rucnsuro is porsonnl nctivity. Deeds carry social influence. The weak and the unfor- tunate are too often despised, but let a man be true, let him stand up for tbo right, let him honestly serve God in his day nnd generation, and be will not only have peace within, but be will be "blessed in his deed." His influence ,\'ill work for good, anJ will live and move others to noble ends when he himself is gone. "Our many thoughts and deeds, our life o.n<l love, Our happiness, o.nd o.11 that we have been:- Immortally must live, and bnrn, and move, • When wo sho.11 bo no more." W.F. II II Vers. 1-6.-Blessedness. 'l'he word blessed" might be rendered blessing~." God's people are blessed (Numb. vi. 24; Matt. v. 1-10). I. 'l'here is the blessing of PEACE. 'l'he fruit of righteousness is peace. The heart is right with God. II. The bles~ing of a. TRUE PURPOSE. Not gain, nor pleasure, nor merely to save the soul, but to do God's will. This is the supreme thing. This gives strength to the heart and unity to the life. III. The blessing of the NOBLEST SOCIETY, Into what a goodly fellowship do we enter as we join the company of God's people I The saints are our brethren; holy angels are our ministers; Christ is our abiding Friend. IV. The blessing of MORAL ADVANCEMENT, Our path is onward. The more good a man does the nobler he becomes. By every act of self-denial and virtue he rises in dignity and strength. V. The blessing of SPIRITUAL USEFULNESS. Only the good can do good. To augment the happiness of others is the sweetest pleasure. • VI. The blessing OF A DRIGHT FUTURE. Life's interests are secured. The outlook, though at times clouded, ends in light. VIL The BLEssmG OF Goo's ETERNAL LOVE. (Ver. 6, "knoweth.'') "There is nothing in the world worth living for, bnt doing good and finishing God's work---doing the work Christ did" (Brainerd).-W. lt'. Vers. 1-6.-A contrast. This psalm is introductory to all the rest, perhaps written after the finding of the "book or the Law" in J osinh's time, in an age or revival, when men were roused to consider the conflict between good and evil, and who were the truly blessed, and on what their blessedness was grounded. 'l'here is a con• trast drawn in it betwceu the righteous and the wicked. I. THE CIIARACTER AND PRIVILEGES OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 1. They have no sym- pathetic relations with the wicked. (Ver. 1.) They cannot help having some associations with them; but they do not walk with them, nor stand with them, nor sit with them, as they do with congenial friends. 'l'his description suggests the progress of the wicked. Walking only with a man we may soon part from him; but if we stand with him we linger in his company, and at last come to sit with him, scorning all goodness. 2. Ii·re- sistibly attracted to the Divine Law. (Ver. 2.) He is "in" it with all his affection and with his unceasing thought, rather than tho Law is "in" him. Though both are truo, i.e., it solicits, commands, and absorbs him, and rules the world of thought, affection, and imagination. 3. They are fruitful acc01·ding to the time and cire1im- slances of their lives. (Ver. 3.) In youth, mature manhood, and ripe age. Patient in affliction, constant in trial, grateful in prosperity, and zealous when opportunity of work oITerR itself. 4. Urifadingfreshness of heart and eq;pel'ience, (Ver. 3.) His lifo is progressive, his faith grows deeper, and his power of achievement increnscs, and bis hope becomes brighter, nnd his affections purer, and he blossoms with a green freshness for over. 5. He prospers in his undertakings. (Ver. 3.) As a general rule, because ho 1lcsen·cs it; for he nims at only right and lawful thiugs, and employs only right and
lawful means. II. CuAnAOTER AND DESTINY OF 'l'IIE WICKED. 1. Intrinsic worthlessness. (Ver. 4.) "Dcall, unserviceable, without substance, nnd easily carrioJ aw1iy "-dispersed by the wind. This ia only n negative description, as a. contrast with the living tree and its fruit. 10 THE DOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. u. 1-12.
It says nothing of such a man's poisonous influence. 2. Unable to endure the scrutiny c:f the great Lawgiver. (Ver. 5.) One inquiring glance of God shatters the wholo structure of his life. God does not "know" his way. "I never knew you." 3. Their ,·elation to the Church only an ootwai·d one. (Ver. 6.) '!'hough they mingle with the congregation, they do not really "stand with them." 4. Their habits of life are destrw:,ti:ve. (Ver. 6.) Their "way" is not the way everlasting, but leads to perdition, if it be not forsat:en.-S.
Vers. l--3.-7h.ee blessedness. "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel or the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in tbo seat of tho scornful," etc. I. THE NATURE OF TRUE BLESSEDNESS. 1. Vigorous life of the soul. " Like a tree planted," etc. The blessedness of the body is vigorous health. 2. Productiveness. Bringeth forth his fruit in his srason. It must grow before it becomes fruitful. 3. Perpetuity of life. "His leaf also shall not wither." 4. Success in his undertakings. "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Success in the greatest undertaking, the true blessedness. II. THE MEANS OF BLESSED~'1tss. 1. To shun the CD"npany and the counsels of the ungodly. Standing [n their way, partaking in their designs. 2. Delight in Divine truth. 3. Persevering study of it. Converting it into juice and blood.-S.
EXPOSITION.