atone (oomp. Prov. iii. 23, 24). More.I "exalt him above his fellows "-" bring impediments Rre, no doubt, chiefly meant. him to honour." Be~e.111e he hath known Ver. 13.-Thou she.It tread upon the lion my Name. "Knowing God's Name" is and adder. Conquered enemies prostre.ted nearly equivalent to knowing him. It im- themselves before their conquerors, who, to plies, besides knowledge, faith and trust mark the completeness of the subjection, in the Almighty. pie.cad e. foot upon the prostre.te form. Ver. 15.-He shall call upon me, and I From this practice the metaphor of" tread- will answer him. This is equivalent to, ing under foot" for conquering became e. "Whenever he calls upon me, 1 will answer commonplace (see Pas. vii. 5; xliv. 5; Ix. him," or "I will grant e.11 his prayers." 12, etc.). The "lion" here represents nil I will be with him in trouble (comp. Pa. open and violent foes; the "adder," nil xlvi. I). I will deliver him (see a.born, ver. secret and malignant ones. The young lion 11). And honour him; or, "bring him to (Mphir, the lion in the height of his honour" (compare" I will set him on high," strength) and the dragon (tannin, the most in the preceding verse). dreadful form of serpent) she.It thou trample Ver. 16.-With long life (or, lenath of under feet. A.n emphatic repetition, with dayB) will I satisfy him. Length of dn.ya a eerie.in heightening of the colour. is e.lways viewed in the Old Testament as Ver. 14.-Because he hath set his love e. blessing, and a specie.I rew1m.l for obedi- upon me (see Deut. vii. 7; x. 15). "By a ence (Exod. xx. 12; Deut. v. 16; 2 Kings sudden and effective transition," as Professor xx. 6 ; 2 Cbron. i. 11 ; Pa. xxi. 4 ; Prov. Cheyne remarks, "Jehovah becomes the iii. 2, 16, etc.). It is only in the New spea.ke1·" of the concluding strophe. It Testament that we learn how much "better" is not enough that the faithful should it is "to depart, and be with Christ" encourage each other by their anticipations (Phil. i. 23). And show him my salvation of God's coming mercies, God himself now ( comp. Pa. I. 2:J); i.e. "make him experi- speaks by the mouth of his prophet, and ence what salvation is." "Salvation," a.s. makes promises in his own Person. I will Professor Cheyne observes, "is both an a.et deliver him. A. ratification of vers. 3, 7, and a. state "-an act on God's pa.rt, a. state 10-15. I will ■et him 011. high i i.e. on ma.n'11,
HOMILETICS. Ver. 11.-The angels. "He shall give his angels charge," etc. The restful spirit of absolute trust in God rises in this psalm to its loftiest height. It is a glorious commentary on Isa. xxvi. 3. The Divine answer a.t the close (vers. 14-16) shows how near the Lord is to the soul that trusts him. Compare, as an equally glorious New Testament parallel, Rom. viii. 31-1!9. St. Pa.ul defies "angels a.nd principali- ties" of evil to harm God's children. Here holy angels are declared to be their watchful helpers and guardians. I. His ANGELS. Angels sustain a. most close, happy, exalted relation to God, of nearness, love, service (Ps. ciii. 20; Luke i. 19; Rev. v. 11). II. THEY ARE OUR FELLOW-SUllJECTS AND FELLOW-SERVANTS IN THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF oun RISEN LORD, (1 Pet. iii. 22; Rev. xxii. 8, 9.) Jesus, who received their ministry on tlarth (Matt. iv. 11; Luke x:.xii. 43), commands it now (Rev. xxii. 16). III. THEIR MIGHTY POWERS ARE WILLINGLY AND OBEDIENTLY EXERCISED IN MINISTERING TO 'l'HE WELFARE OF Goo's CHILDREN. (Heb. i. 14.) Note: They minister to God for his children. Their power is inconceivably great. One angel was able to destroy Sodom and the other guilty cities. The same angel gently, thou~h firmly~ led Lot out. One angel smote the firstborn (comp. Matt. xxviii. 2, 5; Acts xi. 7, etc.; Matt. xxvi. 53). IV. ANGELS ARE TO DE OUR FELLOW-WORSHIPPERS AND ASSOCIATES IN THE ETERNAL HOME. (Luke xx. 36; Heb. xii. 22.) REMARKS, 1. 'l'his case is minute as well as mighty (ver. 12). One false step may be fatal. Angels are examples of that thorough obedience which is "faithful in that which is least." 2. It is our Father's care we are to recognize. "He shall give his angels charge." All their power, wisdom, care, love, flow from him as their Source. His care and love are over each one of his children every moment. "Over thee to keep thee." 'l'HE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB. XOI. 1-16,