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The two component parts of true religion are receiving and rendering. As to the first disciples, so to each one of us, according to the several providential gifts and spiritual graces bestowed upon each, the Master still says, "Freely ye have received, freely give." And I doubt not many a financial loss that has overtaken wealthy or well-to-do members of the Church has been visited upon them because while they "received" they failed to "render." The true record of the bankruptcy of many a Christian merchant might be written thus: — First, he failed to render to his God; then, and therefore, he failed to receive from God (for God could no longer give where no adequate return was made), and then, lastly and consequently, he failed to pay his fellows. But whether or not such retribution overtakes the unjust steward in this life, there can be no doubt that when the Lord returns He will require the balance-sheet to be presented — a balance-sheet in which the receiving and the rendering alike will he faithfully chronicled; and then the Lord "will render unto every man according to his work."

I. The psalmist refers to the great benefit of PERSONAL SALVATION (ver. 16). It is true that as you "were not redeemed with" such "corruptible things as silver and gold," so such things as silver and gold can never make adequate repayment to your Redeemer. He claims your love, your life; not yours, but you. And yet shall we refuse these "corruptible things" when by them we may bring honour to our Saviour and help to extend His kingdom?

II. The psalmist refers, again, to the great benefit of PIOUS PARENTAGE. "The son of Thine handmaid" — how great a blessing is acknowledged in those simple words! Through this small loophole we can see the inestimable advantages of a religious home. The psalmist makes no reference to his father, but his mother's pre-eminent piety stands before him still, and he recognizes it as one of his choicest blessings when he says, "I am Thy servant and the son of Thine handmaid." How many of us have to thank God for this priceless benefit — the benefit of a pious parentage and religious training!

III. The psalmist also refers — and, as it is the occasion of the psalm, refers at length — to the benefit of RESTORED HEALTH AND PROLONGED LIFE. Through pain and weakness he had been "brought low." Disease held him fast in its fierce grip, so that he "found trouble and sorrow." "The sorrows of death compassed him" — came crowding round him on every side, till there seemed to be no escape; and the "pains of hell" — the mysteries of the unseen world and the darkness of the grave — "got hold upon him." Then in his pain and misery he cried unto the Lord, and God heard his voice and his supplication. "Precious in the sight of the Lord was the death of His saint;" i.e. it was not lightly regarded by God that His servant should perish. He rebuked the destroyer, made "Death ungrasp his fainting prey." He "delivered his soul from death," his "eyes from tears," his "feet from falling." And now, with health restored and life prolonged, the psalmist cries, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me?" And he answers, "I will walk before God in the land of the living"; "I will pay my vows unto the Lord"; "I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving."

(J. H. Grooves.)

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KJV: What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

WEB: What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?