Vers. 1-3.- Valiant for the Lord. The Septuagint ascribes this psalm to Haggai or Zechariah. It can hardly be by David. But it was by some greatly tried but triumphant saint. L SEE How BE STANDS UP FOB GoD. Note his boldness. Not only would he pra~se God with his whole heart, but be would do this in the very face, in the teeth as 1t were, of the heathen gods; so would he defy and scorn them whilst honourina the_ Lord in whom he trusted. So would he strengthen his faith and love, as by such valiant confession they ever are strengthened. Compare Daniel worshipping towards the temple. IL AND VllIDICATES GoD's INSULTED ATTRIBUTES-BIS LOVING-KINDNESS AND lIIB TRUTH. These were insulted when Israel was in exile; the heathen would laugh at the i<lea of these Jews being the objects of God's loving-kindness, as they affirmed they were; and where was the truth of God, seeing that they were so very far from realizing the promises of God? But this saint of God declares that he will praise the Lord for these very things; he declares that God bad helped and strengthened him, and shown to him his loving-kindness, etc. And this beyond all that even the great Name of God had led him to expect. For next he- III. .A.ssEBTS THE HONOUR OF BIB WoRD. Many aver thnt God is glorious in nature, in the visible works of bis hands; but that his Word often seems to have failed. But the psalmist says, No; so far from failing or falling short, God has "magnifie<l bis Word above," etc. True, there is glor,v in nature (Ps. xix.). But there is more in God's Word. For it speaks with clearer voice, with no need of interpreter, as nature needs; its revelation is far more complete and effectual. IV. AND GRATEFULLY DECLARES WHEREFORE HE DOES ALL THIS. For be has put his faith in God to practical lest. He cried unto the Lord, and then and there, that very day, "the Lord answered him, and strengthened," etc. This was matter of actual experience. He knew this, did not dream it., or tell of it as a mere theory. Oh the power of personal testimony I We cannot be valiant for the Lord unless we have it. But why should we not? We may.-S. C. Ver. 2.-Tlie Word and the Name. In order to understand the declaration of our text, let us- I. lNQOTRE THE MEANING OF THE WORD AND THE NAME. 1. The Name. What is the import of this? The expression is one that perpetually occurs in Scripture, and generally it has much the same meaning. In Rom. i. 19, 20 it is spoken of as "that which may be known of God; " and he refers to "the things that are made" as a source of such knowledge. Thus St. Paul declares that ever since the Creation the unseen God bas revealed himself by means of the works of bis bands. 'l'he Name of 3-od therefore, means all the manifestations or God, howsoever made; but in the Old Testament it means more commonly the manifestation of God through his works, whether in creation or in providence. '!'hen: 2. The Word. This has a threefold signification. (1) The written Scripture-the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms-and now, since Christ came, the Scriptures of the New Testament. These contain tho Word of God, and hence commonly receive the title of the Word of God. But (2) the Word means also that spiritual communioaticm from God to the heart of h19 servants. Hence we often read, "'!'ho Word of the, Lord came," etc. God speaks to the soul by different means; but it is what God says that is his Word. (3) And chiefly, there is God's revelation Qf himself in O!trist. He is "the Word," which was in the beginning, which became flesh, and dwelt amongst u~, so that we could behold him, and, in seeing him, see the Father also, Tl,o Word of God, then, me11,ns God's PB, CXX.X:VllL 1-8.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 307
revelation of himself through the Scriptures, the Spirit, and through his Son Christ our Lord. Either and all are God's Word. II. Goo's NAME AND WoRD HAVE MUCH IN COMMON. For: 1. Both reveal God. His existence, greatness, power, wisdom, unity, unchangeableness. \Ve do not add bis love, because there are those who deny that the love of God is to be seen in the natural world. 'rhey speak of "Nature, red in tooth and claw;" they see only her ruthlessness and frequent ferocity; stem law, but little love. 2. Neither ever wears out the patience or the love of those who study them. The more they search into God'~ works or Word, the more they find in them. Both seem to be inexhaustible mines, whose riches never fail. 3. .And both have a perpetu,al freshness. No human worka or words can be compared to them for this. Ill. .A.No Goo HAS MAGJnFIED BOTH. He has revealed himself to men by both, and drawn them nearer to himself. It is foolish and wrong, therefore, for any to dis- parage one at the expense of the other. Some there are who boast of the study of nature only; others have no patience with such study, but insist that the \Verd alone is to have our regard. But both are wrong, for God bath magnified his Word and bis Name. IV. STILL, HE HAS PUT THE GREATER HONOUR ON HIS Woao. 1. The revelation of nature is dependent on that of his Word for its comprehension. The Word is the key of his works: without it, men cannot interpret bis works. 2. His Word declares higher truths than his works ever can. The love of God; the whole plan of salvation; life eternal; holiness; the truth of the Trinity, etc. 3. His Word acccmplishes far more f<n· man's Mghest intere1,ts than his works do. See this in man's knowledge of God, and whence it came; in the instruction which we derive from his works; we could not have bad this but for his Word (see Ps. xix.). In the understanding of God's providence ; in showing us God's will concerning us; in revealing his grace ; in the subduing of our will to himself;-whatever the teachings of God's work may have done for us in these respects; his Word, we must all own, has done far more. V. TnE SPBEA.DINQ OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WoRD IS, THEREFORE, OUR HIGHEST INTEREST AND DUTY. Men are saying to-day-Educate, teach art, science, philo- sophy; provide for men better homes, surroundings, nnd opportunities; and much more to like effect; and only a fool will despise what they say. But the real need of man is for some power which will touch his heart anu change bis nature; and this only the Word of God can do. Therefore let us prize that Word for ourselves, make it known to others, and ever maintain the truth that it and it alone can meet man's universal, greatest, and constant need.-S. C.