Lord of heaven and earth. We see him not only as the Lord of the "water~," but of the dry land; not only of "the cedars," but of all living creatures; not only of the children of men, but of all the host of heaven (vers. 3-9). 4. Lastly, we are able to rejoice in God as our God, the StllpTeme Object of our fear and love. 'l'he psalm emh as it began, with God. At the beginning we are raised from earth to heaven, and in the close we have heaven brought down to earth. It is as we ascend with Christ to God that God will descend with Christ to us. 'fhus we are enabled to confide in God as our almighty King and our gracious Redeemer. "The Lord will give strength unto his people." These are the two great blessings of salvation. "Strength" we have lost through sin; but it is recovered through Christ. God's people are strong to do, tc, suffer, and to endure, to overcome evil and daily to perform their vows in the service of their Lord (Phil. iv. 13). God's people have "peace "-that inner harmony and calm which results from oneness with God. Amidst all the stress and struggle of lire, though there should come wars and famines and pestilences, when men's hearts are failing them for fear, they are able to say "It is th11 Lord I" He will keep us from evil; he will bless us with strength and with peacc.-W. F. Ver. 11.-The priestly benediction (Numb. vi. 22-27) may be said to be summed up in these two things," strength" and" peace." Together they make up all that is needed for daily life. When man goes forth in the morning to his work (Ps. civ. 23), what he requires is" strength," that he may be able to do the will of God. ·when the evening comes, what he needs is " peace "-the rest and content of the heart in God. The two things cannot be separated. It is in the measure we use aright the "strength" God gives that we can have" peace." If we are unfaithful, if we alienate to selfish and unworthy purposes the "strength" which should have been wholly devoted to God, we mar our" peace." David has taught us the secret (Ps. cxix. 165), and David's Son and Lord has made the truth still plainer (John xv. 10). "His people." There is nothing arbitrary in this. In one sense all are God's people, fur he ie the Maker of all. Then in the higher sense all may become God's people if they so choose. But besides, the blessings of "strength" and "peace" can only Le received by such as are in a fit state to receive them. 'l'here are blessings that are common. There are other blessings that are of a nobler kind, and are necessarily limited to those who can receive them (2 Cor. ii. 11, 12). The delights of art an<l science and literature are for those who have a certain preparedness. So it is in spiritual things. We must be weak before we are strong. W o must be of ono mind with God in Christ before we can have peace (Rom. v. 1; John xiv. 27).-W. F. Vers. 1-1 l.-'I'he thunderstorm. Compare this with the nineteenth and eighth psalms-all nature psalms. This is a wonderful description of a thunderstorm. I. 'l'BE OMNIPOTENCE OF Goo IN NATURE INSPIRES THE DEVOUT MIND WITH THE SPIRIT OF WORSHIP. Inspires the common mind with fear. The scientific mind with inquiry. Inflames the imagination of the poetic mind. But fills the devout miud with the spirit of worship of the great invisible Creator. "Give uuto the Lord the honour [or, 'glory'] due unto bis Name." Every manifestation of God is interesting to the religious man. II. TIIAT THE DEVOUT MAN BEEKS FOR SYMPATHY AND FELLOWSHIP IN HIS WORSIIIP, (Vers. 1, 2.) He calls upon the whole invisible world of the sons of God to give glory to God in tho "beauty of holiness," or in holy apparel, i.e. dressed as priests iu spotless attire. 1. Human praise is poor and inadequate. And ho would have lho angelic choir give full-voiced utterance to God's glory in higher strains than he could reach. 2. The spirit of worship brings man into closer sympathy with his fellow-man, Hence the necessity of public worship, because all our best emotions become deepened when shared with others. We are made for fellowship in all the highest good of life. III. 'l'HE Goo WHO IB MIGHTY IN NATURE WILL OIVE STRENGTH UNTO HIS PEOPLE. The crashing thunderstorm which awakens fear in ordinary minds awakens trust and confidence in the devout mind. 1. Be who by his might raises the storm will yiL'6 strength to the weak and persecuted. He sits abovo tho storm, is Master and Kinµ; uvtr it; and he sits above the storms of the mind and heart, to control them. 2. Jle who quells the storm is able tr> quell the lumulta of the mind, and to 9-ive us peace, 218 'fHE BOOK OF PSALMS. (rs. xxx. 1-12
Christ gave his peace to the disciples; and "tbo peace '?f God which passeth all understanding is able to keep [guard] our hearts and mmds." It is inward trust nnd rest, and not outward tranquillity.-S.