The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 30

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-7.-The victorious King. New Testament references leave no doubt as to the Messianic character of this psalm. "'l'he ima~e of a warrior destroying his foes may seem a strange representation of the establishment upon earth of Christ's spiritual dominion. But David described Messiah's victory over his enemies by imacres familiar to him as a warrior; so Ezekiel drew bis images out of the forms of th~ Assyria.n world." Here, in prophetic vision, we see Christ our Lord- I. HOLDING THE MOST EXALTED STATION. He is at the ricrbt hand of God (ver. 1). This is be who is "highly exalted;" who bas "sat down at the right hand of God;" who receives the adoration of the heavenly host along with" him that sitteth on the throne" (Rel', v. 13). II. WIELDING TB.B mGHEST AUTHORITY. (Ver 2.) He is to sway the sceptre to rccei,e the commission, "Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." ' llI. ExERTING mRESISTIBLE POWER. (Ver. 2.) His is" the rod of strength," and" the Lord at his right hand shall strike through kings," etc. (ver. 5). Who shall measure tLe power of Christ to-day? What forces are there in the world that are not Christian in their origin and in their cLaracter? The name of Christ, the truth and principles of Christ, the spirit of Christ,-tbis is leavening the literature, the laws, the institu- tions, the habits, and customs of the world. Other great forces have disappeared or are waninl!, but the power of Jesus Christ not only survives the changes of eighteen centcries, but it is spreading and deepening from year to year. IV. WORKING THROUGH A BEAUTIFUL AND HOLY WILLINGII00D. (Ver. 3.) The people (the subjects) of Messiah are to be "willing," or to be free offerings; they will offer themselves to him; they will serve under him with cheerful self-surrender. No forced, reluctant levies will win his victories, but they who hasten to his side, who long to strike bravely and earnestly in his cause, who rejoice in his watchwords, who are prepared to lay down their lives in his cause. When "the day of his power" comes, the day of battle, they will be found eager to obey the summons. And these subjects of his will be clothed with the beautiful garment of holiness. With no tawdry finery, in no massive and burdensome armour, will they be clad; they will be invc,ted with purity, piety, love, patience, unselfishness, all-consuming zeal; fairer in the sight of truth will they be than the most splendid pageantry-the army of goodness, the hosts of Christ, separated in space but united in o.im and spirit. V. PossESSED OF AN INEXHAUSTIDLE ENERGY. "Thou hast the dew of thy youth" may refer to Christ's soldiery or to himself. In either case, it is an ascription o( unfailing vigour to his cause. "Ever new and ever young, And firm endures tho' endless yen.re Their everlasting circles run," m1ty be affirmed of the cause of Christ!anity. It is always morning; there i~ ':10 sign of sunset. It knows nothing of decline. It ~bsorbs the new forms of act1v1ty and Msociation, and employs them. It uses the latest knowl_edge! the la.test arts. Instead of crumbling with age, it gathers strength au<l energy with time. , . VI. MEETING THE DEEPER NECESSITIES OF MANKIND, (Ver. 4.) 'lhe warrior and the priest do not ordinarily meet in one person. Our Lord, however, is a Conqueror who subdues and also a Saviour who cleanses and redeems. He is more to our race than can be indicated by an image drawn from one vocation; so much more that the unity of the Eacred poem must be disregarded. His Priesth~od, after the order of MdcLized,k. cannot be omitted. On that heavenly throne 1s he who once gave PII. ox. 1-7.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 31 ----------------------------- himself as a sacrifice for us, and redeemed us from sin and death; an unchanging and eternal Priest, in whom to trust so long as time endures, VII. CnoWNED WITII GLORIOUS VICTORY. 'fhis once crucified One, exalted to tha right hnnd of God, who completed his redeeming work when amongst us, and who has such followers to fight beneath his banner, will one clay have his enemies beneath hie foot (ver. 1). Great conquests have been won already. Immeasurably greater these would have been if his people had adhered to his truth and done his bidding. But now they hear the call of their Leader and the cry of their brethren, and are hastening to the field. To-day the triumphs of the cross are vastly greater than they were a century ago; and at the present rate of advance, with such signs of progress as have never been known before, there is every reason to expect that, a hundred years hence, the gospel will have covered and conquered a very large part of heathendom. Nor will the glorious struggle end until the whole world is won, and the crown of Yictory is placed on the Divine Sovereign's head.