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This text is the language of feeling. But thought and feeling should not be placed in opposition to each other. They are mutually dependent. Thought without feeling would be powerless; feeling without thought would be wild, turbulent, and reckless.

I. SPIRITUAL WORTH. The two words "godly" and "faithful" express this. They correspond with other Bible words, such as "devout" and "just." They cover the two branches of human holiness, piety and morality. In what does spiritual worth consist? Every man sustains two fundamental relations: the one connecting him with God, the other with society. The individual man lives in the social. In the spiritual constitution of man there are two controlling tendencies corresponding to these relationships. These tendencies are designated the religious and social affections. The religious element is the soul of man's soul; its perversion has been his degradation, and its right development is essential to his true elevation. The very constitution of the soul is theistic, the being of a God is implied in its structure, laws, and operations. The right state of these controlling tendencies constitutes spiritual worth. The right state of both is a state of love. Social morality springs out of piety. This worth enriches a man. It is valuable for its own sake. It is absolute worth. How is man to come into possession of it? This is the problem of life. All spiritual power we trace to the gospel. We would not depreciate other influences of spiritual culture.

II. SPIRITUAL WORTH DEPARTED. Various ways in which spiritual worth departs from a community. Change of locality. Change of character. Change of worlds. What principles will regulate the circumstances of death in the case of individuals?

1. That death would be always peaceful in proportion to a man's goodness.

2. That death would be postponed in proportion to a man's usefulness. Actual experience controverts both these anticipations. THE DEPARTURE OF SPIRITUAL WORTH LAMENTED

III. It is the language of lamentation, "Help, Lord."

1. Their departure is a great loss. Has death terminated their existence?

2. It is a loss to society.

3. The loss requires the interposition of God. The separation is material, not spiritual accidental, not essential. The mental bond is closer through the dissolution of the bodily.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.} Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

WEB: Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.