THE SOUL’S UPLOOK AND ONLOOK

Note the two divisions of this psalm, with the break at verse 5. Also note that each has two sub-divisions, the breaks being at verses 2 and 7. In each division, the psalmist has an uplook and an onlook.

In the first section, he has an uplook of Supplication, vv. 1, 2. His hands and eyes are lifted up in prayer, which is directed to his Rock and the holy oracle, the place whence God speaks, 1 Kings 6. 19. His cry is urgent, “be not silent”, “if thou be silent”, “hear my voice”. His call is tense, “I cry”, “I cry”, “I lift up my hand”. His soul is moved. Why?

Note his first onlook. He sees those who “go down into the pit”. View with him the March of the Sinful, vv. 3-5; noting their character, “wicked”, “workers of iniquity” and deceivers, v. 3, and seeing their course, the receiving of the reward of their deeds, v. 4. This is not malice, anger or imprecation, but the exclamation of one who knows the ways of his holy God and has intelligence in His laws of government. He knows his own deserts when he says, “Draw me not away with the wicked”, v. 3, for he knows their crime, v. 5.

Attend now to David’s second uplook, that of Song, vv. 6, 7. With sorrow for the wicked, he praises with song for his own blessing. “Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard”, v. 6, and has strengthened, shielded and helped, v. 7. Note the individual confession, “my, my, my”, “I am helped” and “will I praise”. As we see the ungodly drift by, are we not only grieved as we remember their latter end, but thankful that the Lord is not rewarding us according to our deeds?

As he sings, he sees another movement, his second onlook, the March of the Saved, v. 9. Note how they go: they march with steady and sure step, for the Lord is their strength. They march with certainty, for the Lord is the stronghold of salvation, R.V., or the saving strength of His anointed. They have a tread of confidence, for their Lord will save them and bless them; He will feed them and they will know His daily support, for He will lift them up (or, bear them up, R.V.) for ever. Of the others, he says that God will not build them up, but break them down, R.V.

We are marching to Zion, the beautiful city of God.