Old paths, where the good way is. Timeless truth from the Bible, Christian teaching, thought and meditations from prior times, read by missionary to Africa, James Robinett. From Daily Prayer and Praise by Henry Law. Psalm 141. This hymn commences with a general prayer for acceptance. It then branches into diverse petitions. Thus it stands, a tree of solid stem bearing variety of fruit. Lord, I cry unto thee, make haste unto me, give ear unto my voice when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Free access to the throne of grace is an inestimable privilege. No words can duly show the condescension of our God in permitting us to wrestle with Him and not relax our grasp until responses come. May we delight in roaming in this field. When we draw near in the name of Jesus, heaven is fragrant with the perfume of His merits. Such prayer gains audience. It claims acceptance as the appointed evening service. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. That the words of our mouth may be always acceptable in his sight, let us pray that the Spirit may ever guard its portals. No unadvised word will thus escape our lips or come unwelcome to the bar of heaven. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity, and let me not eat of their dainties. There is contagion in surrounding evil. The atmosphere is pestilential. Hence, let us pray that our hearts may not be beguiled into evil compliance or fascinated by the miscalled pleasures of sin. Faults are the allurements. To be thus captivated is to sip poison's cup. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness. And let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head, for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. Life is happy when we are surrounded with godly friends. Their precious counsels guide from evil. Their pious admonitions are fragrant as balmy oil. They never inflict a rankling wound. We may claim such kindness when it is our resolve to pray for mercies on our adversaries. Let us know no other revenge. When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words, for they are sweet. Calamities to the wicked are portended under a graphic image. This shall be the season of tender expostulation from the righteous, and gentle words should strive to win them from evil. Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. But my eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord. In thee is my trust. Leave not my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me and for the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets whilst I withal escape. Heartless is the persecutor's rage. They would hew to pieces the followers of the Lord with the indifference of a woodman scattering chips by his axe. But the saints in their utmost distress look to their God, and so obtain comfort and deliverance. Especially they seek guidance to keep them safe from the snares so craftily led in their path. It is just that they who plot such mischief should themselves be entrapped. with such pleas to present at the mercy seat with God so ready to succor, let us fear no evil. Let us fly with eager wings to spread our need before our heavenly Lord. Psalm 142. The psalmist is beset with trouble on every side. All refuge failed him but his God. To God he has instant recourse. I cried unto the Lord with my voice. With my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him. I showed before him my trouble. Troubles will surely meet us in our upward march. Let there be no vain attempt to endure in our own strength. We are weak to bear the crushing load. Let us rather bring all to the mercy seat. Let us cast them at the feet of Him who cares for us. Whoever looked to heaven and failed to find relief. If God vouchsafeth his presence, all burdens will be light. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily led a snare for me. When troubles come in like a flood, omniscience marks our every step. It is good when we can call God to witness that our true desire is to walk closely by his side. But the cruel enemy will strive to fill this path with snares. I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no man that would know me. Refuge failed me. No man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Lord, I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Vain is the help of man. Worldly friends soon vanish when the cause is adverse. Such desertion is grievous, aggravation of distress. To this the blessed Jesus was most exposed. They all forsook him and fled. Such, too, is the common lot of his true disciples. Paul mourned, Know you not that all that be in Asia are turned away from me? But God is still near and full of compassion. We can approach his ready smile. We shall ever find in him a sufficiency which no creatures could supply. Safe are they who can say, Thou art my refuge. Rich are they who can add, Thou art my portion. Let us flee to this fortress, let us rejoice in this portion. Loneliness dwells not in this climb. Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. The righteous shall compass me about, for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. There are no depths of fear which preclude a cry to the throne of God. Mercy hears and flies to give relief. Strong may be the persecutors. They may bring us very low. Strong is the archenemy of our salvation, but omnipotence is the attribute of our deliverer. Let us trust then and not be afraid. Often are our souls enthralled by the shackles of unbelief and sin and weakness. God can open every prison cell and remove every detaining chain. Grateful lips will then ascribe deliverance entirely to him. The righteous shall see God's gracious dealings and flock to our fellowship. Good Lord, increase our strength, animate our prayers, strengthen our every grace that our glad experience may set our hand to the acknowledgement that thou has dealt bountifully with us.