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"Till I die." This thought pervades a large portion of this book. Sometimes as a welcome thought, "I would not live always." At others, as a thing which is inevitable. "When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return." To a Christian, death is a widely different thing from what it was to Job. Christ has abolished death. His disciples can say to death, "Where is thy sting?" Job resolves that his retrospect from his deathbed shall not reproach him with insincerity, unfaithfulness, falseness to his convictions.

I. ALL MEN WILL WISH TO DIE IN LOVE AND CHARITY WITH THEIR NEIGHBOURS.

1. When we are angry — perhaps vindictive — the reason is as much from the consideration of the future as out of resentment for the past.

2. Few men would speak words of anger — especially of resentful anger — if they thought they were last words.

3. It is a natural impulse, when bidding farewell to the world, to ask for pardon, and to grant it. All this is admirable and excellent. But —

II. IT IS EQUALLY DESIRABLE THAT MEN SHOULD BE TRUE AND JUST AND UPRIGHT IN BOTH LIFE AND DEATH.

1. Love without righteousness is no true love — does not really bless.

2. But difficulties in the way of strict fidelity.

(1) Seems to be inconsistent with love and kindness. An error, but a very natural one. Hence we keep back words which honesty to our convictions would bid us speak.

(2) Is an apparent assumption of superiority from which we shrink.

(3) Is a kind of challenge to others to scrutinise our own conduct. For these and other reasons men are often silent when they ought to speak; sometimes say smooth things when they ought to be stern.

3. No one can doubt, however, that a real friend is one who is perfectly sincere.

(1) In dealing with our faults, as well as(2) In acknowledging our good qualities.

III. AN IMPORTANT CAUTION.

(W. R. Clarke, M. A.)

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KJV: All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;

WEB: (For the length of my life is still in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils);