never merited, he has never withheld one, which by his pro- mises he had made our dued.]
3. His mercy —
[In what has hitherto been spoken we are concerned as creatures : but in this attribute we are interested as sinners. And O ! what reason have we to adore the tender mercy of our God ! Who must not say with David, " The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy?" Yes indeed, " He is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works e." David, it is true, had very abundant cause to sing of mercy : but, Who has not ? Who that knows any thing of himself, is not penetrated with the deepest sense of God's " grace," in looking upon so vile a sinner ; of his " com- passion" towards him, when reduced to the most destitute condition ; of his " patience," in bearing with such manifold backslidings ; and of his " great mercy," in pardoning such innumerable transgressions ? If we do not extol our God, and bless his name, yea every day, and all the day long, me thinks " the very stones will cry out against us."]
Having thus expatiated on the virtues of his King, David proceeds to bless him for,
II. The administration of his government —
Here the reference to Christ is more plain and direct. He is the King of Zion ; and it is his king- dom that is established over the face of the whole earth. There is not any thing in the whole creation that is not benefited by his reign ; but most of all his believing people. Hence David says, " All thy works, whether intentionally or not, shall praise thee," (as any thing of curious workmanship praises the maker of it) " but thy saints shall bless thee," having their whole souls turned to the delightful work'.
1. It is a glorious kingdom —
[It is extended over heaven, earth, and hell. In heaven there are myriads who are the subjects of it, and who are ascribing all possible honour and glory to their Almighty King. On earth, his power is seen in every nation under heaven. The most potent monarchs bow down to him with the deepest reverence ; whilst the most degraded savages are enriched with all the blessings of his kingdom. In hell, the principalities and powers, with Beelzebub at their head, confess his power, and are, however reluctantly, obedient to his commands. His
d ver. 7. e ver. 8, 9. f ver. 10.