refers to the administration of the Law. God', "judgments," being the execution of his will, must be ·• true." Based upon the eternal principles of right, they must themselves be eternal, IL. WHAT THE BIBLE DOES. 1. "It converts the soul" (Ps. xxiii. 3; 1 Tim. i. 15).. 2. It "makes wise the simple" (Ps. cxix. 130; Acts xvi. 31). 3. It "rejoices the heart" (Ps. cxix. 162; Acts viii. 39). 4. It "enlightens the eyes" (Ps. xvi. 11 ; Eph. i. 18, 19). 5. It "cndureth for ever" (Ps. c. 5; 1 John ii. 14-17). What is here stated as doctrine is elsewhere illustrated as fact. It is, as we believe the doctrine, that we shall become witnesses to the facts (1 Cpr. vi. 11; 1 Pet. i. 23-25). III. WHAT THE BIBLE DESERVES. We have it in our hands. We have heard its character, and the claims made in its behalf, and what is our response? The language employed by the psalmist fitly expresses what our feelings and conduct should be, how we should treat God's most Holy Word. 1. It deserves to be valued more than gold. 2. It deserves to be loved and delighted in as "sweeter than honey and the honey-comb." 3. It deserves to be studied and obeyed with increasiug devotion; for thereby our minds are enlightened, and our lives illumined, and great is our reward in purity and peace and the love of God. And if we have learnt its preciousness ourselves, we shall surely labour to make it known to others, that they also may be enriched by its treasures and blessed with Hs joys.-W. F. Vers. 1-10.-God's revelation of himself in nature and in his Word. In nature it is continuous. Day utters speech unto day, night unto night. It is speechless; it has a language, but it is not articulate. It is universal. Gone out through all the world, and through all time. In his Word it h 1s o. converting power-power to make wise, to rejoice the heart and enlighten the eyes. It endures for ever; unlike the firmament, and is entirely true aud righteous. I. A COMPARISON OF THESE TWO REVELATIONS. 1. Both reveal God's glory. The heavens reveal his glory by day and by night. But our solar system is but the glory of a. single point of light, wheu compared with the glory of a.II the systems that fill infinite space. But quality rather than quantity is the test of the glory of any work. To redeem and reclaim a. world of souls from the ruin of sin transcends the work of creating and sustaining all the suns and the stars of the universe; and this is tho glory of God's Word. 2. Both contain important instruction. "Day unto day uttereth speech" (ver. 2). "'l'he testimony of the Lord is sure [or, 'true'], making wise the simple." 'l'o the devout mind nature suggests more than it dirrctly teaches- the Sun of Righteousness, the mighty Quickener and Joy of darkened soul~. Christ the great Bridegroom of the Church. But the Word uttered by prophets, Christ, and inspired men, expels our ignorance upon the topics most necessary to our highest well- being. 'l'hey make us truly wise. 3. Both demand study and labour to enjoy their blessings. Great things can benefit us only by the exercise of earnest nnd inq uisiti vo thought. Ln Place and Newton thus came to understand the sr.ience of the henvens; Milton and others, their poetry ; and DaviJ and others, their religion. We benefit by the Word in a similar way. Study leading to practice and experience will open its stores of trulh to us. II. A CONTRAST OF THESE REVELATIONS. 1. The one universal, the other partial. Every one not born blind has seen the heo.vens; there a.re millions who have never heard ol Christ. God does some things by taking them entirely into his own hnnds; but he ukes us as fellow-labourers in the work of making known his Word. 2. The one ill full of great spiritual energies; the other is not. Material things cnn do only material work; nature cannot alter a. depraved will or heal o. wounded conscience. Spiritual forces must rouse spiritual natures like ours. Christ is the Word of God, and can givti the highest deliverance and salvation which souls need. Makes us wise with the noblest wisdom, gives light to the mind. The one rojoiccs the senses, the other the heart. 'l'he mourner can be ma.de to sing, the captive to leap for joy, the heart- broken to laugh with gladness, the penitent to receivo peace. Nature can do nothing of this to any extent.-S.
Yers. 11-14.-Man's relation to the Divine Law. Tho former part of the psalm is a comparison and a contrast between God's revelation of himself in nature am\ in his 138 'l'HE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS, XIX. 1-14.