Vers. 1-26 (every verse).-The <Jhurch's antiphon. There can be no doubt that this psalm was sung antiphonally in the Jewish temple, some of the priests reciting or chunting the first portion of each verse, and then the whole congregation responding, "For his mercy cndureth for ever." But this oft-repeated declaration belongs not to the Jewish Church alone, but to the whole Church of God throughout all the ages and in all the world. "One February night, A.D. 858, the great church at Alexandria was bright with lights far into the night, and still the congregntion did not disperse. The Bishop A.thnnasius was there, and the service WRS to be prolonged till morning; for uext day the Holy Communion was to be celebrated, and it was the frequent custom among the early Christians to spend the preceding night in prayer and singing hymns. All knew that further troubles were hanging over their beloved bishop, and thai the time of his presence with them would probably be very short. Suddenly a clashing noise broke the stillness. 'l'he church was surrounded by armed men. With calm presence of mind, Athanasius rose and gave out the hundred and thirty-sixth psalm, which has to every verse the response, '' For his mercy endureth for ever.' '!'he whole congregation joined in thundering forth those grand words, when tho door WIIS burst open, nad the imperial envoy, at the head of a body of soldiers, walked up the aisle. For a moment the soldiers drew back in awe at the solemn sound of the chanting, but again they pre£sed on, and a shower of arrows flew through the church. Swords flashed, arms rattled, and rough shouts interrupted the music. Athanasius retained his seat till the congregation had clispersed, then he too disappeared in the darkness, and no one knew where he was gone. He found a refuge among bis old friends the hermits of Egypt" (quoted from Perowne). The blessed truth it declares is- I. 'l'HE EXPLANATION OF ALL TllAT Goo 1B AND DOES. After each recital of what God is or of what he bas done, it is added, as if by way of explanation," For hi~ mercy: etc. And it is declared not in connection alone with statements as to the holmess, the greatness, the majesty, 'and the love of God, not alone in connection with his acts of PSALMS-Ill, U 290 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [M, CXXXVI, 1-26,
creation_ and of beneficence, but with those of judgment and awful punishment as well. All are mcludcd. And they all must have some explanation. The psalm gives this "For his mercy," etc. Can any one find a better, or one that eo meets the manifold aspects of the problem of human life? Even his judgments, his "strange work," havo mercy at the heart of them, as a little reflection will perceive. II. THE CLAMA1''T NEED OF ALL TITE CHILDREN OF GoD. For who is there of woman born that does not need mercy, that can say he has no sin, that God has nothina0 to accuse him of? ,vhere, but for God's mercy, ~hould any of us have been? And not o □ ly do we need mercy, but enduring mercy. We can give God no guarantee that if he forgive us we shall neerl his forgiveness never more. Alas I it is our daily need. E,·en as we are taught to ask clay by day for daily bread, so also are we to pray daily, "And forgive us our si □ s." III. THE ri-sPIRATION OF ALL THE SERVANTS OF GoD. "The love of Christ con- etrai □ elh us," said St. P>1ul; and as it was with him so is it with all God's servants. It ie not the lnck of fear, the goading of conscience, the command of duty, that impel the servant of God, but the inspiration of the love this antiphon declares. IV. THE GLAD CONFESSION OF ALL THE REDEEMED OF GoD. 'l'hey confess it here on earth; in heaven, "Worthy is the Lamb," which is but another form of this same blessed truth, is the perpetual theme of the ransomed there. V. THE ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALT, WHO DESIBE TO RETURN TO Gon. See the prodigal. It was the memory of his father's house that determined him on returning home. He felt sure that his father's love would not fail him, And so still, it is the proclamation and the belief of the mercy that endureth for ever which emboldens the contrite heart to cast itself upon God (Ps. Ii. 17). VL THAT WHICH THE BELIEVER KEEPS TELLING OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNWEARIEDLY, See in this psalm how perpetually it is repeated, and this is but an example of what the heart of God's redeemed people ever delights in. What are the favourite hymns, the most blessed portions of Scriptnre, but those which tell most clearly and fully of the mercy that enrlureth for ever? And when we come to die, there is nothing else that so soothes and strengthens the departing soul as this same truth as it is seen in Jesus Christ our Lord.-S. C. Ver. 4.-The great wonders of God. I. WHAT ARE THEY? They are seen in nature; in providence; and especially in grace. 'l'he whole purposo, plan, and accomplishment of a,an's salvation is full of them. II. GoD IS EVER DOING GREAT woNDERB, It is not that he once did them anil has now ceased, but he is ever doing and will continue to do them. Hence we may oxpect them in regard to others and to ourselves. Ill No ONE ELBE DOES THEM. 1. Jn Nature we see this plainly. No ono thinks that he can do her works. 2. In providenre we see this partly. :Men are apt to think that they themselves are the authors of the good that comes to them. 3. In grace men are slO'UJ to see this at all. They persist in thinking they must bring something, do something, or else they cannot be saved. They haggle over _God'd free gift. IV. AND THEY ARK GREAT WONDERS. Not common and ordrnary. 1. It was to be e:r,pected that they wou,ld be. For they are the works of God. 2. It was neoossar1J they ,lw'lild l>e. For how else was man to be saved? 3. They have all the conditions of greatneu. Tuirity; transcendent power; wisdom ; grace. V. THEY DESERVE AND DEMAND OUR PRAISE, Of the heart, the lip, the life.-S. C.
Vera. 10-25.-From Egypt to Canaan. Almost every reader of Israel's history bas seen as surely it was intended that there should be seen, the pattern and picture of the s~ul's journey out of the misery nnd bondage of sin into the gloriouR liberty wherewith Christ doth make his people free. It is a locg and arduous journey, but blessed are they which take it. 'l'h~se verses imply or state its chief stages. L THE PREPARATION FOR THIS JOURNEY. '!'his is not stated, but implied. We know the weariness and distress, the hard bondage and the cruel oppression, which led lnrael to cry out unto the Lord. And the like of it the soul knows in its more than Egyptian bondage and oppression through sin. And ere the actual deliverance comes there has been the cry unt-0 the Lord. PB. oxxxvr. 1-26.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 291