Ver. 7.-God the Remover of disabilitie.~. "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust." The expressions used in this and the following .verse are taken from the song of Hannah (see 1 Sam. ii. 1-10), and similar expressions are found in the song of the Virgin Mary (see Luke i. 51-53). Historical illustratior,s of the passage may be found in the careers of Gideon, King Saul, and David. 'l'he psalmist may have in mind the restoration of the nation from the Babylonish captivity, which was an extreme national humiliation. As a fact of Divine dealing, this removing of disabilities may be illustrated from the preacher's own experience and observation. But we can so fully recognize the Divine wisdom in such dealings in general as to removo sll thought of Divine favouritism or mere sovereignty. Two of the reasons guiding Divine conduct may be considered. I. Goo GRACIOUSLY RECOGNIZES AND REWARDS CHARACTER. Some of the best features of human character can only gain expression and culture under the pressure of poverty, burdens, and disabilities. It is the misfortune of many men that they cannot be noblest-typed characters because they have never known trouble and strain. There are qualities of character in the favoured ones which the poor and tried ones cannot attain; but they are not so important as the qualities or the humbled and suffering ones, which the favoured few cannot attain. Since God is specially interested in character, he is concerned for the poor and needy, and finds in them persons who are fitkd for responsible positions. 'l'he rise of men of lowly station to offices of influence is mainly due to the power of character, and the Divine recognition of character. It may be shown that, though this is largely true, it must be taken with some qualifica- tions, seeing that men do sometimes rise through force of mind, or characteristic qualities, which are quite distinct from moral and religious character. II. Goo FINDS IN THOSE UNDER nISADILITIE8 FITTING PERSONS FOR ms SERVICE. Here it may be pointed out that times of disability are often the schooling of the men God wants for his work, Poverty, toil, strain, burden, make the training-ground for the Lord's heroes. .And the man who is placed under any special form of disability may comfort himself with the assurance that the Lord is nee,ling him, n.nd so needs to have him disciplined, polished, furbished, by this trying experience.-R. 'l'. Ver. 9.-17ie mission of the children. Here is an evident nllusion to the joy of Hannah, when her prayer was he.ard, and Samuel came as the firstborn of n family. "The Lord visited Hannah, so that she bare three sons and two daughters," and her adversary could provoke her no more. It is remarked that the Rabbins actually speak of a man's wife as his house; and the same form of speech is current at the present day among the .Arabs. This joy men have in children, which is characteristic of every age and nation, which is, indeed, the universal sentiment, leads us to consider the mission of the children. Why do they come in helplessness, and take so long growing up to their manhood and womanhood? I. CHILDREN ARE BENT TO CULTURE CHARACTER. This is the other side of the truth with which we are familiar-that children have characters which we must culture. There is a good sense in which children are sent into the world to "trnin their parents.» What they can do is seen in the immediate effect their coming has upon their mothers. lt changes them from thoughtless, self-centred maidens into thoughtful, eelf-denyin:,, women. And an equal influence, though not quite so evident, is seen in the father. Family life cultures all the graces, the stronger ones no less than the milder; and it lays the burden of personal example upon the parents; for n child makes demand of father and mother that they will show him the ideal goodness. Each element of refined and Christly character may be dealt with, and specin.l stress may be laid upon "patience" and "charity " in the sense of going outside ourselves for our interests. II. CHILDREN ARE BENT TO KEEP UP OUR INTEREST IN MORALS. Thie point ls seldom dwelt on. Yet it is evident that the children come just at the time in our lives when material interests-business, society-become so absorbing. Moral and r~ligions 'I'IiE BOOK OF PSAtMS. (re. ot.1v. 1-8.
interests would pass out of our thought if it were not that every day brings to us con- cern for the children, and that must be a moral concern. 'l'hc children break into the monotony of material middle-life associations. Everyday morals for every parent, and morals and religion for most pa.rents, are brought closely to mind. The children are God's voice reminding man of eternal things.-li. T.
Vers. 5-8.-The Divine nature and character. "Who ls like unto the Lord our God," etc.? 'l'be views we form of God's nature and character are of the highest importance. I. Gon's INCOMPARABLE MAJESTY. (See the fortieth chapter of Isaiah.) But bis moral greater than bis physical greatness. II. Gon's CONDESCENSION. "Humbleth himself to behold the things tbe.t are in heaven and in the earth." Displays a deep and everlasting interest in the works of his hands. 1. Great men stoop to inferior things/or the purposes of science. But God has n perfect knowledge of all things. 2. Men stoop to the wants and miseries of others, but do not relinquish their rank and station. But God in Obrist came in the form of a i<en•ant (Phil. ii. 6-8). 3. Great men die for their country or their friends, but not for their enemie.s. " God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners [and enemies], Christ died for us." IIL Gon's REDEEMING COMPASSION. 1. Man's character as a sinner is descri"bed. He is called poor and needy. Poor e.ud needy indeed I As a sinner, he has no real treasure, and not even any hope. 2. His misery is indicated. In the dust and on the dunghill-a miserable outcast. 3. His glorious elevation by the redeeming love of God. (1 Sam. ii. 8.) He is translated to a seat with princes. " Who hath made us kings and priests unto God."-S.