The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 252

Yer. 4.-The ulection of Israd,. "Peculiar treasure" is a special covennnt-name for Israel (Exod. xiL 6; Deut. vii. 6). As used in the Scripture, "election" is not a theological term. It is not what it has been made, a doctrinal term, on which a sec- tarian system 011n be based. It stands for a fact or method or Divine dealing. It does not apply exclusively to any one thing, or any one people. God is always workina- in this way, _electing, or selecting, the best agencies for carrying out his various purpo~es, now of wisdom and mercy, '!1o!V of judgment and_ destruction. It is a poetic setting, and a comfortable self-glonfymg, for the psalmist to speak of Jehovah as having "chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure." The sober fact is that this particular nation was selected to carry out a particular Divine mission in the world; and it would have done better if it bad thought more of its responsibility, and less of its privilege. Dr. T. Arnold wrote of Rome, Athens, and Jerusalem as repre- senting the three people of God's election-two for things temporal, and one for things eternal. Since his time we have learned to extend his thought, and to see in every nation a distinct Divine election to some ministry for the blessing of the whole of humanity. To us the election of Israel is no more than a representative and suggestive election. L IF WE T.&.XB THE TERll "ELECTION," WE THINK OF A PRIVILEGE, The old Jews did this, regarding themselves as a petted nation, standing in the favour of God in an altogether unique manner. Consequently, they presumed on their privilege, and let it encourage self-pleasing. Those do it in modem times who make the sovereignty of their election the foundation of their religious hope. Antinomian presumptions always attend on the conception of God's election as privilege. Frail man easily turna privilege into favouritism.. II. l.F WE TAKE TBB TEBH "SELECTION," WE THINK OF DUTY AND BEBPONBIDILITY. .And this i;; in every way healthier for us. God wants co-workers, agents in the sense- spheres, the human spheres; and he is always looking for such, always selecting such, always separating 611Ch. It is indeed an honour unspeakable to be selected; but if we think of oUISelves as such, we almost forget the honour e.nd the privilege, becall6e we are so fully urged to noble endeavour by the 'burden of our reRponsibility.-R. T. Ver. 6.-Gori'a power can W'ITY out God:s will. "All that Jehovah willeth he bath done." Observe the contrast with idols. If it were conceivable that they had tbe powH to will, it is manifest that they have not the power to carry out, or execute, their will. Observe the contrast with men. They, undoubtedly, have the power to will, but the inability to perform oppresses them continually. "I would, but cannot," is the constant cry of man's feebleness. But a limitation on God's power to execute what he wills is inconceivable; and if we could conceive it, we should find we bad lost all worthy ideas of God. "With God all things are possible" that arc not ridiculous in the statement. Calvin says, "The specification of Jehovah's doings according to his pleasure, in heaven, earth, sea, and all deep places, puts before us in a graphic manner his particular care always and everywhere." L THE CONNEOTION BETWEEN GoD's WILL AND GoD'S POWER. That can be seen in all the three spheres of God's relation&. 1. In the material worlu. of things. It alwaye was, and it alwaye is, true that "he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood forth." Lawe in their working may seem to cross other laws; but they cannot binder the outworking of what God wills. 2. In the world of people. God "doeth as Le wills among the armies of heaven, and inhabitants of the earth." 3. In the spiritual world. Because that world is so difficult to appreheud, the connection between God'a will and power escapes our attention, though it is as sure as anywhere else. IL Tm: =oBAXCES PUT Ui' TUE WAY 01' THE CONNECTION. 'l'hcy never como rs. oxxxv. 1-21.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 283