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: — Note the psalmist's —

I. INTREPIDITY. Here is a man determined to explore all the recesses of his own heart. Did Bonaparte, did Nelson, did Wellington ever propose to do this? Were all the renowned heroes of antiquity present I would ask them all if they ever had courage to enter into their own hearts. If you stood upon some eminence and saw all the ravenous and venomous creatures that ever lived collected before you, it would not require such courage to combat them as to combat with your own heart. Every sin is a devil.

II. INTEGRITY. He wished to know all his sins, that he might be delivered from them.

III. WISDOM.

1. He prefers his prayer to God Himself. God is the only Being in the universe that knows Himself — that peruses Himself in His own light. In the same light He sees all other beings; and hence it follows that, if other beings see themselves truly, it must be in the light of God.

2. He begins with his principles: his desire is to have these tried by a competent Judge, and to have everything that is evil removed from them. This is an evidence of his wisdom. The heart and its thoughts must be made right before the actions of the life can be right.

IV. EARNEST DESIRE. "Lead me in the way everlasting."

1. The way Thou hast marked out for salvation.

2. The way of Thy law, in all the purity and spirituality of its requirements.

(W. Howels.)

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KJV: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

WEB: Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.