The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 370

word often used to express the character of the people of God, in distinction from the ungodly (Pas. xxxiii. 1; xxxii. 11; cxii. 4). The word does not mean "perfection," but true sincerity of spirit, combined with the desire to be right in the sight of God. 'l'hree things are included therein: (1) repontance; (2) forgiveness; (3) sanctification, Where sin is duly acknowledged, forsaken, forgiven, removed, Lhere, in the sight of God, is an upright man. How great the contrast between such and the "fools," however rich the latter may be I II. THEIIE IS A CONTRAST IN POSSESSIONS. Such a one can say," My God! " And he can think and write and speak of Gou as One who is his Life, his Hope, his Joy, his Friend, his All (ver. 15). III. THERE 18 A CONTRAST IN THE IMMEDIATE OUTLOOK. Instead of being driven at death into the shades of Sheol, he will be received by God (ver. 15). "He shall receive me." The same word is used of Enoch, " He was not, for God took him ; " and by Asaph, in Ps. lxxiii. 24. IV. 'l'HERE IS A CONTRAST IN THE AFTEB-OUABDIANSHIP. Instead of death being their shepherd by feeding on them, Jehovah is their Shepherd, and leads them beside living fountains of water. v. THERE IS A CONTRAST IN THE FAR LOOK, (Ver. 15.) God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; i.e. he will restore me at the resurrection morning. This nature will be completely redeemed-body, soul, and spirit, to be for ever with the Lord.-C. Ver. 14.-.A W8t change: "in the morning." There have been several different views entertained of the state after death. The realm of departed souls was called by the Hebrews Sheol, or the all-demanding world; by the Greeks Hade~, or the unknown world. Practically, either word may be used, since the two simply refer to the same realm looked at under different aspects. To the pagan, Sheol (or Hades) was a dim and grim underworld, with no light beyond. To the Hebrews, Sheol was a dim under- world, with the light at the end-" in the a.wakening." To the Christian, Hades is a realm of perfect rest in Christ, where the righteous are awaiting the resurrectiou morn.1 Aud we m11y now set forth the believer's hopes as to that day in far brighter and more vivid tones than were possible to the psalmists and seers of old. I. THERE WILL BE A BESOBREOTION FROM THE DEAD. Whether or no the psalmist descried this, we cannot tell; but we do, for Jesus has brought life and incorruptiou to light through the gospel. He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the Saviour of the body; and "whosoever liveth 11nd believeth in him shall never die." It will be indeed a glorious "morning" when death shall be swallowed up in victory. II. JEHOVAH-JESUS WILL THEN RE THE SHEPHERD OF HIS FLOCK. As he was their Shepherd when here, and bad guard of them between death and the resurrection, so he will be their Shepherd still, to load aud feed them with bis own h11nd. "Tho upright" will have no such doleful shepherd as death; they will know nothing o[ dying. In the loving care of Jesus they will know only life and joy. III. THEN THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED THE Loao JESUS WILT, HAVE TIIE SUPREMACY. "Many that 11re last shall be first, and the first last," even within the kingdom. But ho1v much more will this reversal be seen in the case of tho~e who are not in the kingdom at all I Many who were among the great, the high, the noble, of earth will not then bo owned by the King; while inany a poor but humble Christian, whom the world knew not because it knew him not, will hear n. voice saying, " Frienrl, come up higher." Then many of earth's despised ones shall enter into the presence of the King; they shall sit with him on his throne; and they shall have dominion "in the morning." God will cause "all things" to work together for good to those that love him. Evil mny ride high for a time, but it must hide its head at last. And when the wicked are ashamed, the righteous will lift up their heads, for the day of their redemption will have come.-C. Vers. 1-20.-" Be not afraid." I. TnE PREACIIF.R. (Vers. 3, 4.) He is markea by thoughtfulness, He lends his ear in many a secret place to learn wisdom. His 1 See the present writer on Rev. i. 18 (' Pulpit Comment11ry '), aud aleo his sermon 011 Mntt. ui, 18, in 'To the Light through the Cross' (Dickinson). 384 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. XLIX. 1-20,