The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 357

I. THE HOMAGE OF THE INTELLECT. " The Most High" is tho Maker of hoavon and earth. He is infinitely wise and holy and powerful. Not dependent upon other be.in~, he rules singly and alone, in supremo majesty. Reason, therefore not only confe~ses his right, but his fitness. Here is the repose of the mind in a perfe~t Kin~. II. THE ACQUIESCENCE OF T'llE CONSCIENCE. 'l'he Lord Most High is •• terrible." This does not mean that he is an object of terror, but of reverence. What God does in d~aling with the nations is ever the expression of judgment and righteousness. Whether it be in the temple or in the world, in manifesting himself in love to his people or in ruling over the heathen, he is ever just. His government, in its laws o.nd administration, is absolutely pure. The throne on which he is seated is the throne of his holiness. Conscience, where it is free, cries," Amen." III. THE ADORATION OF THE HEART. "Sing praises." Four times this call is given. This shows both its justice and its universality. 'l'o this call, all hearts, "honest and good," respond with joy. The more we study, the better we understand, the character and the rule of God, the more fervently shall we join in the anthem of praise. "Sing praises to God." This is no mere form, no senseless outburst, like that of the men of Ephesus, who for two whole hours cried out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians I" (Acts xiL 34). Looking to _the p11.St, cont_emplating the present, imaging the future, we see that, under God, all things are tendmg towards one great end, and therefore we can sing praises " with understanding." It has been said that "a. people's "oice is the proof and echo of all human fame." So a.s truth prevails, and men every- where are brought under the benign and holy sway of Christ, shall they with glad enthusiasm proclaim the Name and glory of God. Learn, therefore, the evil and the folly of sin. It is rebellion against the Lord Most High! Learn also the real unity of believers. Whatever differences there may be amongst them a.a regards lesser things, when they utter their hearts in prayer a.ad praise, we find that they are one. The hymns of the Church for ever witness to the unity of the Church. Learn also how a.11 the prophets speak of Christ and his kingdom. Their words had higher meanings than they knew of. Consciously or unconsciously, but moved by the Holy Ghost, they spake of the glories of the latter day. " Come then, and, added to thy many crowns, Receive yet one, the crown or all the earth, Thon who alone art worthy," W.P. Ver. 1.-Christianity the faith of all nations. Judaism was not fitted for univer• sality. Its rites, its laws as to meats and drinks, its localization of worship, !(II.Ve it the character of a. national rather than a. universal religion. Yet it was by Hebrew prophets that the idea. of a. universal religion was propounded. Taught of God, they were able to rise above what was local and exclusive, and to rejoice in foresight of thti latter-day glory, when Jehovah should be" King of all the earth." The fulfilment is in Christ, whose coming was hailed, not only as "King of the Jews," but as the "Liuht of the Gentiles," and the Saviour of the world. Christianity, not the Christi- anity of the Creeds or of any particular Church, but the Christianity of Christ, is the faith for all nations. The fa.et that the Bible is so fitted for translation into all languages• that the rites of the gospel are so simple and so adapted to all countries; that the !~we as to Church government a.re so few, and so ea.pa.hie of being worked out accord in er to the needs of different peoples, might be urged as arguments for universality. But the;';, are other and stronger reasons. Christianity is fitted to be the faith of all nations, because of- L ITs REPRESENTATION OF' Goo. It has been truly said that "Christianity alone of religions gives a clear, self-consistent, adequate view of God. It a.lone discloses and promises to man a complete communion with ~od." The cry o~ Philip,." Show us the ]!'ather" finds in Christ a full response (John x1 v. 9). "In creation God 1e a God above us; in'the Law he is a God against us ; but in the gospel, he is Immanuel, a God wilh us, a God like us, a God for us." IL 1TB oocTnINE OF SALVATION. The evil that presses upon men everywhere is ~in. How can it be taken away? The answer is," Believe on the Lord J esue Christ." Our character and life depend upon our beliefs, Belief in Christ not only secures PB, XLVIl, 1-14,1 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 371