The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 334

blessing altogether. And this habit must be permanently maintained. "For ever ~nd ever" (vel:'. 1, 2). Here is the real test and trial of the religious life. Many are mduced to begin, but., alas, how many show that they have no staying power I 'l'hey get cold and ir.different, and after a while break away altogether. But the earnest, impassioned soul of the psalmist resolved that his praise of God should be every day, and for ever and ever. ll. THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THIS PRAISE IS DASED. There are three divisions in this psalm, and each one tells of oue special reason for this fervent praise of God. 1. In the first seven verses it is the greatness of the Lord. (Ver. 3.) And when one thinks of the seemingly irresistible might of the manifold forces of evil, our hearts are apt to die down; but how greatly are they cheered and strengthened when we call to mind and do firmly believe in that greatness of God against which all these forces hurl them- selves in vain! 2. Then next (in vers. 7-16), the tender mercies of the Lord are celebrated. When the soul thinks of them, what can it do but perpetually praise and bless the Lord ? 3. And last of all (from ver. 17), the righteousness of the Lord is the theme of thanksgiring. Without this even bis tender mercies would be shorn of well- nigh all their preciousness. It is because we have a righteous salvation that our heart is glad. III. lTs EXCEEDING BLESSEDNESS. 1. Many forget this. They pray to God, but too often fail to praise him. We say our prayers more often tbau we sing our praises. But this is wrong. 2. God deserves and delights in our praise. Love ever loves the response of love; and in regard to God, such response takes the form of praise. 3. And it is powerful in its influence with others. If they see that our God is one who fills onr heart with joy, will not they be led to desire and to seek him? 4. And/or ourselves its effect ia as blessed as it is powerful. It gives us confidence before God, joy in the heart, drives away fear, prepares us for heaven, cheers us in all the work of life and amid its darkest trials.-S. C. Ver. 4.-The charge of the generations. How a.re we to understand these '!\'Ords? We may take them in either one of three ways. I. Ai; A PREDICTION THA.T HAS BEEN ABUNDANTLY FULFILLED. One generation has handed on to its successor its treasure store of knowledge and wisdom. We are the heirs of all the ages; it is their accumulated knowledge that has come down to us, and which we, with the fresh additions we shall make, a.re to hand on to those who come after us. And amongst the varied indebtedness under which we lie to those who have preceded us, chief of all is this-for the knowledge of God's ways. The Word of the Lord has proved to he an imperishable seed, which liveth and abideth for ever. It has seemed at times to die out in some regions; but in others it has sprung up and borne fruit; and there have never been lacking those who stood ready to hand on the torch of truth to others who would keep it burning and then hand it on again. n . .AB A PROMISE OF MOST IIEAilT-CHEEilING NATURE. Jt'or what would have been 011r condition now, had not God been mindful of this promise? We might have inherited vast wealth, and succeeded to chief place amongst the nations of the world; in the eyes of men we mi 6ht have been exalted to the. highest summits of earthly greatness and glory; but if we had lost, through the unfaithfulness of those that went before us, or from any other cause, the blessed knowledge of God, what pledge or guarantee should we have that even our earthly blessings Bhould loDg continue ours? and what woulrl have guarded us from the doom which has come on other nations who have not known God, or cared not to retain his knowledge? But so it will not be with us or ours; for as the past generations have declared to us God's mighty deeds, and praised his works, so likewise shall this generation, in regard to that which shall follow. There may be sad unfaithfulness here and there, and sore suffering must ensue; but God will not suffer himself to want for faithful witnes~es who shall transmit that knowledge of himself, which is life eternal, to the generation that receiveth it. We need not tremble for the ark of God. We have many such blessed promises as this before us now, and we may rest confident that our generation, evil as many comprising it may appear, shall yet "praise God's works to another, e.nd," etc. III. A l'IlECEPT THA.T EACII GENERATION MUST DILIGENTLY ODSERVE. Many read our text as a command; and it is a command, though a vrediction and. a promise 8.9 well. PB. CXLV, 1-21.] TIIE BOOK OF PSALMS. 377