Ver. 5.-The excelwncy of the Divine memory. "He will ever be mindful of his covenant." To the Jewish mind it WM a source of constant satisfaction that Jehovah was actually under covenant-pledge Lu his people. Every look-back over the history of his race brought to view the fact, again and again, that Jehovah kept his covenant in mind. This, no doubt, seemed the more striking to him, because that same review of the history of the race revealed the fact that Israel baa not kept in mind his covenant-pledge; but Jehovah's mindfulness of his covenant stood out in strong contrast with the people's unmindfulness of their covenant. See how this Divine memory of covenant becomes a ground of consolation and strength to the psalmist. L THE DIVINE MEMORY ENSURES PROMPT AND EFFICIENT HELP IN OUR TIMES OF 1-"EED. It is memory of a solemn pledge to defend aud succour. Illustrate by the influence which a vow, or pledge, or covenant has upon us. Illustrate by the free- ID.3.l:On, who so 6olernnly pledges brotherly help to his brother freemasons wherever be may meet them. Long years after, and in distant lands, he meets a needy brother, remembers his covenant, and at once gives help and comforting and guidance. Whensoever his people are in need, God may be thought of as remembering what he bas pledged. For his pledge we must look back to his entering into covenant with Abraham, and bis renewing covenant with Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. What Jehovah promised to be to Israel, the Father of Jesus has promised, in the new covenant, to be to us. To see the importance of the Divine memory, we should conceive what our condition would be if our God were forgetful, and willingly disregarded his promises, on which we are permitted to hope. It would be sad and hopeless indeed if we were left to keep God in mind of what he has given us to rely on. There is always rest in the confidence we have in his faithfulness. He ever" remembers bis word unto his servants." I!. 'l'HE DIVINE MEMORY IMPLIES DIVINE TRIUMPH OVER HUMAN UNFAITHFULNESS, The old covenant was broken by Israi,l, and so God was relieved of his pledgo. No one could have complained if God had refused to recognize any further obligations. 'l'hat be does remember his covenant is a triumph of Divine love, which will not be frustrated, in its beneficent de&igns, even by man's sin. Man may forget, God 'Yill not. The glory of Jehovah, and of Jehovah-Jesus, lies in this triumph of persistent redeeming love over all our failure, neglect, and transgression.-R. T.
Ver. 8.-71ul distinction between truth and uprightness. "A.re done in truth and equity" (Prayer-book Version). The usual contrast to equity is "justice." Justice represents the absolute right according to standard; equity represents the practical PB, OXI, 1-10.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 41
application of justice with due consideration of circumstance. Or we may say that justice is right in the eight of God, equity is right between man and man, This distinction seems to be expressed in the words of the text, "truth" and "uprightness." 'l'ruth stands for the absolutely right. Uprightness etanils for the practically right, Truth God appraises, who can read heart and motive. Uprightness man appraise;:, who can only estimate conduct. I. THE WORKS OF Goo JUDGED BY THE ABSOLUTE STANDARD, "They are done in truth." There is no standard of truth or of righteousness separate from and inde~ pendent of God. God himself is the Standard. We learn it by observing the thina~ he has done. He has made his own standard. It is far above, out of reach, beyond o~r criticism, It embodies and expresses every virtue that we can imagine, and we look to find that all God's works are up to the standard which God himself bas set. But this comes to bewilder men. It is vague, speculative. Men cannot grasp any absolute things; and God's standard for himself is beyond intellectual grasp or imaginative setting. Therefore the absolute standard of truth and right is shown to us in the Person, words, and works of the Divine Son, the "Man Christ Jesus." And we can take that standard, apply it to the various works of God wrought in all the ages, and concerning everything we may say, "All his works are done in truth." It is so with the great work of redemption. II. THE WORKS OF GOD JUDGED BY THE PRACTICAL STANDARD. The practical standard is the conception of righteousness and right, as between man and man, which is entertained in each particular age and nation. It is never perfect; but it always represents the highest and best thought attainable. Now, the psalmist is confident that all God's works, in their age, and in all ages, will even bear the testing of men's standards, They are done in "equity" as well 11,8 in" truth."-R. T.