---

The text is a quotation from a psalm (Psalm 34:12). The quotation in the original is slightly varied in the old Greek translation, and by St. Peter. One is tempted to wish that the R.V., instead of adopting "he that would love life," had just added a few letters to the Authorised translation. We should then read, "he that willeth to love life," that is, "he whose deliberate will it is to love life; he who sets himself to love a life, which is true life." Let us, then, address ourselves to the question now so often asked, "Is life worth living?"

I. WHAT IS MEANT BY LIFE? There are two words in the New Testament which, from the necessities of our language, are alike rendered "life." One of these words, βίος, signifies the principle of animal life, the things by which that life is preserved or gladdened, and the span of time through which it is continued. The other word belongs to a higher sphere, ζωή. It is the new life; which may be stunted or strengthened, as grace is used or abused; and which, after the resurrection, is to be clothed upon with a fitting framework. The question, then, for us as Christians really is, not whether life, in the New Testament sense of the word, ζωή, is worth living, but whether existence, βίος under mere animal or external conditions, is worth living? The last, no doubt, is an intricate question, and much may be said in favour of a reply in the negative. We may be reminded of the transitoriness of human existence. The vanity of our expectations may be appealed to, the compression of the successive objects of hope in the iron grasp of the coarse hand of necessity. The loss of those we love is a condition of advancing years. And this is accompanied by the protracted humiliation of the breaking up of the machine, by the sure martyrdom of gout, or of some other bodily torture. With this comes weariness of life. Much, very much, may of course be justly urged in mitigation of this pessimism. "Life rightly used," exclaimed a great statesman, "has happiness for each of its ages." The sweetnesses of domestic love; the pleasures of human society and friendship; the overplus of health over sickness and pain; activities, expectations, little surprises that come to the weariest lot; the air, the sky, the sunshine; — these, and a thousand like things, are woven into a contexture of no funereal tint. "We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life."

II. BUT ABOUT THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, IS EXISTENCE ELEVATED INTO LIFE WORTH LIVING? WE AS CHRISTIANS CAN MAKE NO DOUBT.

1. Present acceptance makes life worth living. "A tranquil God tranquillises all things, and to see His peacefulness is to be at peace."

2. There are times of exquisite pleasure in communion with God. These compensate for the languor of old age and for the slow "martyrdom of life."

3. Nor must we forget the pleasure which there is in work for God. The study of Scripture is a perpetual delight for those who pursue it. The Church's sacramental life is full of joy. The teaching of the young, the ministry to the sick, the gathering in of the fallen, the adornment, the quickening, the elevation of service and worship, have pleasures of their own which give animation and variety to life. But what is to be said of one form of sorrow inseparable from true religion — the sorrow of repentance? "That kind of sorrow is its own consolation"; "He has given a new kind of tears upon earth, which make those happy who shed them." "Oh that we could understand that the mystery of grace gives blessedness with tears!"

4. That life is worth living is, above all, proved by the view which Jesus took of it. Does He not say of Himself, "My delights were with the sons of men"? He is in some measure (if we may reverently say it) like a great artist, when, after the preparatory toil and thought, his idea stands out before him in its definite unity and beauty, and he cannot rest for joy until it smiles before him in marble, or is fixed in the music of deathless lines. No doubt human life is tragic and pathetic, yet there is a magic smile on the face of the drama after all.

(Bp. Alexander.)

---

---

KJV: For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

WEB: For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.