6. Behold. God desires not merely
outward virtue, but inward purity, and the penitent’s sense of sin is greatly
deepened as with astonishment he discovers this truth, and how far he is from
satisfying the divine demand. The second Behold is fitly set over
against the first; how great the gulf which yawns between them! Thou desirest truth in the inward parts. Reality, sincerity, true holiness,
heart fidelity, these are the demands of God. He cares not for the pretense of
purity; he looks to the mind, heart, and soul. He rightly judges that the
essential character of an action lies in the motive. And in the hidden pert thou shalt make me to know wisdom. The penitent feels that God is teaching
him truth concerning his nature, which he had not before perceived. The love of
the heart, the mystery of its fall, and the way of its purification—this hidden
wisdom we must all attain; and it is a great blessing to be able to believe
that the Lord will “make us to know it.” No one can teach our innermost nature but the Lord, but he can
instruct us to profit. The Holy Spirit can put the fear of the Lord within; he
can reveal Christ in us, and he is essential wisdom.
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