The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 375

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS; Vers. 1-45.-" He watching over Israel slumbers not nor sleeps." I. A BLESSED BETROSl'EOT. 1. He knows it is blessed, because, ere the psalmist sets it down, he summons, in intensely earnest, varied, and emphatic way, all people to give thanks unto the Lord. 2. And he fells them wherefore they should hem·lmi to his Word-because the Lord "bath remembered his covenant for ever," etc. (ver. 8). 3. Tllen comes the covenant hutory. He tells what the covenant was (ver. 11), with whom it wns m:ide (ver. 9), acd to whom confirmed (ver. 10). Then he tells of the apparent improbability of its fulfilment (ver. 12), yet bow God guarded them (ver. 15). 'l'ben how strang.ely his work was carried on: sending dread famine (ver. 16), and makiag them exiles in Egypt; stending; Joseph, whom he had wonderfully prepared to be their helper in Egypt (vers. 17-23). Thea, when they were sufficiently multiplied, stirring up their neBt there by means of the persecution they had to bear. Then came the mission of Moses and Aaron, and the ten plagues, so that at length Pharaoh was glad to let them go (ver. 38). Then the triumphant exodus and the perpetual help in the wildernee.s, ending in the promised Canaan when the people were prepared for it (vers. 44, 45). So did God lead bis people by a right way, and so will he ever, though, as with Israel, the way may often seem very strange, unlikely, and the reverse of what we should Lave thought. IL lTs LESSONS. 1. God's covenants ever come true, however unlikely and even impossible they may at times seem to be. 2. That it is a terrible thing to stand in opposition to them (vers. 14, 27-37). Let us beware how we hinder the work of God, 8. (Joi kn(J'IJ)s where to find and how to prepare his ministers in this work. "He sent Joseph;" "Le sent Moses" (vers. 17, 26). They who are to be chief in service have generally first to be chief in suffering. 4. The aim of God's covenant is the creation of a holy people (ver. 45). 5. The remembrance of God's leading will ever be blest;ed.----B. C. Ver. 4.-Bv,ccessive i;teps heavenward. I. THE FIRST 18 SEEKING THE LORD, 1. We are slow e,wugh to do this. We will try, as did the writer of Ecclesiastes, almost everything ere we turn to the Lord. 2. But the Lord desires that we should. Hence the plain declarations of his Word. Also the orderings of his providence. God will not let us have rest outside of himself. He is ever stirring up our nest. Thus he would compel us to own our need of him. 3. And there is the Holy Spirit's con- tJi.cting work. And when that is done, it leads to this first blessed step heavenward- seeking the Lord. II. SEEKING HIS STRENGTH. For though it be diffieult to persuade men to take the first ~tep, it is yet 1Uore difficult to keep them trusting in and faithful to the Lord, The real test is whether we abide in Christ. And we shall not unless we seek God's sLrength. A.II the batteries of hell will be turned against us to destroy our soul-life, and we shall indeed need to be st.rengtheneJ " with all might by God's Spirit in our rs. ov. 1-46,J THE BOOK OF PSALMS, 419