be true, they have strong reasons for giving him thanks, since he is taking the wisest and best means to make them meet for the glory and joy in heaven which will at length ho their portion I 2. EBpedally by hiB 1'Weemed people. Who are the objects of his speoial regard and gracious operation, and to whom the work of praise on earth is peculiarly committed (Isa. xliii. 21; 1 Pet. ii. 9). On some accounts the redeemed and regenerate have more reason to give thanks to God than those who have never sinned. "They see On eartl. a bounty not indulged on high, And downward look for Heaven's superior praise.• . • They sang Creation, for in that they shared: Creation's greo.t superior, man, is thine ; Thine is redemption; they just gave the key, 'Tis thine to raise and eternize the song." (Young.) Nevertheless, angels do give thanks for redemption, and wHh good reason. For it is the work of the God whom they love; it enriches their conceptions of him; it enlarges their service of him; and it supremely and eternally blesses vast multitudes in whom they feel the deepest inter.est. It thus gratifies their desires, and adds to their wealth of knowledge, goodness, and happiness. IV. THE ,KIND AND DURATIO:ll OF THE PRAISE OF WHICH HE JS WORTHY. 1. The kind. Clee,rly .the, best possible; which i~ not necessarily that which is most poetical or most musical, though in these respects man should do his best. But that is best of all which ,comes from the heart, and from a heart fullest of admiration, adoration, love, and gratitude... Much which professes to be praise of God is heartless mockery. 2. The duration. For ever and ever (Eph. iii. 21). While we have any being, in this world e,nd the next (Ps. cxlv. 1, 2; cxlvi. 2). For, as God is everlasting, the reasons for praising him can never end.-G. W. Ver. 7.-Prayer in distress heard. The distress referred to is graphically described in vers. 5, 6, 17, 18. . The interposition of God for the psalmist's deliverance is poetically depicted in vers. 8-20•. The connecting link is given in this verse. David, in his danger and trouble, called on God, and therefore he was delivered. We have here- I. DISTRESS, This may arise from various causes; snch as: 1. Enemies. As in David's case, with the dangers of the battles fought against them. There are many forms less extreme in which the enmity of men may show itself and occasion pain or peril. 2. Oi'f'cumstances. W or!dly losses and anxieties. 3. Persrmal affticticm. Of body or mind. . Special distress from afflictions which implicate the nerves, and so the mind itself. 4. Death of dear friends. 5. Conviction of sin. (See Ps. xxxii. 3, 4.) It would be well if this• form of distress were more common. 6. P1'essure of powerful temptatioo. The mighty and threatening uprising of inward corruptions, or the pressing solicitations of evil from without. 7. Fear of calamities or of death. U. PRAYER. Natural for men to ea.II upon God when they are in great trouble or danger. Yet all do not; and of many the prayers are unacceptable, because they lack the moral and spiritual elements of successful prayer (see Hos. vii. 14). Prayer, to be acceptable, must be: 1. That of a 1'ighteous man. (Vers. 21-25; Jas. v. 16 ; Ps. !xvi. 18.) Yet the prayers of one who is stirred by his affliction to sincere repentance will be heard; for repentance is the beginning of righteousness. 2. Offered in faith. (Matt. xxi. 22.) 3. Importunate and persevering. (Luke xi. 8, seq.; xviii. 1-8.) 4. .Accom- panied, where practicable, witli the use of appropriate means. David fought vigorously as well as prayed earnestly. III. DELIVERANCE. 'l'he Almighty heard the psalmist's voice "out of his temple" (equivalent to "the .heavens"), and, interposing in majesty and power, delivered him, cliscomfiting and scattering his foes. 'l'r □e prayer is. always heard and answered; but the deliverance granted is often not according to our conceptions and desires, yet ever according to the perfect wisdom and goodness of our heavenly I!'ather. S?metimes the causes of our distress are removed; sometimes they are allowed to coutmue, but the distress is allayed,.nnd the causes turned into blessings. So it was with -~t. Paul'~ •~ thorn in the flesh;'' although he prayed earnestly and repeatedly (2 Cor. im. 8-10). 556 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.
Spiritual delivenmoe, however, is always granted t,o those who truly seek lt; and ulti- mately complet.e rescue from all that afflicts the Christian. • IV. GRATEFUL REll:Ell:BRANOE AND THANKSGIVING, Although David's victories were wrought through the skill and valour of himself and his troops, he gives t,o God all the glory of them ; for he knew that all was d11e to him. His example will be followed by the Christian, as he reviewa life and calls to mind his distreBlle!I and deliverances. He will recognize the hand of God in all, at?d render praise to him who both furnishes the means of deliverance and exercises the power which renders them successful. Finally, let none wait for trouble before they begin to pray. Live in the habit of prayer, and you will be able, when trouble comes, to pray truly and successfully. Other- wise you may find yourself in the miserable condition of those described in ver. 42, who "looked even unto the Lord, but he answered them not."-G. W.