It makes much difference, not indeed in the reality or completeness of God's knowledge of us, but in the good we derive therefrom, whether we welcome and submit to it, or try to close our trembling hearts, that do not wish to be cleansed of their perilous stuff, from that loving and purging gaze. God will cleanse the evil which He sees, if we are willing that He should see it. Thoughts of the inner life and "ways" of the outer are equally to be submitted to Him. There are two "ways" in which men can walk. The one is a "way of grief or pain," because that is its terminus. All sin is a blunder. And the inclination to such ways is "in me," as every man who has dealt honestly with himself knows. The other is "a way everlasting," a way which leads to permanent good, which continues uninterrupted through the vicissitudes of life, and even (though that was not in the psalmist's mind) through the darkness of death, and with ever closer approximation to its goal in God, through the cycles of eternity. And that way is not "in me," but I must be led into and in it by the God who knows me altogether and is ever with me, to keep my feet in the way of life, if I will hold the guiding hand which He lays upon me. PSALM CXL. 1 Deliver me, Jehovah, from the evil man, From the man of violence guard me, 2 Who plot evils in heart, Every day they stir up wars. 3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent, Adders' poison is under their lips. Selah. 4 Keep me, Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked man, From the man of violences guard me, Who have plotted to overthrow my steps. 5 The proud have hidden a snare for me and cords, They have spread a net hard by the path, They have set gins for me. Selah. 6 I said to Jehovah, My God art Thou, Give ear, Jehovah, to the voice of my supplications. 7 Jehovah, Lord, my stronghold of salvation! Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle 8 Grant not, Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, Further not his plan. Selah. 9 They who compass me about lift up the head-- The mischief of their own lips cover them! 10 [Jehovah] rain hot coals on them! (?) Let Him cause them to fall into fire, Into floods, that they rise no more! 11 The man with a [slanderous] tongue shall not continue on earth; The man of violence--evil shall hunt him with blow upon blow. 12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted, The right of the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall thank Thy name, The upright shall dwell with Thy face.