for all the penitent and godly. Not a partial God, but his principles of action are universal. God can always be found by the truly penitent; i.e. he always hears them when they call upon him (ver. 6). He averts from them the jndgments (" great waters") that threaten to overwhelm the wicked (ver. 6). 2. Confidence in God for himself, (Ver. 7.) He lives in God as his Castle or Hiding-place, secure from danger and trouble. This idea is enlarged and exalted by Christianity. "Your life is hid with Christ in God." The security is all the greater because we are joined with Christ in God. God will surround him with abundant causes of thankful songs-songs of deliverance. Turn where he may, he finds the delivering hand of God at work on hie behalf. II. His ATTITUDE AS A TEACHER 01" TBE IMPENITENT. (Vera. 8-11.) ]. His experience qualifies him to show men the way they should go. "Then-after thou hast delivered me-will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee." He knew the road which he urged them to take--knew it from experience, not from any theory. 2. This made him a gentle, sym'[J<Zthetic guide. He will guide them with the gentle guidance of the eye. A look is enough for those who are willing to go in the right way-a look in the direction which is to be pointed out. Experience taught him to be pitiful. 3. He exhorts men against a brutish and stubborn impeni- tence. (Ver. 9.) Do not be like the brute, which must be compelled to service," who doth not willingly come unto thee;" but as reasonable religious creatures, be wi?lin!J for the service which is great and blessed. 4. He sums up the whole question. (Ver 10.) The sorrows which encompass the wicked, and the mercy that follows those who trust in God. "Mercy;" equivalent to "loving-kindness." A tremendous contrast. 5. ~n exhortation ro the righteous to realize their blessed estate. (Ver. 11.)-S.
EXPOSITION. PSALM XXXIII. which this le almost a repetition; ond romp. nlso Pss. lxviii. 3; xcvii 12). For THIS psalm has no title in the Hebrew, and praise is comely for the upright. The In some manuscripts it is joined on to the Prayer-book Version gives the meo.ning, less preceding psalm, and forms one with it. liternlly, but in more idiomntio En rrlish, Dnt the difference of eubjeot-matter and of "For it becometh well the just to be tone render it highly improbable thnt that thankful." Ver, 2.-Praise the Lord with ho.rp. The orrangement is the correct one. The two hnrp obtains mention here for the first time psnlme ore best regorded as wholly separate in tho Psalms. Reference, however, h~d compositions, though the writer of the preeeut been mode to it previously in Genesis, Job, one took for hie key-note the lost verse of oud the First Book of Snmnel. There i~ Pe. xxxii. The Septuagint makes Dovid reason to believe that the instrument, os known to the Hebrews, wos n simple one, the author, but with no support from the consisting of a nearly triangular framework Hebrew. An outhor in the reign of Asa of wood, crossed by seven strings. The or Jehoshnphnt, and ago.in one in the reign Egyptions were ncquninted from enrly times of Josiah, has been suggested, but the psalm with a very muoh more ele.borato instmment itself scarcely gives a hint toworde fixing -hnrpe which stood six feet high upon n. brood bnso of their own, and had o.s mnny tho tlo.te, as twenty-two strings (Ra,.Jinson, • History As o simple peo.lm of praise o.nd thanks- of Ancient Egypt,' vol. i. p. 521). The ho.rp giving, intended for the service of the wns regarded by the Hebrews ns peculi,trly temple, it is well worthy of admiration, fitlcd for sncrc,I music (seo I Sum. x. 5; boing '' singularly bright, and replete with 2 Sam. vi. 5; 1 Cbron. xv. 1G; xxv. 1, 3, 6; 2 Ch.ron. v.12; xxix. 25; Nch. xii. 27, de.). beautiful imo.gery" (' Speaker's Com- Sing unto him with the psaltery und an mentary'). Melricnlly, it consists of eix instrumont of ten strings; ruther, s-ing 11n/o strophes, the first and Inst conto.ining three Mm with the lute of ten Btring~. One instru- verses eoch, ond the intermediate ones eoch ment only is here mcntioncd-n luto or four verses. psaltery (neuel), hnving ten strings (comp. Pas. xcii. 3; c:di\-. \J). 'l'ho nebel was 011 Ver. 1.-Rejoioe in the Lord, 0 ye right- instrument. differing from the harp chiclly eous (eeo tho first cfauec of Ps. xuii. 11, of in the nrmngcmcnt of tho strings. It wua THE IlOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. xxxm. 1-22,