The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 203

Ver. 2.-Signs of joy. Polybius, in describin:;i: the joy of the Greeks when unex- pectedly rescued from 1he Macedonians, says," Most of the men could scarcely believe the news, but imagined themselves in a dream as they listened to what was said, so extraordinary and miraculous it seemed to them." I. Joy .AND GLAD:?\"ESS MAY BE FITTING RESPONSE TO CIRCUMSTANCES. There is a natural and proper response to every set of conditions in which we are placed. We need never restrain those responses. Religion tones them, but does not arrest or crush them. Joy and gladness were be.fitting to the restored captives. Laughter is the expression of joy; and "Is any merry, let him sing psalms." Some phases of Christian life are too decorous, too restrained, too cold. True religion only flourishes in a warm atmosphere of feeling. Aud we should find abundant cause for joy and song, if we did but read our lives aright, and recognize the loving-kindness of the Lord. "'l'he redeemed shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads." II. Joy AND GLADNESS MAY BE EXAGGERATED, AND BECOME A PEI\IL. 'l'here was a degree of extravagance in the joy of these returned exiles. 'l'bey were over-excited. In their excitement they imagined a future which could never be realized; and were tempted to play with their new-found liberty as with a toy, instead of being solemnized by its obligations, and urged thereby to high and noble endeavour. 1. Times of over- joy make the prosaic work of everyday life very trying and hard_ The beginnings of religious life are often a skipping and dancing and singing of the soul, and it is almost overwhelming to discover the.t it must pass into a persistent, humdrum walking the pilgrim-path of righteousness. We cannot be always in ecstasy and song, either here or in heaven. Israel found the actual life in restored Palestine soon changed excited song for the quiet strain of daily service. 2. 'l'imes of over-excitement are followed by times of undue depression. Israel bravely sang ou the shores of the Red Sea, and murmured, ere three days were passed, at what redemption involved. Overstrain of religious feeling in times of revivals and missions, is oftentimes a most serious peril to young souls, because it suggests a false idea of ChrisUan life. And, to some dispositions, it is no less than absolute ruin.-R. T. Vers. 2, 3.-0ur joy in God a witness for God. "Then said they among the heathen, The Lord bath done great things for them." The estimate which surrounding nations would form of them and of their circumstances was always a matter of interest and importance to Israel. From the first it was understood that the honour of Jehovah was bound up with the prosperity of this people. It is possible to fix our thoughts too entirely on the exclusiveness and the isolation of Israel, and on its mission as the treasury, for the world, of the primary truths of revealed religion, Its second mission was its witness to Jehovah, by its trust in him; devotion to his service; and safety and enrichment through his presence and blessing. Israel was, as it were, locked up iu that little central land, away from the nations; but it was so isolated that it might make its testimony, and be a beacon-light for God. We try to see what witness it rendered by one of its moods. I. Is1tAl!:1.'s JOY IN Goo WITNESSED TO THE DrvINE PITY. We are dtallng now with the jtiy of the n,stored exiles. They were largely the immediate descendants of men who had provok~d Jehovah by their iniquity and rebellion, and had for years been enduring his righteous judgments. Looking at, and thinking only of, their calamity, other nations might easily come to think of their ~od as one who never forgives. But, in view of the joy of their restoration, such an idea could not be enter- tained. It is proved now that God pities even while he punishes; and is glad when his pity is free to work its gracious, restoring work. II. IsnAEL's JOY IN Gov WITNESBEJ> To TIii!: DIVINE PRESERVATION, lt declared PS, OX.XVI, 1-6.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 225