The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 17

him. nut Bishop Perowne thinks that some later poet probably adapted them to circumstances of his own time; possibly wishing thus to commemorate some victory over Edom or Philietia. For homiletic treatment, see the above-named psalms.-8. C. Ver.1.-God honoured byfiudresolves. "Myheartisfixed;" "My heart is ready" (Prayer-book Version); "My heart is steadfast" (Perowne). Thie psalm is clearly a compilation from two earlier psalms, and was probably arranged for liturgical worship. It represents the kind of experience which we properly associate with David. The references are such as suit his endeavour to extend and consolidate his kingdom; but the expression in ver. 11 suggests that the psalm was rewritten by a returned exile, to whom the Captivity was a" casting off" of the nation by God. What we now see is, that the mood of mind in which David first composed it is one eminently charac- teristic of him; and it is a mood eminently suitable for a restored exile, who was under the persuasion of the restoring mercies of God. What is the most striking thing in David's career is his fixity for God, the steadfastness of his purpose to live for God. He may have stumbled, made mistakes, acted unworthily, and openly sinned. And who, of woman born, has yet lived such a perfect life that he can venture to throw a stone at David? But from the beginning to the ending of his life David never heart- swerved from God. "His heart was fixed." Fixed to trust; fixed to serve; fixed to praise, I. FIXITY IN PRIN0IPLE IS THE BEOBET OF FREEDOM. Illustrate by the tree, which is only free to spread and wave its branches, and put itself forth in flower and fruit, when the roots go well into the ground and bold firm. A man is not free who has no established principles, no fixed laws of conduct. He seems free, but really is a slave to his senses, and to all who have skill to offer sense-gratifications. True freedom is liberty to do right, and to do wrong, when a man is fixed that he will not do wrong. Sin enslaves those who are not fixed for God. II. FIXITY IN PURPOSE IS THE SE0BET OF STRENGTH. Illust,: Joshua. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." That resolve inspired a strong, unflagging life of service. Or take St. Paul. His resolve is, "To me to live is Christ;" so he exclaims, in conscious strength, "I can do all things through him that strengtheneth me." The man who knows what he means can gather up and unify his forces; hold them in restraint, and use them wisely. III. FlXITY IN HABIT IS THE SECRET OF DEFEN0E, Here reference is to the habit of praise. Thls is the Christian's guard against depression and against temptation. What can the tempter do with a man whom he finds rejoicing in God ?-R. T. Ver, 1.-The best work of a man's best. "I will sing and give praise with the &est member that I have" (Prayer-book Version). A m11n's "glory" is his soul-the powers and faculties which belong to him as a rational and spiritual being. A man may join in singing praise, and only do it mechanically. A man may give praise him- self as the mere performance of a duty. A man only praises God aright, or acceptably, when he praises with his glory; as a real and sincere expression of his feeling. True praise is the utterance of a man's individuality. I. THE GLORY OF A MAN 18 THAT WHI0H DISTINGUISHES HIM FROM THE A.Nnl.ALB. The beasts of the field have no uplook.ing eyes or yearning he11rts. No mere animal can sing. It is only in a figurative sense that birds are said to sing. They express nothing intelligent to men in the sounds they make. Man can think; can receive impressions; can discern qualities in things done for him and to him ; can feel emotions of love and admiration and gratitude. So with his glory as a man, he can sing and give praise. Man can lead the choir of creation; but man's song differs from all other songs. 'l'he tone and meaning in it is put by man's glory. II. THE GLORY OF A MAN It! THAT WHIOH DISTHI0UISHES IIIM FROM OTHER MEN, Jt may be true that all men are alike. The bodily limbs, organs, faculties, etc., 11re the same. nut it is even more true that men differ from one another. Each one is strictly an individual. A man may have much in common with his fellows; he bas some- thing which is peculiar to himself-some faculty, or taste, or preference, or influence? or experience, which is strictly personal. And that, whatever it may be, is bis glory. And it is the placil1g of tlud on the ~lta.r of service to God which is the real "presentin~ PSALMS-ill, 0  18 THE DOOK OF PSJ.LMS. [Pa. ovm. 1-13,