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There is a true dependence and a false dependence. The one is the fatalistic faith of the Arabs and those Easterns who have become stolid in character, and who denude death of its horrors, to some extent, by the idea of fate. But faith and fate are different things. There always runs through the Psalms the golden thread of the personality of God. True dependence is in a person, a living God, upon whom weariness can lean, and in whom weakness is made strong.

I. TRUE DEPENDENCE IS RESTFUL IN GOD. There are two beings hers — God and the soul. If I am to depend upon God, I must look within upon my own life and see whether I so live that I can fairly lean on the great Father and depend upon Him. It is here that the beautiful question of a child's relationship to the Father comes in. May a wicked man say, "I depend upon God; He will bring all things right"? Look at this matter fairly. Is our dependence such as ought to characterize one who seeks the help and favour of God? Are our objects His objects? Are our aims His aims? Is the life we are living only an edifice to worldly ambition, or is it a temple fitted for the skies? I am to wait for the Lord. But while I am waiting, what am I? Is it the dependence of a child, seeking to do God's will; looking thoughtfully around to know how the life may glorify Him? It is waiting that is so difficult. But in our hours of waiting, painful as I deem them to be, God comes very near to us. We pray more at such times. I think that these long trials make the hungry eyes look longingly over the sea to earth sight of the sails of the vessel in which God's angels are coming! I think the long night makes us hopeful for the dawn of the day. I think that whilst we wait, we learn more of that purifying consciousness of dependence that slays our pride, and feeds our humility. There is much that is disciplinary in this, "I wait for the Lord."

II. TRUE DEPENDENCE IS WATCHFUL. In this world, when we are dependent upon anything, we always get ready. If houses of business think there is to be a spring trade in something that appertains to artistic beauty or modes of dress, and men are dependent upon this for revival of trade, they watch for every sign of plenty. They can do nothing until the "wave" comes. But the "wave" would be no use to them if they had not stocked their warehouses. "My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning." You like to be watched for. You like the little children in the summer-time to say, "Father is coming." The fisherman likes to see his wife and daughter on that old pier watching for him. God likes us to watch for Him.

III. TRUE DEPENDENCE IS HOPEFUL. "In His Word do I hope;" for "God is not a man that He should lie, or the Son of man that He should repent." And in that Word the true believer does hope continually. It is not the testimony of the past only, it is the experience of the children of God to-day, that the promises — and they are greater in number than the stars — all the promises of God in Christ Jesus are yea and amen.

IV. TRUE DEPENDENCE IS COMPLETE. "He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities." I like to follow that thought out, and to feel that quiet dependence upon God is personal in regard to one's own life of sin and transgression. I like to follow it out in regard to one's family life, and to feel how God will work if we only trust Him.

(W. M. Statham.)

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KJV: I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

WEB: I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word.