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In God's School · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Blessed are they that undefiled and straight are in the way,
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who in the Lord's most holy law do walk and do not stray.
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Blessed are they who to observe his statutes are inclined,
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and who to seek the living God with their whole heart and mind.
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Down to the end of the verse 6, Psalm 119, from the beginning of the psalm.
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Blessed are they that undefiled.
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Blessed are they that undefiled,
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but straight are in the way,
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who in the arms was holy law,
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do walk and do not stray.
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Blessed are they who to observe his statutes are inclined,
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and who to observe his statutes are inclined,
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but who to see the living God with their whole heart and mind.
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The endless ways to walk the way,
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to know the integrity,
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of us, by the Lord's most holy law,
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by the peace and fear for thee.
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of my stout,
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but my stout,
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just to your stand,
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the wounds,
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my wings,
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thy legs,
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and the light,
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then shall I know each day,
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when I
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thy peace and song be set.
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voy
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voy
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voy
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Bw Orthwydw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw voyw
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voy
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the peace o lord
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that we
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are partakers of
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this night here
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that is denied
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to so many across our world
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tonight
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because
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of the
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dis-peace
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that is experienced
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in the troubled
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and tormented parts of our world
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tonight
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and we
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oh lord our god bring these
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places before thee
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for there
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there is a voice that
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cries to thee from the very depths
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of human emotion
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and experience
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as we
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see
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the upheavals of
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natural disaster
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and conflict
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and we pray oh lord our god
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that they would hear the voice
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that cries out of the depths
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of experience in these places
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and that we would recognise
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the blessing that we have
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that is the peace
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that we enjoy here
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and how each year
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we remember those
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who paid the ultimate price
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many who left these shores
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never to return
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in the giving the ultimate sacrifice
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in the great world conflicts
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with which
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that peace
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was purchased
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and we give thanks unto thee
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oh lord for the greater peace
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that was purchased
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by one
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who in the great
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conflicts of
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Gethsemane and
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Gabbatha
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and Golgotha
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purchased the peace
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that passes
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our understanding
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through the finished work
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which he accomplished
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as he laid down
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his life
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for those
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whom he loved
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and we bless thee
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for that peace
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that peace of God
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and that peace
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with God
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and we bless thee
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sovereign father
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that
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we can never lose
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that peace of God
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though we have to recognise and acknowledge that through sin
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we bring a breach into the peace with God
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Sovereign Father we gather tonight to worship
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and we pray for the enabling to do so
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and for us individually and collectively to be granted
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the spirit of worship
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that our minds might be gathered and focused as one
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in this place
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and to hear what we shall read from thy word
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and what they were saying to us
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and that they would separate us from everything
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that would separate us from thyself
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For oh Lord
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so often when we come into the courts of thy house
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we experience conflict
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and the many affections that contend
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for the affection that we desire to be singular
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and set on the things that are above where Christ is
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Gracious God in thy presence tonight
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we would ask thee to
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draw near to each and every spirit that
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in thy presence this night
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is going through a time of testing and turmoil
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and trial
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and may be experiencing that loneliness that can be experienced
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when the testing and the trials of a nature that they feel
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unable to share with any
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and may even reduce them to being unable to articulate words
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that they can present before thee in prayer
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but we bless thee that thy word reminds us
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of a prayer that ascends into thy nearer presence
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that does not consist of words
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but rather of sighs and groans which cannot be uttered
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that remarkable language that is heard
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that is heard recognised and answered by thee
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and we pray thy nearness to any oh Lord
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with us here or joining us
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on the live stream
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that thou oh Lord would minister to
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all who may be passing through such times
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the strength that thou dost hold in reserve
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for thou dost appoint days in our earthly pilgrimage
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that we would never choose
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but we bless thee
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that thy word reminds us of the great promise
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that as thy day so thy strength shall be
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and that there is a strength that is held in reserve
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and that we may never experience
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until we are brought into the very depths
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from which we cry
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and receive that strength
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Sovereign Father we pray tonight
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for this congregation
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as in its spiritual history
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it finds itself at a time of vacancy
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and thou knowest oh Lord
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the concern we have for it
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as the vital place
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it plays in its strategic position
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of walk and witness
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within the confines of our presbytery
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and we commit it
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and commend it to thee
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remembering tonight
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the one whom
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is appointed over them
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as their inter-moderator
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Reverend Colin MacLeod
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with all the burdens
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he has of his own congregation
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and back
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and now the additional burdens
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of this congregation
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and we remember also thy servant
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in the assistantship of the congregation
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as he also experiences
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the burden of a vacant congregation
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as he performs the duties of interim moderator
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in the congregation of Shawbust
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and we remember the other vacant congregations
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and pray for the interim moderators
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for Reverend Ian Thompson
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as he takes on the burden
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of the congregation of South Hewist
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for Reverend Paul Murray
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as he takes on the burden
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of the congregation of Park
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for the Reverend Ewan Matheson
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as he takes on the burden
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of Barvis
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and Reverend Thomas Davis
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as he takes on the additional burden
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of Calanish
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These are days
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O Lord of concern
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and we pray
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that the concern
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would be laid upon us
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as a real burden
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so that we would
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be found
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as a praying people
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petitioning thee
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that it would please thee
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O Lord
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to prepare
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and provide
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and raise up
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those
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who called
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and equipped
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by thee
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would be enabled
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to
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fill these vacancies
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that we might
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see days
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again
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of gospel
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blessing
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and increase
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across the pulpits
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and parishes
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of our beloved island
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O Lord
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our God
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we ask
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that they would
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remember us
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and now
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sovereign father
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as we come
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to
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read thy truth
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we pray
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that they would
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be with us
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and clear our minds
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of every distraction
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that thy word
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might be lodged
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in our hearts
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in a way
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that
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long after
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we leave
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this place
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the power
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of thy spirit
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would open
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and apply
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the teaching
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of thy truth
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to our lives
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that we might
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walk in it
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that we might
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know its blessing
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and fullness
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we pray
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to
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remember
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all who
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have been
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bereaved
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in our town
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and across
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our island
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in recent days
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when the voice
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of death
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has spoken
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time and again
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almost day
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by day
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and we ask
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O Lord
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that
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thou would
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draw near
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to all
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tonight
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who experience
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the sorrow
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and sadness
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of separation
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and that
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into the brokenness
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of bereavement
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thou would
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minister
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the care
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and compassion
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and comfort
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that cometh
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from thyself
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in the way
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that thou are
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alone not able
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to access
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the inner spirit
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and lay
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these blessings
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there
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Father
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continue with us
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watch over us
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take away
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our every sin
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and love us
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freely
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for Christ's sake
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Amen
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we turn
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to read
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in God's word
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in the Old Testament
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in the book
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of Psalms
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and Psalm
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86
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the Old Testament
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the book
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of Psalms
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Psalm 86
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and we'll read
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the whole psalm
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incline your ear
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O Lord
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and answer me
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for I am poor
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and needy
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preserve my life
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for I am godly
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save your servant
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who trusts in you
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you are
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my God
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be gracious
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to me
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O Lord
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for to you
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do I cry
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all the day
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gladden the soul
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of your servant
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for to you
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O Lord
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do I lift up
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my soul
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for you
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O Lord
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are good
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and forgiving
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abounding
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in steadfast love
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to all
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who call upon you
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give ear
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O Lord
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to my prayer
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listen
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to my plea
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for grace
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in the day
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of my trouble
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I call upon you
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for you
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answer me
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there is none
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like you
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among the gods
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O Lord
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nor are there
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any works
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like yours
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all the nations
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who you have
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made
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shall come
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and worship
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before you
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O Lord
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and shall glorify
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your name
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for you are
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great
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and do wondrous
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things
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you alone
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are God
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teach me
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your way
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O Lord
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that I may
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walk
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in your truth
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unite my
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heart
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to fear
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your name
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I give
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thanks to you
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O Lord
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my God
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with my whole
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heart
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and I will
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glorify
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your name
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forever
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for great
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is your
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steadfast
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love
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towards me
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you have
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delivered my
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soul
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from the
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depths
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of Sheol
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O God
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insolent men
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have risen
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up against me
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a band
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of ruthless
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men
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seeks my
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life
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and they
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do not
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set you
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before them
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but you
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O Lord
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are a God
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merciful
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and gracious
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slow to
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anger
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and abounding
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in steadfast
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love
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and faithfulness
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turn to
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me
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and be
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gracious
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to me
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give your
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strength
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to your
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servant
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and save
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the son
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of your
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maidservant
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show me
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a sign
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of your
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favour
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that those
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who hate
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me
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may see
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and be
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put to
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shame
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because you
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Lord
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have helped
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me
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and comforted
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me
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and so on
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and may the
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Lord bless
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to us
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this passage
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of scripture
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and we'll
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sing now
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to God's
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praise
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from this
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psalm
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in the
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Scottish
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Psalter
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psalm 86
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on page
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341 if
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you're using
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the blue
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book
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psalm 86
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at verse
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6
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hear
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hear
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Lord
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my
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prayer
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and to
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the voice
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of my
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request
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attend
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in
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troublous
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times
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I'll
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call
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on
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thee
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for
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thou
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wilt
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answer
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send
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Lord
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there is
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none
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among
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the
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gods
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that
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may
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with
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thee
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compare
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and like
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the
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works
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which
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thou
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has
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done
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not
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any
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work
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is
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there
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down
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to
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the
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end
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of
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verse
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11
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psalm 86
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from
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verse
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6
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hear
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Lord
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my
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prayer
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unto
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the
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voice
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of
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my
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request
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attend
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dear
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Lord
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my
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prayer
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come
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to
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the
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voice
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of
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my
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request
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attend
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and
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draw
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on
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the
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sight
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I
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call
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on
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thee
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for
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love
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will
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answer
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send
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for
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this
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man
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the
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cross
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and
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may
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with
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people
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care
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and
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like
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the
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words
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which
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thou
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must
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tell
19:42
not
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any
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work
19:46
is
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there
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the
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ancients
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do
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the
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rich
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shall
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come
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and
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worship
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and
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be
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for
20:06
thy
20:08
and
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thy
20:09
name
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glorify
20:13
O
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Lord
20:14
thy name
20:16
glorify
20:19
glorify
20:21
!
