Let the whole world then adore and magnify the Lord on this ground ; and never be weary of acknowledging, that " his mercy endure th for everc."]
Let us now proceed to consider the psalm, II. With a more immediate reference to the Gentile world —
The psalm is in reality a prophecy ; and so impor- tant a prophecy, that St. Paul expressly quotes one part of itd, and gives, as it were, an explanation of the remainder6.
It declares the calling of the Gentiles — [In this sense it has been interpreted, even by some of the Jews themselves : and we are sure that this is its true import, because an inspired Apostle has put this construction upon it. And are not we ourselves evidences of its truth ? Are not we Gentiles ? and has not God's mercy reached unto us ? Are not his promises also fulfilled to us ? The promise to Abraham was, that " in him, and in his seed, should all the nations of the earth be blessed:" and this promise was made to him whilst he was yet uncircumcised, in order that the interest which we uncir- cumcised Gentiles had in it might be more fully manifesto Behold then, toe are living witnesses both of God's mercy and truth ! His promises are fulfilled to us, yea, and are yet daily fulfilling before our eyes. The blessings of salvation are poured down upon us in rich abundance. The Church is daily enlarging on every side of us. Both at home and abroad is the Gospel
b Josh, xxiii. 14.
c See Ps. cxxxvi. where it is repeated twenty-six times in as many verses. <* Rom. xv. 11.
e Rom. xv. 8, 9. where God's truth and mercy are both specified, as illustrated and confirmed bv Christ. i Rom. iv. 11.