Ver. 3.-The irresistible power of floods. Though we have experience of disastrous floods, the full force of the figure can only be fdt in Eastern and in mountainous lands. The ''spate" in Scotland, the wady-floods of Palestine, and the gigantic overflow of such ri'l'ers as the Tigris and the Euphrates, or the awful desolations of Chinese rivers when the embankments give way, alooe provide adequate illustration-of such texts a.s this now before us. If we take Mosaic associations for this psalm, then desert wady- floods will be in the poet's mind. If we take the associations of the returned captives, then the awful floods of the Babylon rivers will be in bis mind. In a previous homily the Jewish dread of the sea has been recalled. The Mosaic associations may include reference to God's control of the waters of the Red Sea, and using them a.s agents of his judgment on Pharaoh. One forcible illustration of a wady-flood will indicate the force of this poetic figure, and help us to realize what he must be who can mate and master even such floods. A traveller was at Nazareth when a sudden but violent storm arose. The rain fell in torrents; and in the course of an hour a river flowed past the convent door, along what lately was a dry and quiet street. In the darkness of the night were heard loud shrieks for help. The flood carried away baskets, logs of wood, ta.hies, and fruit-stand& At length, a general alarm was given. Two houses, built on the sand, were undermined by the water, and both fell together, while the people in them escaped with difficulty. Looseoed waters have been for man, in every age, the type of the masterful, the uncontrolled. Man never feels his helplessness so much as in presence of loosened waters. He can fight with fire; he can do nothing with water, wheo it once gets free. J. THE POWER OF GoD IS SEEN IN BIB MASTERY OF WATERS. See especially the impression produced by the crossing of the Red Sea., and the destruction of the Egvptians. See same impression from crossing of Jordan. Great nations are likened to floods. And they too are fully within Divine control. II. THE POWER OF GoD MANIFEST IB SEEN IN BIB MASTERY OF WATERS. Two striking scenes : W a.lking on the waters. Quelliog the storm on Galilee with a word of command.-R. T. Ver. 5.-God in revelation the same as God in nature. "Thy testimonies are very sure." 'l'he use of this word "testimonies" in other psalms suggests that God's witness to man in his revealed Word is meant by it. The unity..ef the psalm would, however, be 1,reserved if we regarded the "tieetimouiee" here as those which God makes to man through nature. The point of the verse is usually set forth in such a way as this : "'l'he permanence of the covenant, and of the outward signs that attest I'S. XCIII. 1-5.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS.
it, is to the Isrnelite proof of the superiority of the Divine power over the forces ()f nature." "The moral Law is a truer evidence of the existence of God than the uniformity of natural law." I. REVELATION NEVER CONTRADICTS NATURE. When there are seeming contra- dictions, it is necessary to inquire whether we have the testimony of nature clear r;r confused. For me.a, interfering with Nalure's order, has confused her witness. .An,l so it is necessary to inquire whether we have the revelation pure and simple, since them is often a material difference between what God has revealed, and what man make.~ n· that which is revealed. The contradictions belong to the man mark put on revelation and nature. Both arc from one baud and mind, and are in absolute harmony. II. REVELATION CONFIRMS NATURE. Set out an orderly scheme of nature-religion; carefully fix its principles; and you will surely find they are the first principles of revelation. Indeed, revelation only comes to support primary principles of nature- religion, because men overlay them with manufactured religious systems. Nature- worship is quite a different thing from natural religion. ITT. REVELATION ENLARGES UPON NATURE. Nature sets forth mainly what may bP called the physical attributes of God-power, wisdom, etc. In a general way it shows God's goodness, and, declaring that qualities attach to actions, prepares for the realiza- tion of God as Judge, Rewarder, and Punisher. Revelation deals fully with God's moral qualities e.nd relations; and has for its climax the disclosure of the Divine redemptive purpose, which, e.s wrought out, upholds every primary attribute of God that nature exhibits.-R. T. Ver. 6.-Holiness the characteristic of Divine authority. The word "house" has been taken to mean God's earthly temple. .And some writers can see an allusion to the newly built temple of Zerubbabel. But it is better to regard the term " house" in the light of the psalm; and then it evidently means this world of created things an,! created beings, which God controls and rules. The p.,alm deals with the Kingship of God; his absolute power and authority in his world; and this last clause seems designed to meet the question which is at once called forth by the comparison of Jehovah with earthly kings. It would be an awful thing if we could know nothing of the character of the Being set in rule over us, who has such absolute, such irresistible, power. Our God ma.y have it; for he is "holy in all his ways, and righteous in all his works." J. HOLINESS RULES ACC0RDWG TO THE PERFECT STANDARD. JJ. HOLINESS WORKS TOW ARDS THE HIGHEST ENDS. III. HOLINESS IS CONSISTENT WITH NEEDFUL SEVERITIES. IV. HoLmESS INCLUDES PATIENT CONSIDERATIONS. The rule of God can therefore be fully acquiesced in. Infinite goodness unites with infinite wisdom; these combine with infinite power; and all are toned by the infinite righteousness, which proves to be the infinite charity. Men may say rejoicingly, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth," because they may be quite sure that "holiness characterizes his rule."-R. T.