20:22
thy
20:25
voy
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voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
20:42
voy
20:44
!
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Cymru.
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Cymru.
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Cymru.
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Cymru.
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Can we turn then this evening for a time to the passage of Scripture that we read, the Old Testament, Psalm 86?
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Psalm 86, I'm reading again the words of verse 11.
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Where we read these words,
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Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Unite my heart to fear your name.
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Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Unite my heart to fear your name.
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When the great reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Bible and he came to the book of Psalms,
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He recognised the unique nature of the book.
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And of it he said this.
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It is, he said, an anatomy of the soul.
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Because there is not an emotion which anyone can be conscious of that is not here represented as in a mirror.
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The Holy Spirit has here drawn all the griefs, sorrows, fears, doubts, hopes, cares, perplexities with which the minds of men are agitated.
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Quite a profound statement.
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And yet one I'm sure that we can all agree that we have experienced in a measure as we ourselves see the preciousness of the Psalms
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and how they relate and how they relate and how they are a source of comfort to us in experiences that we pass through.
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And for that reason, Calvin gave it that remarkable title, An Anatomy of the Soul.
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There are bookshops that have vast, vast amounts of titles on the anatomy of the body.
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But here we have the only book for their greatest need, that is the anatomy of the soul.
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And so looking at it with that as our backdrop, we come to this great psalm that we have here.
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And at the very outset you may notice something if the designation is given in your Bible,
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that not only is it a psalm, but it is also a prayer.
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A prayer of David.
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And it is a prayer where the psalmist is presenting petitions of poverty and praise.
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As we look at the psalm, we discern that, the petitions of poverty and praise.
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And that comes out very strongly in the boldness with which the psalm begins.
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The boldness of the opening petition.
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Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me.
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In many other places the psalms open with great declarations of reverence and respect.
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But here, because of the poverty that the psalmist is experiencing,
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it's as if he rushes into the presence of God and just pours himself out.
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In the metrical psalm, it perhaps comes across even more strongly where it says,
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bow down thine ear.
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It's such a bold petition for a petitioner to come before the living God and make that request.
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Because the Bible teaches us that before God, we are the clay.
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And he is the potter.
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And we have that in the Old Testament prophecies,
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where, for instance, in Isaiah, in chapter 64 and verse 8, we read these words,
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But now, O Lord, you are our father, we are the clay, and you are our potter.
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We are all the work of your hand.
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And in another place Isaiah says, does the clay say to whom who forms it, what are you making?
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And here we have this bold petition of the clay to the potter saying, bow down your ear to me.
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And most remarkably, elsewhere in the book of Psalms, we are told that the petition is answered.
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Words that we so often sing.
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Perhaps presenters here will understand what I say when it's one of the great weaknesses.
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I'm guilty of myself because being a presenter, you get so caught up with the concern about the tune and so on,
27:46
that you can almost at times miss the very words you're presenting.
27:51
And yet in Psalm 116, the psalmist tells us of what the effect of his petition being answered had upon him.
28:02
Because he says, I love the Lord because my voice and prayers heeded here.
28:11
And then he tells us the effect that that had on him.
28:15
I, while I live, will call on him who bowed to me his ear.
28:24
It's such a powerful image for us to reflect on God bowing his ear to hear a prayer from the very clay that we are.
28:44
And yet before us here, that is exactly what we have again.
28:51
The psalmist in his great need.
28:53
And in verses 1 to 7, as he comes then to present his petitions of poverty and praise,
29:05
from verses 1 to 7, he does that where time and again he highlights his conflict.
29:12
Over and over again, the petitions are there.
29:16
I am poor.
29:17
I am needy.
29:19
Be gracious to me.
29:21
I cry to you all the day.
29:23
Gladden the soul and so on and so on.
29:26
His conflict.
29:28
And then in verses 8 and 10, 8 to 10 rather, he presents to us as a backdrop to these, to his conflict,
29:44
the confidence he has in the character of God.
29:49
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
29:56
All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
30:03
For you are great and do wondrous things.
30:06
You alone are God.
30:12
These are wonderful words to read.
30:14
When we see the conflict and distress that the psalmist experiences, summed up for us in the very first verse where he says of himself,
30:25
I am poor and needy.
30:30
And into the poverty and into the need.
30:34
We then come to the remarkable petition that he presents in verse 11, which is going to be the focus of our thoughts for our time this evening.
30:47
Where he then presents a petition.
30:51
And he says, teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
30:58
Unite my heart to fear your name.
31:03
And the three points that present themselves specifically there.
31:10
Your way, your truth, and your name.
31:15
And so in this petition, in this verse he begins with these words, teach me.
31:24
Me.
31:25
And there is so much depth even in that two words.
31:34
That they would easily, easily accommodate a single sermon being preached on these two words because of the depth that they contain.
31:46
First of all, he identifies his need.
31:51
In the midst of the conflict and strife and the poverty that he's experiencing, he now comes to God.
31:58
And having assessed his need, he presents that need to God.
32:03
And he says, teach.
32:05
Teach.
32:07
And in these words, teach me.
32:08
Teach.
32:09
Teach.
32:10
He wants to be taught.
32:11
And it's himself that he wants to be taught.
32:14
And he is the needy.
32:19
Teach me.
32:20
And he is the needy.
32:21
Teach me.
32:22
Teach me.
32:23
Teach me.
32:25
Teach me.
32:30
And in these words, teach me, we have an evidence of the change that took place in the life of the psalmist when he was brought from death to life and from darkness to light.
32:49
What we call regeneration.
32:50
What we call regeneration.
32:52
Regeneration.
32:53
That mysterious work that is undertaken by God in the spirit of man.
33:02
That act of creation that takes place as the desire that the psalmist expresses here was infused into him.
33:16
That act of creation.
33:18
Because regeneration, being born again, coming to faith is an act of creation.
33:23
Because Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
33:32
And in light of that new creation, now the psalmist comes with a great mark of that creation, a great mark of regeneration, what we might call a great mark of grace, desire.
