The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 211

and Sirion 1 leaping as wild creatures free from all restraint. But while it is to the descriptions of all this grandeur and majesty that some expositors chiefly call our attention, neither nature's grandeur nor majesty is the main topic of the psalm. By no means; but rather the glory of HUI whose dominion extendeth over all I In the eye of the psalmist, all the forces of nature are under one sceptre; that sceptre is wielded by one band; that hand is moved by one heart, even that of our redeeminu0 God. Such is the theme before us.2 I I. HERE POWER IN VARIED MANIFESTATTO:liS IB TRACED TO ONE SOURCE. There are five thoughts which are presented cumulatively. 1. Power in nature's works and wonders specially as shown in storm and tempest, lightning and thunder, earthquake and mountain wave. Note: 'l'be larger our knowledge of natural science, the more capable shall we be of discoursing with interest, delight, and profit to others on the~e "wonderful works of God." 8 2. Power in providential, administration. (Ver. 10.) "The Lord sat enthroned at the fiood." This word rendered "flood" is the one applied to the Deluge of Noah, and only so applied. Hence it seems to include the specific thought that over and above all merely natural disclosures of power, there is a moral enthronement, whereby natural phenomena are made subservient to moral ends. Not only is every atom kept in harness, but the collocation of atoms is subsidiary to the discipline of souls. 3. There is gracious loving-lcindness towards his own people. (Ver. 11.) "His people." There are those in the world marked off from the rest by tokens known to God alone. They are his, having "made a covenant with him by sacrifice" (Ps. 1. 5). And with reference to them, there is a grace marvellous in its tenderness. 'l'be same Being who can thunder most loudly can also whisper most sweetly, and can also give out blessings to bis own. (1) Strength (cf. Isa. xl. 31; 2 Cor. xii. 9; Ps., xxvii. 14). (2) .Peace. While the fiercest storm is raging without, God can and does give us peace within; a peace which becomes richer and fuller, till it is exceedingly abundant" above all we can ask or think." It is '' the peace of God, passing all under- standing" (John xiv. 27; Phil. iv. 6, 7; Rom. v. 1; Eph. ii. 14). 4. He who thus rules in nature, providence, grace, is the everlasting King. (Ver. 10.) "King for over I " The sceptre of universal power will never drop from his hands, nor will he ever transfer it to another (Ps. xcvii. 1). The bond that upholds nil will never become weary. The eye that watches all will never droop with fatigue. The arms that clasp belie\•ers in their embrace will never relax their hold. '!'be voice that whispers, "Peace!" will never be stilled in death. The love that enriches with blessing will never be chilled. " King for ever I " 5. He who ia this everlasting King is our redeeming God. The usual term for God ns the God of nnturti is "Elohim" (Gen. i. 1). But hero we are reminded that the God who thunders in the heavens and controls the swelling seas; that ho who guides the forked lightning, is "Jehovah," the "I am that I am," the Lord who has thus revealed himself to his people as thei1· God. And the great Ruler of nature is he who exercises loving-kindness, righteous- ness, and juclgment in the earth, in order that he that glorieth mny glory in tho Lord. II. SuoH THOUGHTS OF Goo MAY WELL EVOKE GRATEFUL SONG. '!'hey know not how much of gladness and inspiration they lose who cannot see God everywhere. To see Jaw everywhere and God nowhere would be enough to crush us. To see God everywhere working by law inspires rest and joy: our "Father is at the helm." Note: Since we have such disclosures of God, we have: 1. Unity in diversity. The seemingly complicated question of" the origin of force"' is settled once for all by the 1 "Sirion:" a proper no.me of the mountain-chsin of Henn6n among the Sidoninns (Deut. iii. 9); so culled from the resemblance to a breast-plate (Fiirst, sub verb.). • The notes of Professor Kirkpatrick on this psalm are interesting and helpful (' Cnm- briilge Bible' series). • The works of Professor Drummond, Dr. Hugh Macmi1111n, the Rev. Prebendnry Reynolds, nod Mr. St. Chnrlos Mivsrt nre charming illustrations of how Christian me11 may make their knowledge of natural science serve to the setting forth of the glory of G0<l and of his truth. Wt!J purposely refrain from giving illnstrBtions in the text of how this may be done, as the advancing sciences will each year pour floods of new light on the "wonderful works of God." • See an Bble lecture on this snbject by tho lo.to Sir John Herschel, in 'Familiar Lectures on Scientific Subjects,' p. 460 (Strahan). 316 THE BOOK OF PSALMS.