Ver. 1.-"The day of trouble." Such a day comes sooner or later to all. Nations have their" day of trnuble," when they are visited with pestilence, famine, or war, or torn by internal strifes. Individuals also have their "day of trouble" (Job v. 6, 7). Trouble is a test. It shows what manner of persons we are. Happy are we, if, like the k.ing and people of this psalm, trouble brings us nearer to God and to one another in love and service! The day of trouble should- I. DRIVE THE SOUL TO GoD. In prosperity there are many helps, but in adversity there is but one. God is the true Refuge. His ear is ever open, and can " hear." His hand is ever stretched out, and can "defend." His resources are infinite, and he can "strengthen us out of Zion." The name here given to God, "the God of Jacob," is richly suggestive. It holds out hope to the sinlul; for God was very mercifol to Jacob. It assures comfort to the distressed; for God was with Jacob, to keep him during all bis wanderings. It encourages trust, for God had a gracious purpose with Jacob, and made all the trials of his life contribute to bis moral advancement. "Happy is he who b:i.s the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God!" (Ps. cxlvi. 5). II. BRING ALL THE GOOD TOGETHER IN HOLY SERVICE. In face of a common danger, there is a tendency to unite. So" Pilate and Herod were made friend~" (Luke xxiii. 12). So Jehoshaphat and the King of lsrael entered into alliance (1 Kings xxii. 2). So, in a nobler way, God's people come together for mutual edification aml comfort, and to call upon the Name of the Lord (Mai. iii. 16). The Jews had the temple and the sacrifices, and the high priest to plead for them. But we have greater privileges. For us our great High Priest, "having offered one sacrifice for sin for ever, sat down on the right band of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made bis footstool" (f:Icb. x. 12, 13). We have common dangers and needs, and can do much to help one another. \Vhen David was in trouble in the wood of Ziph, Jonathan went down to him, and strengthened his hands in God. \Vhen Peter was in prison, and in peril of death, "prayer was mnde without ceasing of the Church unto God for him" (Acts xii. 5). When the Jerusalem Cliristians were in sore straits, the sympathies of their fellow-Christians in happier circumstances were called forth in their behalf (Rom. xv. 26). So when the t.ruth is assailed, and tbo interests of the kingdom are endangered, it is the duty of all true lovers of Christ to band together, and by prayer and holy effort to" contend for the faith once delivered to the saiuts." III. STRENGTHEN OUR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUPREME PRINCIPLES m• RIGHT. There o.re many things dear to us which we may have to defend, but wu must make a difference. "'l'he day of trouble" is a searching and a siftiug time. In drawing near to God, and by mutual warning~, we find out what is really or the highest value; what we may let go, and what we should keep; what we may sa:'ely relinquish, nud what we should fight for to the last gasp; what is only of teml'ornry or of secondary importance, and what is essential and more to be valued than all worldly anJ. personal advantages, or even lifo itself (Dan. iii. 16-18; .A.cts iv. 18-20). IV, PREPARE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE COMING VICTORY OF GOOD OVEB EVIL. Waiting upon God gives hope. Praying and working inspire confidence. Imagination, kindled by the thought of God's Name, portrays in glowing colours the near deliverance. There is something very inspiriting in the "I know" of the psalmist. Job says," I know" (Job xix. 25); Paul says," I know" (2 'lim. i. 12); and so we may join with the psalmist in saying," Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed." \Ve are too apt to think only of our troubles; but let us rather "remember the Name of the Lord." We are too ready to wish the defeat of our opponents, but let us rather seek the vindication of truth and the triumph of right, aud, if God will, the transformaUon of foes into friends, so that they, as well as we, may share in the joys of the great day.-W. F. Vers. 1-9.-Help from the sanctuary for the battle of life. A liturgical psalm, which was sung on behalf of the king, who was about to go forth to battle. It was chanted in alternate voices by the congregation and the priest or Levite who led the choir. As the king stands within tb.e sanctuary, offering bis sacrifice, the crowd of worshippers in the spacious courts lift up their voices in the prayer of the first five verses; then the answering chant of the priest or leader from vers. 6 to 8; then all join iu the 144: THE BOOK OF PSALMS. lPB, xxr. 1-13.
prayer of the ninth verne, " God save the king I" Help from the sanctuary for the battl,e of life. Influences to be gathered there. I. A 8ENSE OF Goo's HELPFUL RELATIONS TO us. (Vers. l, 2.) Ho hears in troublo, defends us in danger, and strengthens us for conilict; and thus helps us bv means of the worship of the sanctuary. It is thus he remembers our offerinas and accepts our worship. n II. Goo GRANTS THE DESIRES AND FULFILS TBE COUNSELS WHICH ARE INSPIRED IN HIS SERVICE. (Ver. 4.) "If we ask anything according to his will, we know tha~ he hcarcth us." III. WE CAN WIN THE BATTLE ONLY so FAR AS WE REALIZE THAT IT IS Goo's BATTLE. (Ver. 5.) "In the Name of our God must we set up our banners." He is the Captain of our salvation, and if we nre loyal to him we shall rejoice in a victorious cause. IV. TRUE FAITH IN Goo IS ASSURED OF VICTORY BEFORE THE BATTLE IS FOUGHT. (Ver. 6.) "I know whom I have believed, and . . . that he is able to keep that," etc.; "Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory I" "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? " V. "RIGHT IS MIGHT" TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN TAUGHT OF Goo. (Vers. 7, 8.) They do not trust in material strength, but in the justice of their cause, i.e. in the power of God, aud not in chariots and horses. God, therefore, is not, in any historical war, on the side of the strongest battalions. "They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright." VJ. THE PERSISTENT AND FINAL CRY OF THE TRUE WORSHIPPER IS FOB THE SALVATION OF Goo. (Ver. 9,)-S.