33:50
And his desire is for grace.
33:57
His desire is for grace.
34:02
Many people want a mark of grace.
34:07
Some of the Lord's people, from time to time in their earthly pilgrimage experience a lack of assurance, even although their conversion at one point may have been very, very powerful.
34:24
Yet along the way in the earthly pilgrimage, they can be brought to low places.
34:33
And in themselves, they look for a mark of grace.
34:37
And I think this is one of the greatest marks of grace.
34:43
The mark of desire.
34:46
Because as Isaiah reminds us, there was a day when we had no desire.
34:56
But regeneration infused desire.
35:00
Desire for grace.
35:03
And we see that here in the psalmist.
35:10
Verse 3, be gracious to me, O Lord.
35:14
Verse 6, give ear, O Lord, to my prayer.
35:17
Listen to my plea for grace.
35:20
Because the recipient of grace becomes a grace-dependent child.
35:30
And grace enrolls the child in the school of God.
35:38
Where we become grace-dependent children.
35:43
And the grace-dependent children.
35:46
And the grace-dependent children.
35:47
Exercise the desire they have to be in the means of grace.
35:52
Where grace was received and where grace is communicated.
35:57
Teach me, he cries.
36:00
And then he asks what he wants to be taught.
36:09
He says, teach me your way.
36:14
Because he knows that there is only two ways.
36:19
And for each and every one of us here tonight.
36:22
It is either your way.
36:25
Or we drop the Y.
36:28
And it becomes our way.
36:31
It's either his way or our way.
36:37
Teach me, he says.
36:39
Teach me, he says.
36:40
Your way.
36:41
And in saying that, he recognizes that it is God alone that is able to teach him.
36:52
Some of you here may be teachers.
36:56
Some of you may know the burden of teaching.
37:02
But the request that has been made here to be taught.
37:06
Is to be taught by the only one that can teach this lesson.
37:11
Because those of you who are teachers are teaching the head.
37:15
But the lesson that is being taught here needs to be taught and received in the heart.
37:24
For God alone has access to the heart.
37:27
For it is there that God infuses the capacity to learn.
37:36
And the capacity to be taught the lesson.
37:42
The capacity to learn.
37:45
And the capacity to be taught the lesson.
37:50
For those of you who are teachers, if there are any present.
37:54
And all of us know that in the field of education, there are what we call the three R's.
38:00
The three fundamental skills of education.
38:05
Reading, writing and arithmetic.
38:09
But in the lesson that we are taught in grace.
38:16
I want to suggest that there are four R's.
38:21
Because the first R is reading.
38:28
And the second one is retaining what we read.
38:33
And the third one is reflecting upon what we read.
38:37
And all of these are of no benefit to us.
38:43
Unless what we read and what we retain and what we reflect upon is that which regulates our lives.
38:53
And one Bible expositor makes this observation with great solemnity.
39:01
And he says this.
39:02
We may listen to the best preacher who ever lived.
39:07
But unless God shall apply the truth to our heart.
39:12
We will not receive it.
39:15
We need.
39:17
We need.
39:20
Here is a psalm where the psalmist is saying.
39:25
I am poor and needy.
39:27
We need the instruction and the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
39:32
In the upper room discourse, Christ said to the disciples about the Holy Spirit.
39:38
He shall teach you all things.
39:40
In the school of God.
39:44
We need the instruction and illumination of the Holy Spirit.
39:48
But unless we have his teaching, we cannot.
39:51
And we will not know the truth.
39:56
Therefore, he says, never neglect the means of grace.
40:02
And then he adds this with great solemnity.
40:07
But at the same time, never get into the condition that some are in.
40:12
who feel quite happy so long as they have been to a place of worship on the Lord's day.
40:19
And who return home just as if they had done all their duty for the day.
40:26
They are, he says, like men who go to the market.
40:31
But buy nothing.
40:33
Here in this school.
40:42
There are lessons that we must learn.
40:46
When the capacity to be taught.
40:49
And the capacity to receive and retain the lesson is infused by the work of the Holy Spirit.
40:58
And of that vast curriculum that there is in God's school.
41:05
I want tonight to focus on one particular aspect of the curriculum.
41:11
And that is the lessons that are taught concerning ourselves.
41:20
I spoke earlier about the four R's, the arithmetic.
41:24
In this school, there is spiritual arithmetic.
41:28
And here, in the lesson that has been taught to us,
41:34
we learn what one writer calls addition by subtraction.
41:46
In a Christian context, he says, addition by subtraction signifies that spiritual growth
41:55
and a closer relationship with God that can only be achieved.
42:02
Not by adding more things to one's life.
42:06
But by removing, by removing negative influences and practices.
42:19
And what a day we find ourselves in.
42:24
Of negative influences that can have such a profound influence upon us.
42:32
But even in the psalmist's day, negative influences had an effect on him.
42:40
And we'll come to that when he identifies the need for his heart to be united.
42:51
Learning addition by subtraction is one of the most difficult lessons that we are taught about ourselves in this school.
43:05
It's one thing to say, teach me your way.
43:08
It's another thing as we receive the lessons, to put our yea and amen to the outworking of providence in our lives
43:18
and say, not my way, Lord, but your way.
43:23
Because your ways are not my ways.
43:28
Let me illustrate this to you.
43:31
By bringing before you one who has a recipient of grace recorded for us.
43:39
The profound experience of being a recipient of grace.
43:49
Grace that he heard.
43:52
And today across the world.
43:55
In many diets of worship.
43:59
The words that he recorded will have been lifted up in praise.
44:04
Where multitudes today will have sung.
44:10
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
44:14
That saved a wretch like me.
44:19
I once was lost, but now I'm found.
44:23
Was blind, but now I see.
44:28
The effect of being a recipient of grace.
44:34
And what it had for John Newton.
44:39
And the depth of assurance that he received.
44:44
And the depth of inward illumination enabling him to write these remarkable words.
44:51
Amazing grace.
44:53
And yet, as I said a minute ago.
44:58
On the earthly pilgrimage.
45:01
As we go on.
45:03
In this school and we are taught.
45:09
The lesson of addition by subtraction can be painful.
45:13
It's almost hard to believe that a man like John Newton.
45:20
Who wrote such beautiful words.
45:24
Amazing grace.
45:25
Could further on in his earthly pilgrimage write this.
45:30
It is a point I long to know.
45:36
Of that.
45:37
Often it causes anxious thought.
45:40
Do I love the Lord or no?
45:45
Am I his?
45:47
Or am I not?
45:49
If I love, why am I thus?
45:54
Why this dull and lifeless frame?
45:57
Hardly sure can they be worse.
46:00
Who have never known his name.
46:03
Could my heart so hard remain?
46:07
Prayer a task and burden prove.
46:12
Every trifle give me pain.
46:15
If I knew a saviour's love.
46:18
When I turn my eyes within.
46:22
All is dark and vain and wild.
46:25
Filled with unbelief and sin.
46:28
Can I deem myself a child?
46:31
And so he goes on.
46:32
Being taught of God.
46:37
And I think if we had been contemporary with John Newton.
46:47
And we had heard him utter these remarkable words.
46:51
expressing an extreme lack of assurance.
46:58
From having been on the high mountain of assurance.
47:01
We would be desperate to ask the question.
47:05
What happened?
47:08
And remarkably John Newton recorded for us what happened.
47:13
Because elsewhere he wrote of what happened.
47:20
In the school of grace.
47:23
He prayed.
47:26
I asked the Lord that I might grow in faith and love and every grace.
47:32
Might more of his salvation know and seek.
47:36
More earnestly his face.
47:38
It was he who taught me thus to pray.
47:42
And he I trust has answered prayer.
47:45
But it has been in such a way.
47:50
As almost drove me.
47:53
To despair.
47:55
I'd hope that in some favoured hour at once.
48:00
He'd answer my request.
48:02
And by his love's constraining power.
48:06
Subdue my sin.
48:08
And give me rest.
48:10
And listen to this.
48:15
Instead of this.
48:18
He made me feel.
