Psalm 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse you me from secret faults. A small portion of light, it is said, only serves to render darkness more visible; so, when the light of truth begins to penetrate the mind, it shows that there is within us a dark abyss; and every additional ray discovers more of the intricate windings of the human heart. For there is not only dense darkness, but many false and deceitful appearances which turn out upon investigation very different from what they seemed to be. David felt this, and hence our text. I. INQUIRE WHY IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO KNOW OUR OWN FAULTS. We may know an act to be a sin, and yet not know all the moral evil that is in it. But — 1. One reason why we know so little of ourselves is, that so few reflect. 2. Another is, our thoughts are so fugitive. 3. Our feelings are so mixed as to their character. 4. Pride and self-love. 5. Our dislike of that which excites, as our sins do — painful feelings. Remorse is an intolerable pain. And so is the "looking for of judgment." 6. We judge ourselves by the flatteries of others; 7. And by the ordinary conduct of men. 8. Failure to apply to ourselves the true standard of rectitude. "I was alive without the law once." How, then, ought we to watch our hearts and continually seek the grace of God. II. THE IMPORT OF THIS PRAYER. It is for deliverance not only from known, but from hidden sins also. And there is a two-fold cleansing — 1. That of expiation. 2. That of sanctification. Not only do we need pardon, but the continual purification of our souls.Conclusion — 1. The best evidence of the existence of a holy nature is the sincere and prevailing desire of perfect holiness. A gracious state is not proved by the persuasion that we have attained it, but by the ardent, habitual desire after it. 3. When on account of sin the conscience is again burdened, we must turn again to the blood of Christ. 4. Remember many of our sins are hidden, but they lead on to presumptuous sins. (A. Alexander, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.WEB: Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. |
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