Vers. 2-6.-ThefalSlJ and the true in kin_qsldp. 'fhere is a silent contrast throucrh- out this psalm between the "kings of earth" (vcr. 2) and " my King" (ver. 6). " J. TJIE FALSE IS CHARACTERIZED DY SELF-SEEKING j TUE TRUE DY SELF-SACRIFICE, The false begin and end with self. They act from and for "themselves" (ver. 2). The true have regard to others, and are always ready to subordinate and sacrifice them- selves for the good of others. Iu the one case it is the many for the one, the people for the king ; in the other, it is the one for the many, the king for the people. II. THE FAT.SE RULE BY FORCE; THE TRUE BY RIGHTEOUSNESS. "Bands JJ and "cords" mark the restraints of law, but the false care for none of these thinas, Miaht, not right, is their rule. Whatever stands in the way must give place to their a~bi- tions. On the other hand, the true are animated by the spirit of justice. Instead of grasping violently what does not belong to them, they accept their place and use their powers as from God. They hold that the "decree" must be righteous to be respected -that the law must be just and good to commend itself to reason, and to command the obedience of the heart. Power that a man gains for himself he will use for himself, but power that is held as a trust from God will be wisely and rightly employed. IJL THE FALSE IS MARKED BY COBBUPTION AND MISERY j THE TBUE IS PRODUCTIVE OF THE mGHEST GOOD. Great are the perils of power. Well ditl the Preacher say, "Oppression [i.e. the power of oppressing] maketh a wise man mad" (Eccles. vii. 7). If this be so with the wise, how much worse will it be with the unwise I The Books of Chronicles and Kings in the Old Testament, and the history of heathen and Christian nations, are full of proofs as to the evils of power wrongly and wickedly used. Crimes, revolts, revolutions, wars upon wars, with manifold and terrible woes, mark the cours<J of the Pharaohs and the Nebuchadnezzars, the Hcrods and Napoleons of this world. On the other hand, the rule of the truo is conducive to the highest interests of men. '!'heir aim is to do justly and to love mercy. Their motto is, "Death to evil, life to good." "The work of righteousness is peace" (Isa. xxxii. 17). IV. THE FALSE AI:E DOOMED TO FAILURE j TIIE TRUE TO VICTORY AND IMMORTAL HONOUR. The rule of the false inevitably leads to ruin. Sin is weakness. Evil can only breed evil. Where obedience is given from fear, and not from love, it cannot last. Where homaae is rendered for reasons of prudence, and not from conviction, it can- not be depended upon. ·where there is not desert on the one hand, there cannot be devotion on the other. Empire founded on the wrong is rotten through and through. But the true reign after another fashion. '!'heir character commands respect. Their go,ernment, being founded in righteousness, secures confidence and support. '!'heir rule, being exercised for the be1.1ign and holy endB of love, contributes to the general go~;\~-o thin as follow. 1. God's ideal of kingship ia found in Jesus Christ, and the nearer earthly kings resemble him, and the more perfectly they conform their lives and rule to his mind, the better for them and their subjects. 2. On the other hand, our first duty is to accept Christ as our King, and in love and loyalty to serve him. Tbus we shall best fulfil our duty in all otb,:r relationships. 'l'ho best Christian is the best subject.-W. F. Vore. 1-12.-17ie Divine King. This psalm ie supposed by some to have been written about the time of the coronal ion of Solomon. The heathen might then be tho Eubject nations outside of Palestine. which threatened rebellion at this time, The seventh verse is applied to Christ in Heh. i. Let us use the psalm in this higher appli- cation of it to Christ. J. THE REBELLION OF THE WORLD AGAIN5T C.11RIBT, 1. ls an wnrighteous rebellion, re. m.1-8.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 17
Rebellion against eyil powers is a righteous thing. But Christ's rule is infinitely just an~ goo~ and merc!ful. 2. Is an 'll/1UIUCCe11,iful rebellion. "The people imagine a vain thrng" 1f they thmk they can overthrow the rule of Christ. That belon"s to the eternal order. 'l'he sea can shatter granite cliffs, but the throne of Chri~t is for over and ever. 8. Such rebellion recoils upon the heads of the rebels. Every blow we strike against justice, love, and goodness rebounds upon ourselves; but we cannot injure God, however we may grieve his Fatherly heart. II. CHRIST IB Krno OF MEN. I. By Divine appointment. (Ver. 6.) And therefore God is said to laugh at, deride, and utter his wrath in sore displeasure against those wbo opppose him (vers. 4---6). 2. By Divine nature and character. "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee" (ver. 7). The Div:ncst Being of all history, an<l, therefore, a King by the highest of all rights. 3. .A King by the actual and possible extent of his empire. "I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance," etc. (ver. 8). He who has conquered a world is its rightful ruler. Christ is now worthy; but one day he will actually conquer the world. III. THE UNA VOIDABLE INFERENCE. That we should be reconciled to God, and be at one with Christ. The wrath of God is unendurable, but "blessed are all they that put their trust in him."-S.