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I. THE THEME — SALVATION. Deliverance, restoration, preservation.

II. A SALVATION IMPARTING JOY.

III. A SAD EXPERIENCE. He had lost this salvation; and felt like Tamar — "And I, whither shall I hide my shame?" It was a manifold loss — the salvation of his God and the serenity of his soul, the fealty of his heart and the favour of his God — contamination entered, communion fled, sin tasted, joy gone. It was the result of his settled, yet stupid, choice; the perfect liberty he coveted he finds galling vassalage.

IV. THE WAY TO REGAIN IT.

V. THE WAY TO RETAIN IT. Cry to God for strength. "Uphold me with Thy free Spirit." The Spirit must not only attest our acceptance, but keep us by guiding our feet into the way of peace, by a complete transformation of the faculties of the soul, so that they can only delight in spiritual objects; by giving it such refined tastes that all sinful food will nauseate.

VI. THE WAY TO REJOICE IN IT. "Then Will I trust," etc. The best way to strengthen our graces is to exercise and utilize them. VII. THE TIME. "Then," and not till then. Conversion is one of those things we must experience before we are qualified to speak about it. VIII. THE EFFECT. "Sinners shall be converted unto Thee." "Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit."

(W. Hassall.)

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KJV: Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

WEB: Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.