wickedness-" H ie t.hat they shall be destroyed for ever," "perish," and be "scattered." '!'he very climax of their exaltation had ushered in the moment of their fall. lt is so that God forces ungodly men to consider their ways; less terrible appeals too often stand no chance of any heed being given to them. 2. But /01' the spirit of praise, thiB would not have been seen. 'l.'he mist and fog of unbelief would have continued to blind the soul's vision, and have left men in the darkness of doubt and despair. But tho heart that is glad in the Lord is quick-eyed to see the Lord's mind, and to discover his purpose as none others can; for praise is faith in vigorous activity, and before such faith the tangled problems of life smooth themselves out. IV. THE RECOUNTING OF THE REASONS OF PRAISE. (Vera. 8-15.) The victory over doubt which bas ju9t been gained lends added vigour to the spirit of praise, and hence follows the recital of the many sc>urces of praise which gladdened the psalmist's heart. 1. That God was over all--Most High for evermore. "The Lord reigneth"-that has been the solace and the joy of many a soul. 2. That the Lord's enemies, the men who do their bad best to tum earth into hell, shall utterly perish. Blessed be God that they shall, since they will not repent. 3. It shall be well with the 1'ighteous. (Vers. 12-14.) They shall flourish in beauty, permanence, glory and strength, like the palm tree; as the cedar they shall branch out on every side; the house of the Lord shall be their home, and, nurtured there, they shall not cease to enjoy and to impart rich blessiag from God.-S. C. Ver. 1.-It is good to give thanks. It is so for many reasons. I. BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT. God deserves our thanksgiving. 1. Did he not create us, and so start us on the roart to eternal life? 2. Does he not preserve us, and bless us daily with gifts innumerable? 3. Has he not redeemed us by the sacrifice of his Son? "For God so loved the world," etc. 4. Is not the Holy Spirit with us ~till, ever seeking to lead us nearer God, and to sustain us in every hour of trial and sorrow? 5. And have we not the blessed hope which stretches on into life eternal? Yes; it is right to give thanks. II. AND IT Is PLEASANT. "Is any merry? let him sing psalms,"-so said St. James. And they who know affirm that the sense of God's love, which is the substance of praise, is joy indeed. III. AND IT RIDS "1]8 OF OUR PERSISTENT TORHENTOR-SELF. Self sinks out of sight, and God alone is seen, and that is blessed. lV. DOUBT CANNOT ABIDE IT. "Come, Melancthon, let us sing a psalm, and drive away the devil,"-such was one of Luther's sayings. And praise does drive doubt away. V. SoULs ABE WON TO GoD BY IT. It is winsome, comely, irresistibly attractive. -S.C.
Ver.1.-Singingpraise. An old writer, one John Wells, in his 'Morning Exercises,' published in 1676, thus speaks on this theme. I. SINGING IS THE MUSIO OF NATUBE. The mountains sing (Isa. xliv. 23). The valleys sing (Ps. lxv. 13). The trees sing (1 Chron. xvi. 53). And the air is the birds' music-room, where they chant their musical notes. II. SINGING IS THE MUSIC OF ORDINANCES. It is told of Augustine how he was moved to tears when he went into the church at Milan, and heard the singing there. Beza relates a similar experience of himself. Jesus at the Last Supper sang the hymn: it was the hundred and eleventh psalm and five others. Ill. SINGING IS THE Musro OF SAINTS. They have performed this duty when in their greatest numbers (Ps. cxlix. 1). And in their greatest straits (Isa. xxvi. 19). And in their greatest flight (Isa. xiii. 10, 11). And in their greatest deliverances (Isa. !xv. 14). IV. SINGING IS THE uusro OF ANGELS. (Job xuviii. 7; Luke ii. 13; Rev. v. 11, 12.) V. SINGING IS .THE MU!IIO 01!' HEAVEN.--.3. C. Ver. 2.-Morning and evening exercises. I. FoR THE MORNING. 1. It is to show forth the Lord's loving-kindness. What a beautiful word this" lovin~-kindoess" i11! 286 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [1'8, XOII, 1-16,