has sent us our trials,
and that He in His Infinite mercy will give us
strength to bear them. As another Psalm says,
"Be of good courage, and He will strengthen your
heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. "
The tenth verse--extolling the judgments of God
in simple but forcible imagery--ends the second part
of the Psalm.
The third and last part expresses the crowning
thought of the whole Psalm, the contrast between the
Infinite wisdom of God and the limited wisdom of man.
Here David tells us his own feelings, and shows his
own fine character. He was hasty, but always ready
to acknowledge his own sins, and humbly to pray for
God's forgiveness when he knew he had done wrong.
He says he will obey God's laws even when he does
not understand them, in order to have the great
reward of being saved from wrong-doing. "Who
can understand his own errors? " he cries, and then he
humbly prays to God to keep him from sinning,
either wilfully or through ignorance. He ends with
the prayer that his words and his thoughts may be
pleasing to God.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
PSALM XX.
XTo tbe Cbief musician, a ipsalm of David.
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the
name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2 Send
thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee
out of Zion; 3 Remember all thy offerings, and
accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 4 Grant thee
according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy
counsel. 5 We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in
the name of our God we will set up our banners : the
Lord fulfil all thy petitions. 6 Now know I that
the Lord saveth His anointed; He will hear him
from His holy heaven with the saving strength of
His right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some
in horses: but we will remember the name of the
Lord our God. 8 They are brought down and
fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9 Save,
Lord: let the King hear us when we call.
Wore on Trust in God whatever happens. That thought
IPs. XX. was always uppermost in David's mind. In joy
and sorrow alike, it shines out in all his Psalms.
It comforted him in all his troubles, and made him
never lose courage. At a moment of great misery
and danger, he said, " Ye that fear the Lord praise
Him, for He hath not despised nor abhorred the
affliction of the afflicted, neither hath He hid His
face from him, but when he crieth out to Him He
heareth. " And so in this Psalm, David prays foi
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
XX. 3
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it: I-: :--:|- >>? - rra
uap owri 1W1 ipa nan 8 'tatj wthx
:usnp-DVa was* 'nSan nynrtn nirv 9 imtonai
God's blessing on his people, and he reminds them mote on
to set up their banners in the name of God, and to IP3, XX.
fight all life's battles bravely, ever trusting in God.
David described those who set up their banners in
the name of God as "His anointed. " This ex-
pression is a bit of poetic imagery;' that is of in-
direct description by means of a comparison which
brings the poet's thought very clearly to our minds.
In the land of Palestine, where King David lived,
i See Psalm cxxxiii.
17
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
mote on that way of speaking by imagery is still used just as
ps. XX. it was in his timB) not only m p0etry, but in ordinary
conversation. In England we use it in poetry, but
not in conversation. 1
1 Thus Tennyson, in describing a beautiful damsel, says:
". . . A brow
May blossom and a cheek of apple blossom. "
And Shakespere, describing daybreak, says:
"Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain-tops. "
PSALM XXIII.
B ffisalm of Davio.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth
my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteous-
ness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I. walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy
staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord for ever.
mote on As we read this Psalm about God's care of us, we
IPs. XXIII. pUj. our trust in Him, and feel we never shall be afraid
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
It was the custom in King David's time, and it ? fio^2. n
still is the custom to anoint every monarch with oil TM*
at his coronation, as a sort of visible token of the
prayer that God's blessing might be poured on the
King like the oil that was being poured on him in
the coronation ceremony. All of us are monarchs
of our own conduct; and if we rule that with the
thought of God and goodness ever in our minds,
we, too, have His blessing poured on us, and are
"His anointed. "
*Wt ipm ni& l i\x <<:n;n *Di3 *#xn \b#n
of anything; because God is always taking care of tiote on
us and will always help us. p8, XX111
19
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
on For Older Children. --The series of simple
word-pictures in this idyllic Psalm convey the poet's
thoughts to our minds with a quite indescribable
charm and vividness. It appeals to all, young and old
alike, by reason of the simplicity of its imagery and
the force and fervour of the pervading idea--trust in
the goodness of God--ever the key-note of David's
religion and of all his Psalms.
