The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 50

'l'his and the following psalm were sung before the second cup. We need not think, however, that these psalms were composed for use at the feasts with which they were afterwards associated. Only Jewish minds could recognize any particular fitness for such. scenes. To us they are simply pmise psalms. Here we notice that praise of the Divine Master is properly claimed from all the servants of the Divine Master. I. PRAISE IS PROPERLY CLAIMED FROM ALL GoD'S CREATION. "All thy works praise thee, in all places of thy dominion." Poet-souls and pious souls find voice fo1 Nature, and utter forth the joy in the Divine wisdom and goodness which all things seem to feel. Many of the psalms are nature-psalms. When man is praiseful, be feelr. that everything around him is praiseful too. II. PRAISE IS PROPERLY CLAIMED FROM T!IE MORAL BEINGS GoD BAS MADE. Inani- mate things praise by answering the ends for which they are made, and meeting the conditions iu which they are set. But moral beings praise by recognizing qualities and character iu the Divine arrangements. They do not only see goodness, they see that only from a good and gracious Being can such goodness come. Man, as man, in dis- tinction from man as sinner,'or man as in special relations with God, is called to praise, as he recognizes the Divine providing, ruling, and overruling. III. PRAISE IS PROPERLY CLAIMED FROM THE SERVANTS WHO DO GOD'S WILL. There may be a special call intended here to the officials of the temple-priests and Levites; but the term "servant" is used by the Prophet Isaiah of the whole people, of every person called to a ministry, and of Messiah. And the Apostle Paul delights to speak of himself as the servant, bond-servant, slave, of Jesus Christ. All God's people who have come into personal relations with him, and have received his regene- rating grace, think of themselves as consecrated to his service, as having become his servants. It may be shown that they, in a special way, feel the duty of praise, and find reasons for praise. Servant-praise is based: 1. On knowledge. The intimacy with the Master is a continually fresh revelation. 2. On experience. The servant never forgets the grace that brought him into the servant-relation. 3. On office; for it is servant-work to secure the honour of the Master.-R. T. Yer. 3.-Universal praise. "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's Name is to be praised." These figures may be taken as representing two notes of universality. 1. From morning to evening, covering all time. 2. From east to west, covering all space. Note that the two conditions of human thought are "time" and" space." All space is filled with reasons for praise. All time should be filled with the spirit of praise. I. TIME FILLED WITH PRAISE. It cannot be expected that our whole days should be occupied with formal acts of worship; though such a pious soul as David will even envy the priests of the temple, who spend all their time in praise. ,ve need to see clearly that " praise" is a cherished spirit of trustfulness, obedience, and holy joy iu God; that this can be with us, abiding with us, while we are occupied with our com- monplace, everyday avocations; and that this spirit of praise ever gladly seizes fitting opportunities for formal expression. In this sense the good man's praise is universnl; it covers all his time. It is cherished always; it is expressed often. And the relation of the frequent expression to the constant feeling may wisely be pointed out. Nealect- ing expression means fading feeling. Restraining the lips means losing the heort'i's joy and gratitude. If a good man's praise is not universal, as including all his time, it will soon become only weak impulse and sentiment. II. SPAOE FILLED WITH PRAISE. East and west are broader, larger suggestions than north and south. They cover all the zones in which man, in his multitudes, can dwell. So they include all humanity. It may be noted that this was a strange conception for the exclusive Jew; but in the time of the restoration from the Captivity the dilfusjon of the knowledge of God among the heathen had already begun. God's work is in all space. God's appeal is made to every man. God's goodness hallows every lifo. God therefore rightly claims universal praise. But there is an element in the redeemed man's praise which makes him the fitting leader of the universal choir. All the world ovor, man, should (1) extol his character; (2) magnify every high and sacred attribute; (3) glory in all his mighty and iracious works; and (4) honour the Name by which he 1s known.-R. T.  54 TIIE BOOK OF PSALMS. [Ps. c:xm. 1-0.