HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-31.-Explanation, warning, encouragement. This psalm of David con• tains- I. AN EXPLANATION TO DE BOUGHT. How came these strong imprecations to be uRed by the servant of the Lord? Are they worthy to find a place in the pages of Holy Scripture? Two things, at least, have to be considered in defence of them. 1. David identi6es his own cause with that of God, and therefore his own enemies with God's. He is animated by the spirit which breathes in the words," Do not I hate them that hate thee? •.• I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies" (Ps. cxxx.ix. 21, 22). So that his bittemes!I is not so much personal as public; it is moral indignation rather than individual and personal resentment. He speaks as one who feels that what is said and done against himself is aimed at the cause of Jehovah; there is more of righteousness than rancour in his soul. But if, as may be fairly urged, this does not provide a full explanation, it must be further considered: 2. That David could indulge wishes and take .action against his enemies which are impossible to us, without injury to his conscience. He had not sat at the feet of Jesus Christ. He had not read, "Ye hnve beard that it hath been said, Thou shalt . . . hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies," etc. (Matt. v. 43). He felt that he was well within the limits of the Law, if indeed he was not eagerly and dutifully championing the cause of God and of righteousness, by uttering thesCl maledictions. II. A WARNING TO BE HEEDED, It did not need that David should imprecate thus in order that his adversaries should be humbled. 1. Evil would certainly overtake them. They were guilty of unprovoked assault (see vers. 4, 6); they were utterly heartless in their course of cruelty (see ver. 16); they would inevitably meet with the condemnation of a righteous God, and with the visible and tangible tokens of his displeasure. All sin has to pay its penalty sooner or later; and it is certaiu that they who wantonly injure the people of God, and mercilessly afflict the poor and the unbe- friended, will have to meet their doom (Ps. :x.xx.iii. 16). 2. The penalty which the wicked have to pay answers closely to the character of their crimes (vers.17-19). He that curses others will himself be cursed of man, as well as condemned of God. "With what measure ye mete," etc. The hard-hearted and close-fisted will have no pity shown them in their hour of need. He that taketh the sword may expect to perish by the sword. To none are we so apt to be uncharitable as to those who have no charity in their hearts towards others. Every one is inclined to excuse cruelty when it is shown to the cruel. Whatsoever we sow, that shall we reap. III. AN EXAMPLE TO BE FOLLOWED. Not, indeed, In these imprecations; we have not so learned Christ; we have been taught the much more excellent way of pitying those who are wrong (even w,hen they have wronged ns), and of seeking to turn their hearts, that they may be saved from the consequences of their own sins. But: 1. In maintaining innocency in the midst of transgression. The psalmist had the peace- bringing consciousness that the wrongs inflicted on him had not been provoked by him; his hands were clean. In the darkest hour of our distress it is a priceless consolation that we have preserved our own integrity, that nothing has left II stain upon onr soul. "Poor and needy, and wounded in heart," we may be (ver. 22), but we are true and pure, and onr heart is right with God. 2. In looking to God for Divine succour (vers. 1, 4, 26-28). '\Ve, too, must II give ourselves to prayer," and look to the Slrong for strength. Let who will curse us, if God bless us we shall be blessed indeed. 3. In a joyful assurance that all will be well at last (vers. 30, 31). Whatever the situation now, the future will show a Divine Redeemer at our right band, rescuing and exalting us.
HOMILIES IlY V ARIOO'S AUTHORS. ~crs. 1--31.-71,e dreadful psalm. It is by no means easy to Imagine tho wholtJ nation of Israel sin"ina such dreadful imprecations as thoso contained in vcrs. 6-19. "Thons~nds of God·~ people," says Mr. Spurgeon, "are perplexed by it." Not a few would hke to be rid of it altogether. And the explanation given by many of the 24 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB. Oit., 1-31,