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The sentiment to which the psalmist was led to give utterance is weighty, and deserves to be pondered. A clean conscience and a lively enjoyment of religion are necessary to extensive usefulness and influence in the cause of God, and in winning souls to Him. This will appear from three reasons, embracing the elements on which a successful result depends — Experience, confidence and joy.

I. ONLY AN EXPERIMENTAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH RELIGION CAN QUALIFY ANY ONE TO SPEAK OF IT TO EDIFICATION.

1. A blind man has been known to lecture on colours; but a blind man could not teach the art of painting. In like manner, religion is not a mere theory, but a practice also. Its vitality and excellence consist in action. It is a life and a power. Hence the apostle speaks of the power of godliness, and distinguishes between the power and the form. Without the former, the latter is but an empty shell. It is no better than sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.

2. People have a wonderful instinct and sagacity in determining who is likely to benefit them. As the Babylonians brought their sick to the market-place, and asked such of the passers-by as had had the same disease to tell the remedy that cured them, so the conscience-stricken will turn away from the learned and profound preacher, who is deficient in a wide experience, to hang with breathless eagerness upon the lips of him who can say, "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul." Men want those that have suffered and sorrowed like themselves to show the way of relief for their burdened hearts.

II. WITHOUT CONFIDENCE WE CANNOT UNDERTAKE TO GUIDE OTHERS. A guide must have the confidence of those who follow him; and, in order to command it, he must have confidence in himself. But how can a man have satisfaction in his own mind, and confidence in his own judgment, when he is disturbed by doubts and fears? Fear is the natural concomitant of a guilty conscience. Wretched, most wretched is the condition of the sinner labouring under poignant convictions. If his guilt has been detected and exposed to the world, the consciousness of that exposure, and the dread of scorn's slow-moving finger, weigh him down. And oven if he feels secure against detection, he knows that God is privy to it, and has "set all his sins before him, his secret sins in the light of His countenance." How cutting his self-upbraidings! how prompt his remorse! how bitter his loathing of himself! No position seems too humble for him to take, no penance too heavy to undergo. Can such a one, destitute of all satisfaction in his own soul; an utter stranger to the peace of God which passeth understanding; devoid of confidence in God, in himself, in the truth and efficacy of religion; can such a one invite sinners to Zion, or teach transgressors the ways of God? He may be a beacon to warn, but never a clarion to rouse to victory.

III. IN ORDER TO WIN SOULS TO GOD, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT WE HAVE A LIVELY ENJOYMENT OF RELIGION. "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit! Then," adds the psalmist, "then will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and," through my zeal and fidelity, "sinners shall he converted unto Thee." The connection between these two things, the condition and the result, could not be more plainly pointed out. Enthusiasm begets enthusiasm. He who would make others feel, must feel himself. He who would unlock the fount of tears, must be the first to weep. He that would enkindle and carry away his auditors, must have his own soul on fire.

IV. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

1. How desirable and precious the joy of salvation! Thrice happy the soul which holds communion with Jesus, which has the freedom of the city of God, and feeds on the heavenly manna!

2. If we find torpor and inactivity benumbing us in the service of God, it is not difficult to conjecture the cause. "Sin lieth at the door."

3. The way of return is equally obvious. Retrace your steps. Begin at the beginning. Relay the foundation.

4. We may infer that ordinarily a deep experience is necessary to great usefulness. Paul was such an instance. He was arrested in the midst of his persecution and rancour, and "obtained mercy, that in him first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering," etc.

5. We see the secret under God of revivals of religion. When religion is in a lively state in the heart, it is easy to talk about it. The heart is engaged.

(R. Davidson.)

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KJV: Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

WEB: Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.