The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 201

the past do rise up so terribly into the memory, that for a while they seem to eclipse nil besides; and then faith heaves a sigh and drops a tear, There may be as clinging a faith when uttering tho wail of the first verse of the twenty-second, as when singing the peaceful song of the twenty-third psalm; for even in the darkest hour, faith says, "My God I" 6. Faith hoping. (Ver. 13; liternlly, "Had I not believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living ...") The sentence is unfinished. The translators have well supplied the blank. 'l.'he thought is," Whnt would have become of me?" 'l.'he trinls of life are often so repented and so keen, that were it not for God, hi_s love sustaining the spirit under the weight of the present, and inspiring the heart with hope for the future, reason would give way, and the man be hopelessly crushed. It is God's love which makes life worth living. 7. Faith triumphing. (Ver. 1.) Wben we realize the glory of him whom we believe, there is no bound to our delight nnd exultation; and at such times we can lau~h in defiance at our foes; yea, "smile :it Satan's rage, and face a frowning world." We can, if need be, cherish something of Luther's daring, and "go to Worms, though there were as many devils as there are tiles on the roofs of the houses;" or, better still, we can say with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." We know that God will not call us to confront an enemy that we cannot lay low, nor to bear a cross which we cannot carry, nor to endure a trial we cannot sustain, nor to do a work which we cannot per- form. His grace is s:ifficient for us. His strength is made perfect in weakness. Hence, in closing the psalm: 8. Faith soliloquizes. (Ver. 14:.) It may be supposed to bo addressed first to himself, and so, indirectly, to the people of God generally. 'fhe words, "He shall strengthen thine heart,"_ are, rather, "Let thine heart be strong;" as if the psalmist would chide himself that he should ever have a moment's misgiving, when he has such a God in whom to trust, and such a stronghold in which to abide (~ah. i. 7). Be it ours to wait upon our God continually I 'fbis is the secret of a steady, upward, peaceful, and strong life. What may be before any of us, no hum:in eye can discern, nor where our lot may be cast. But God is all-sufficient. Note: 1. How sinful and foolish to incur the risks of life ourselves I To each and all of us God says, " Seek ye my face." Let our answer be, "'l'hy face, Lord, will we 8eek.'' And all that God has been to our fathers, he will be to us-our Light, our Sal- vation, our Helper, our Strength, our All I 2. Nooe need quail before the risks of life, whatever they may be, who put their whole trust in God, and follow him everywhere I "Wbo is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" 3. Never think to gain anything by paltering with duty. If a plain dutY: is before you, hoy,,e~~r difficult, go forward in the strength of the Lord, and fear nothm~. He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Wherefore we may boldly say, "'fhe Lord is my Helper, I will not fear; what can man do unto me?" Only trust in the ~ord, and do right, and one by one you will see your foes stumble.and fall, and you ~,111 be left in possession of the field, more than conqueror, through him that loveth you. "Stand bnt your ground, your ghostly foes will fly, He11 trembles at a heaven-directed eye ; Choose rather to defend than to assail, Self-confidence will in the conflict fail. When you are challenged, you may .-!angers meet, True courage is a fixed, uot sudden hecit; Is always humble, lives in self-distrust, And will itself into no danger tl1Tust. Dernte yourself to God, and you will find Goel fights the battles of a will resigned. Love Jesus I love will no base fear enduro; Lol'e Jesus I nml of conquest rest secure." (llishop Ken.) o. Vere. 1-13.-True religion. 'l'rue rrli~ion begins with God. It is a co.11 on his part; it is a response on ours (vcr. 8). With some religion is a chance, as settled by 1,irtb. With others it is a custom-something received by tradition from the fathers. With others it is a convenience, the result of education, a. matter of prudence and self- interest, something necessary to respectability and comfort in the world. In o.11 such PB, XXVU, 1-14.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 205