abuse of their talents might be prevented, and many a holy outlet for their use secured, Well might Frances Il. Havergal write- " Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King." 5. The largest scope for the noblest music is opened up by the wonders of redeeming love. Poetry, painting, sculpture, musio,-all are grandest when inspired by the Cross.-C. Vers. 1-22.-Tbis is a hymn of praise to God, as at once the Almighty Creator and Iluler of the world, and the Protector of his chosen people. Ver. 12 may be regarded ns the pivot on which the whole psalm turns. Who.t was true ideally, and in part of Israel, is true in fact and perfectly of God's people. "Blessed"- L BECAUSE THE LORD 1s THEIR Goo. 'l'he prophets delight to mark the contrast between the gods of the heathen and Jehovah (Deut. xxxii. 31; Ps. lxxxvi. 8; Isa. xl. 18-25). The vital difference between the false and the true was brought out powerfully in Egypt (Exod. viii.10), and with still more intense and dramatic effect on Mount Carmel in the day of Elijah (1 Kings xviii. 24). No doubt some of the hratben attained to high views of duty, but amongst the people it was otherwise. As has been said, their gods were like themselves- " Gods partial, obangeful, passionate, unjust, Whose attributes were rage, revenge, and lust." Dut our God is the living and true God. His character commands our highest admiration (vers. 1-3). His Word and bis works call forth our most devoted homage and praise (vers. 4-11). Idolaters and all with idol-loving hearts may be constrained to say, in the day of their trouble, "They have taken away my gods, and what have I more? " ( J udg. xviii. 24). But no power can take a way our God. He says to us, " I will never leave thee." And we cry to him with exulting faith, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee" (Ps. lxxiii. 23-28). To Israel God appealed as the God of Abraham, and claimed their obedience as the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt (Exod. iii. 6; xx. 1); but he stands in a nearer relationship, and has higher claims upon us, as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. i. 3, 7; 1 Pet. i. 3, 7). JL BECAUSE UNDER Gon's GOVERNMENT THEY ABE BEING FORMED TO THE CHARACTER 0l!' RIGHTEOUSNESS, Righteousness is the great want of the world. Get people made righteous-right in their being and their life, and there would be an end to the great evils that afflict society. Righteousness is the craving of all consciences n.nd the hope of all troubled hearts. God's great aim is to make his people righteous. For this end he has given his Law; for this he sent his Son into the worlJ.; for this, as the potter with the clay, ho is continually working in his gracious providence, "fashioning" the hearts of men. Well, therefore, has Paul said, "We are bis workmanship" (Eph. ii. 10). God is blessed because he is righteous; and be would havo his people made happy after the same fashion (Isa. x:xxii. 17). "Righteousness exu.lteth a nation" (Prov. x:iv. 34); and this holds true also of individun.ls. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled" (Matt. v. 6). III. IlECAUBE TlIEY BA.VE A GREAT l!'UTUBE BEF0BB Tll.EM. Ne.Hons have their decline and fall. Even Israel, because unfaithful, have been scattered (Deut. xxix. 24-28); but the true Israel shall be under the eye and the keeping of the Lord for ever. '£bay are his own inheritance (cf. Epb. i. 18). Therefore they u.re encouraged to "hope," to "wait," to " trust." '!'heir golden age is not in the past, but in the future. What Jacob said on his death-bed may be said with joy by all his true children, "I have waited fJr thy salvation, 0 Lq rd I" (Gen. xlix. 18; cf. Luke ii. 28-32 ; 1 Pet. i. 10-13).-W. F. Vers. 1-11.-.A call to praise God. The psalm is anonymous, and was composed apparently to celebrate some deliverance of the nation from heathen oppression, ft1sulting frolil (¾od's interposition a!ld without war. Vcrs. 1-3 are a summons to 254 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. XXXIV. 1-22.
praise fu'<i, the song to bo accompauied with instrumental music. God is to ho praised- !. As THE Goo OF REVELATION, (Vers. 4, 5.) 1. His Word is upricrht, always fulfilling itself. 2. All bis wnduct is faithful and righteous. 3. All bis ma";iifestations of himself are full of loving-kindness. II. As 'l'llE CREATOR OF TllE WORLD. (Vers. 6-9.) 1. His Word-the breath of his mouth-was sufficient for the creation of the heavens. 2. He gathered together the waters of the sea. 3. Such manifestations of his power ought to fill us with reverence and awe. Study God's works as well as his Word. In the nineteenth verse we have the thought of the sixth verse repeated. Ill. As THE IRRESISTIBLE RULER IN THE HISTORY OF MEN. (Vers.10, 11.) Con- trast here between what God does with the thoughts and counsels of men-bringing them to nought-and what he does with bis own-making them to stand fast to all generations. The counsels which he brings to nought are evil counsels; be prospers and establishes the counsels of the righteous, and fulfils his own plans and purposes.-S.
Vers. 12-22.- What God's people possess in him. The call to praise God is sup- ported by a setting forth of that which his people possess in him. The theme of this second part of the psalm is set forth in the twelfth verse, " Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah." I. BECAUSE GoD IS THE CREATOR HE BAS THE MOST PERFECT KNOWLEDGE. (Vers. 13-15.) He not only observes men's doings, but knows their hearts, as having created them. You cannot know a man perfectly from his acts; you must know bis thoughts and purposes to know his character. II. HIS PEOPLE HAVE IN GoD A STRONGER DEFENCE THAN THE GREATEST WORLDLY POWER WOULD DE. (Vers. 16-12.) 1. The victory of the king and the safety of the warrwr are not their own works. Even the war-horse, a thing that promises much in strength, ca.n in reality do nothing apart from God's overruling power. 2. The eye of God is directed towards those that fear him, to deliver them from danger and death. ill THE CHURCH ACKNOWLEDGES GoD AS ITS IIELP, ITS SHIELD, AND ITS SOURCE oF JOY. (Vers. 20-22.) 1. The Oh,'11,rch waits/or God. (Ver. 20.) 'l'o be its Help and Shield. 2. The Oh,'11,rch rejoices in the holiness of God. If he were not perfectly good we should have to tremble with terror and not rejoice. 3. The Oh'll,rch hopes in God. Hope bas been the attitude of the Church through all the ages. lt must .be our personal attitude towards God in Christ. "Which hope we have as the anchor of the soul, both sure and stea.dfa.st," etc. What can sufferers do but hope 7-S.