The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 245

only a power that sways matter, but a wisdom which controls mind, so that among the nations there can never bo any plotting which can frustrate or intercept his plans, 6. Omniscience. (Vers. 14, 15.) He espie.1 from afar the hidden thoucrbt of every soul (Prov. xv. 3; Ps. cxxxix.). He knows men's hearts, as having c~eated them (ver. 15) "alike," i.e. altogether, in one. There are variations in mind, but yet all minds act responsively to some necessary laws of thought inlaid in their original structure. 7. Steadfast counsels. (Ver. 11.) Tliis is true of the plans of providence; but it is most gloriously true of the hidden mysteries and triumphs of his grace (1 Cor. ii. 7; Eph. iii. 9; Acts xv. 18). 8 . .All his counsels are in alliance with a holiness which warrants and invites confidence. (Ver. 21.) He cannot do wrong; he cannot be unfaithful or unkind (Ps. xcii. 15). 9. On some he looks with special favour and love. (Vers. 18, 19; see Ps. xviii. 25, 26.) Those who trust God most fully and follow him most faithfully will find that their lot is as beautifully ordered for them as if God had no one else to occupy his care. They will be guarded in peril, supplied in need, and comforted in sorrow ; the loving glances of a gracious eye and the cheering words from a loving heart will give to such many a song in the night, Let all these nine features of God's glory be put together and looked at in blended sweetness, and see if they will not raise to an ecstasy of delight. If. THE JOY WHICH UPRIGHT SOULS HAVE IN SUCH A GOD I8 UN110UNDED, Yes. 1. The joy has uprightness/or its condition. Upright souls I Only such. But this does not mean absolutely perfect men, but men who mourn over the wrong, who have confessed it before Goel, who have received his pardoning mercy, and who loyally conform their lives to God's holy will and ,vord, who would not knowingly harbour any sin or aught that would grieve their God-men who have gone, in fact, through the experiences of Ps. x.xxii. (of which, indeed, this may possibly be a continuation). 2. This joy has grace for its resting-place. (Vere. 18, 22.) "Mercy." 'fhe joy would have no ground stable enough if it were settled on any other basis than God himself, nor unless that basis were "mercy." "0 God, be merciful to me I " is the cry which goes up from the penitent's lips more and more pleadingly as he moves forward in the pardoned life. 3. This joy has all that God is, has, and does for its contents. So the wliole psalm teaches us; for the pardoning mercy of God has brought us so near to l,im that we know there is for ua such an outpouring of love Divine as makes us infinitely rich for time and eternity. 4. Tliis joy has boundless hope for its outlool,. (Ver. 22.) As Bishop Perowne well remarks, "hope" indicates the perpetual attitude of a trw;ling and waiting Church. Believers know that God will do exceeding abundantly for them above all they can ask or think. As the rich disclosures of God under the prophets have advanced to their unveiling in the unsearchable riches of Christ, so will the wonders of Christ in grace move forward to those of Christ in his glory. We yet seek a Fatherland. "God is not ashamed to be called our Go<l, for ho hath prepared for us a city." 5. This joy has prayer for its upward expression. (Ver. 22, "Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us," etc.) Not that this is its on)y form of expression (for see below), but it is a joy which must and will find outlet Ill prayer for the constant supply of that mercy which feeds and sustains it. lIJ. '.J.'HE JOY 1B BOCH THAT IT MAY WELL RIPEN INTO A HOLY FELL0WBIIIP OF MUSIC AND soNo. Here in vers. 1-3 the psalmist calls on all upright souls to join him in souuding forth tbe praises of the Lord. 1. God having talr.en off all our iurdens of guilt and care, the tongue is set free for praise. 2. .A common joy in God m-,y well suggest a grand concert of song. Fellowsliip in troul1le is soothing; follo~sh)p in peril is uniting; fellowship in need touches common sympathy; fellowsl11p Ill gladnes:; creates a grand inspiration and a mighty burst of praise. 3. In giving vent tu our j.oy musical instruments may be "sMlfully" made subservient thereto. (Ver. 3.) To vlead against this verse that we Jive in another dispensation, is not in pl~c_e; for mu~ical instruments in the hands of sanctified men are the servants of the Spmt, and we do but utilize God's own world of harmony when we press them into the servi~e of celebrating redeeming love. 4. The riglit use and ample enjoyment in hallowed mirth, as we celebrate the praises of the Lord, may be made a holy and blessed means of grace. It is of no mean imporlance to recruit the bodily powers for God by meo.n~ of the enjoyment of sacred music and song. And if, indeed, Christian people of musical ~astes wuuld seek to sanctify their 6pecia.l powers for God o.nd his Church, many LID re. XXXIII. 1-22.J 'rITE DOOK OF PSALMS. 26,3