The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 60

Rev!sed Version); but the sense is governed by the other two passages (so Gen. xx_v1. 4 compared with xxviii. 14). As we are said to wa.ih ourselves in water, though it 1s the water that cleanses; or to feed ourselves, though it is the food that nourishes; or to re.it ourselves, though it is the resting-place which yields us rest; so we bl1YJs ourselves when we take the blessinga God gives us, and find cleansing, food, rest, in Christ. Ancient Hebrew expositors took this glorious psalm as a prophecy of Messiah. Modern Christian critics have spent great learning and ingenuity in dethroning Christ, and leaving Solomon in his stead. If Solomon really wrote this psalm concerning himself, it must be pronounced such a piece of self-glorification, with such Eastern exaggeration, as we nowhere else find in Scripture. Yet we may regard the peaceful glory of Solomon's reign, unlike anything before or since, a.s an earthly and typical fulfilment, in part, of this majestic, prophetic picture, taking it to refer not to Solomon personally, but to David's royal line, crowned and consummated i:J. Chri,;t (so of Abraham's line St. Paul says, "which is Christ," Gal. iii. 16). I. Goo's WORD PROMISES BLESSING IN WHICH ALL NATIONS ARE TO SHARE. This wondrous chain of promises, stretching across thousands of years, holds out a hope which has no· root but in the Bible-the universal equal happiness of all nations of mankind. Men may discard the Bible, and yet cling, in the name of progress and civilization, to this splendid hope. But whence did it spring? National happiness or welfare, or, in the strong Bible word, "blessedness,'' dt:pends on six things-justice, freedom, virtue, knowledge, distribution of wealth, peace (Ps. cxliv. 15). 1. Justice is the first office and object of government (Rom. xiii. 1-5), the first condition of national welfare (Deut. iv. 8). Great Charters, Petitions of Right, Declarations of Independence, and the like, an, the outcry of oppressed peoples for this prime necessity of national life. 2. Fretdom is really implied in justice, the only real guardian of right and nurse of true virtue. 3. Virtue is no less essential to real national happiness and greatness. Fraud, intemperance, impurity, covetous greed, wild love of plea.sure, sloth, cowardice, suck the vitals and sap the roots of national life. 4. Knowledge is the parent of all progress. Not mere labour, but wisely directed labour, is the source of wealth. '!'he mind that invents and foresees must guide the hand which toils. 5. Right distributi011, Qf wealth is the most urgent national problem of our own day in our own and all civilized nations. No nation is blessed in which immense wealth stagnates in a few hands, and the toiling millions are wretched and joyless. 13. Peaca is the fence and crown of all the other elements of national welfare. War 1s a short name for all calamities, cruellest of misfortunes, if necessary and jest; if unjust. avoidable, the greatest of crimes. II. ALL NATIONS ABE TO BE BLESSED IN CHRIST. 1. Possibility and reasonableness of this.It is not open to question that if even the bulk of a. nation, its rulers, legislators, and individual citizens became real Christians, such as may be found by thousands, loving God truly and their neighbour unselfishly, hating vice, dealing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God,-tbat nation would soon be the envy of all nations. Let every nation undergo such a. tranijformation, and war would be impos~ible; slavery and tyranny would be things of the past; social problems would be solved, not by legislation, but by every one's sense of what is due to others; mutual help would take the place of fierce competition; labour would become faithful, and wealth beneficent; even secular knowledge of all kinds would receivti a mighty impulse from the new value given to each human life nnd the high moral tone of society. These things the gospel can certainly do, if only all men would believe. 2. Hopelessness of BUCh a conditi011,, ea;cept from tha kingdom of Christ. Human mture has not in itself the tendency to produce such a state of things. Knowledge and progress do not change human nature, do not give life; Christ alone gives life (John x. 10). 3. Bopefulness of this prospect. (1) God has provided for nothing less. What the gospel effects on a small scale it is equally fitted to effect on the largest sea.le. What Jesus Christ is actually doing for every sinner who believes in him, every disciple who truly follows him, he is able to do for mankind. (2) God ha.s promised no less. In t.