The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 38

bel,alf; and it is "because" of this that she utters aloud her thanksg·iving nnd praise. Her soul with all its powers, like a harp of many strings, touche<l by the Divine Spirit, gives forth exquisite music. "The Divinely-inspired song of Hannah is like a gol?en key f?r the interpretati?~ of the whole book" (Wordsworth's 'Com.'). Compare tins song 'lnth the song of Mmam and of Deborah. "Those compositions are grand, indeed, and elevated, and worthy of that inspiration which produced them; but they have not that tenderness of spirit, that personality of devotion and that eucharistic anticipation of good things to come which characterise the hy~n of H_ani:iah" (Jebb,' Sac. Lit.,' p. 395). It is the model after which the song of the V1rgm Mary was formed, though there are notable points of difference between them. Considered in relatio1; to the circumstances, and in its general nature, her song was a song of-I. Gratitude. Her prayer had been answered in the gift of a son; and, unlike those who look no further than the blessings bestowed upon them, she looked from the gift to the Giver, and praised him with joyful lips. Her heart rejoiced not in Samuel, but in the Lord. 2. Dedication. She had o-iven back her child to God, and with him herself afresh. The more we give to God, the more our heart is enlarged, by the shedding abroad of his love therein, and filled with exceeding joy. 3. Triumph; remembering: how she had been delivered from her ad,ersaries in the past. 4. Faith in his continued help. 5. Patriotism. She sympathised with her people in their oppression by the Philistines ; and, identifying herself 'l\;th them, she almost lost sight of what God had done for her in the con- templation of what he would do for them. "From this particular mercy she had received from God she takes occasion, with an elevated and enlarged heart, to speak of the glorious things of God, and of his government of the world for the good of the Church." "She discerned in her own individual experience the general laws of the Dirine economy, and its signification in relation to the whole history of the kingdom of God" (Auberlen). 6. Prophetic hope. She beheld the dawn of a new day, and was glad. In all and above all--7. Joy in the Lord. "My hear~ rejoiceth in the Lord ; " not merely before him (Deut. xii. 12) ; but in him, as the Object and Source of its joy; in communion with and contemplation of him, and in the admiration, affection, and delight thereby excited. "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord" (Ps. civ. 34). "When I think of God," said Haydn (on being asked the reason why the style of his music was so cheerful), "my soul is so full of joy that the notes come leaping and dancing from my pen." More especially observe that Hannah rejoiced in- • I. THE PERFECTIONS OF HIS CHARACTER (vers. 2, 3). Such perfections must not, indeed, be thought of as existing in God separate and distinct from each other ; they are essential attributes of his living personality, and are all really present in his every purpose and act. What is here declared of God is, that-1. He alone is "holy." (1) Supremely excellent; whatever excellence exists in any other being falls infinitely short of h.is (Isa. vi. 3). (2) Morally perfect; invariably willing what is right and good; transcendently g-Jorious in the view of conscience (Levit. xi. 44). (3) Absolutely existent, which is the ground of his excellence and perfec- tion. "For there is none except thee." "God is the most perfect Being, and the cause of all other beings." His moral perfection is a peculiar distinction of the revelation which he made to his chosen people, needs to be specially magnified in times of corruption, and can only be rejoiced in by his saints. The conception which men form of God is an evidence of their own character, and exerts a powerful influence upon it (Luke i. 49). 2. He alone is strong. "A Hock." (1) Firm. UDchanging, enduring; a 1mre foundation for confidence. (2) None can be corn pared unto him. They may not be trusted in, and they need not be feared. (3) Happy are those who can say, He is "our God." That which is a terror to others is a consolation to them. "The children of a king do not fear what their father has i.n his arsenal." "Let the inhabitant of the rock sing." But men often speak proudly and arrogantly (ver. 3), as if they were independent of hi~, and could_ do whatever they pleased. Let them not boast any more, for-3. He is the All-wise; a" God of knowledge" (lit., knowledges), of all knowledge. "The Lord knoweth the thougl,ts of man, that they are vanity" (Ps. xciv. 11; cxxxviii. 6). His lmow- ledge ie (1) immediate, (2) perfect, nnd (3) universal. And, 4. He is tlie Judue of CU, II. 1-10.) THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 3.3