Psalm 42:1-11 As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God.… The higher the gracious affections are raised, observes Edwards, the more is a spiritual appetite after spiritual attainments increased; but the false affections rest satisfied in themselves. I. MARKS OF THE TRUE AFFECTION. 1. The more a true Christian loves God, the more he desires to love Him. 2. The greatest eminency has no tendency to satiety. 3. Spiritual enjoyments are soul-satisfying. II. MARKS OF THE FALSE AFFECTIONS. 1. As the false affections arise, the desire for more grace is abated. 2. As soon as the soul is convinced that its title to heaven is sure, all its desires are satisfied. III. IF HYPOCRITES PROFESS TO HAVE THE TRUE AFFECTIONS, ALL THEIR DESIRES ARE FOR BY-ENDS. 1. They long after clearer discoveries, but it is that they may be the better satisfied with themselves. 2. Or their longings are forced, because they think they must have them. IV. GOOD SIGNS OF GRACE. 1. A longing after a more holy heart. 2. A longing after a more holy life. (Lewis O. Thompson.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.} As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.WEB: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. |
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