THOU ART GOD ALONE

Deductions evidencing the uniqueness of God can be made from the uniformity of the universe, which shows the work of the one all-wise Creator, and from the intuitive demands of conscience in a common humanity. There is also the one culminating revelation of God in the Person of His Son. All these have their value as evidence.

But our psalmist bases his conviction of God’s uniqueness on the fact that He alone can meet his soul’s need. He is poor (without any merit) and needy, yet is holy because set apart to God by grace. Moreover, he is trustingly serving his Lord and Owner, daily seeking mercy so that his joy may alone be in the Lord, vv.1-5.

Come what may, he is convinced that God is good and plenteous in mercy, vv. 5-7. Even whilst still in adversity, v. 17, he determines to offer praise with all his heart, v. 12. This is most fitting, and is the fruit of active faith.

With God alone before him, he rightly desires a heart that is united in reverence to God’s Name, for he knew how conflicting loyalties would pull in differing directions, v. 11. Elsewhere he can affirm that his heart is fixed, Psa. 108. 1, and again, “my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed”, 57. 7. His eye is single; his whole self is full of light.

On this he soliloquized, “I have said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee”, Psa. 16. 2 R.V. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee … God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever”, Psa. 73. 25-26.

All his springs, both in motive and action, were in God, Psa. 87. 7. So one thing only did he desire of the Lord, namely, to dwell in the Lord’s house for ever, and to behold the beauty of the Lord, Psa. 27. 4. His whole heart was directed to the supreme Object, 119. 2, 10, 58.

How diverse are the multiple cravings of the world system! But it is passing away, with the sum total of it having no eternal value. But he who pursues the single, integrated will of God abides for ever, “all that is in the world … is not of the Father. And the world passes away … but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”, 1 John 2. 16-17.