The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 350

could boast-an infinitely greater one. Not only was there all the difference between rescues that were local, temporary, national, and one that is for the race for all time, but also the difference between a deliverance from Egypt, Ammon, Moab, and Assyria, and one that is from Satan and from sin; from the curse of a broken Law, and from the wrath to come. The song of Miriam is infinitely outdone by the new song, even the song of Moses and the Lamb. III. 'l'HE SAINTS CAN NOW REJOICE IN A BETTER COVENANT. At the back, so lo speak, of the psalm before us there was a recognized covenant between God and the people (Exod. xix. 5, 6; Pa. xlvi. 7, 11). In the later days of David " the everlasting covenant" was the aged monarch's hope and rest. But now, in Christ, we have the "better covenant," "the everlasting covenant," sealed and ratified with blood (Heh. viii. 6; xiii. 20; Matt. xxvi. 28). This covenant assures to the penitent, forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified. It includes all that Christ is and has, as made over to those who rely on him, for ever and for ever. It is not dependent on the accidents of time or sense. No duration can weaken it; no ill designs can mar it; not all the force of earth or hell can touch those who look to "the sure mercies of David." IV. THE SAINTS NOW HAKE UP A HORE PRIVILE0ED CITY. (Ver. 4.) While nations were proudly and angrily raging like the wild waves of the tossing sea, there was a calm, peaceful river, whose branches peacefully flowed through the city of God. Thus beautifully does the psalmist indicate the calm which took possession of believers then, while the nations roared around them. And in" the new Jerusalem," the present "city of God," which Divine love founded, and which Divine power is building up, there still flows the deep, still, calm river of Divine peace and joy and love. Or, if it be preferred, let Dr. Watts tell- "That sacred stream, thine Holy Word, That all our raging fear controls; Sweet peace thy promises afford, And give new strength to fainting souls." Through the new city of God, the Holy Catholic Church, m:1.de up of all believers, this peaceful stream ever runs, refreshing and ferUlizing wherever it flows. No frost congeals it ; no heat can dry it up; it will eternally make glad the city of God. Hence- V. THE SAINTS NOW PEAL FORTH A HOBE JU11ILANT BONG. We can sing this psalm, especially its first verse, with wider intelligence, larger meaning, deeper peace, and more expansive joy, than were possible to the Hebrews of old. As revelation has advanced, the believer's joy in God bas grown likewise. Faith becomes larger as faith's Object becomes clearer. And no Hebrew could sing of the deliverance of his fathers so joyously as we can sing of the redemption of a world-a redemption in which we can rejoice, not only in our days of sadness, but in our days of gladness too. And os the psalmist could think of God as the Lord of hosts, and yet the God of Jaco l); os the Leader of the armies of heaven, and yet the Helper of the lonely, wayworn traveller; so the believer, in thinking of the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, can say, "Ha died for all," and also, "He loved me, and gave himself for me." Vf. THE RONG IS GRANDEST WHERE TROUDLE BAB DEEN THE GREATEST. "He has been found a Help in trouble exceedingly "-the odverb expressive of intensity mny refer to the greatness of the trouble. But however this may be, certain it is that it is in the troubles of life that the believer finds out all that God is to him. And the man who can sing this psalm most jubilantly is the one who bas been weighted with care most heavily. This is the glory of our great redeeming God. He is n Friend for life's dark days, as well as for the bright ones. Note: 1. The troubles of life often bring out to us our need of God. It is easy to be sorcne when trouble is far from us, and to spin fine philosophic webs; but let trouhlo come upon us,-that will moke nll tho difference. '!'he Into beloved Princess Alice was almost led to the dark negations of Straussianism; but when she lost her child, her trouble led her to feel her need of a Refuge, and then she sought and found the Lord. Ellen Watson, the accomplished rnathemntician, revelled in exact science, and "wanted nothing more," till the death of a friend broke in on her exact science, rent her heart, opened her eyes, and wns thQ 364 'l'HE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. XLVI. 1-11.