Psalms 97:11 - Homilies By S. Conway

The seed of light.

The sacred writers often use strange metaphors; as here, light is said to be "sown for the righteous." Milton uses the same figure of the dew—

"Now Morn, her rosy steps in th' eastern clime

Advancing, sowed the earth with Orient pearl."

But let us get beneath the strange figure, and ask—

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN ?

1 . What is meant by light? It is a constant symbol for joy, gladness ( Esther 8:16 ; Psalms 27:1 , etc.). And, on the other hand, sorrow is likened to darkness.

2 . What does the word " sown " mean? It is a very suggestive word. It teaches that the seed of joy is:

II. IS IT ALL TRUE ? And we reply:

1 . The order of nature seems to affirm it. How often has the righteous career been trampled upon and apparently destroyed, but it has sprung up again!

2 . The Scriptures assert it unhesitatingly, and furnish perpetual proof, that the light of the righteous is never lost, but only sown preparatory to a blessed harvest.

3 . And our heart ' s deepest convictions confirm it. We could not live without this faith.

III. WHAT THEN ?

1 . The instincts of our nature are not mocked. We were made for the light, for blessedness, and the righteous shall realize it.

2 . What a terrible thing that any should be self-excluded— as the ungodly are—from the number of those for whom this word is spoken!

3 . Be patient when some of your light is taken from you. It is wanted for seed.

4 . Yield your hearts to Christ, that by his blessed Spirit he may make them righteous.

5 . Look on to the harvest.— S.C.