King David's Vision.
The prophet-king sat alone. When the spirit of inspiration came upon him, no human presence was suffered to disturb his solitude. He was left in solemn communion with his God.
Often had glowing words of thanksgiving and praise burst from his lips as he struck his harp of ten strings, and then been noted down on a scroll to be handed down as a precious legacy to the people of Israel, or rather to the whole Church of God. On this day, the harp had had a strange, solemn, and wailing sound; and involuntary tears had started to the poet's eyes as he sang that mysterious ode which we call the Twenty-second Psalm. The hand of King David trembled as he wrote down the words.
"What hath the Spirit dictated to God's slave?" cried the wondering monarch. "This is no transcript of mine own experience. I have known what it is to pass through deep waters of trouble; to struggle for life with the lion; to grapple and wrestle with the foe. I have known what it is to hide in the cave, and to be hunted like the partridge on the mountains. But my God never forsook me. He was never far from me in the time of my trouble. There is nothing in the past which answers to these mysterious words:
"'They pierced My hands and My feet,
They parted My garments amongst them;
And on My vesture they cast lots.'
"Is this some awful trial looming before me? Or is it revealed regarding another? Oh that I could penetrate the depth of meaning conveyed in this Psalm! Lord, draw aside the thick curtain, if but for a moment! Let me know who is to be tortured, mocked at, and pierced; who is to be deserted by his friends, and forsaken even by his God."
As the king prayed, a thick mist seemed to fill the royal apartment; and a horror of darkness fell on the prophet's soul. Then slowly before his straining gaze something took shape before him: dimly at first, as if seen through mist; then gradually becoming distinct. David beheld a Cross, and an agonized Victim hanging upon it. The prophet saw all the terrible accessories which his own inspired pen had described. He was so horror-struck that he was scarcely at first aware of the presence of a white-winged angel beside him; though a halo of light shining around the heavenly guest had been the means of revealing the Cross and the sacred Sufferer.
"Oh, Spirit of light," exclaimed the king, "tell me the meaning of this terrible vision!"
"David, son of Jesse, thou art a sinner," was the angel's reply.
"I know it, I own it: I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me!" cried the penitent king.