The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 315

lJl. ON THOSE WHO LIVE A LIFE OF BUCH PRACTICAL BENEVOLENCE FOR CHRIST'S BAKE, THERE 1s A BLESSING PRONOUNCED. It will be the blessing of both the Father Rud of the Son, yea, and of the Spirit too. The SjJirit; for be pronounces it in the in breathing of these sacred words. 'l'he Son; for he proclaims it now, as our Teacher, in the Sermon on the Mount, and will pronounce it, as Judge, at fast. 'l'he Father; for the very words of the blessing which the Son pronounces are," Ye blessed of my .Father." In this love he blesses specia.lly a.II whose love is the reflex of bis own. And the people's blessing will attend him who lives to bless the people; in such a ease, in a high and holy sen$e, "vox populi, vox Dei." IV. 'l'HE BLESSING OF HEAVEN ON THOSE WHO LIVE TO BLESS OTHERS IS DIVINELY RICH AND FULL. What does it involve? 1. Divine approval; for God's heart of love has diffused its own glow of sympathy within. 2. The heart of the Lord Jesus is touched; for he feels kindness done to others for his sake as done to him. Wonderful, indeed, is his" Inasmuch." 3. Those who love like Jesus will find their home with him. How inspi1ing are the words, "Come, ye blessed of my Father" I 4. There will be the recompense of "a kingdom prepared." Oh, how in6nitely do the recompenses of abounding grace outweigh any little acts of kindness the sa.ints may have shown to the poor of Christ! Only" grace" can account for a reward so large. V. OF SUCH IMPORTANCE IS Tms LIFE OF SERVICE FOR OTHERS THAT, APART FROM IT, ALL RELIGIOUS FOIUI IS EMPTY AND VAIN, (Ma.tt. vii. 12, 21-23; XXV, 41; Mark x. 21; Luke xvi. 19-31; 1 John iii. 17; Jas. ii. 6, 13; v. 1-4.) 'l'o call Christ" Lord, Lord," and then to disregard hie injunctions, will be of no use. Note: Here are three lessons urgently calling for enforcement. 1. Let the agnostic and positivist, who are calling ont for a religion that means" living for others," see if they have not here the religion for which they call, and which is only waiting for its professors to act up to it, to revolutionize the world. 2. Let but the spirit of the text inspire man universally, and all struggles and alienation between class and class would forthwith cease. 3. Let some who have given disproportionate attention to doctrine, o.nd who ho.ve pa.id too little heed to life and love, aim at a readjustment. We want doctrine and life; not one without the other. 4. Let Christian Churches learn that if they wouJd commend themselves to the age, they must live to serve the age, by holy thought, pure living, and manifested love I 5. Let us thank God with all our hearts for the ameliorating influence on the lot of man, of this Divine command to care for others; e.g. homes, refugee, hospitals, etc.-C. Vers. 4, 10.-Ill treated by man, he flee.a to God. (Cf. homilies on Pas. vii., xvii. div. II., xxvi. div. IIL, xxxix. div. I. 4.)-C. Vers. 5-9.-David enffers from the harshness and treachery of men. (Cf. homilies on Pss. xii, xvii. div. L, :x.xvi. div. ll.)-C. Ver. 9.-Here is an instance of very special treachery, which would be regarded as black indeed in the light of Oriental hospitality. Yet be who was in all points tempted like as we are, endured treachery viler still. To this reference is made in John xiii. 18. The note of Bishop Perowne hereon is so truly helpful, that we quote it in full below. 1-C. 1 "The Oriental feeling ae to the sacredness of hospitality would stamp such conduct with peculiar blackness. If David wrote the psalm, the ingratitude WU,8 worse, because of the honour conferred on one who was admitted to the king's table (2 Sam. ix. 10, ff. : 1 Kings xviii. 19: 2 Kings xxv. 29). Part of this verse is quoted by our Lord in John xiii. 18, as applicable to the treacherous conduct of Judas, but with the signill.oant omieeion of the wor<lB, • Mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted; • for our Lord knew what was in J udns from the beginning, and therefore did not trust him. Nothing can be more deoisive, both as to the way in which quotations were made, and also ae to the proper interpretntion of the apparently strong phra1!8, f,,11 "I -yp"4n, ,rJ..11p111llij, with whioh the quotation is introduC?d. First, it is plain that partktdar expression, in a psalm may I.Je applicable to events w~1oh befell our Lord, whilst the whole psalm is not in like mnnner applicable. And next, it ia evident that • the Scripture is fulfilled,' not merely when a prediction receives its nocom• plishment, but when words, deecriptive of certain circumstances iu the life of the (?Id Teetament ae.inte, find a still fuller and truer realization-one not foreseen by the pealm1et, re. XLI. 1-18.J THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 32i