HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-4.-" Unto thee lift I up mine eyes." These psalms are called "Songs of Degrees." For some thought that they were sung on the steps that led from one court to another in the temple of the Lord, and so they were called the songs of degrees, or steps. But though this explanation has been long abandoned, nevertheless, in these psalms, thus far, there has been an ascent as from step to step. See the sadness of the first of them (P11. cxx.). That rises to trust in the blesEed keeping of God. That to joy and delight in drawing near to the house of God. Now this rises higher still, and lifts up its eyes unto God himseH. 'l'he psalm reveals to us much concerning the writer. L HE IS A MAN WHO BELIEVES IN Gon. God is as real to him as, and more than, any fellow-man could be. The atheistic doubts or the polytheistic imaginations come not near him: he is so sure that God is, that he turns his eyes to tho heavens where he dwelt, as when he was speaking to a fellow-man he would turn his eyes to him. Strong faith in God is the only power which will cause any of us to lift up our eyes as does the psalmist here. II. A MAN WHO LONGED AFTER Gon. For in this uplifted eye the longing look is clearly traceable. It is not merely that he believes that God is, but also that he is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him (JBS. i.), and therefore he will diligently seek him. III. HE IS A MAN OP HtTMllLE HEART. He likens himself to a slave watching for the beckoning of his master's hand, to know what he would have done. Orientals do not speak to their attendant servant~, as we do, but by beckoning and gesture they make kno\vn their will. The servants humbly watch and wait, continuously, patieutly, and attentively, that they may miss no movement of the master's or mistress's hand which will signify their will. So does the psalmist wait, thus humbly, patiently, attentively, and in this case, it should seem, beseechingly, for the help needed. IV. HIS REFUGE UNDER DEEPEST DISTRESS IS IN Gon. (Ver. 3.) His lot was hard to bear, almost unbearable; but ho could and did turn to God. Moy we not see Christ in this psalm? Let it tell of ourselves.-S. C. • Ver. 1.-0ur uplook to God. This is the characteristic possibility for humanity. The cattle havo no uplooking eyes, and no yearning hearts to find expression by uplooking eyes. Man can look up, pierce the veil of sense, aud see the unseen, and realize relations with the Divine. Indeed, he is not himself until he does. But to get the fixed uplook often is, and may well be, tha issue of a lifelong moral discipline. The need for turning to God comes out of distressed earthly conditions. Tho restored exiles in Jerusalem were full of anxieties aud perplexities; they could get no heart-rest by the worrying, which is represented by "looking down." 'l'hey found it by looking up and away to the steadfast heavens-to him " that sittoth in the heavens." "'l'he uplifted eyes naturally and instinctively represent the state of heart which fixes desire, hope, confidence, and expectation upon the Lord." Manton says, "The lifting up the eyes implies faith and confident persuasion that God is ready and willing to help us. 'l'he very lifting up of the bodily eyes towards heaven is an expression of this inward trust." R. Holdsworth gives the following outline: There are many testimonies in the lifting up of the eyes to heaven. 1. It is the testimony of a bulieving, humble hoart. Neither infidelity ncr pride ever carries a man above the earth. 2. It is the tes- timony of an obedient heart. A man that lifts his eyo up to God acknowledgeth this much," Lord, I am thy servant." 3. It is the testimony of a thankful heart; acknow- ledging that every good blessing, every perfect gift, is from the hand of God. 4. 'l'he testimony of a heavenly heart. He that lifts up his eyes to heaven acknowledgeth that he is weary of the earth; his heart is not there; his hope and desire are ab0v11, THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PI!, cxxm.1-4.
5. It is the testimony of a devout heart. There is no part of the body besides the tongue that is so great an agent in prayer as the eye. I. 'l'HE UPLO0K TO Gon MAY BE DUT OCCASIONAL. And that is eo far well. Man must be busy with earthly things; tut his heart should be as a metal spring tied down. It flies upwMd at every instant of re!ease. II. THE UPLOOK TO GOD MAY DE FIXED AND PERMANENT. A set of the eyes because there is a set of the heart. The fixed level of human eyes, and of soul-eyes' varies most rcmarkably.-R. 'l'. '