48:20
The hidden evils of my heart.
48:24
And let the angry powers of hell assault my soul.
48:29
In every part.
48:31
Yea more with his own hand.
48:35
He seemed intent to aggravate my woe.
48:39
Crossed all the faired signs I schemed.
48:42
Humbled my heart.
48:43
And laid me low.
48:47
The experience of addition by subtraction.
48:50
And it wrought out of the very soul of Newton.
49:00
A cry from the depths.
49:03
And he said.
49:04
Lord why is this?
49:06
I trembling cried.
49:08
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
49:11
And back came the answer.
49:15
It is in this way the Lord replied.
49:21
I answer prayer.
49:23
For grace and faith.
49:26
These inward trials I employ from self and pride.
49:31
To set thee free.
49:33
And break thy schemes of earthly joy.
49:35
That thou mayest find.
49:38
Thy all.
49:40
In me.
49:41
In me.
49:42
Truly.
49:43
Remarkable words.
49:44
From a remarkable man.
49:45
As he learned.
49:46
In the school of grace.
49:47
What he had to be taught.
49:48
In the school of grace.
49:49
What he had to be taught.
49:50
Because each and every one of us.
49:54
Must also be taught this lesson.
49:56
Teach me thy way.
49:57
That voy.
49:58
That voy.
49:59
That voy.
50:00
That voy.
50:01
That voy.
50:02
That voy.
50:03
That voy.
50:04
That voy.
50:06
That voy.
50:07
That voy.
50:08
That voy.
50:09
That voy.
50:10
That voy.
50:11
That voy.
50:13
thy way
50:14
our former minister
50:18
the reverend roddy john campbell
50:21
would often
50:21
address us on this and illustrate
50:26
the work of the refiner
50:28
those who
50:30
refine precious metal
50:32
requiring
50:34
great great skill and
50:36
deft of hand
50:38
where they would take the raw
50:40
gold as it came out of the earth
50:42
or silver whatever they were refining
50:44
and place it into the crucible
50:47
where ferocious
50:49
heat would be applied
50:51
to melt
50:52
the metal
50:53
and in the
50:57
melting of the metal
50:58
as the
51:01
heat was increased so the
51:02
impurities would be brought
51:05
to the surface
51:06
and then the refiner would come with this
51:08
refining pan
51:10
and skim the surface
51:12
and take away
51:16
only the
51:19
impurities
51:19
but leave
51:21
the precious metal
51:23
and in our lives
51:28
as we are taught
51:29
there are impurities
51:33
that need to be removed
51:34
in the school of grace
51:37
for every grace
51:39
dependent
51:39
child
51:40
we need to learn
51:47
what humility
51:48
is
51:48
that humility
51:51
that is
51:52
where we learn
51:55
the plague
51:57
of our heart
51:58
and having its
51:59
abominable
52:00
and innumerable
52:02
abominations
52:05
abominations
52:06
exposed
52:07
to our view
52:09
and to our understanding
52:10
we need to be taught
52:13
and have the
52:14
impurities of our lives
52:16
come out
52:17
through repentance
52:18
where we learn
52:19
feeling the heavy burden
52:21
of our
52:22
infidelity
52:24
to be made conscious
52:27
of that
52:28
we need to learn
52:30
love
52:30
learned
52:32
by our personal
52:34
sense of the
52:36
undeserved goodness
52:38
of God
52:38
to us
52:39
the vilest
52:40
of the vile
52:41
we need to be taught
52:45
what patience is
52:47
patience as the Puritans
52:50
would say
52:51
is only learned
52:52
in the furnace
52:54
of affliction
52:55
and the work
52:58
of the refiner
52:59
as he refined
53:00
the metal
53:01
and having
53:02
undertaken
53:03
the work of skimming
53:04
he would repeat
53:06
the whole process
53:07
as he discerned
53:10
the need
53:11
for the lessons
53:11
to be learned
53:13
and the impurities
53:14
to come out
53:15
and so the process
53:16
would be repeated
53:18
over and over
53:19
and over again
53:19
and the refiner
53:22
would know
53:23
when his work
53:25
was complete
53:26
when he would
53:28
look into the pot
53:29
and see nothing
53:30
but his own image
53:33
no impurities
53:36
and our earthly
53:40
pilgrimage
53:41
consists
53:42
of the removal
53:44
of the impurities
53:45
that are in us
53:47
as we learn
53:48
in the school
53:49
of God's grace
53:51
what it is
53:54
that we need
53:57
to be taught
53:57
and he goes on
54:03
and he says
54:04
teach me
54:05
your way
54:06
oh Lord
54:07
that I may
54:09
walk in
54:10
your truth
54:11
your truth
54:14
what we learned
54:18
as children
54:18
here
54:19
is the only
54:22
rule
54:23
to guide
54:25
us
54:25
and to direct
54:26
us
54:27
and how we
54:29
need to walk
54:30
in that
54:32
truth
54:32
the need
54:35
for us
54:35
to come back
54:36
and remind
54:36
ourselves
54:37
of the four
54:37
hours
54:38
the need
54:39
for us
54:40
to read
54:42
retain
54:42
receive
54:43
reflect
54:44
!
54:45
and live
54:46
lives
54:47
that are
54:47
regulated
54:48
by that
54:48
truth
54:49
and it's
54:51
the great
54:52
great charge
54:53
that Elijah
54:54
brought against
54:55
the children
54:55
of Israel
54:56
in the day
54:57
when on
54:58
Mount Carmel
54:59
he there
55:01
restored the
55:02
worship of
55:02
God
55:03
it having
55:04
been brought
55:06
to such
55:07
a low
55:08
almost as
55:11
in the
55:13
observing
55:13
of it
55:14
one would
55:14
easily
55:15
conclude
55:16
that it
55:16
could never
55:17
be restored
55:17
and revived
55:18
and refreshed
55:20
and yet
55:22
Elijah
55:22
there
55:23
challenges
55:26
the people
55:27
of God
55:28
and he
55:28
says to
55:29
them
55:29
how long
55:31
halt
55:31
ye
55:32
between
55:32
two
55:33
opinions
55:33
it comes
55:34
across
55:35
even stronger
55:36
in the
55:36
ESV
55:39
where it
55:39
says
55:40
how long
55:41
will you
55:42
go
55:42
halting
55:43
between
55:44
two
55:44
opinions
55:45
not
55:46
walking
55:47
but
55:48
