[" He knoweth those who trust in him ; " not merely as distinguishing them from others, but as feeling towards them the most affectionate regard: (in this sense the word " knoweth" is frequently usedg.) He views them with the tenderest sym- pathy and compassion, being " touched with a feeling of all their infirmities11," and being " afflicted in all their afflictions1." Of his people, when suffering under their Egyptian task- masters, he said, " I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their task-masters; for / know their sorroivsk." And the same tender regard is shewn by him to a solitary individual as to a whole nation : for David says, " When my spirit was over- whelmed, thou knewest my path1;" and again, "Thou hast known my soul in adversities"1." The act of trusting in God is itself so pleasing and acceptable in his sight, that there is not any thing which he will not do for one who looks to him in such a frame". So abundantly will he communicate to such an one the riches of his grace, that he will make his soul like a well-watered garden, filled with the richest fruits, suited to every season of the year0. Whatever enemies may assault him, God will "keep his soul in perfect peace p," and make him even as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for everq. ']
What improvement shall we make of this subject ? I answer,
1. "Acquaint yourselves with God" —
[Study the character of God as drawn in the Holy Scrip- tures. Some think of him as a God of all mercy ; and others, as clothed only in the terrors of inexorable justice. But the true character of God is, that he is " a just God and a Saviour." In the Lord Jesus Christ this union of justice and mercy is fully displayed. Once view him as dying, rising, reigning for sinful man, and then all the description given of God in our text will be seen in its true light, and all the brightness of the Godhead irradiate your souls.]
2. Glorify him as God —
[As far as we know God, even though it be only in the notices which he has given us of himself in the works of crea- tion, we ought to "glorify him as Godr." How much more then ought we to do so, when all his glory is made to shine before us in the face of Jesus Christ ! How should we love him,
g Ps. i. 6. h Heb. iv. 15. « Isai. lxiii. 9.
k Exod. Hi. 7. l Ps. cxlii. 3. m Ps. xxxi. 7.
n Ps. xxxi. 19. ° Jer. xvii. 7, 8. p Isai. xxvi. 3.
i Ps. cxxv. 1. » Rom. i. 21.
A a2