~e Lord'13 Pra;rer we rra;r for the coming of his kingdom "cm earth. " O's. ii. 8 ; Isa, u. 4),  68 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB. LXXU, 1-20, -~--- ------------------------------ HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-20.-The glory of ahrist's kingdmn,, It is written that Satan took our Lord "up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them" (Mau. iv. 8); but they had no charm for him. In this psalm we _are, eo to speak, taken UJ? by the Spirit, and sh~"·n the kingdom of Messiah ; and as its glory opens to our sight our hearts are thnlled with admiration and delight. With renewed ardour we cry," Thy kingdom come." Consider some things testified here as to the glory of Christ's kingdom. I. T8;E GREATNESS _oF THE SovEBEIGN. pavid and Solomon were in some respects great kings; and their greatness, so far as it was real, arose from their feeling their dependence upon God, and that it was their first duty to rule themselves and their people according to God's Law. We know how in many thincrs they offended. But here is a King spoken of whose greatness is of a nobler kind, a~d who comes short in nothing of God's glory. As respects ~is nature, his character, his relationships, he is supremely fitted to rule. In him "righteousness" and "judgment" are found as in God. The will of God, on the one hand, and the welfare of bis people are his highest ends. "God is light; " and this King saith, "I am the Light of the world." "God is love ; " and this King's advent was proclaimed by angels as the Saviour who should bring down love to men : "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to the children of men." IL THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF TRE ADMTh'ISTBATION. (Vers. 2-4.) David, in his last words, describes Messiah's manner of government (2 Sam. xxiii. 1-4). It is characterized by justice; there is no respect of persons; friends are not unduly favoured, nor enemies ullfairly punished (Isa. xi. 4, 5); the condition and interests of all are considered, and the poor are specially regarded; but justice is blended with mercy. It is the glory of Christ's government that it provides for the return of the rebellious, and for the restoration of the fallen. llL THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE. (Vers. 6, 7.) The laws of the kingdom are not only adapted to the nature and necessities of man, but designed for the welfare of those who obey them (Deut. mii. 47; Isa. xlviiL 18); they are not arbitrary, but founded in truth; they are not alterable, but eternally fixed. Earthly governments so far regulate their laws according to circumstances, and there may be improvements made and reforms carried out from time to time for the greater advantage of the people; but the laws of this kingdom do not need improvement-they are perfect as God is perfect. We see the result in the character and privileges of the people (Isa. xliii. 21; Matt. v. 1-10). They are enlightened, contented, law-abiding; they strive to mould their lives according to the will of their King, and in loyalty and devotion to him they find their highest honour and their highest happiness. In this kingdom alone can liberty, equality, and fraternity, in the truest sense, be enjoyed. IV. THE FUTURE TRIUMPHS THAT MA.Y BE CONFIDENTLY EXPECTED, This kingdom is destined to grow from more to more; it has an unlimited power of expansiveness (vers. 8, 13); it is also marked by stability. Earthly kiugdoms have their rise and fall ; but this kingdom is unshakable and eternal. It begins on earth, but is carried up to heaven. Other kings may have successors, though often the direct succession fails ; but this King has no successor, but will reign for ever and ever.-W. F. Ver. 15.-Christ on tl.e throne. If it may be said of the twenty-second psalm that it lets us see Cbri.Bt on the cross, it may be said of this that it shows us Christ on the throne. Instead of humiliation, there ia exaltation ; instead of the mockery of " the purple robe," there is the homage of angels; instead of the wicked cries of envious priests and a deluded peoplP, "Crucify him!" there is the joyful song of the redeemed, "Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ! " The saints on earth, as well as the saints m heaven, are partakers of this joy; they know whom they have believed, and they have had experience of bis benign and righteous rule. We learn here- I. '!'HAT WHERE CHRIST REIGNS THERE IS LIFE. He is the Source and the Giver of life. Where the waters that Ezekiel saw came, there was life; and so where the gospel of Christ comes, there is life. The mind that before was dark hu,s the life of truth ; the conscience that before was donnant has the life of righteonsQess; the h~rt n. tun. 1-20.] TtiE BOOK OF PSALMS. 69