halting
55:49
limping
55:50
how difficult
55:55
it is
55:56
to walk
55:56
when
55:57
you have
55:59
a limp
55:59
perhaps
56:01
through an
56:01
injury
56:02
you've
56:02
sustained
56:03
you know
56:04
what it
56:05
is
56:05
when
56:07
you're
56:07
trying
56:07
to
56:08
walk
56:08
and
56:09
the
56:09
difficulty
56:10
if
56:10
you've
56:10
got
56:10
a
56:11
distance
56:11
to
56:11
walk
56:12
because
56:13
of
56:13
a
56:14
limp
56:14
and
56:18
some
56:18
of you
56:19
here
56:19
may
56:19
recall
56:20
a great
56:20
sermon
56:21
that was
56:21
preached
56:21
here
56:22
by the
56:23
Reverend
56:23
Kenneth
56:24
Stewart
56:24
when he
56:25
in his
56:26
study
56:26
on the
56:27
book
56:27
and in
56:28
the life
56:29
of
56:29
Elijah
56:30
came
56:31
to this
56:31
passage
56:32
and the
56:35
challenge
56:35
that he
56:36
placed
56:36
before us
56:37
that
56:37
night
56:37
asking
56:38
where
56:39
we
56:39
were
56:40
whether
56:41
we're
56:42
halting
56:42
between
56:43
two
56:43
opinions
56:44
because
56:47
when we
56:47
are
56:47
he said
56:48
we have
56:50
one
56:50
foot in
56:51
the world
56:51
and one
56:53
foot in
56:53
the church
56:54
and the
56:59
world
56:59
doesn't
56:59
know
56:59
where
57:00
we
57:00
are
57:00
and the
57:02
church
57:03
doesn't
57:03
know
57:03
where
57:04
we
57:04
are
57:04
and
57:06
it's
57:06
the
57:07
necessity
57:07
for us
57:08
to
57:09
understand
57:10
what it
57:10
is that
57:10
the
57:11
psalmist
57:11
is
57:11
asking
57:12
here
57:13
I
57:15
need
57:15
to
57:15
walk
57:16
and I
57:17
need
57:17
to
57:18
walk
57:18
in
57:18
your
57:18
truth
57:19
and
57:20
in
57:21
the
57:21
psalm
57:21
that
57:21
we
57:22
sung
57:22
in
57:23
our
57:23
opening
57:23
praise
57:24
psalm
57:24
119
57:25
the
57:27
psalmist
57:27
goes
57:27
on
57:28
with
57:30
that
57:30
wonderful
57:30
petition
57:31
where
57:34
he
57:34
speaks
57:35
of
57:35
the
57:36
word
57:37
as
57:38
a
57:38
lamp
57:38
to
57:39
his
57:39
feet
57:39
and
57:39
a
57:40
light
57:40
to
57:40
his
57:41
path
57:41
and
57:44
everything
57:44
that
57:44
is
57:45
contained
57:45
in
57:45
that
57:46
petition
57:46
be
57:49
strange
57:50
if
57:50
this
57:51
time
57:51
tomorrow
57:51
night
57:52
you
57:52
were
57:52
outside
57:53
the
57:53
church
57:54
and
57:54
you
57:54
saw
57:54
somebody
57:55
walking
57:55
up
57:55
kenneth
57:56
street
57:56
with
57:57
a
57:57
torch
57:58
why
58:01
do
58:01
you
58:01
need
58:01
a
58:01
torch
58:02
when
58:03
it's
58:03
daylight
58:05
the
58:09
psalmist
58:09
is
58:09
discerning
58:10
the
58:10
darkness
58:10
of the
58:11
day
58:11
in which
58:12
he
58:12
was
58:12
found
58:12
and
58:13
the
58:13
necessity
58:14
to
58:14
walk
58:15
to
58:16
walk
58:16
with
58:18
the
58:18
truth
58:18
as a
58:19
lamp
58:20
to his
58:20
feet
58:21
and a
58:21
light
58:21
to his
58:21
path
58:22
and
58:23
what
58:23
about
58:23
ourselves
58:24
in
58:24
the
58:24
darkness
58:25
of
58:25
the
58:25
day
58:26
that
58:26
we
58:27
are
58:27
found
58:27
do
58:28
we
58:28
not
58:29
need
58:29
that
58:32
lamp
58:33
to
58:33
her
58:33
feet
58:33
that
58:34
light
58:34
to
58:34
her
58:34
path
58:35
that
58:36
we
58:36
might
58:36
walk
58:37
in
58:37
the
58:38
truth
58:38
not
58:39
halting
58:40
not
58:40
limping
58:41
but
58:41
walking
58:42
!
58:43
because
58:45
it's
58:45
the
58:46
great
58:46
outcome
58:47
that
58:47
the
58:47
psalmist
58:48
desires
58:48
in
58:49
his
58:49
petition
58:49
here
58:50
in
58:51
this
58:52
cry
58:52
of
58:52
poverty
58:53
in
58:54
this
58:54
cry
58:54
where
58:55
he
58:55
says
58:55
to
58:55
God
58:55
incline
58:56
your
58:56
ear
58:56
and
58:56
answer
58:57
me
58:57
for
58:57
I
58:57
am
58:57
poor
58:58
and
58:58
needy
58:58
and
58:59
this
58:59
is
59:00
my
59:00
need
59:00
teach
59:01
me
59:01
your
59:01
way
59:02
O
59:02
Lord
59:02
that
59:03
I
59:03
may
59:03
walk
59:04
in
59:04
your
59:04
truth
59:05
and
59:07
then
59:07
he
59:08
comes
59:08
to
59:10
pour
59:11
out
59:11
before
59:12
God
59:13
a
59:14
great
59:15
hindrance
59:15
that
59:16
he
59:16
is
59:16
conscious
59:17
of
59:17
the
59:18
need
59:19
for
59:21
God
59:22
to
59:23
unite
59:24
his
59:24
heart
59:24
what
59:28
about
59:28
your
59:28
own
59:28
heart
59:29
tonight
59:29
what
59:30
about
59:31
my
59:31
heart
59:31
am I
59:35
before
59:35
God
59:35
tonight
59:36
with
59:36
a
59:36
heart
59:37
that
59:37
is
59:37
united
59:37
are
59:39
you
59:40
before
59:40
God
59:40
tonight
59:41
with
59:41
a
59:41
heart
59:41
that
59:42
is
59:42
united
59:43
the
59:45
psalmist
59:45
here
59:46
wasn't
59:46
he
59:49
was
59:50
so
59:50
conscious
59:50
of
59:51
a
59:51
divided
59:51
heart
59:52
and
59:53
he
59:53
says
59:53
unite
59:54
my
59:54
heart
59:54
to
59:55
fear
59:55
your
59:55
name
59:56
and
59:58
it's
59:58
such
59:58
a
59:58
barrier
59:59
to
59:59
us
59:59
in
1:00:01
our
1:00:02
earthly
1:00:02
pilgrimage
1:00:03
when
1:00:05
the
1:00:05
heart
1:00:05
is
1:00:05
divided
1:00:06
it's
1:00:08
the
1:00:08
very
1:00:08
thing
1:00:09
that
1:00:09
brings
1:00:11
such
1:00:11
dis
1:00:12
peace
1:00:12
into
1:00:13
our
1:00:13
relationship
1:00:14
when
1:00:16
the
1:00:16
heart
1:00:16
becomes
1:00:17
divided
1:00:17
imagine
1:00:19
if you
1:00:19
will
1:00:20
for a
1:00:20
moment
1:00:20
a
1:00:21
teenage
1:00:21
boy
1:00:21
and
1:00:21
a
1:00:22
teenage
1:00:22
girl
1:00:22
and
1:00:22
they
1:00:23
begin
1:00:23
a
1:00:24
relationship
1:00:24
and
1:00:25
they
1:00:25
only
1:00:25
have
1:00:25
as
1:00:27
we've
1:00:27
all
1:00:27
seen
1:00:28
and
1:00:28
experienced
1:00:29
some
1:00:29
of
1:00:30
us
1:00:30
eyes
1:00:31
for
1:00:31
each
1:00:31
other
1:00:32
they
1:00:34
can't
1:00:34
bear
