The sleep God gives.
This psalm is, by its title in our Bible, ascribed to Solomon; in the Septuagint it is left without a title; in the Syriac Version it is ascribed to David. In structure it is like all the rest of these "Psalms of Degrees." Hence we are very much in the dark as to its date and authorship, and are shut up, as it is well we should be, to its religious teachings. What these are it is not difficult to see; for its plain lesson is that all our defense and security are in the Lord alone. Hence reminder of this is given to the builders of the city, its watchmen and its toilers; and of its greatest earthly defense, the numerous children that should be born, it is declared that the blessed gift of children is from the Lord alone. So that if we are to know the real sense of security without which men cannot sleep, the Lord must give it.
I. NOW, THIS IS TRUE OF OUR LITERAL, NATURAL LIFE. Strong walls and vigilant guards are not enough; the Lord must give one sleep. And he does so.
1. Think of the physical conditions of sleep. They are part of that wonderful organization which God endued us with, and which is so constructed that at due times sweet refreshing sleep shall steal over our senses, and our tired bodies shall have rest.
2. Think of the terrestrial conditions. How this earth of ours swings itself round out of the light into the darkness. "Thou makest darkness, and it is night" (Psalms 104:1-35.). The sounds and stir of the day are hushed, and the glare of light is gone for a while, and thus provision for sleep is made.
3. Of the social conditions. Strong governments, wise laws, skilful administration, security for life and property, all that which we call civilization, which God has been teaching men generation after generation,—all this, which gives that sense of security without which we could not rest, is part of God's methods whereby he bestows on us the blessed boon of sleep.
II. IT IS YET MORE TRUE OF THAT CALM AND SERENITY OF SOUL WHICH WE ALL WISH TO ENJOY. It is the Lord who giveth that. The psalm is a reminder to many who were seeking this "in vain" ways (see former homily). It is he who giveth, etc. It is not they who gain it for themselves or in any way earn it; nor is it given to all, but only to the beloved of the Lord. To them he giveth sleep, not the partial and unreal rest of soul which some seem to enjoy. To the builders, the watchmen, the toilers, the word is sent that apart from the Lord all is in vain. "Come unto me, all ye," etc.
III. AND TRUE, ALSO, OF THE SLEEP OF DEATH. To those who die in the Lord, death is but a sleep prior to a glorious awakening: hence it is so often spoken of as a sleep. But the Lord alone can give this.
1. For it there is needed forgiveness of sin. But this can only come to those who bring the sacrifice of the contrite heart. Even God cannot forgive an impenitent man; for he who will not give up his sin cannot escape the suffering which ever goes along with it.
2. And the new heart. The regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit. "Without holiness shall no man see the Lord." He that is not meet for heaven cannot enter there.
3. And a continual and utter trust in the love of God in Christ. But all these are his gifts. For them "Christ is all and in all." Seek them, and so will rest of soul be ours now, and when life is done we shall sleep in him.—S.C.