Vers. 3, 4.-lnstruments to praise God with. Bishop Wordsworth notes th'\t all kinds of faculty are engaged in the work of praise. The breath is employed in blowing the trumpet; the fingers are used in striking the strings of the psaltery and the harp; the whole hand is exerted in beating the timbrel; the feet move in the dance. Th(} introduction of various musical instrument~, as well as choirs of human voices, into the regular worship of the tabernacle anrl temple, is traceable to the time and probably to the personal influence of David. "David did so much for the public worship of God in that be brought it so near to men ; be gave it so much interest to them; and he lifted it out of mere duty into pleasure by adding the features of music and of song." It is interesting, but only a matter of curiosity, to identify and describe the different instruments mentioned here. We need only see that they include all the musical instruments-wind, string, and clanging. The point to fix attention on is that, wlieu a man wants to praise God, he may bring into bis service every kind of power that he possesses, and every agency through which he can find expression for his power. L ALL KINDS OF INSTRUMENTS MAY BE USED IN PRAISE. Only sentiment ever puts limitations on the instruments that may be used for Divine worship. Sentimellt imagines some kinds to be more solemn and reverent than others. Curiously, those which some regard as specially solemn, e.g. the organ, are wholly repudiated by others (the Scotch). No instrument is in itself unsuitable. The kind of use man makes of it, and the kind of associations man causes to gather roun<l it, may make an instrument unsuitable. In this matter the good sense of Christian people must decide. II. 'l'HE PRAISE IS NOT IN THE INSTRUMENT, BUT IN WHAT THE M.A.N EXPRESSES THROUGH THE INSTRUMENT. With our temptation to rest in things, we need tllis reminder for every age. 'l'be praise is in the man's soul. And the most exquisite musical expression is worthless as praise if it is soulless.- R. T. Ver. 6.-Pel'sons and things that should unite in God's praise. "It is difficult to conceive how auy man who believes in God can need to be reminded of the duty of praise. In every age and country the adoration of the Supreme Being has risen with the illumination of the human mind, and borne a very exact proportion to its restora- tion in the Divine image." "Our whole life should seeak forth our thankfulness." "Let all the breath [i.e. the entirety of animate creationJ praise Jehovah." If o. com- prehensive view of God be taken, and it is seen the.t "his tender mercies are over all his works," and that" the eyes of a.II wait upon him, and he giveth them their ment in due season," this call to the entire animate creation to join man in his praise will become to us more than poetry and sentiment. It is to be noticed that the Hebre1v poet had no glimpse of the idea of Wordsworth, that a living soul animates the inanimate creation. 'l'he Hebrew limits his call to creatures that have breath nnd can make sounds; and of this great choir man is the leader. 'l'bey may be likened to the great band of mu3icians in a chorus, who never utter an articulate sound, yet are in •perfect harmony with the singers whose intelligent voices lead the chorus. "As well the singers as the players ou instruments shall be there." I. EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY OUGHT TO PRAISE GoD. Ought to harmoniously unite in praising God. And this is only possible when each does what he can, aud does it in the best way he can. 'L'he grand song of redeemed nature and man is well given in Pollok's 'Course of 'l'ime,' pp. 189-191. II. WE OUGHT ·ro PRAISE Goo. For the last exclamation, "Praise ye the Lord I" should be taken as a personal call and application. It can never be enough to us that praise is being offered. Nor can it be enough to offer formal praise with ours. lt must be our 11raise-our soul-praise, and our praise at its be.;t.-R. '.I.'. HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
THE BOOK OF PSALMS.
VOLUME fil PSALM CVII. PSALM OIX. TR'E:M ■ TUEHB PAO• Deliverance and Indebtedness Explanation, Warning, Encourage- Divine Revolution ment ... 23 Wherefore Men should praise the The Dreorlful Psalm 23 Lord ... 6 The Helper of the Poor 25 Praise, its Desirableness, Absence, and Complaining to God 25 Source ... 6 Committing our Enemies to the Judg- Four Portraits of One Soul 8 ment of God 26 The Pilot, the Po.ssu.ge, and the Port 9 Tho Vioorious Feature in Judgmente 26 The Loving-kindness of the Lord ... 9 Suffering that whioh we ma.ke others The Lord's People are a Redeemed suffer ... 27 People 10 The Power of Prayer to ohnnge our A Fourfold View of God's Relations 10 Moods... 27 Pmyer for Temporal Good ... 11 Awful Imprecations 28 Bringing Affliction on ourselves 11 Thanksgiving when Prayer is an- PSALM OX. swered 12 The Desired Hoven The Viotorious King 30 18 God's Commonplace Meroios The Da.y of Christ's Power... 31 18 Melohizedek 31 The Wiso Observance of God's Loving- kindness " The Brook by the Way ". .• 82 14 War-figures applied to Messiah 32 God's Watohful Care 14 Goel in World-sucoess 88 PSALM OVIII. The Power of recognizing Power 84 The Priesthoods of David and Mossia.h 34 Triumph in Trouble 15 Spiritual Refreshment for Spiritual God honoured by Fixed Resolves 17 The Best Work of a Man's Bost Work... 85 17 Mommg Religion Christ the Divine King and Priest ... 85 18 Hope and Prayer inspired by Praise 18 Conscious Strength through God's PSALM CXI. Pledge 18 The Work of God and tbo Wisdom of God with us 11ssures Confidence and Mo.n ... 86 Victory 19 "The Works of the Lord"... 37, 42 ii INDE!..