1:00:34
to
1:00:34
be
1:00:34
apart
1:00:35
and
1:00:35
when
1:00:35
they're
1:00:35
together
1:00:36
they
1:00:36
just
1:00:36
want
1:00:36
to
1:00:37
talk
1:00:37
about
1:00:37
each
1:00:37
other
1:00:38
that
1:00:40
depth
1:00:40
of
1:00:41
feeling
1:00:41
and
1:00:42
the
1:00:42
heart
1:00:43
being
1:00:43
united
1:00:43
and
1:00:47
yet
1:00:47
into
1:00:47
that
1:00:47
closeness
1:00:48
something
1:00:52
comes in
1:00:52
that
1:00:53
begins
1:00:53
to
1:00:53
contend
1:00:54
for the
1:00:54
affection
1:00:55
of
1:00:55
one
1:00:55
or
1:00:56
the
1:00:56
other
1:00:57
perhaps
1:01:00
the
1:01:00
boy
1:01:00
starts
1:01:01
to
1:01:01
play
1:01:01
football
1:01:02
and
1:01:02
begins
1:01:03
to
1:01:04
enjoy
1:01:05
his
1:01:05
football
1:01:06
and
1:01:06
spend
1:01:06
a lot
1:01:07
of
1:01:07
time
1:01:07
with
1:01:07
the
1:01:08
boys
1:01:08
who
1:01:08
are
1:01:08
playing
1:01:08
football
1:01:09
and
1:01:10
all
1:01:10
of a
1:01:11
sudden
1:01:11
whereas
1:01:12
time
1:01:12
was
1:01:13
fully
1:01:13
devoted
1:01:14
and
1:01:14
committed
1:01:14
to
1:01:14
the
1:01:15
relationship
1:01:15
now
1:01:16
it's
1:01:18
not
1:01:19
what
1:01:19
it
1:01:19
was
1:01:19
and
1:01:22
how
1:01:22
true
1:01:22
that
1:01:23
can
1:01:23
be
1:01:23
in
1:01:23
our
1:01:24
spiritual
1:01:24
relationship
1:01:25
where
1:01:27
the
1:01:27
heart
1:01:27
that
1:01:28
once
1:01:28
was
1:01:28
united
1:01:29
now
1:01:30
becomes
1:01:32
divided
1:01:33
is it
1:01:37
not the
1:01:37
great
1:01:37
charge
1:01:38
that
1:01:38
Christ
1:01:39
laid
1:01:39
before
1:01:40
the
1:01:40
church
1:01:40
in
1:01:40
Ephesus
1:01:41
when
1:01:44
he
1:01:44
said
1:01:44
to
1:01:45
them
1:01:45
after
1:01:47
having
1:01:47
listed
1:01:48
the
1:01:49
qualities
1:01:50
for
1:01:50
which
1:01:50
they
1:01:51
were
1:01:51
to
1:01:51
be
1:01:51
commended
1:01:52
and
1:01:53
he
1:01:53
did
1:01:53
that
1:01:54
and
1:01:56
they
1:01:56
were
1:01:56
not
1:01:56
few
1:01:57
and
1:01:58
they
1:01:58
were
1:01:58
commended
1:01:59
and
1:02:00
then
1:02:01
solemnly
1:02:01
this
1:02:02
has
1:02:02
to
1:02:02
cut
1:02:02
right
1:02:03
across
1:02:03
the
1:02:03
whole
1:02:04
thing
1:02:04
and
1:02:04
he
1:02:04
says
1:02:05
but
1:02:05
I
1:02:06
have
1:02:06
somewhat
1:02:06
against
1:02:07
thee
1:02:08
thou
1:02:09
has
1:02:10
left
1:02:11
thy
1:02:11
first
1:02:12
love
1:02:12
there's
1:02:16
a
1:02:16
breach
1:02:16
thou
1:02:20
has
1:02:20
left
1:02:21
thy
1:02:22
first
1:02:23
love
1:02:23
oh
1:02:29
how
1:02:29
we
1:02:29
remember
1:02:30
the
1:02:31
fervency
1:02:32
of
1:02:32
the
1:02:32
first
1:02:33
love
1:02:33
how
1:02:35
we
1:02:35
longed
1:02:36
to
1:02:40
be in
1:02:40
the
1:02:40
means
1:02:41
of
1:02:41
grace
1:02:42
with
1:02:44
the
1:02:44
singular
1:02:44
desire
1:02:45
that we
1:02:46
spoke
1:02:46
of
1:02:47
burning
1:02:48
in
1:02:48
the
1:02:49
heart
1:02:49
the
1:02:54
heart
1:02:54
so
1:02:54
sorrowful
1:02:55
when the
1:02:56
benediction
1:02:57
would be
1:02:57
pronounced
1:02:58
here on
1:02:59
the
1:02:59
sabbath
1:02:59
evening
1:03:00
thinking
1:03:01
of the
1:03:02
days
1:03:02
that lay
1:03:03
between
1:03:03
you
1:03:06
and
1:03:07
being here
1:03:08
again
1:03:09
in this
1:03:10
precious
1:03:11
place
1:03:12
to
1:03:13
receive
1:03:14
fresh
1:03:15
supplies
1:03:15
in the
1:03:16
means
1:03:16
of
1:03:16
grace
1:03:17
and
1:03:20
here
1:03:20
the
1:03:21
psalmist
1:03:21
comes
1:03:22
with
1:03:22
his
1:03:22
great
1:03:23
petition
1:03:23
teach
1:03:26
me
1:03:26
your
1:03:26
way
1:03:26
oh
1:03:27
lord
1:03:27
that
1:03:28
I
1:03:28
may
1:03:29
walk
1:03:29
in
1:03:29
your
1:03:29
truth
1:03:30
unite
1:03:31
my
1:03:32
heart
1:03:32
because
1:03:32
it
1:03:33
is
1:03:33
only
1:03:33
with
1:03:33
a
1:03:33
united
1:03:34
heart
1:03:34
that
1:03:35
I
1:03:35
can
1:03:36
fulfill
1:03:36
the
1:03:37
depth
1:03:37
of
1:03:37
my
1:03:37
desire
1:03:38
which
1:03:38
is
1:03:38
to
1:03:38
fear
1:03:39
your
1:03:39
name
1:03:39
and
1:03:40
it
1:03:41
brings
1:03:41
before
1:03:41
us
1:03:42
the
1:03:42
solemnity
1:03:43
of
1:03:43
the
1:03:43
duty
1:03:43
that
1:03:43
we
1:03:44
are
1:03:44
to
1:03:44
engage
1:03:44
in
1:03:45
continually
1:03:45
that
1:03:46
of
1:03:47
keeping
1:03:47
the
1:03:47
heart
1:03:48
the
1:03:50
great
1:03:51
Puritan
1:03:51
John
1:03:52
Flavel
1:03:52
and
1:03:54
if
1:03:54
you've
1:03:54
never
1:03:55
read
1:03:55
it
1:03:55
I
1:03:55
commend
1:03:56
it
1:03:56
to
1:03:56
you
1:03:56
because
1:03:57
I
1:03:57
think
1:03:58
it's
1:03:58
a
1:03:58
book
1:03:58
that's
1:03:58
foundational
1:03:59
for
1:04:00
each
1:04:00
and
1:04:00
every
1:04:00
one
1:04:00
of
1:04:00
us
1:04:01
to
1:04:01
read
1:04:01
as
1:04:02
it
1:04:02
contains
1:04:02
the
1:04:04
very
1:04:04
foundation
1:04:05
of
1:04:05
our
1:04:06
Christian
1:04:06
walk
1:04:07
and
1:04:07
witness
1:04:07
His
1:04:08
book
1:04:08
called
1:04:08
keeping
1:04:09
the
1:04:09
heart
1:04:10
based
1:04:11
on
1:04:11
the
1:04:11
text
1:04:11
from
1:04:12
the
1:04:12
book
1:04:12
of
1:04:12
Proverbs
1:04:13
in
1:04:13
the
1:04:13
Old
1:04:13
Testament
1:04:14
chapter
1:04:15
4
1:04:15
and
1:04:16
verse
1:04:16
23
1:04:16
where
1:04:17
we
1:04:17
read
1:04:17
these
1:04:17
words
1:04:18
keep
1:04:18
thy
1:04:19
heart
1:04:19
with
1:04:19
all
1:04:19
diligence
1:04:20
for
1:04:20
out
1:04:20
of
1:04:20
it
1:04:21
are
1:04:22
the
1:04:22
issues
1:04:23
of
1:04:23
life
1:04:23
keep
1:04:26
the
1:04:26
heart
1:04:26
with
1:04:27
all
1:04:27
diligence
1:04:28
for
1:04:29
out
1:04:29
of
1:04:29
it
1:04:29
are
1:04:30
the
1:04:30
issues
1:04:30
of
1:04:30
life
1:04:31
the
1:04:33
psalmist
1:04:33
hadn't
