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#10.
The blessedness of trust without sight
(Psa. 144: 15; 146: 5).
pp. 124 - 127
The two remaining beatitudes of the Psalms are those of Psa. 144: 15 and 146: 5.
Psa. 144: demands a careful examination owing to the peculiar change at verse 12.
Some commentators have not hesitated to say that verse 12-15 belong to another period
and have no real connection with the earlier verses. Such is the opinion of compilers of
the Psalms chronologically arranged. The true explanation will be found in The
Companion Bible. Verses 12-15 are the boastful words of the "strange children, whose
mouth speaketh vanity" (verse 11). These say: "Our sons are plants grown up in their
youth", and continue through the whole list, speaking of their daughters, their full
garners, their increasing flocks, their labouring oxen, their security and contentment.
"Happy", say they, "is that people, that is in such a case". The word "happy" is the word
"blessed" which we have had before us throughout this series.
The Psalmist however breaks into this realm of contentment in the concluding
sentence of the Psalm by saying: "Nay (or Yea rather), blessed is that people, whose God
is the Lord." This is a supreme example of clear sighted faith. On the one hand, all that
heart could wish in the shape of peace, prosperity and contentment; on the other, the
vision that all is vanity apart from the presence and fellowship of the living God.
The prophet Habakkuk endorses the sentiment of the Psalmist:--
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
Neither shall fruit be in the vines;
The labour of the olive shall fail,
And the fields shall yield no meat;
The flock shall be cut off from the fold,
And there shall be no herd in the stalls;
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Hab. 3: 17, 18).
What do we know of this triumphant "Yet" or of that equally wonderful "Nay" of
Psa. 144: 15? This point of view is only obtained when, like Asaph, we turn our eyes
away from envying those who have more than heart can wish, and enter into the
sanctuary of God. What we learn there will enable us to come out again into the world
where the ungodly seem to prosper, and to say out of a full heart "Whom have I in
heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee" (Psa. 72: 25).
To us, members of the body of Christ, and blessed with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places, this sanctuary experience should be our normal attitude. In that
sanctuary on high is our all, and while we look for traveling mercies and pilgrim
provisions, we are enjoined to "set our minds on things above" (Col. 3: 2). When we
hear others recounting the advantages of fellowship that compromises the truth, when we