HOMILIES IlY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-35.-The adc and Christ. It is said that" the testimony of [or, 'con- cerning'] Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev. xix. 10). This is specially true of this psalm. It might be called a song of the ark. As Moses spake of the setting forward and resting of the ark (Numb. x. 35, 36), so the psalmist sings of the glorious march of Messiah at the head of his Church-onward from victory to victory-to the final rest. We may bring out much of its spiritual significance by marking some points of resemblance between the ark and Christ. I. TIIE LAW OF Goo WAS PLACED WITHIN THE ARK. The Law was the" testimony" to God's character and will, and the foundation of his" covenant" with Israel. That this might be kept in perpetual remembrance, the Law was put in the ark as the most sacred place (Deut. x. 1-5). Therefore the ark was called "the ark of the testimony" and" the ark of the covenant" (Exod. xvi. 34; Deut. xxxi. 26; Heb. ix. 4). The ark was thus a figure of him that was to come, of whom it was written, "Thy Law is within my heart" (Ps. xl. B; cf. Isa. xiii. 21; Matt. v. 17; John iv. 34; xvii. 4; Rom. x. 4; Rev. xi. 19). II. THE ARK WAS BET m THE FOREFRONT OF ISRAEL m ALL THEra GOINGS. It was always at the head. When it moved, Israel moved. When it rested, Israel rested. In the wilderness, at the passage of the Jordan, a.nd on during the conquest of Canaan, the ark always went before, as showing that they were under the guidance of God, and that in all their doings they must have regard to the will of God. The Law within the ark was to be the Law of Israel (ver. 7; Numb. x. 33; Josh. iii. 3). So it is with Christ, as saith Isaiah, "Behold, I have given him for a Leader and Commander to the people" (Isa. Iv. 4). We see this beautifully illustrated in our Lord's earthly life. He was the good Shepherd, of whom it is said, " He calleth his own sheep by name, e.nd leacleth them out;" "He goeth before them, and they follow him" (John x. 3, 4). The word ~f the Lord to bis disciples is always, "Follow me." Wha.t was said of the twelve is true of all others, "They were in the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them" (Mark x. 32). III. THE ARK WAS THE :MEETING-PLACE BETWEEN Goo AND HIS PEOPLE. (Of. Exod, xxv. 22, "There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony,") What was here in shadow we have now in substance. Christ is the meeting-place between God and man (2 Cor. v. 19). "Through him we have access unto God the Father" (Eph. ii. 18). He is Immanuel, God with us (Matt. i. 23 ; 1 John i. 3; Heb. iv. 16). IV. TIIE AUK WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GREAT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF IsRAEL. Some of these are recorded in this psalm. So Christ has been with bis people from the beginning. Their life, their conquests, their achievements, have all been through him. And he promises to be with them to the end (Matt. xxviii. 20). V. Tm;; ARK WAS ENTHRONED WITH THE IIIGIIEST HONOURS IN THE HOUSF. OF Goo. There had been many trials and conflicts, but at last there was victory, The ark was carried in triumph to Jerusalem, and set in glory on Mount Zion. Afterwards it was removed, and placed in the most holy rlace in the temple on Mount Moriah (vers. 18 -3] ), All this may be said to be.ve been typical of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow, wheu he was received into heaven, and seated in glory on the right hand of God (Ps. xxiv.; Eph. iv. 11; Heb. ii. 9, 10; x. 12, 13). But there a.re certain differences. The ark was carried by human hands, but Christ conquereu and ascendod in his owq ~trength (Heb. iit, 11). '!'he ~rk w~ se~ in an earthly tabernacle, f84I.l!jj-ll, :S 50 THR BOOK OF PSALMS. [1'8, LXVm. 1-35,
but Chri~t "is act on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens 11 (Heh. viii. 1, 9, 24). The ark was but a temporary thing, a symbol that served its purpo~e 11nd h11s long since passed away. Christ is "tho same yesterday, to-day and for ever." The Go~pels set forth his glory; we see his royal progress in the Acts of tho Apostles; and the Revelation of St,. John l>cars witness to his continued t1iumpbs till the end come, when he shall be bailed by Jew and Gentile as II the King of kings' and Lord of lords."-W. F.
Vel'fl. 5, 6.-0omfortfor tM desolate. I. EARTHLY CROSSES. What significance in tbo terms " fatherless" and " ,vidows " I They tell of death, of war and pestilence nnd fan,inc, of desolated homes and broken hearts and innumerable sorrows. Then in II the solitary," all the ills of life seem gathered up. II. HEAVENLY COMFORTS. It is a great comfort to believe that there ie e. God who made the world, and cares for the world that be has made. But there is much moro here. God is represented as not only great, but kind; not only as mighty but merciful ; not only :is ruling over all his works in righteousness, but ns making the ~eRk and the sorrowful his special care. There e.re three great comforts here. 1. God's Fatherhood. (Jer. xlix. 11.) 2. TM brotMrhood of man. 3. The blessedness of home. "God sctteth the solitary in families." This is in part fulfilled here. Perhaps " the solitary," like Moses in the desert, finds a home. Instead of wandering alone, he is blessed with a wife and children, and the sweet joys of family life. Again, " the solitary" may have friends raised up to him. In the Church and in society he finds true companionships and healthy occupation, and walks no more with aimless feet. Or it may be that God works such a change in his heart that he rises superior to circumstances. There are "spiritual presences" with him. Though alone, he is yet not alone, becanse God is with him (Acts viii. 39; 2 Tim. iv. 17). But the highest fulfilment is to come. Heaven is the eternal home. There is no "solite.ry" there. It is the house of God, of many mansions, of happy families, and of endless fellow- ships and joys. While the text shows the Divine origin and the manifold blessings of "the family," it hints also at its immortality. It has withstood the greatest shocks of time, and it may, in some higher way, smvive in the eternal world (Prov. xii. 7; cf. Epb. iii. 15, Revised Version).-W. F.