delivered us. The strong man armed has been overcome by a stronger. There is nothing to fear from a conquered enemy. Even the last moment, the parting of soul and body, need not be feared. For is it not said, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee?" We need fear nothing in which God will be with us, our Saviour, our Father; to cheer, help, and strengthen. "I will be with thee." The promise is sure. We want no more. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Never. Not even in the last moment.

And oh! what a happy shore, when that river is crossed! What a blessed and glorious change will that short passage bring! "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." "Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better." "In My Father's house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you."

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CHAPTER XXIV.

DESIRES AFTER GOD.

PSALM XLII.

1. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God when shall I come and appear before God?

3. My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

4. When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and

praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

6. O my God, my soul is cast down within me therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

7. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of Thy water spouts: all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.

8. Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

9. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast Thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10. As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

THOUGH Our circumstances may not be exactly. like those of the Psalmist, yet this need not hinder us from receiving good from his words. Often the same thoughts, feelings, and prayers are suitable to very different circumstances.

Who or what these people were, who said to David, "Where is thy God?" we do not know. They may have been enemies, taking pleasure in his afflictions, reviling him, and taunting him. Or they may have been friends or servants of his, who had no faith in God, and who added to David's troubles by trying to make him as unbelieving as themselves. Very likely we have neither such enemies, nor such friends. Yet there is much in this Psalm that may be profitable to us.

In one point, it is especially suited to the sick. David was kept away from the house of God. Probably it was when he was driven from Jeru

salem by the rebellion of Absalom. The sick also are kept from the house of God.

David was very sorry. He thought of the happy days when he used to go up with the congregation to the Temple, "with the voice of joy and praise." He longed to go there again. Of all his troubles this was perhaps the greatest in his eyes, to be cut off from the public worship of God. "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"

Some who lie on a sick-bed feel the same. They loved the house of God when they were well. It was a true delight to them, to join in prayer and praise, and to hear God's holy Word. They look back with regret on these past Sundays. Now they cannot go. It is what they miss most of all. Ah! how thankful would they be for those opportunities which thousands of the strong and healthy are neglecting every Sunday!

David was sad at heart when he thought thus. Yet he blamed himself for being sad. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?" He encouraged himself to trust, and to look for brighter days. "Hope thou