Ver.17.-2'7ie absoluteness of the Divine righteousness. "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and gracious in all his works." This is not the impression every man has of God; it is not the impression even the good man has of God at all times. It is the good man's thought of God when he is at bis best ; raised by holy emotion above himself. He can say, "The Lord is righteous in all his ways"- I. WHEN HE TRIES TO READ THE HISTORY OF TIIE PAST. The story of the ages Is kept for us in order that we may find in it what God bas been, and therefore what God is. History as a series of facts is but a poor affair. The philosophy of history is its interest, and the Divine philosophy of history (God in history) is the supreme interest of it. But it is difficult work, because man can never fully take the Divine standpoint about anything. He is always obliged to get bis faith to help his judgment. And yet, what is ever coming oat more and more clearly to the devout student is the righteousness of God's ways. He sees how God has made things come right. II. WHEN HE TRIES TO READ THE MYSTERIES OF THE PRESENT. This is always perplexing work, because of the disturbing influence of feeling and prejudice. God's ways are not always what we like, and then it is very easy to say that they are not right. The good man has constantly to fo.11 back upon his absolute knowledge of what God is, and upon his deep, experimental conviction of God's righteous goodness, in order to undo the tangle in which things seem to have got, and to put things into an order and relation that bring to view the Divine righteousness. III. WHEN HE TRIES TO READ Goo's DEALINGS WITH HIMSELF. Under previous divisions we have had in mind the macrocosm, the whole world of things and people. Now we have in mind the microcosm, the limited sphere of the individue.l lire. And the personal element so seriously influences a man that it takes II whole long life before an adequate impression of the absolute righteousness of God can be gained. And yet it is there, in every man's life. To see it, and live in the joy of it, is heaven.-R. T. Vere. 1-21.-God's greatness, goodness, and glory. "Every one who repeats the Tehille.h of David thrice e. day, may be sure that he is a child of the world to come.n I. Goo's GREATNESS. (Vers. 1-6.) 1. Unsearchable. (Ver. 3.) No searching cnn reach its bottom (Isa. xl. 28; Job xi. 7). 2. It is, nevertheless, being continually revealed in history. (Ver. 4.) One generation declares it to another, through nil the successive ages. 3. That which is so great and manifest cannot but be spolcen of and honoured. (Vera. 5, 6.) The eternally great things of God, revealed to our conscious- ness, cannot be regarded in silence. II. THE GOODNESS OR LOVE OF Goo. (Vers. 7-10.) 1. It is full of compassionate tenderness towards the needy and sinful. (Ver. 8.) "·wrnth is only the background of his no.ture, which he reluctantly, and only after long wniting, lets loose o.gainst those who spurn his great mercy.n 2. God's righteousness and love embrace all Ms creatures, whatever their character. (Vera. 7, 9.) All must praise God; but the saints will bless God with their grateful love, III. THE GLORY OF Goo's KINGDOM. (Vers.11-13.) 1, It is a lcingdom of power and majesty. God will at length accomplish 1111 his will 11nd nil his pnrposo, 2. It i• an everlasting universal kingdom. (Ver. 13.) All things in heaven and on enrth, and 1.hroughout the whole universe, she.II for ever and ever reflect and accomplish tho Infinite plan and purpose of God. IV. THE GLORY OF Goo's PROVIDENCE, (Vera. 14-21.) 1. IIe supports the weak and falling. (Ver. 14.) 2. He provides/or the wants of all beings, great and small. (Vers. 15, 16.) 3. He is righteous and holy in all his gifts. (Ver. 17.) 4. Ile is near Co all who truly pray, anrl will accomplish their salvation. (Vers, lS-20.)-S. 390 Tm; BOOK OF PSALMS. [I'S, CXLVI, 1-10,
EXPOSITION.