Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/263

 in  His  sight  is  a virtuous  heart. He who  wishes  to  be  well-pleasing  to God  must  strive  to  be  virtuous.

The pious  shepherd-boy. David  did  not  waste  his  time  while  he  was watching his  sheep. He prayed  and  meditated  on  the  attributes  of  God, which were  revealed  to  his  holy  mind  in  the  works  of  creation; and  in the  joy  of  his  heart  he  composed  and  sang  holy  psalms  and  canticles. The stars  of  heaven,  the  flowers  of  the  field,  the  songs  of  the  birds, all raised  his  heart  to  God,  and  so  he  lived  constantly  in  God’s  presence, having  God  before  his  eyes  and  in  his  heart. By his  holy  and innocent youth  this  humble,  though  highly  gifted  boy  was  prepared  to be  God’s  chosen  instrument.

The pain  of  a bad  conscience. Woe  to  the  man  who  forsakes  God, and who  is  too  proud  to  do  penance  for  his  sins,  and  return  contritely to God! For such  cannot  be  happy  either  now  or  hereafter. We see this  in  the  case  of  the  God-forsaken  Saul. Neither his  high position nor  his  riches  could  make  him  happy,  because  he  had  no peace  in  his  heart. His bad  conscience  gave  him  no  rest; it  drove  all cheerfulness from  his  mind,  so  that  he  grew  discontented  and  melancholy. “There is  no  peace  for  the  wicked”  (Is.  48,  22). “Tribulation and anguish  upon  every  soul  of  man  that  worketh  evil”  (Rom.  2,  9). Man can  find  true  happiness  in  God  alone,  i.  e.  in  the  love  of  God and in  doing  His  will.

Do you  like  thinking  about  God? Do you pray and  work  as  David  did? Do you  like  to  sing  sacred  canticles? The Psalms  which  we  sing  at  Vespers  were  mostly  written by David. Assist when  you  can  at  Vespers,  and  sing  the  Psalms devoutly, as  David  used  to  sing  them,  in  honour  of  God. Never degrade the  noble  gift  of  music  by  singing  bad,  low  songs.

HE Philistines  again  took  the  field  against  the  Israelites  and posted themselves  on  one  mountain,  while  the  Israelites occupied another. And behold,  there  was  in  the  camp  of  the Philistines a giant  named  Goliath. He was  not  only  taller  than any other  man,  but  his  strength  was  in  proportion  to  his  size. He had  a brazen  helmet  on  his  head  and  was  clothed  in  scaly armour of  enormous  weight.