---

This psalm was a favourite with Humboldt. In his "Cosmos," after speaking of the views of nature given in the Old Testament, as the living expression of the omnipresence of God, he says of this psalm, "We are astonished to find in a lyrical form of such limited compass the whole universe, the heavens and the earth, sketched with a few bold touches." The section of the psalm with which our text is connected begins with the nineteenth verse and ends with the text. It is occupied with the uses of the seasons, of night and day, and the preciousness of time. These natural divisions of time fulfil high moral ends.

I. "Man goes forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening" — in the first place BECAUSE THE VERY EXISTENCE OF GOD MAKES WORK A UNIVERSAL AND ETERNAL ORDINANCE. The first chapter of George Gilfillan's "Alpha and Omega" is entitled, "The Solitary God Inhabiting Eternity." But that is unthinkable. The first essential conception of God is activity. "My Father worketh even until now, and I work," said Christ. And in my conception of God work must be a universal and eternal law. He is the God of the tiniest mote dancing in the sunbeam, as much as of the archangel standing in His presence; and in the creative design each was meant for the other, and all meet in and answer to something in man. God's plan is one, and unity is the reigning idea. Thus all existence is in indissoluble connection with Eternal Being: and the law of work is stamped upon mineral, vegetable, animal, man, and angel — all work, led on by the great Eternal Father who is for ever working with all the ceaseless energy of almighty and unslumbering love.

II. "Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening," BECAUSE NOT TO WORK IS SIN. Idleness, indeed, often makes a business for itself. But the first blush of eternity will turn this seriousness about trifles into shame and contempt. Paul speaks of some who were "learning to be idle." They were learning to be fussy about nothing — to be talkers and busybodies. For idleness is not mere inaction. Every life without power and effect is an idle life, and every work is an idle work in proportion as it is not done as well as we can do it. The idler sins at once against himself, the creation, his fellows, and his God.

III. "Man goeth forth to his work and to his labour until the evening," and IS BLEST IN AND BY HIS WORK. There is a close connection between the habit of industry in secular and in spiritual things; and when our daily work is performed in the spirit of love to God and man it becomes the business of eternity. All faculties are given to be cultivated for ever, and all powers to be used at their best; therefore let your best to-day be but the starting-point for something better to-morrow. Sir Joshua Reynolds sat at one time thirty-six hours before the canvas that he might bring out in beauty "the human face divine." You are doing more and greater than painting a human face; you are "putting on Christ," making an immortal soul divine, and therefore you are under obligation to "Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." He who does this finds his very creed steeped in love.

IV. "Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening." THIS ORDINANCE FINDS ITS HIGHEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. There could be no saving religion without duties to perform, powers to develop, sacrifices to make, and a personal God to love and obey. One of the greatest preachers of the past century is reported to have said that "Salvation could be secured between two ticks of the clock." Now, while that is true, it requires so much explanation to guard it from misconception that perhaps it were better it never had been said. Salvation in the sense of the pardon of sin is a free gift bestowed the moment the sinner believes in Jesus Christ. But it is one thing to get into the way that leads to heaven, and another to pass through life's dangers, fulfil life's duties, and accomplish life's work, so that the verdict of the God of Truth shall be, "Well done, good and faithful servant." True success only comes with all-round endeavour of head, hand, and heart. Half-heartedness is wasted power. Only at the Cross do we obtain motive power enough to do our work well. But here being is more than doing. "If," says one, "you do a great thing and lose your temper in doing it, you are like a man who toils up a hill to find a shilling and loses a sovereign on the way." If we would do more, we must be more. Do you know this high and holy meaning of life? The Kingdom of God has come nigh unto you, but have you entered into that Kingdom? Our opportunities are great and precious, but the better the opportunities the worse the waste. The prodigal was ruined by the portion of goods falling to him. God's gift of time is sufficient; there is plenty of time for work, but not an hour for waste.

V. "Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening." YES, MAN. "More than men," says John Pulsford, "you cannot be; and if you are less, your own nature will never forgive you." And forget not that the greatest thing we shall ever see in earth or heaven is a man — "a Man upon the Throne." "Until the evening," for after all no man is given to see his work through. Until the evening bell call the worker home. Soon, and sudden as a tropical night, may the shades of the evening fall. Then, I would rather be found working than resting.

(Hugh M'Gahie.)

---

---

KJV: Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

WEB: Man goes forth to his work, to his labor until the evening.