The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 254

blessd is the man that trusteth in him." 'l'his call, "Taste and see," is the c:ill of Christ in the gospel. Those who hear it must make a choice, 'l'hey must hear or refuse. But co11sidering who it is that gives the call, and the manifold and powerful arguments by which it is enforced, surely it would be wise ann. rcnRonable to take Christ at his word, and to make honest trial of his religion. "If nny man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching whether it be of God" (John vii. 17, Revised Yersion). Try the word, try prayer, try the Christian lifo, try if Christ is to be trusted; not until you have done this can you say whether God is good or not. II. A CHARGE TO LIVE UP TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF RELTGIO~. ,, Oh, fear the Lord, ye his saints." This is due to God. We are not our own, to live as we like. ,v e belong to God, and are bouud to live according to his Law. God says to us," Yo are my witnesses." This if\ necessary to our true welfare. 'l'he very name "saints" implies that we hnve been separated from the world, that we have been called unto holiness. But holiness and happiness are indissoluble. The more we II fear God" tho more shall we advance in holiness, and the more we advance in holiness the more shall we enjoy of true happiness. ''Want" there will be to us as to others of many things, but we learn to be content with such things as we have, knowing that God is with us, and that he will withhold no "good thing" from us (Ps. lxxxiv. 11; Heb. iv. 16). This is the best way of commending religion to others. We influence others more by example than by precept. The more perfectly we live and act as God's saints, keeping truth and doing right always, serving others in love, following peace and holiness, in a word, the more perfectly we live and act in the spirit of Christ, the greater will be our influence for good in the world. What we have tried and found good, we can honestly commend. What we have proved, and are continually showing in its bene- ficent effect on our own character and life, to be of the highest worth a!}d virtue, must have a powerful claim to the faith of all reasonable and right thinking men. Let men say of a Chris Lian, "If there be r. saint on earth, that is one;" and the next thing will be," If Jesus could make such a character, is not this the Christ ?"-W. F. Ver. 12.-" Long life." We may learn here- I. THAT THE DESIRE FOB LONG LIFE IS NATURAL TO MAN, There may be times, when, under the pressure of trial and weariness, we are ready to say, with Job," I would not live al way." But this is a temporary feeling. Our natural desire is to live, and to Jive lung. This desire has been implanted by God, and works in many ways for good. II, THAT LONG LIFE, WHEN SPENT IN THE SERVICE OF GOD, IS A GREAT DI,ESSING, We should desire life, not from fear of death, nor from the pain of parling wHh dear friends, but'' to see good," and that we may do the more work for God. The present world, so far as we know, is the only one in which we can serve God by overcoming evil and by patience under trial, and by converting sinners. Besides, the longer we live'. the more good we can do to others, and the more we can glorify God. To glorify God by the service of our youth is good; to glorify him by the service of youth and manhood is better; lint to glorify him by faithful service from first to last, through all Etages of life, is best of all (Prov. xvi. 21; Phil. i. 23-26; 2 Tim. iv. 6-8). How different is it with the wicked I Prolonged life is to them a curse instead of a blessing. The more time, the more sin ; the more sin, the more evil; till at last it might be said, 11 Would that he died early I" or, as of Judas," It had been good for that man if he had not been born" (Matt. xxvi. 24). Ill. 'l'IIAT LO;s'G LIFE CAN BE BEST SECURED BY ATTENTION TO THE LAWS OF RIGIITEOUsNi;:ss. There is an intimate connection between the body and the soul. We may disregard the laws of health as to the body, and then we must suffer. The care of the bu<iy is us needful, in its place, as the care of the soul. The tendency of vice is undoubtedly to shorten life. How often docs it happen, that young men, natt1rally 1,ossessed of goud constitutions, bring on weakness and diseasu by dissolute living I On the other hand, the practice of self-denial and virtue is favourable to longevity. " The fear of tl,e Lord prolungeth days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened" (Prov. x. 2-7). 'l'he question of the psalmist meets a response in our hearts, "Wh~t man is he tl,at desireth life?" and his wise and fatherly counsel shoulJ find an echo ID our lives, "Depa.rt from evil, a.ud do good; seek peace, and pursue it." The laws of health are largely studied in our days. We have Acts of Parliament on "l'ublic PB, XllIV, 1-22.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 263