servieo. And the glorious majesty of his that call upon him (comp. Deut. h·. 7; Pas. kingdom (comp. vers. 5, 11). xxxiv. 18 ; xlvi. 1: oxix. 151, etc.). God Yer. 13.-Thy kingdom is an everlasting draws near to those who draw near to him; kingdom (comp. Dan. iv. 8, 84). It is in- i.e. he makes his presence (whioh is always conceivable that God's kingdom should everywhere) felt by them. To all that come to an end. Re cannot will it to cee.se, call upon him in truth, A limiting clause. and so dethrone himself. Much Jess can More formal prayer is useless, does not any other, and necessarily inferior, power Jessen the diste.noe between God and man, overthrow it. And thy dominion endureth rather augments it. If we really desire to throughout all generations. This is rather enjoy the consciousness of his presence, we an anti-climax, since the generations of men must call upon him "in trnth," i.e. sin- will one day cease ; but it was a customary cerely, with earnest desire and strong con- phrase (Pss. xxxiii. 11; xiv. 17; xlix. 11; fidence. lxi. 6; !xii. 5, etc.), and brought home to Ver.19.-B:e will fulfil the desire of them men the thought that his special" dominion" that fear him (comp. ver. 16). What ho was over them. does for "every living thing," be will do Ver. 14.-The Lord upholdeth all that more especially for men, if they truly" fear'' fall. Lifts them up, i.e., and again "up- him, and love him (ver. 20), and draw near holds" or supports them (comp. Pa. xx.xvii. to him in sincerity and truth. He e.lso will 24 ). And ra.iseth up all those that be bowed hear their ory, a.nd will save them; i.e. down (comp. Ps. cxlvi. 8). deliver them out of their troubles. Ver. 15,-The eyes of all wait upon thee; Ver. 20.-The Lord preserveth all them and thou givest them their meat m due that love him (comp. Pas. xxxi. 23; xcvii. sea.son (cf. Pss. civ. 21, 27; cxxxvi. 25: 10). But all the wicked will he destroy, cxlviL 9). The constant supply of all living The "severity" of God is always set age.inst creatures with their necessary food is little his "goodness" in Holy Scripture, lest men less than a standing miracle. should misunderstand, and think to obtain Ver. 16.-Thou openest thme hand, and salvation though they continue in wicked- satistiest the desire of every livmg thing. ness (see Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7: Rom. ii. 2-11 ; Not only are they given what is necessary xi. 22, etc.). for them, but every desire which they enter- Ver. 21.-Mymouth shall speak the praise tiiin is satisfied. of the Lord. 'l'he "psalm of praise" (title) Ver. 17.-The Lord is righteous mall his ends as it began (vers, 1, 2)-witb the strong ways, and holy (rather, gracious, or merciful) determination of the psalmist that he at in all his works. Mercy and truth meet in least will praise Jehovah. Others, he hopes, God (Ps. lxxxv. 10). He is at once per- will join with him, and all fiesh bless his fectly just, and absolutely tender and com- holy Ne.me (literally, the Name of his holi11ess) passionate. "All his works" experience for ever and ever; but for this result he can both bis justice and his tenderness (comp. only wish and hope and pray-he cannot Pss, xxv. 8; cxvi. 5, etc.). ensure it. But he can, and does, fulfil his Ver. 18.-The Lord is nigh UI1.to all them own duty in the matter.
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-3, 7, 21.-0ur response to God. What feeling should the greatness and the goodness of God call forth from us, and how should we utter it? We will praise God in every way that is open to us. I. CoNTINUALLY. (Ver. 2.) "Every day·" will we bless him: his praise shall be "continually" in our mouth (Ps. xxxiv, 1). Not that a man is necessarily more devout because the Name of God is alwa.yB on his lips, but that the spirit of thankful- ness should be always in the heart, and should spontaneously and freely rise for utterance. IL CONTINUOUSLY, (Vera. 1, 2.) "For ever and ever." Through all the days and the years of life-and beyond. Many things eagerly undertaken will be allowed to drop out, but this, never. The tongue may well forget its office before it ceases to praise God. There is no end to which language can be put which is worthy to be compared with that of rendering praise to the Giver of all good, the God of l'Ur salvation, We will bless God- •• While life and thought and being last, Or immortality endures." PS, OXLV, 1-21.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 373