t.o our knowledge of the Divine nature. From what God has done (vers. 3-6) wo are able to learn what he i.s, viz. righteous, and a Helper of the oppressed. I. Gon's RULE IS A CONTllWAL EXERCISE OF JUD(DIENT. (Vers. 7-9.) 1. Tliis seal.s the doom of the unrighteou.~. It will destroy them and their works (vers. 5, 6). 2. This secures the safety and the triumph of the righteous. Ultimately and really, if not immediately and in appearance. 3. This is a comfort and a refuge for those who suffer from injustice and oppression. (Ver. 9.) God is a strong Tower, into which they may run and find shelter from their troubles. II. THE GRo=os OF FAITH IN Gon. 1. When we know how to name him. (Ver. 10.) Jacob wanted to know the name of the Being who wrestled with him, because the true name indicates the true nature. In our ignorance of the nature of things, we give arbitrary names; but if we have learnt anything of the nature of God, we shall know his true name, and then shall he able to trust in him without fear at all times. 2. God reveals himself as thefaithful God to those who earnestly seek him. (Ver.10.) And to none else. We can never prove the fidelity of any one of whom we have never felt the need. .And we never seek earnestly for any one unless he becomes in some way necessary to us. .And it is only thus, by experience, we find that God does not forsake those who seek him. Knowledge, faith, and experience are thus connected. III. GnouNDs OF THE JOYFUL WORSHIP OF Gon. 1. God specially dwells in the Church. (Ver. 11.) The glory between the cherubim was in Zion. He gathers with his people where they gather, and specially manifests himself. " Wh~e two or three are gathered together," etc. 2. It is a high privilege to know and declare to others the Divine work. (Ver. 11.) To be able to expound God's work truly is lo help to bring God nearer to men, and so to help to save them. 3. God always remembers the cause of the a.ffeicted. (Ver. 12.) The meaning is-God will not let the murderer go unpunished, but will avenge the relatives of the murdered man, and so relieve and console their sufferings. But he hears the cry of all affiicted ones, whatever the cause of their sufferings, and comforts them by his Spirit.-S. Vers. 13-20.-Praye1· to God. Previous verses have celebrated the triumph of the Divine righteousness in punishing the wicked and defending the cause of the oppressed. Vers. 13 and 14 are a personal prayer, mterrnpting the flo.y of the general strain of the psalm. Luther says, "In the same way do all feel and speak who have already overcome some tribulation, and are once more oppressed and tormented. 'l'hey cry a.nd beg that they may be delivered." I. THE PSA.LlllBT's PRAYER TO THE RIGHTEOUS Gon. (Vera. 13, 14.) 1. The appeal, "Graciously see or consider my trouble. I am unjustly suffering from the hatred of men. If thou wilt only look upon the fact as it is, then I am confident thou wilt interpose and save me." For the Divine sympathy is always on the side of justice. 2. The arguments which enforce the appeal. 'l'wo. (1) He had had many deliverances from dangers nearly fatal. From the !(ates of death. Experience taught him faith and hope. (2) He would proclaim the Divine praise in the most public place. " In tho gates," etc. (vcr. 14). He felt that that would be acceptable to God. (But see the Exposition.) II. THE DIVINE WORK 18 A REVELATION OF THE DIVIN!': RIGilTEOUSNEIIII. (Ver11. 15-18.) 1. The plots of the wicked become the means of their own destruction. (Vers. 15, 16.) Because the righteous Bei~g overrules in the. alfa_irs of men_. No wick<'d schemes can be so well laid but that m the end they rwn him who laid them. Wo have examples of this in the first and third Napoleons, and constantly recurring ones in more private life. 2. The prema,~ure end of the ungodly_. _(Ve~. 17.) "The wicked must return to the unseen world -sooner than others, 1s 1mphed (not "the wicked shall be turned into hell "). Wickedness and vice tend to shorten life. 3. T/ie righteous expectation of the a.ffeicted shall be fulfilled. 'l'he poor and the afflicted hope in God, and their hope shall not be disappointed. "God is not unrighteous to forget your work of faith and labour of love." Ill. AN URGENT CALL UPOY GoD TO GIVE STILL l'IIORE EVIDENT PROOF OF BIS RIGHTEOUS RULE. (Vera. 19, 20.) "Arise, 0 Lord, let not man have the upper hand : lot not weak man carry himself as if be were strong," What is ueeded to put incn PS, X, 1-18,] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 60
in fear is some irresistible work of judgment among men, that shall put God's 8upreme rule beyoud all doubt. There is something here of impatience-a wish to hasten God's slow but sure methods of ruaintaining the cause of truth a.ud righteous, ness in the world.-S. •