Your ShelfYour Projects

Psalm lviii

50%

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 30, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 2.

Read the full edition

Psalm lviii.

By Scott

INJUSTICE, established by law, and decreed by judges, is more malignant than any other. While we behold the effects of natural depravity in the atrocious crimes of others; we should be humbled by recollecting, that the principles of them all are in our hearts also, and liable every moment to abuse. We ought, therefore, to be thankful to the Lord for merciful restraints; earnest in seeking renewing grace; watchful over ourselves; and patient under the effects of our fallen nature in others. We may see, in our children, the wickedness of the world in embryo: their dislike to religion, their ingenuity at inventing lies, their pride, obstinacy, vanity, envy, and anger, are rank weeds, which, if neglected, will overspread their minds, and prevent the growth of every good thing. It is our duty, therefore, to bestow much pains on their education; and, above all, to pray for converting grace to make them new creatures.—But, though the poison of a serpent is within us, we may prevent, in great measure, its breaking forth to the injury of others. When the Saviour's instructions, reasonings, and persuasions, are duly regarded, the very serpent becomes harmless and gentle like the dove. But those who refuse to hear Him that speaks to them in strains of heavenly wisdom, must perish miserably and eternally; nor can all nature furnish images adequately to represent their dreadful doom. Though the righteous are not “glad at calamities,” yet they must rejoice to see the cause of God triumphant, and men on every side convinced that there is a reward for the righteous, and “a God that judgeth in the earth.”—Scott.