Psa 4 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-5 Hear me for thy mercy-sake, is our best plea. He who will not ask such blessings as pardon, and justifying righteousness, and eternal life, must perish for the want of them. Alas! that so many should make so fearful a choice. The psalmist warns against sin. Keep up holy reverence of the glory and majesty of God. You have a great deal to say to your hearts, they may be spoken with, let it not be unsaid. Examine them by serious self-reflection; let your thoughts fasten upon that which is good, and keep close to it. Consider your ways, and before you turn to sleep at night, examine your consciences with respect to what you have done in the day; particularly what you have done amiss, that you may repent of it. when you awake in the night, meditate upon God, and the things that belong to your peace. Upon a sick-bed, particularly, we should consider our ways. Be still. when you have asked conscience a question, be serious, be silent, wait for an answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin. All confidence must be pan answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin. All confidence only: therefore, after commanding the sacrifices of righteousness, the psalmist says, Put your trust in the Lord.

‏ Psalms 4

* The children of men proved, and the happiness of godly people.

(1-5) God's favour is happiness. (6-8)1-5 Hear me for thy mercy-sake, is our best plea. He who will

not ask such blessings as pardon, and justifying righteousness,

and eternal life, must perish for the want of them. Alas! that

so many should make so fearful a choice. The psalmist warns

against sin. Keep up holy reverence of the glory and majesty of

God. You have a great deal to say to your hearts, they may be

spoken with, let it not be unsaid. Examine them by serious

self-reflection; let your thoughts fasten upon that which is

good, and keep close to it. Consider your ways, and before you

turn to sleep at night, examine your consciences with respect to

what you have done in the day; particularly what you have done

amiss, that you may repent of it. when you awake in the night,

meditate upon God, and the things that belong to your peace.

Upon a sick-bed, particularly, we should consider our ways. Be

still. when you have asked conscience a question, be serious, be

silent, wait for an answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin.

All confidence must be pan answer. Open not the mouth to excuse

sin. All confidence only: therefore, after commanding the

sacrifices of righteousness, the psalmist says, Put your trust

in the Lord. 6-8 Wordly people inquire for good, not for the chief good; all

they want is outward good, present good, partial good, good

meat, good drink, a good trade, and a good estate; but what are

all these worth? Any good will serve the turn of most men, but a

gracious soul will not be put off so. Lord, let us have thy

favour, and let us know that we have it, we desire no more; let

us be satisfied of thy loving-kindness, and will be satisfied

with it. Many inquire after happiness, but David had found it.

When God puts grace in the heart, he puts gladness in the heart.

Thus comforted, he pitied, but neither envied nor feared the

most prosperous sinner. He commits all his affairs to God, and

is prepared to welcome his holy will. But salvation is in Christ

alone; where will those appear who despise him as their

Mediator, and revile him in his disciples? May they stand in

awe, and no longer sin against the only remedy