The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 223

Ver. 17.-The exalted horn; or, the secret of strength. The horn is a constant symbol of strength; the exalted hom, therefore, of strength triumphant. Now, we observe- - , I. STRENGTH rs THE GREAT NEED OF THE SOUL OF MAN. Not physical strenath, nor intellectual, nor social, but spiritual. There may be knowledge, and good de~ire, :i.nd religious emotions, and holy resolve; but all these things leave a man weak unless they be rendered effectual by a fervent will. II. ITS SEORET IS THE FAVOUR OF Goo. For that favour: 1. Restores it. 2. SU8tains it. 3. Inspires it. 4. The loss of Go~sfavour paralyzes it. We know how the favour of men, their applause and encouragement, puts strength into us : how much more the conscious favour of God! With that there is notbing e. man will not· do and dare and be. III. THOSI!: WHO ARE IN THAT FAVOUR ALONE POSSESS THIS SEOBET. We may know of it, speak of it, extol it, commend it, and yet not be "in" it. We enter into it : 1. By coming away from whatever cannot dwell with it ; from all known sin especi- ally. 2. By mrrender of our wil~ur heart, that is-to God. 3. By keeping touch with God, in habitual prayer, praise, and obedience. So we enter this favour, and a.hide there.-S. C. Ver. 19.-" Chosen out of the peopk.n This declaration, besides its main theme, teaches us much concerning God's exaltations of men. As: 1. Wherefore God e/1;0,lts •num. It certainly is not to gratify mere selfish ambition. Those who climb up to high places from such motives are certainly not set there by God, and will soon have to climb down a.gain. All history teaches the short-lived power of mere selfish ambi• tion. But one motive we may regard as moving the Divine mind would be his love for the exalted one. Now, there is no greater joy that ever comes to e. good man than that of being the means of great good to others. It is a pure delight, and of intense kind. The love of God would, therefore, bestow such delight on his chosen ones. His chief motive, however, is the good of others. What would have become of Israei but for David? Saul's rule was but another name for shipwreck of the state. David saved it from such ruin. And the good of others, the people at large, is the motive of all God's exaltations; other ends may be proposed and secured, but this is assuredly the chief. The possession of power is, therefore, a tremendous responsi- bility, and happy are the peoples whose rulers ever remember and practicallyreco~nize this. And it is true of all power whatsoever, whether little or great. "No man hveth to himself." 2. Such exaltation generaUy means great suffering. He who is the supreme illustration of the truth of our text was " made perfect through suffering." And it is ever so. What a terrible di11eipline David went through ere he e.ttained the throne l Moses too, and Paul, and God's heroes generally. Let us, then, remember wherefore suffering is sent to any of us-that it is for our uplifting; let us take care no~ l'B, I,XlXIX, 1-52,] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 24,