David's Dual Petition: Secret and Presumptuous Sins

David does not halt at a single request in Psalm 19:13, but multiplies his petitions: "Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins." This conjunction of great requests unto Elohim reveals four essential qualities of Christian prayer: urgent fervency, importunity, patient perseverance, and multiplicity of matter—like a patient who opens not one ailment to the physician, but all his infirmities.

Why may we multiply requests before the throne? First, because Elohim's omniscience apprehends all petitions simultaneously; one request does not impede another in His mind. Second, the greatest gift flows as freely from His hand as the smallest mercy. Third, Christ intercedes with equal readiness for manifold and mighty petitions. Fourth, Elohim hath made manifold promises for this very purpose. Fifth, His mercies are described throughout Scripture as polus (manifold)—plenteous in compassion.

Yet even the righteous Christian must fear both secret and presumptuous sins. Original sin remains a universal fountain in the best of believers, naturally disposed toward vile inclination. The tragic instances of great transgressions—even among saints "highest as stars"—left "sad eclipses." When cedars fall, should not tender plants tremble? If we do not hear and fear the sins of others, we may imitate them.

The wise and sincere Christian resists the smallest sin and fears the greatest. He knows himself Elohim's servant—not of force, but of affection—and therefore multiplies his suit for deliverance.