EXPOSITION. the Israelites into the primlised land, so let PSALM XLIIl. God's "light and truth" now lead David THE close connection of this psalm with the back to Jerusalem and God's "holy hill preceding has been already noticed (see the of Zion." Let them bring me unto thy holy introduction to Ps. xiii.). We mUBt not, hill, and to thy tabernaoles ; or, thy du:ell- ing-place. In his exile it was Da, id's most however, suppose an accidental detachment. earnest desire to revisit the tabernocle Bather Ps. xliii. is e. supplementary stanza, which he hod set up on l'tluunt Zion, where added subsequently by the so.me or a dif- God's presence dwelt, and prayer was most ferent writer. Being intended o.s e. con- acceptably offered (see 2 Sam. xv. 25; Ps. tinuation, the psalm has naturally no title. xiii. 2). He had mo.de his being brought bo.ok to it e. test of the return of God's Ver. 1.-.J'udge me, 0 God (comp. Ps. favour (2 Sam. xv. 25, 26). xxxv. 24). And plead my oause (so in Ps. Ver. 4.-Then will I go unto the altar of x.xxv. I). God's intervention is asked in God. As the special place where thanks- the struggle between David and his enemies, giving ought to be mnde, and sacrifice on the assumed ground that he is in the offered (see 2 Sam. vi. 17; I Chron. xvi. I). right, and not they. God will, of course, Unto God my exoeeding 1oy; litero.lly, un!o only interpose if this is so. Age.inst an God the gladness of my ezultation. Yea, ungodly nation ; or, an unkind, unlorring upon the harp will I praise thee, 0 God my nation. Tllough co.lied ')l, as in Isa. i. 4, God. The psalmist has before him some still Israel is meo.nt. They were "un- such scene as that depicted in 2 Sam. vi. loving," both towards God and towo.r<ls and I Chron. xv. 25-29, where, o.mid their king. 0 deliver me from the deceitful shouts and singing and dancing, and "with and unjust man. Eilhor Abse.lom or Ahi- sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, nnd thophel mo.y be weo.nt; or "man" may with cymbals, with psalteries and ho.rps," be used abstractedly for David's enemies a joyful procession appronohed the taber- gcnomlly. nacle, David himself taking p1ut in it. Ver. 2.-J!'or thou art the God of my Ver. 5.-Why art thou oe.st down, 0 my strength; i.e. the God in whom is all my soul 1 and why art thou disquieted within strength (Ps. xxviii. 7). Why dost thou me 1 hope in God : for I shall yet praise him, oast me 011'1 An equivalent to the "Why who is the health of my countenance, and ho.at thou forgotten me?" of Ps. xiii. 9. my God. The refrain of Ps. xiii. 11 is here Why go I mourning beoause of the c,ppres- repeated totidem tJerbia; and the plaint of &ion of the enemy 1 Repeo.te<l, with the the exil~d monarch is brought to e.n onr\. vo.rio.tion of e. single word, from Ps. xiii. 9. The burdeu of the refrain is hope nnd cou- Ver. 3,-0 send out thy light and thy fidenoe. Notwithstnnding the woos of lhe truth (Pss. xl. 11; !vii. 3, whore, however, present, the writer ho.a no doubt iu respect "mercy (ion) nnd truth " take the place of of the future; he will yet ho.ve occnsion to "light and truth"), Both words equally " praise" God, whom ho feels to be "Iii, signify God's favour. Let them lead me. God "-hi~ Health and Se.lvntion. As the pillar of fire and of the cloud led
HOMILETICS. Ver. 4.-" God my ea:ceeding Joy." As the Bible teems with thoughts which never would have entered nieµ's minds without Divine teaching, so also of frcling3, which, l'BALM8. fi 338 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. :nm. 1-5.
had they not been real, men would never have aspired or pretended to. Among these is tl,at "exceeding joy" in God which the text expresses (see margin). If it bo true that "the fleshly heart is enmity against God," then this joy must be supernatural. But not unnatural. Only because man is fallen can it ever be natural to him to forget God, to be careless about his Maker. This joy is the returning of the heart to its original key-note. • I. 'l'HE REASONABLENESS OF TRIS JOY. On account: 1. Of all that God is in him- i;elf-hi~ glorious perfection, 2. Of all that he is to us-to mankind; to his people ; to each believer personally. " 0 God, my God I " We can say this, as Christians with fuller knowledge, more glorious warrant, "The God and Father of our' Lord Jesus Christ." II. HrnDnANCES TO THIS JOY. 1. Poor, unworthy thoughts of God. 2. Forgetful- ness, equivalent to temporary unbelief. 3. A murmuring, unthankful, discontented spirit, underrating our mercies and overrating or rebelling against our trials, 4. Sin. Ill. SHALL WE SAY THE RARITY OF THIS JOY? Let each one judge. At all events its unspeaka.ble desirableness. Both for the happiness and the usefulness of it; ~ powerful motive to holiness; a witness to others for God (Pss. xxx.iv, 8; lxvi. 16).