[Songs in the Night - December 26]
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head. Psalm 141:5
IN THIS use of the word righteous, the text seems
to imply that all who are the Lord's people should be
able to give reproof and correction in righteousness in
a manner that would be helpful to those corrected, and
for their good; in a way that would bring a measure
of comfort and blessing and refreshment; in a manner
that would be like excellent or fragrant oil, whose
perfume would linger for hours.
With this thought
before our minds, there is a valuable lesson here.
First
of all, we should be of those who receive the corrections
as of the Lord; and who are glad to be set right
if we are wrong in any manner; secondly, we should
be of those who recognize that if reproof be proper to
give, it should be of a kind that would not be injurious,
but such as would be spiritual, uplifting, and refreshing. Z'12-66 R4977:2 (Hymn 172)