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PRAYER (1-3).
"Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved."
THE PEOPLE (4-6).
PRAYER (7).
"Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved."
THE VINE (8-13).
PRAYER (14).
"Return, we beseech Thee, O God of hosts, look down from heaven."
THE VINE (16-18).
PRAYER (19).
"Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved."
It is not sufficient for us merely to plead for the restoration of the Lord's favour. Not
only is there prayer to God that He may "return", but for ourselves that He may "turn us".
With Him is no darkness, the light never leaves His countenance; but if our backs are
turned to the sun we see only the shadow. If we are to know the secret of His presence
we must learn this lesson. We must be ever "turned to Him" if we are to enjoy the light
of His countenance.
One of the blessings consequent upon our being in the light of the Lord's countenance
is salvation from shame:--
"Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant: save my for Thy mercies' sake. Let me
not be ashamed, O Lord" (Psa. 31: 16, 17).
Paul's words in the second epistle to Timothy are a splendid comment on this
passage:--
"Nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed" (II Tim. 1: 12).
Another blessing derived from the same source is indicated in Psa. 119: 135. If we
observe the correspondence of the verses in this section (129-136), we shall read
verse 130 with verse 135:--
"The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (130).
"Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; and teach me Thy statutes" (135).
The study of the Word is not mere book-reading; its great illuminant is the presence
of the Lord:--
"For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light" (Psa. 36: 9).
But perhaps the chief reason for the blessedness of the Lord's uplifted countenance is
that it speaks of the mercy-seat, of sins forgiven and of acceptance in the Beloved; for it
is the chief element in the priestly blessing of Numb. 6: 24-26:--
"The Lord bless thee and keep thee:
The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."