Ver. 6.-Steadfastness. "I shall not be moved." ,ve are sUEccptible to infiurnce. We may be "moved." The word here is not a boast, but an expression of confidence in God. Peter said, in effect, "I shall not be moved," and be was put to shame (Mark xiv. 29, 30). But if we trust in God, then our strength will not fail. We shall stand "steadfast and immovable" in the surges of the wayes and the violence of the storm. There is the- I. CONSCIOUSNESS OF RIGHTNESS, II. THE SENSE OF DEING BACKED DY TUE POWER OF GOD. III. THE OVERMASTERING FORCE OF LOYE. IV. 'l'HE EXULTING PROSPECT OF FINAL VICTORY. Paul said," None of these things move me" (Acts :u:. 24). So all strong in the lovo of God and in the confidence that right must trium1,n in the en,l, will suffer ra.ther than sin, and die rather than be false to Christ (Hcb. xii. I, 2).-W. F.
Yer. 9.-" Laid in the balance." I. RANK. Precedence among men does not depend on moral worth. 1t is a matter of etiquette. The man of "low degree" before men may be of "high degree" before God. 'l'he man who gets the "lowest place" in the great houses of this worl<l may sit in the highest place in the kingdom of Go<l. •• Knighthoods anll honours b,>rnc \\'ilhout desert a!'C lilies but of scorn" (Shakespeare). The true honour is that whicl-. cometh from Go,\ oulv. II. RICHES. Most people wouhl like to be rich. ·In this, as in other matters, there is a right way and a wrong way. It is hinted (ver. 10) that if riches increase, it may be by" oppression" and "robbery." But though they should be obtained lawfully, they bring great respousibilities and risks, and often prove a delusion and a mockery (1 Tim. vi. 9). 'l'he true riches nre not in the band, but in the heart; not in the abundance of things outward, but in faith nnd love and good works-in being "rich toward God" (Luke xii. 21). III. REPUTATION. What others think of us is of importance. It so far settles our place and our influence in society. But the judgment of men is not tbe judgment of God, In the world, in society, in the Church, our reputation may stand high, but if 22 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB. LXlll, 1-11,
our reputation nnd our charact{lr-which is what we are really and in the siaht of God ~o not agree, we are but hypocrita and liars. "Except your righteoisncss shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, yo shall in no ea.so entc1· into the kingdom of God" (Matt. v. 20).-W. F. Ver. 11.-0mnipotence. " Power bulongeth unto God." I. ExcLUSITE POSSESSION. All around us we see evidences of power. Much of It can be traced to man. But besides, mark the forces that aro continually at work, in the earth nnd in the heavens,-and behind all these is God. He is the Force of all forces. Even with man, in sight of all his works, boasting is excluded. \Vhat have we that we have not received? "Iu God we live and move and have our being." II. EMPLOYED FOR TUE HIGHEST IXTERESTS OF MEN. Power in bad hands is a curse. But in good hands it is a blessing. God alone is capable of using power in the wisest manner, and for the best and holiest ends. It is true that, a.s God works by means, ho of necessity limits himself. He has established a certain order of things, and by this he is pleased, so far, to bind himself in his actions. But in everything we may see his mercy and truth. Iu the material, the mental, and the spiritual world he is ever working, animating, upholding, and controlling all things for the advancement of his own holy ends and for the highest good of his creatures. III. SECURING THE ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS OF THE GOOD, Power without love is brutality. Love without power is weakness. God's power is in Christ--for our redemptiou (Rom. i. 4; Acts x. 38; Eph. i 19; Matt. xxviii. 18; John xvii. 2). 'l'his power is quickening (Eph. ii. 1), regulating (Acts ix. 1-9), energizing (Phil. iv. 19), elevating (Eph. i. 19), consoling (2 Cor. xii. 9). It rests as a beneficent influence on God's people, for time and for etcrnity.-W. F. Vers. 1-12.-.Danger and safety. The psalmist, like a mighty eagle, poises himself on the wings of his faith at a great height above the dangers that threatened him, and feels safe. Three things claim consideration. I. DANGER. 1. His l.ingly dignity was threatened. (Ver. 4.) The position of the Christian is in constant danger. 2. His life was in danger. (Ver. 3.) His enemies rushed ntJon him to overthrow him as if he were a bowing wall or a tottering fence, Our spiritual life is in danger from numerous foes. II. SAFETY TRE MOST ABSOLUTE. 1. He si?ently trusts in God as Salvation. Does not pray, but confidently trusts, as a child in his father. Heaps epithet on epithet, denoting the ,;ense of safety. "High Tower, Rock," etc. The perfection of trust in God. 2. He exhorts others to the same perfect tr'U,St. "At all times." God is the common Refuge aud Salvation for all who will trust him, because he "careth" for all. Ill. THE REVELATION ON WHIOll IDS TRUST WAS GROUNDED. (Vers.11, 12.) 1. That God has universal power. If we need strength, we are to seek it, not in robbery or riches, but in God, who is Almighty. 2. That God is fill~d also with loving-kindness. "Power without love is brutality, and love without power is weakness;" but when both are combined they are the guarantee of righteous rule, and that God will" reward every man according to his work."-S.
EXPOSITION. and thirsty land," literally as well as PSALM LXIIL figuratively (ver. 1). All these inclicnt.ious A PSALl! of one absent from the sanctuary, agree exactly with tho statements in the and longing to return to it (vers. 1, 2), " title," tha.t tho poem was composed by pursued by enemies who seek his life (ver. David as he fled through the wilderness of 9), but confident in God's proteclion (vers. Judrea towards the Jordon on the revolt 7, 8), and, indeed, full of joy and praise and of Absalom (2 Sam. xv. 16-30; xvL thankfuluess (vers. 3-6 and 11). Near 1-14). the clo~e he leis fall e. word, which shows The psalm is made up of fl ve short stanzu him 1.o be a king ; and there is BOme reason -the first four consisting of two ver11e1 to think that he is pw1~ing through a "dry each, and the fast of three. IS, LXIIL 1-11,] THE BOOK OF PSALMS, 23