The fourth verse helps us to try to be brave and
PSALM XXIV.
a ipsalm of Davio.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof;
the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For He
hath founded it upon the seas, and established it
upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill
of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who
hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the
Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salva-
tion. 6 This is the generation of them that seek
Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7 Lift
up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye
doors of the universe; and the King of glory shall
come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord
strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and lift ye the doors
of the universe; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
patient when trouble comes to us, and not to let our Wore on
minds dwell on the thought of how unlucky we are, (R)s' XXIII
or how miserable we feel. Our trouble gives us pain
like a rod beating us, but our trust in the mercy and
lovingkindness of God is like a staff supporting us
under our load of trouble; and when we have to
bear that load, we learn to know the comfort of the
Staff that supports us and gives us strength.
XXIV. 73
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ho ht kvi "b 1o niaan irSa xim D^iy ^nns
jhSd niaan ho nixax nirv niain
t i V j t ~ IV IV < a t: jt; >> t
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
IRote on Musing on the marvellous works of God, David
ps. XXIV. asks himself what sort of man can make his life
acceptable to his Creator.
In twenty wonderful words he completely answers
his own question. "He that hath clean hands"
(who never lets his hands do what he knows is wrong),
"and a pure heart" (who desires to be just and kind
and generous); "who hath not lifted up his soul unto
vanity" (who does whatever he undertakes not
merely in order to bring himself glory, but to try to
serve his fellow-creatures), "nor sworn deceitfully"
PSALM XXV.
a psalm of David.
Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my
God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not
mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none
that wait on Thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed
which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me Thy
ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. 5 Lead me in
Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of
my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy
lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my trans-
gressions: according to Thy mercy remember Thou
me for Thy goodness' sake, O Lord. 8 Good and
upright is the Lord: therefore will He teach sinners
in the way. g The meek will He guide in judgment:
and the meek will He teach His way. 10 All the
paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
(who always speaks the truth). Such, David adds, mote on
is the generation of seekers after God, "of the seekers XXIV
of Thy face" (i. e. Thy favour). And he calls the
children of Israel (Jacob) to witness--for to them the
knowledge of the Law of Goodness had been given
to make it known to all mankind. In a glowing
image he exhorts his own generation to seek the
Lord--to lift the iron gates and open the heavy
doors of sloth and selfishness, that the glory of the
Lord may enter into the soul of man.
qswtpz Dnly yxt 9 j^rra D'N^n nnv ja
xxv. n3
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
fl>8. XXV. keep His covenant and His testimonies, 1 1 For
Thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity;
for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the
Lord? him shall He teach in the way that He shall
choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his
seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the
Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will
shew them His covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever
toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out
of the net. 16 Turn Thee unto me, and have
mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring
Thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine
affliction and my pain; and' forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and
they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my
soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed: for
I put my trust in Thee. 21 Let integrity and
uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
motes on This Psalm, like many others, shows how David's
ps. XXV. perfect trust in God's goodness gave him courage
under all his trials. He prays to be led to try to
do right: "Lead me in Thy truth and teach me,"
and then he feels confident that God in His In-
finite mercy will forgive him for whatever he does
wrong. Feeling how blind we poor mortals are,
and how little we know compared with God, he
invokes the Infinite power and wisdom of God,
and trusting in His Infinite lovingkindness, he says,
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
nrrSm nirv w-\vzh" :vrnyi innn t>e. xxv.
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at . j": ? tl 4V I - j- ? -;i-
eni! iyill rj? ri n*iCDa i^313 nnn^ ^a
jDyninS inna$ vk^S nirv niD w :pn
it ? 1; ? : At ? ? i- t ;i j I vit
nana tfirr3 rvirr^N Tan w 15
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