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I. HE RECOLLECTS HIS PERSONAL DEVOTION.

1. The nature of his religious exercise. He "waited patiently for the Lord"; it was the habit of his soul.

(1)  Belief in the Divine existence.

(2)  Sense of dependency upon God.

(3)  An expectation of good from the Almighty.

2. The result of his religious exercise. "He inclined unto me and heard my cry. He came near to me." It is the prayer of the whole life that the Almighty hears and answers. It is not a spasmodic shriek, it is a settled, sacred state of being (Isaiah 57:15).

II. HE RECOLLECTS DIVINE INTERPOSITIONS. "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit." The spiritual state of truly good men.

1. It is a Divinely restored state. From what a wretched state has the sinner been delivered.

(1)  State of darkness — a pit. The sun that bathes the world in its brightness breaks not the dense gloom of the pit.

(2)  Misery — horrible pit — cold, black, dense, tumultuous.

(3)  Helplessness. "Miry clay" — ever sinking into mud of moral corruption, all the faculties of being submerged and held fast.

2. It is a Divinely established state. Hast "set my feet upon a rock."

(1)  His intellect is established in truth.

(2)  His heart is established in love.

(3)  His purpose is established in conduct.

3. It is a Divinely progressive state. "He has established my goings." Onward! is the watchword of the godly man. The point reached to-day is the starting-point for to-morrow.

4. It is a Divinely happy state. "He hath put a new song in my mouth." Godliness is happiness.

5. It is a Divinely influential state. "Many shall see it and fear."

(1)  Godliness is conspicuous. You cannot conceal the true light.

(2)  Godliness is reverenced. "And fear."

(3)  Godliness is blest. He who lives a godly life becomes unconsciously the influence of bringing others to God.

III. HE RECOLLECTS THE HAPPINESS OF RELIGION (ver. 4).

1. True religion is trusting in the Lord, not in man.

2. True religion, because of this, is ever connected with blessedness.

(1)  Reason shows this.

(2)  History shows this.

(3)  Consciousness shows this.

IV. HE RECOLLECTS GENERAL INTERVENTIONS OF MERCY. "Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works," etc.

1. They are wonderful. Wonderful in their variety, condescension, forbearing and compassionate love.

2. They are intelligent — not accidental, capricious or impulsive. They are the results and embodiment of thought. All God's works are thoughts in action.

3. They are innumerable. Can you count the sands on the sea-shore, or the drops that make up the ocean? Then you may sum up the mercies of God to you.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

WEB: I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.