Psalm 51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom. I. AS OPPOSED TO IGNORANCE. It is the character of men in an unregenerated state, that they have the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them. The character, in point of understanding, of men in whom God takes pleasure, is no vague or doubtful matter. Seeing God hath given in the Gospel the fullest and most satisfactory information concerning Himself, and the character and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the one Mediator, they who have believed the word of the truth of the Gospel — "who have received with meekness" this "engrafted word" — have in one important respect the truth which God desires in the inward parts." There are different degrees, indeed, in which this change actually exists; but all are alike in kind; and they all differ in kind from other men, who are in darkness, and walk in darkness, and know not where they go, because that darkness hath blinded their eyes. II. AS OPPOSED TO INSINCERITY. The spirit of the people of God, in whom the Lord takes pleasure, is that spirit in which there is no guile. Sanctification of the spirit is associated in them with belief of the truth. Sincerity, arising from, and connected with, a spiritual understanding of the truth of the Gospel, forms the temper of their inward man. The truth with respect to God and the Lord Jesus Christ, that informs their minds, enters into their hearts. III. AS OPPOSED TO FALSE AND TEMPORARY AFFECTIONS OF MIND. That practical godliness includes the exercise of the affections of the mind is not to be disputed. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart" is the first and great commandment. There are lively emotions in every truly pious heart. Men who receive the truth of the Gospel "in the love of it," and who have their souls purified in obeying it, delight themselves in the Lord, and love one another with a pure heart, fervently. The principles of vital godliness are like "seed cast into good ground, that springeth up and beareth fruit"; there is first the blade; then the ear; and afterwards the full corn in the ear. (D. Dickson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.WEB: Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. |
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