Hints to Preachers

Verse 1.—May furnish an excellent text upon “Progress in Sin,” of “The Purity of the Christian,” or “The Blessedness of the Righteous.” Upon the last subject speak of the believer as BLESSED—1. By God; 2. In Christ; 3. With all blessings; 4. In all circumstances; 5. Through time and eternity; 6. To the highest degree.

Verse 1.—Teaches a godly man to beware, (1) of the opinions, (2) of the practical life, and (3) of the company and association of sinful men. Show how meditation upon the Word will assist us in keeping aloof from these three evils.

The insinuating and progressive nature of sin.—J. Morison.

Verse 1, in connection with the whole Psalm. The wide difference between the righteous and the wicked.

Verse 2.—THE WORD OF GOD. 1. The believer’s delight in it. 2. The believer’s acquaintance with it. We long to be in the company of those we love.

Verse 2.—I. What is meant by “the law of the Lord.” II. What there is in it for the believer to delight in. III. How he shows his delight, thinks of it, reads much, speaks of it, obeys it, does not delight in evil.

Verse 2 (last clause).—The benefits, helps, and hindrances of meditation.

Verse 3.—“The fruitful tree.” I. Where it grows. II. How it came there. III. What it yields. IV. How to be like it.

Verse 3.—“Planted by the rivers of water.” I. The origination of Christian life, “planted.” II. The streams which support it. III. The fruit expected from it.

Verse 3.—Influence of religion upon prosperity.—Blair.

The nature, causes, signs, and results of true prosperity.

“Fruit in his season;” virtues to be exhibited at certain seasons—patience in affliction; gratitude in prosperity; zeal in opportunity, etc.

“His leaf also shall not wither;” the blessing of retaining an unwithered profession.

Verses 3, 4.—See No. 280 of “Spurgeon’s Sermons.”—“The Chaff Driven Away.”

Sin puts a negative on every blessing.

Verse 5.—The sinner’s double doom. 1. Condemned at the judgment-bar. 2. Separated from the saints. Reasonableness of these penalties, “therefore,” and the way to escape them.

“The congregation of the righteous” viewed as the church of the first-born above. This may furnish a noble topic.

Verse 6 (first sentence).—A sweet encouragement to the tried people of God. The knowledge here meant. 1. Its character.—It is a knowledge of observation and approbation. 2. Its source.—It is caused by omniscience and infinite love. 3. Its results.—Support, deliverance, acceptance, and glory at last.

Verse 6 (last clause).—His way of pleasure, of pride, of unbelief, of profanity, of persecution, of procrastinating, of self-deception, etc.; all these shall come to an end.