1:04:34
been
1:04:34
keeping
1:04:34
his
1:04:34
heart
1:04:35
his
1:04:35
heart
1:04:35
had
1:04:36
become
1:04:36
divided
1:04:37
and
1:04:38
Flavel
1:04:39
speaks
1:04:40
about
1:04:40
that
1:04:40
in
1:04:40
the
1:04:41
book
1:04:41
in it
1:04:43
he
1:04:43
says
1:04:43
the
1:04:44
greatest
1:04:44
difficulty
1:04:45
in
1:04:46
conversion
1:04:46
is
1:04:48
to
1:04:48
win
1:04:49
the
1:04:49
heart
1:04:50
to
1:04:51
God
1:04:52
how
1:04:57
obvious
1:04:57
is that
1:04:58
to
1:04:58
each
1:04:58
and
1:04:58
every
1:04:58
one
1:04:59
of
1:04:59
us
1:04:59
tonight
1:04:59
in
1:05:01
the
1:05:01
day
1:05:01
that
1:05:01
we
1:05:01
find
1:05:02
ourselves
1:05:03
possibly
1:05:06
in
1:05:06
one
1:05:06
level
1:05:06
a
1:05:07
day
1:05:07
of
1:05:07
greater
1:05:08
outreach
1:05:09
and
1:05:09
evangelism
1:05:10
than
1:05:10
any
1:05:10
of
1:05:10
us
1:05:10
have
1:05:10
ever
1:05:11
seen
1:05:11
the
1:05:15
fact
1:05:16
that
1:05:16
wherever
1:05:17
the
1:05:18
furthest
1:05:18
point
1:05:19
in
1:05:19
the
1:05:19
world
1:05:19
tonight
1:05:20
is
1:05:20
from
1:05:21
Kenneth
1:05:21
Street
1:05:21
somebody
1:05:24
there
1:05:24
is
1:05:26
able
1:05:27
to
1:05:27
listen
1:05:27
to
1:05:28
this
1:05:28
the
1:05:30
vast
1:05:31
resource
1:05:32
that is
1:05:32
available
1:05:33
in the
1:05:33
world
1:05:33
that we
1:05:34
find
1:05:34
ourselves
1:05:34
tonight
1:05:35
the
1:05:38
Christian
1:05:38
literature
1:05:39
the
1:05:39
Christian
1:05:40
teaching
1:05:40
everything
1:05:41
that is
1:05:42
there
1:05:42
and how
1:05:44
little
1:05:45
do we
1:05:45
hear
1:05:46
in the
1:05:46
day
1:05:46
in which
1:05:47
we're
1:05:47
found
1:05:47
of the
1:05:51
work of
1:05:51
regeneration
1:05:52
and how
1:05:55
profound
1:05:56
does that
1:05:57
statement
1:05:57
of
1:05:57
Flavel
1:05:58
become
1:05:58
in
1:05:59
2025
1:06:00
the
1:06:01
greatest
1:06:01
difficulty
1:06:02
in
1:06:02
conversion
1:06:03
is to
1:06:03
win
1:06:04
the
1:06:04
heart
1:06:05
to
1:06:05
God
1:06:05
but
1:06:08
then he
1:06:08
comes
1:06:08
to
1:06:09
this
1:06:09
perhaps
1:06:13
the
1:06:13
most
1:06:13
solemn
1:06:14
statement
1:06:14
in the
1:06:15
whole
1:06:15
little
1:06:15
book
1:06:16
the
1:06:17
greatest
1:06:18
difficulty
1:06:19
after
1:06:19
conversion
1:06:20
is to
1:06:21
keep
1:06:22
the
1:06:22
heart
1:06:23
with
1:06:24
God
1:06:24
the
1:06:30
psalmist
1:06:31
knew what
1:06:31
that
1:06:31
meant
1:06:32
John
1:06:35
Newton
1:06:36
knew what
1:06:36
that
1:06:36
meant
1:06:37
I
1:06:39
know
1:06:39
what
1:06:40
that
1:06:40
means
1:06:40
and
1:06:45
every
1:06:45
recipient
1:06:45
of saving
1:06:46
grace
1:06:47
in here
1:06:47
tonight
1:06:47
knows
1:06:48
what
1:06:48
that
1:06:48
means
1:06:49
the
1:06:52
greatest
1:06:53
difficulty
1:06:53
after
1:06:54
conversion
1:06:54
is to
1:06:56
keep
1:06:56
the
1:06:56
heart
1:06:56
with
1:06:56
God
1:06:57
and
1:06:59
it
1:06:59
becomes
1:06:59
each
1:07:00
and
1:07:00
every
1:07:00
one
1:07:00
of
1:07:01
us
1:07:01
to
1:07:02
take
1:07:02
this
1:07:03
petition
1:07:03
away
1:07:04
to
1:07:06
retain
1:07:07
it
1:07:07
to
1:07:07
reflect
1:07:08
it
1:07:08
and
1:07:09
seek
1:07:09
that
1:07:10
in
1:07:10
the
1:07:10
outworking
1:07:10
of
1:07:11
our
1:07:11
lives
1:07:11
we
1:07:13
would
1:07:13
engage
1:07:14
with
1:07:14
the
1:07:14
spirit
1:07:14
the
1:07:15
desire
1:07:15
of
1:07:16
the
1:07:16
psalmist
1:07:16
and
1:07:18
each
1:07:19
day
1:07:19
as
1:07:20
we
1:07:20
step
1:07:21
out
1:07:21
into
1:07:21
the
1:07:21
day
1:07:22
that
1:07:23
we
1:07:23
would
1:07:23
do
1:07:23
so
1:07:24
as
1:07:25
grace
1:07:25
dependent
1:07:26
children
1:07:26
recognizing
1:07:27
our
1:07:28
need
1:07:29
of
1:07:29
dependence
1:07:30
upon
1:07:30
God
1:07:31
because
1:07:32
be
1:07:32
assured
1:07:33
of
1:07:33
this
1:07:33
each
1:07:36
and
1:07:36
every
1:07:36
one
1:07:37
of
1:07:37
us
1:07:37
will
1:07:37
step
1:07:37
out
1:07:38
into
1:07:38
tomorrow
1:08:09
of
1:08:10
a
1:08:10
prayer
1:08:11
that
1:08:11
was
1:08:11
offered
1:08:11
up
1:08:12
by
1:08:12
a
1:08:12
revered
1:08:13
name
1:08:13
in
1:08:13
this
1:08:13
congregation
1:08:14
an
1:08:14
elder
1:08:15
by
1:08:17
the
1:08:17
name
1:08:17
of
1:08:17
Murdo
1:08:17
Maccinnon
1:08:18
called up
1:08:19
in prayer
1:08:19
one night
1:08:20
and he
1:08:20
began
1:08:21
his
1:08:21
prayer
1:08:21
by
1:08:21
saying
1:08:22
Lord
1:08:23
I
1:08:24
am
1:08:24
nothing
1:08:24
and
1:08:26
nothing
1:08:27
is
1:08:28
nothing
1:08:29
do
1:08:32
we
1:08:32
step
1:08:32
out
1:08:32
tomorrow
1:08:33
in
1:08:34
that
1:08:34
way
1:08:35
or
1:08:36
do
1:08:36
we
1:08:37
step
1:08:37
out
1:08:37
the
1:08:37
other
1:08:37
way
1:08:38
and
1:08:38
just
1:08:38
say
1:08:39
without
1:08:39
thee
1:08:39
I
1:08:39
can
1:08:39
do
1:08:40
anything
1:08:40
and
1:08:41
there
1:08:42
is
1:08:42
no
1:08:42
prayer
1:08:42
and
1:08:44
how
1:08:44
it
1:08:45
becomes
1:08:45
us
1:08:45
to
1:08:46
embed
1:08:46
this
1:08:46
petition
1:08:47
into
1:08:48
our
1:08:48
daily
1:08:49
walk
1:08:49
and
1:08:50
witness
1:08:50
for
1:08:50
God
1:08:51
and
1:08:51
say
1:08:51
teach
1:08:53
me
1:08:53
thy
1:08:54
way
1:08:54
and
1:08:54
in
1:08:55
thy
1:08:55
truth
1:08:55
O
1:08:56
Lord
1:08:56
then
1:08:56
walk
1:08:57
will
1:08:57
I
1:08:57
unite
1:08:58
my
1:08:59
heart
1:08:59
that
1:08:59
I
1:09:00
thy
1:09:00
name
1:09:00
may
1:09:01
fear
1:09:01
continually
1:09:02
the
1:09:08
psalmist
1:09:08
finally
1:09:10
leaves us
1:09:11
a beautiful
1:09:12
petition
1:09:13
further on
1:09:14
in
1:09:14
psalm
1:09:15
119
1:09:16
and
1:09:18
he
1:09:18
saw
1:09:18
the
1:09:18
value
1:09:19
of
1:09:19
the
1:09:19
word
1:09:20
