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 wonders of his providence, or the riches of his grace, they are filled with wonder and astonishment ; and, pouring contempt on all created excellencies, they exclaim, " O 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
IL 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, imless it be to profane his name in oaths and curses. Their aversion to hear of him increases according to the degree in whicli he is honoured. They will suffer us to speak somewhat of God as he is mani- fested in creation ; but they do not like to be told of his love in redemptio7i. They will bear to hear a little of God (though but little) in his works oi providence ; but they cannot endure to hear one syllable of his gloriously rich and sovereign grace. If we utter but a word expressive of admu'ation and love on account of his condescension in revealing himself to our souls, we forfeit at once all title to respectability, and become iu 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 godly are not so free from pride, but that flattery sometimes finds access to their hearts, and proves a gratification to their unwary minds. But in their better seasons, when their airy dreams have vanished, and they obtain juster views of themselves, they most unfeignedly lothe and abhor themselves, and desire that God alone should be exalted. To be told of their own goodness is nauseous and unpalatable : but to hear the praises of their God and Saviour, this is deliglitful to their
* Deut. xxxii. 31. Exod. xv. 11. Mic. vii. 18. ^ 2 Cor. ii. 14.