IT would be well to commit to memory the whole of this Psalm, it is full of instruction, though the first verse is the one upon which I now desire to draw your attention.
I wonder which of us can say that we give such heed to our ways as never to sin with our tongues. It will be well for us to think in what manner these tongue-sins are the most common. Children, very little children, too, begin to sin with their tongues almost as soon as they learn to speak; and need to learn early the use of that bridle which David said he would put on his. We will try and make a list of some of the tongue sins, shall we? That shall be the first part of our conversation, and then we will see about the bridle some other time.
Well, there is the angry tongue. I have just now a scene before my mind, like which, I am afraid, you have seen many. It is a pleasant morning, and all seems cheerful and happy. The time of the singing of birds is come, and gardens are gay with spring flowers. A merry group of children just out of the schoolroom are playing on the soft grass, when one child, a little rougher and noisier than the rest, a strong healthy boy of ten, happens to strike his elder sister with a bat he is flourishing, as a sign to his brother to come out to play at trap-ball.
The blow is not so very hard, but the sister’s temper rises. She begins, “You naughty rude boy! you have hurt me dreadfully. I will tell mamma, and ask her to take your bat away;” and then she runs to him, and angry words beget angry actions, she tries to strike him in return, and he, catching the angry spirit, offers angry words, too, till a quarrel begins, and the spirits of the two children are both stirred up like the raging sea in a storm. The worst is, it does not end there. The blow with the bat was remembered all the day long, or at least, the quarrel to which it led was not forgotten. Though the children’s mother came and tried to reconcile the brother and sister, they had so lost control, that through the whole day they kept contradicting one another. So, forgetting the injunction, not to let the sun go down upon their wrath, the sun set upon two unreconciled and unhappy children.
And when they knelt down to evening prayer, there was something which hindered those prayers — a cloud between them and God — they could not pray to the God of peace, whilst they had thoughts such as these in their hearts; for if we regard iniquity in our hearts, God will not hear our prayers. Psalms 66:1818If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: (Psalm 66:18). They remembered, too, that the Saviour taught us first to be reconciled to one another, and then offer our gift. Matthew 5:23, 2423Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matthew 5:23‑24). All who love the name of Jesus must watch as well as pray, that they enter not into temptation, and remember Him who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. 1 Peter 2:2323Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:23).