and
1:09:22
this
1:09:22
is
1:09:22
what
1:09:22
he
1:09:22
said
1:09:23
thy
1:09:24
word
1:09:25
I
1:09:26
have
1:09:27
hid
1:09:27
in
1:09:27
my
1:09:27
heart
1:09:28
that
1:09:28
I
1:09:28
offend
1:09:29
not
1:09:29
thee
1:09:30
Spurgeon
1:09:32
said
1:09:33
of
1:09:33
that
1:09:33
the
1:09:34
best
1:09:34
thing
1:09:35
the
1:09:36
word
1:09:36
in
1:09:37
the
1:09:37
best
1:09:38
place
1:09:38
the
1:09:39
heart
1:09:40
with
1:09:41
the
1:09:41
best
1:09:42
purpose
1:09:42
that
1:09:44
I
1:09:44
offend
1:09:44
not
1:09:45
thee
1:09:46
a
1:09:49
life
1:09:50
that
1:09:50
is
1:09:50
led
1:09:51
and
1:09:52
a
1:09:52
life
1:09:52
that
1:09:52
is
1:09:52
lived
1:09:53
in
1:09:53
this
1:09:53
way
1:09:54
becomes
1:09:55
a
1:09:55
very
1:09:55
distinct
1:09:56
life
1:09:57
and a
1:09:59
very
1:09:59
powerful
1:10:00
and
1:10:00
prominent
1:10:01
witness
1:10:02
when we
1:10:04
enter into
1:10:05
the fullness
1:10:06
of this
1:10:06
teach me
1:10:07
your way
1:10:07
oh lord
1:10:08
that I
1:10:09
may walk
1:10:09
in your
1:10:10
truth
1:10:10
unite my
1:10:12
heart to
1:10:12
fear
1:10:13
your name
1:10:13
I
1:10:17
close with
1:10:18
a thought
1:10:18
from one
1:10:18
of the
1:10:19
Puritans
1:10:19
who said
1:10:20
that
1:10:21
lives
1:10:22
like this
1:10:23
become
1:10:23
very
1:10:24
very
1:10:24
distinct
1:10:25
lives
1:10:27
that so
1:10:28
many of
1:10:28
us know
1:10:29
as we
1:10:31
recall
1:10:32
a generation
1:10:33
who went
1:10:33
before us
1:10:34
distinct
1:10:35
in their
1:10:36
walk
1:10:36
and their
1:10:36
witness
1:10:37
and this
1:10:37
is what
1:10:38
the
1:10:38
Puritans
1:10:38
said
1:10:39
there is
1:10:41
a life
1:10:42
that
1:10:44
speaks
1:10:45
much
1:10:46
and
1:10:47
says
1:10:48
little
1:10:48
there is
1:10:52
a life
1:10:53
that speaks
1:10:53
much
1:10:54
and
1:10:55
says
1:10:56
little
1:10:56
and how
1:10:58
in the
1:10:58
darkness
1:10:59
of the
1:10:59
world
1:11:00
that we
1:11:00
live
1:11:00
today
1:11:01
is the
1:11:02
need
1:11:03
for that
1:11:03
profound
1:11:06
shining
1:11:07
of God's
1:11:09
grace
1:11:10
in lives
1:11:11
that will
1:11:14
speak
1:11:15
much
1:11:15
and say
1:11:16
little
1:11:16
and so
1:11:19
as we
1:11:20
close
1:11:20
it is
1:11:22
with a
1:11:22
prayer
1:11:22
that as
1:11:23
we leave
1:11:24
this place
1:11:24
tonight
1:11:25
we may
1:11:25
do so
1:11:26
with the
1:11:28
power of
1:11:29
God's
1:11:29
spirit
1:11:30
enabling us
1:11:33
to receive
1:11:33
the word
1:11:34
to retain
1:11:35
it
1:11:35
to reflect
1:11:35
it
1:11:36
and to
1:11:38
live lives
1:11:39
that are
1:11:40
regulated
1:11:40
by its
1:11:42
teaching
1:11:43
let's
1:11:44
bow our
1:11:45
heads
1:11:45
sovereign
1:11:49
father in
1:11:50
heaven we
1:11:50
do give
1:11:51
thanks unto
1:11:51
thee for
1:11:52
the voice
1:11:55
that is
1:11:55
thy truth
1:11:56
and its
1:11:56
teaching
1:11:57
and we
1:11:59
pray oh
1:11:59
lord our
1:12:00
god that
1:12:01
thou would
1:12:01
open our
1:12:01
hearts
1:12:02
and
1:12:03
infuse
1:12:04
the fullness
1:12:05
of it
1:12:06
into our
1:12:06
capacity
1:12:07
that we
1:12:09
would be
1:12:09
enabled to
1:12:10
learn
1:12:10
and that
1:12:12
we would
1:12:12
be enabled
1:12:13
to find
1:12:13
the fullness
1:12:14
of life
1:12:15
that is to
1:12:15
be found
1:12:16
reconciled to
1:12:17
thee in the
1:12:19
finished work
1:12:19
of christ
1:12:20
for this is
1:12:22
man's chief
1:12:23
end to
1:12:24
glorify thee
1:12:25
and to
1:12:26
enjoy thee
1:12:27
forever
1:12:27
and may we
1:12:30
know the
1:12:30
fullness of
1:12:31
that
1:12:31
in jesus
1:12:33
name we
1:12:34
ask
1:12:34
amen
1:12:35
we conclude
1:12:48
our worship
1:12:49
this evening
1:12:49
singing from
1:12:50
psalm 25
1:12:51
from the
1:12:52
scottish
1:12:52
psalter
1:12:53
on page
1:12:54
231
1:12:55
where the
1:13:10
psalmist with
1:13:10
these words
1:13:11
takes up
1:13:11
once more
1:13:12
the very
1:13:13
petitions that
1:13:14
we have been
1:13:14
reflecting upon
1:13:16
tonight
1:13:16
surely
1:13:18
a powerful
1:13:21
evidence of
1:13:22
to us
1:13:23
of his
1:13:24
need
1:13:24
show me
1:13:25
thy ways
1:13:26
oh lord
1:13:27
thy paths
1:13:29
so teach
1:13:29
thou me
1:13:30
and do
1:13:31
thou lead
1:13:31
me in
1:13:32
thy truth
1:13:32
therein
1:13:34
my teacher
1:13:35
be
1:13:35
psalm 25
1:13:37
verses 4
1:13:37
to 9
1:13:38
to god's
1:13:39
praise and
1:13:39
conclusion
1:13:40
show me
1:13:40
thy ways
1:13:41
oh lord
1:13:41
thy path
1:13:56
so teach
1:13:57
thou
1:13:58
be
1:14:00
unto
1:14:01
thy
1:14:03
voy
1:14:24
voy
1:14:26
!
1:14:24
voy
1:14:26
!
1:14:24
voy
1:14:26
!
1:14:24
voy
1:14:26
!
1:14:24
voy
1:14:26
!
1:14:33
Bwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwydwyd
1:15:03
Ychydig.
1:15:33
Ychydig.
1:16:03
Ychydig.
1:16:09
And I apologise first of all for the mismanagement of my time.
1:16:12
I'm sorry and for that reason I won't go to the door.
1:16:15
I've kept you long enough and we'll conclude with a word of prayer.
1:16:20
Sovereign Father in heaven, we do give thanks unto thee then for our time together
1:16:25
in the fellowship we have enjoyed in the courts of thy house.
1:16:30
And we pray, O Lord, that individually and collectively
1:16:36
we would know the blessing and the fullness of amazing grace.
1:16:43
So that as we are gathered here together as one and must part.
1:16:49
That amazing grace would gather us together once more, never to part.
1:16:54
But to enjoy the fullness of the eternal realm
1:17:00
reconciled to thee in Christ.
1:17:04
And the praise shall be thine forever in him.
1:17:06
Amen.
1:17:07
Amen.
1:17:07
έ έ έ
1:17:28
voyw voy voy
1:17:49
voy