the immediate exhibition of Christ to the Jews was desired, in order to his ulterior manifestation to the Gentile world, whom he longed to see partakers of all the privileges which he either enjoyed, or hoped for. He longed to see them brought into " the way" of tiTith and " salvation," and subjected to the "righteous government" of the Messiah, and growing up before God in multitudes, " like the piles of grass upon the earth \"
This being the general subject of the psalm, we shall proceed to notice some important instruction that is to be gathered fi-om it. It shews us,
I. That there are rich blessings yet in store for the Gentiles —
[The whole psalm might with great propriety be read in the future tense, as a prophecy. In the two concluding verses of the psalm it is so read in our translation : and it might have been so read throughout. And in that view how singularly sti-iking is it ! how strong and numerous the assertions, that such an event shall take place ! At present indeed there seems to be but little prospect of so glorious an event : but we are well assured it shall come, and that too at no distant period.. Indeed in part it is aheady come : for who are we but Gentiles ? By the preaching of the Apostles, myriads were converted to the faith of Christ: and m^-riads are yet monvmients of his power and grace. But this is only the first-truits : we expect a harvest, when " a little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation."' We beheve that the day is coming when " all the ends of the earth shall remember themselves, and turn unto the Lord their God :" " they shaU fear the Lord their God, and David their king^." " The way" of salvation throucrh a crucified Redeemer " shall then be known among them,'" and ''the saving health" of the Gospel be then im- parted to those who are now dying in their sins. The bond- slaves of sin and Satan shall then cast ofl" the yoke of their oppressor, and yield themselves willing subjects to the Prince of Peace. In a word, they who have hitherto known no pleasure but in the indulgence of their lusts, shall " be glad in the Lord, and sing praise to his name," and " rejoice in him " as their God for ever and ever. Glorious period ! May " God hasten it in his time !"]
^ ver. 6. with Ps. Ixxii. 16. Compare Isai. xxxv. 1, 2. and Iv. 12, 13.
^ Hos. iii. .5,