hi11 doctrines, end even contend for them, to appropriate the comfort he gives; but to obey him, to let him nt7~ in their minds end heart,s end livee1 In their homes, in their business, in their pleasures, in their eooial life, in their national effairs,-that is quite another matter. And those who etrive earnestly to obey him themselves, and to induoe others to do so, must be prepared for opposite "strivings," and even perseoution. •Nor do they wonder, 11eeing they find, more or less, in their own nature, elements ot opposl• tion to the rule of the Christ which explain the hostility of others. II. THE EXALTED POSITION HE NEVERTHELESS OOCUPIES. "Head of the nations." The answer of the Almighty to all the rebellious counsels and works of men is, "Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion" (Ps. ii. 6). The kingdom of Christ is the kingdom of Jehovah; vain, therefore, must be all strivings against it. Its opponents can only dash themselves to pieces, but "he mtt.'lt reign" (1 Cor. xv. 25). 1. The eztent of his tlom~nion. •• The nations," in a wider seuse tha.n wns true of David. "All nations sba.ll aerve him" (Ps. lxxii. 11). And not only all natioos in exii1tence at any one time, but all that may come into existence while the world endures. 2. ~ nature of Im dominion. (1) He is "Hea.d of the .nations" by right. By the appointment and gift of the Father (Ps. ii. 7, 8; Ma.tt. xxviii. 18). As the resulb a.ild reward of his own righteousness and self-sacrificing love (Phil. ii. 8, 9). He redeemed men by his blood, to make them "a kingdom" (Rev. i. 6, 6; v .. 9, 10, Revised Version), As truth, righteousness, and love are rightful rulers, however far ,they ma.y be from actually ruling, so is it witll our Lord. (2) He actually. rules over all nations. " He is Lord of all" (Acts x. 36). All authority on earth, as well as in heaven, has been given to him (Matt. xxviii. 18). Whether men know him or not; acknowledge him or not~ he is their King; he so orders, controls, nnd directs the affairs of the nations as to make them subserve the advancement and ultimate universal establishment of his spiritual reign. (3) He has already a vast multitude of willing and obedient subjec.ts in many nations. " A people which he knew not," gathered from the Gentiles, serves him; as well as many from the people whom he knew. ,(4) Many render him feigned obedience (ver. 45, margin). It is an evidence of his great power among the nations tha.t many :find it to their int.erest, or credit, or convenience, to profess bis Name,.wbo are still opposed to him in heart. They call him Lord, though they do not the things which he says (Luke vi. 46). (5) All nations will at length own him as their Hea.d, and heartily and lovingly submit to his sway. The prophecy will yet be fulfilled:. "There followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of.our Lord, aod of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. xi, 15, Reviaed Vel'llion). In the assurance of this, let his people labour and give and pmy with joyful hope for the ext.ension of his reign in the earth.-,-G. W. •
Ver. 47.-Pra.ise to God as ~ ever-living Saviour. The whole psalm is a song of praise to God, but some parts bear more distinctively tbiB character. This verse is one of them. ' L THE TITLEB BEB.E GIVEN TO GoD. 1. Rock. (See on ver. 32.) • "My Rock." The Rock to which I have fled, and where I have found safety and repose. '!'he Rock in which I still trust and will trust with full assure.nee of its.stability and security, what-, ever be the confidences of others. It is a blessed thing, in speaking of God, to be able to UBe this word "my," as expressive of personal experience, choice, and confidence. 2. ~ God of the B.ock of my salvation ; equivalent to "the God who is the Rock of my salvation," "my mighty 8a.viour." David bad experienced salvation from enemies and dangel'B many times and in many ways; and he ascribes all to God. ,. By whatever means and instruments, it was God who had delivered him. He had been .manifested in his history as the .God of salvation; and in saving him had shown himself a Rock, the Rock io which alone safety was to be found. The higher and better ealva.tion which is pres&1t.ed to UB in the gospel is from God. _With him it origina.ted; by _him in Christ it is wrought. Christians joyfully recogmze God as the God of salva.tloo, the Rock of salvation. It ie for men one of the most glorious and encouraging names of God. God the Crea.tor, God the Preserver, God the Ruler. a.re glorious names; but unless to them conld be a.dcled God the Saviour, they would afford no hope or comfort. It is this which renders all other names of God attractive and inspiring. Specially gladden- ing is it to Le able to 11&y, "The God of my salvation," the Rock of ages in which dlt, XXIJ, 1-51.] TIIE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUl!:L. 56'1