THE FAMILY ALTAR

July 26.

"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my

right hand, I shall not be moved." Ps. 16:8.

This 16th Psalm is, indeed, a "golden Psalm of David," as

its original heading reads. It is full of humble, golden trust in

our gracious God. Its very first note sounds so peacefully and

confidingly: "Preserve me, 0 God; for in Thee do I put my

trust." David knows, as Luther did in his day : "With might of

ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected" in the dangers

and temptations of this evil world. Foes of deep guile and great

might surround us from without and within, and soon were we

overpowered if we had to fight our battles alone. But David knows

where to find help. He turns to His merciful and omnipotent

Father in heaven, and prays : "Preserve me, 0 God ; for in Thee

do I put my trust," and declares in this 8th verse that he does

so always and that through God's help he is preserved in life's

turmoil and sin. Happy are we, if we make this word of the

Psalmist our watchword and always set the Lord before us as our

Guide and Protector, if we suffer His Word and Holy Spirit to

rule our heart and life. Then shall we not be moved, no matter

what trials or temptations befall us. Though a host of enemies

rise against us, we shall be safe; for the Lord is at our right

hand. The right hand is the hand of power, of strength for battle.

So the Lord Himself battles for us, shields and protects us, that

we may endure unto the end and obtain the victory and gain the

crown of everlasting life.