The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 13

tbeirs. 1 'l'o this discriminating and believing study of the first fifty psalms the writer ventures to invite the Christian student and expositor. We must avoid the extreme of those who, with Horne, would regard most, if not all, the psalms as Messianic; 1md nlso the extreme of those who would regard none as such. Because our Lord said that all thing-s must be fulfilled that were written in the Psalms concerning him, we may not infer that words which were written concerning him filled up all the Psalms• nor, with the unbeliever, may we regard the claim of prophecy as invalid throuah ony repugnance to the supernatural. Intelligent discernment and lovina faith a.fe twin sisters; may they both be our attendants during our survey of these priceless productions of Hebrew pens I And may the Spirit of God be himself our Light and our Guide !-C. Vers. 1-6.-The happy man. The word" blessed" means" happy." The phrase used might, indeed, be rendered, "Hail to the man," etc.! The psalm itself may be called "a psalm of congratulations," for the psalmist regards the man whom he here describes as one who has great reason for gladness, and who therefore may be fittingly congratu- lated. Ages a.go the heathen said, "Call no man happy till he is de:i.d." But we have before us the picture of one who is certainly happy even now; who has a joy, of which neither crosges nor losses can deprive him; who will be happy as long as he Ii ves; and who ha.s still more happiness in store for him when death is past. It may be asked whether it is the highest kind of virtue to aim a.t being happy, or whether it is the noblest inducement to it to assure us that to be virtuous is to be happy? Perhaps not. But such a question could scarcely be asked unless the point of the psalm is altogether missed; for the psalmist is not speaking of the good man as happy because be is aiming a.t happiness, but as being so because he follows the Law of God, and finds joy therein, without seeking for joy for its own sake. And, anyway, if it be so tha.t God has annexed joy to a life of loyalty to him, it cannot make such loyalty less desirable if it is crowned with gladness of heart. But, a.s we hope to point out shortly, the persona.I happiness is but a very small pa.rt of the "blessedness" which the good man possesses. Let us consider- L THE LIFE HERE DESCRIBED. Severa.I marks are furnished to us here of "the blessed ma.n." 1. Negative. He is wisely careful not to have evil companionship. He knows tba.t "he tha.t walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a. companion of fools shall be destroyed." Hence he shuns (1) the ungodly-those who ha.ve no fear of God before their eyes, and a.re perpetually restless in their self-will; (2) the sinners -those who indulge in open sin; (3) the scornful-those who ridicule religion aud lanah at such a.a fear the Lord. His sepsration from such is complete. He will neither (1) follow their counsel; nor (2) sit in their seat; nor even (3) stand in their way. Note: If ever a man is to become wise, he must not mix promiscuously with others. We know well, in penning these words, tb:i.t we are liable to the remark from some readers, "How commonplace!" We admit it. But it is just by non-attention to commonplace truth that millions are undone. We cannot reiterate too frequently, "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men." 2. Positive. In avoiding evil, be does not throw himself upon a blank. llut it is remark- able that, as the antitheses of" ungodly,"" sinners,"" scornful," we do not get" godly," "pure,"" reverent." The fact is, the_ ma.n whom this psalm desc1:ibes will not ~e supremely anxious to have any cornpamons. If he cannot have the right ones, he will do without them. And yet he will not be lonely. For the Law of Jehovah, the revealed covenant; of God, will be before his eyes and in his heart. And herein he will 1 See Dean Pcrowne's admirable chapter on "Tho Theology of the Panlmsi" in .his Iu!rndnction to his 'N.otes on the Psalms,' pp. 41-69, 6th edit. .The Bampton Lecture by Bishop Alexender, 'The Witness of the Psalms to Christ and ChristianH;y,' a new edilion of which is just published (1890), is worthy of careful peruse.I: a.nd so 1s a_lso tb~ fourth chapter in Mr. Gladstone's book, 'The Impregnable Rock of Holy Scnpture (Isbister, 1890). '' The Cambridge Bible for Sch?<Jls and ~alleges;' 'The Psalms. Book!,,' edited by Professor A. F. Kirkpe.trick, D.D., bas Just come into our hands (1891). It eontinns more helpful material Jn 1nnall complll!s, for students, tha.n any other volume on tho Psalm■ tl11,t we have cha.need to see. The Religions Trnct Society ho.s just issued (1801) a nee.t auJ carefully edited edition of the Book of Pdalms, with ellplunatory notes. l'B. I. 1-G.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 7