of mind or body, we are forward to bring it into notice, and to arrogate something to ourselves on account of it. One values herself upon her beauty ; another boasts of his strength or cou- rage; another prides himself in his wit, his penetration, or his judgment. Rather than pass unnoticed, the ungodly will boast of their iniquities and excesses ; yea, (strange to say !) of inicjui- ties they have not committed, and of excesses to which they have never arrived.]
The godly, on the other hand, " make their boast in the Lord" —
[They know, by bitter experience, that in themselves dwelleth no good thing, yea, nothing but what furnishes matter for the deepest humiliation. But they see in God sufficient to excite their devoutest adoration. Whether they contemplate the perfections of his nature, or the works of his hands, the won- ders of his providence, or the riches of his grace, they are filled with v.'onder and astonishment ; and pouring contempt on all created excellencies, they exclaim, " () God ! who is like unto thee'' ?" " Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ '^ !"]
The Psalmist was the more induced to praise God in a public manner from a consideration of,
II. The effect he hoped to produce by this means — •
He did not expect any particular benefit to accrue to the proud —
[The proud, alas ! are disgusted with even'the mention of God's name, provided it be with reverence and love : nor do they ever speak of him themselves, unless it be to profane his name in oaths and curses. Their aversion to hear of him increases ac- cording to the degree in which he is honoured. They will suffer us to speak somewhat of God as he is manifested in creation ; but they do not like to be told of his love in redemption. They will bear to hear a little of God (though but little) in his works o^ providence ; but they cannot endure to hear one syllable of his gloriously rich and sovereign grace. If we utter but a word expressive of admiration and love on account of his condescension in revealing himself to our souls, we forfeit at once all title to respectabili^v, and become in their eyes the most contemptible of beings. They would be less offended with oaths and blasphemies and the grossest obscenity, than with one such an expression of love to God.]
But he hoped that to the humble his adorations would afford matter of unfeigned joy —
[The
^ Deut. xxxii. 31. £xod. xv. 11. Mic. vii. 18. "^ 2 Cor. ii. 14.