The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 182

elevated to this glorious universal prospect of God's dealing~. Consider (1) the featur~s hP..-e selected as characteristic of Goa's dealings: "mercy and truth ; " (2) tlie assurance that these are never wanting in any instance: "all the paths," etc. 1. THE FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF Gon's DEALINGS. 1. "Mercy ·" or "lovin<r- k •mdness," as t h e same H ebrew word 1s • often rendered. (In Prov. :s:xx1. '. 26 ' and some " other places, "kindness.") Although it is a useful general rule to employ ona English word constantly to represent one Hebrew or Greek word, yet we could not afford to spare e_ither. of these words from our English Bible. Rules must not be pressed with pedanllc strictness when they hurt in place of helping. Mercy, or loving-kindness, means goodness, and something more-a personal reference, inviting personal trust and thankfulness. You show goodnesi,:, large-hearted bounty, if you set up a public fountain where one is needed. But if you are journeying through the desert, and share your own scanty supply with a traveller ready to die of thirst, that is mercy, loving-kindness. When Israel dwelt in Goshen, God's goodness was shown in every ripening fruit and bending ear of corn. But perhaps the poor slaves forgot to praise the bountiful hand which fed their oppressors as richly. But when a table was spread for them morning by morning in the desert, and water gushed out of the rock, Israel learned the lesson they were brought there to learn, and praised the Lord, "for ho is good; his mercy endureth for ever." So with God's greatest Gift: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John iii. 16; 1 John iii. 9, 10). But it is in the personal reception of this universal gift that "whosoever believeth" really learns its value. The sense of Jiersonal sin and unworthiness is indispensable to any adequate sense of God's mercy (comp. Gen. xxxii. 10). 2. Truth is the other great feature of God's character here set forth. These two are inseparable (Ps. lxxxv. 10). Neither apart from the other would furnish a gospel. God's mercy is the matter and motive of our faith; his truth its warrant and assurance (1 John v. 9-11). Among men one would rather trust a bard-hearted but incorruptibly truthful man, than one full of kind feeling but faithless. In God the two are as inseparable as the form and the colour which make to our view one image. IL THESE GLomous ATTRIBUTES OF Gon ABE CONSTANT, because he is unchangeable. They characterize all his dealings without exception, for God is always himself. ".All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth." The psalmist adds, "unto such," etc. This twofold description of God's written Word corresponds with the two features wo have been contemplatiug of the Divine character. ·" His covenant," including all his promises (2 Cor. i. 20), is the expression of his mercy; "his testimonies," the utterance of his truth. Insep:u-able, like the glories of his nature. 'rhey also correspond with the twofold nature of faith-personal trust in God, and intelligent belief or Divine truth. Why this limitation-" unto such," etc.? A.re not God's mercy and truLh his free gift to all men-the charter from which none may bar them? Surely, if they will receive them. Truth is not truth to one who refuses to believe it-treats it as a fancy or a lie. A. promise is no promise to one who rejects it (1 John v. 10). Such limitation lies in the nature of things, not in any arbitrary appointment. All a.re included who are willing to be included. None are shut out but those who shut themselves out (1 Tim. ii. 4-6). Does any child of God, sorely tried in mind, body, or estate, find it hard to hold fast this faith? A.re you tempted to think some of God's ways unmerciful-that some of his promises fail ? Rest assured this is your ignorance and w~akness, not God's harshness or forgetfulness. This was .A.saµh's temptation, so pathetically recorded in Ps. lxxvii., so triumphantly overcome. When " the end ol the Lord " comes to be known, every one who bas " kept his co~enant and his testi- monies" shall find that "hope maketh not ashamed ; " and shall confess, "He bath done all things well." Ver. 11.-" For thy Name's sake." The distinction between "natural religion" and "revealed religion," which makes a great figure in theological writings, finds no place in Scripture. Hcli~ion, as set forth in the Bible, is alike natural and revealed. All nature, human nature above tlio rest, bears witness to God. Ignorant of God, and separated from him either by ignorance or by want of natural affection, man is in au tmnatural condition-out of harmony with his native surroundings. But just as it is not enough for vision that we have eyes, or for hearing that wo have ear.s-wr, need Pa, XXV, 1-22.) 'l'iIE BOOK OF PSALMS. 185