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This is not the prayer of an unconverted man, or the cry of an awakened sinner thinking to find salvation in good works; it is the prayer of one who is saved, and who knows it. Note each word of the text. "Order." David looking abroad saw order ruling everywhere; he would have his life in harmony with the universe. "My steps:" he is anxious as to details. He would have each single step ordered in holiness. "In Thy Word." Not by Thy Word, nor according to Thy Word. The sentence means that, but it means far more. blot by Thy Word, as though it were a law hanging up upon the columns in the market-place; but in, as though it were engraven in my heart and encompassed all my ways. "And let not any iniquity," etc. This expression is weaker than the first, pitched upon a lower key: as if he would say, "If, O Lord, my steps cannot be so ordered as that I shall be altogether without sin, yet let not any iniquity gain the mastery of my spirit. O, my Lord, suffer no iniquity to sit down on the throne of my heart and make me its serf and vassal." But now, keeping to the first sentence only, we note —

I. THAT A HOLY LIFE IS A MASTERPIECE OF ORDER. Holiness rejoices in symmetry, proportion, harmony, order. That —

1. Of conformity to rule. We have the rule given us in living characters in the incarnate Word. I fear me there are hundreds of Christians who do not scruple to do things without once pausing to use the plumb-line of Christ's example to see whether their actions are upright. But the truly Christian heart will ever seek to proceed according to the Divine mind.

2. That which is arithmetical. Things are never in order when the second is before the first, and order in life consists very much in seeking first the kingdom of God. Oh, it is well with the Christian when he has learned his notation table well, and gives the first thing the first place.

3. That which is geometrical. There should be progress in Christian life, and if the advance be by a constant multiple, how greatly will a man increase. He who did a little for Christ when but a babe in grace should do more as a young man, and most of all as a father.

4. The order proportional. All Christians should endeavour so to balance their lives that there shall not be an excess of one virtue and a deficiency in another. Courage some will have till they are rude. Modesty in otters will sink into cowardice. It is only in the life of Jesus that you see this order most of all: it shall perplex you to discover what virtues shine with purest radiance.

5. That of relation. We stand not alone; we are all the centres of circles, and innumerable lines intersect each other in the region of our hearts. Now, we should seek for right relationship with God and with all men and things: with the Church and our own families.

6. There is an order of period: the order of the celestial Almanack: duties done at due time. Holiness consists not in the rushing of intense resolve, which, like Kishen, sweeps everything before it, and then subsides, but in the constant flow of Silvah's still waters, which perpetually make glad the city of God. The tree that God commendeth bringeth forth its fruit in its season. It is the fault of numbers that their virtues are always too late.

7. The order of suitability. What would be right enough for one man is not so for another. What is suitable to She worldling is not She measure of the Christian's service. "What do ye more than others?" is a very pertinent question to all of us.

II. THE RULE OF THIS ORDER. "In Thy Word," not according to my wishes, which would be mere self-will. Nor according to profit of this world: nor according to the rule of pleasure: nor according to impressions, but "in Thy Word."

III. THE DIRECTOR whom David had chosen. God Himself. Much will depend upon the model that a man takes, and the captain under whom a man serves. A commanding officer, last week at Aldershot, was obeyed by his soldiers with that prompt discipline which is peculiar to the British soldier; but through some mistake he managed to dash together two parties of dragoons, so that one or two were injured and one man killed outright. When God orders us no harm can come then. David's prayer is for a loving heart, an illumined mind, guidance of the Spirit, to have the love of holiness; to be not tempted above what he is able — this prayer means all these things. Christians, seek holiness would you extend the Church's power; would you enjoy peace in your own souls. And you whose steps are not ordered in God's words — some of you are halting. Decide now. Others of you are hypocrites. How will you bear the judgment of God? Trust in Jesus now.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

WEB: Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me.