Our ground of reliance is God’s Love (verse I).

By acknowledging our sins we receive pardon (verses 2 and 3). Cf. John. Truth in the innermost heart is the needful thing (verse 6) and God will give wisdom. Cf. James. The presence of the Divine Spirit in us is life and joy — it is a free spirit (verses 10 to 12).” Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Observe that this spirit is not here spoken of as a Person. Then follows the natural result of wishing to extend these blessings to others (verse 13). The joyous nature of the Divine Spirit (verses 8 and 12) as in Ps. XL:16 and XLIII: 4.

Zion is the perfection of beauty (L: 2). It is the centre from which God radiates. These three terms, Zion, Beauty and Radiation of God, show the identity of thought between the Bible, the R.C., and Plato.

Note the description of the Divine Spirit here given (verses 10 to 12). It is not a Person, as the small initial shows. It is called God’s spirit and yet it is part of the man, for it is to be renewed in him. It is called “holy.” Here we have the clearest teaching of the Unity of the Spirit. It is the middle term common to God and to Man.

Psalm 52

WHY boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

106