The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 568

that David thought he spoke neither impropriety nor nonsense, in a strong line, when he en.id, 'even the valleys break forth into singing.'" It is II eoog of praise a.nd thanl<s- giving, a song of joy and triumph in the "glory of Jehovah," the ma.nifestatione of his creative and renewing powers, the liberal effusions of his goodness, even upon the lowest parts of the creation, II. 'l'm,; TRANSFORMATION OF THE HUMAN WORLD. 1. Wealmes, made strong---under the figure of the nerving up of languid hands and of tottering knees. Languor, du!ness, the privation of power, are symptomatic of the absence of vital energy, alike in the physical and the moral spher:e. Peopl11 may be seemingly weak and impotent, not because they want the organs for action, but because the inspiration to action is want- ing. A life without defined activity is hardly worth the name. In the fixed light of the eye, the prompt hand, the willing foot, we see signs of the Divine affiatus upon a man. 'l'he sails have caught the favouring breeze, while others lie becalmed. But there is always some part for the will. 'l'o him that bath shall be given; and the paradox is tru-e, power comes to those who exert it. 2. Despair exchanged for confidence. Despair unfits alike for human and Divine service. Men are moved to duty by the hope of good or by the fear of evil. These motives cannot avail one who does not believe that his state can be either bettered or worsened. The man becomes careless of his happiness, indifferent to salvation. The biblical medicine for despair is the firm insistence on the message of salvation, God is coming-is on the way, to requite, to redeem, to deliver. How careful should preachers be not to force men into a "preternatural melancholy," J,y an unskilful handling of the. Word Qf truth, by indfacreet severity, by dwelling too much on the dark themes or human depravity and predestination I 3. 'l he removal o/ human infirmities and limitations. Blindness, deafness, lameness, dumbness, are symbolic of all obstructions in the soul to the entrance of light, and music, and power, and fluency. One great outflow of the Spirit sweeps all these hindrances to enjoyment and to e.cti vity away. Near to JlB is a God of infinite fulness ; all about us is a world of beauty, strength, and joy; but we· are "straitened in ourselves." Life is foll of illU&ioDS, which tempt us forward :with all the power and prom.is~ of reality. These are like the mirage of. the desert--a seepiing sheet of water in the distance, with its offer of refreshment to the pilgrim; in fact, an optical deception. But these illusions bear a certain relation to truth. For we cannot believe that the Almighty has planted a.spring of .error in the very mechanism of om fancy. Our minds were made for truth and tend towards truth, even through hallucinations. "The mirage shall become a lake." III.• THE REFORMATION OF RELIGION. There will be a" raised way," called" The Holy Way." It will be exempt from all that is unclean; it will be so clear and straight, that even the simple-minded cannot go astray; a secure and peaceful way, undisturbed by the furious beasts· of ravening and destruction. Its every stage will be marked with joy, as singing pilgrims pass along it; and the sighs of sorrow will we away in the distance. . It is a picture of true evangelical religion, as it is revived among the peoples, from epoch to epoch, and of its blessed effects. True religion is an elevating thing; nobility of manner and refinement of taste go hand-in-hand with it. It is a holy thing; and distinction of characters and classes, of tll.'ltes and pursuits, must appear wherever it comes. Its doctrine is simple, intelligible, yet sublime. "Justification by faith" can be understood and received by the humblest mind, while the most powerful intellect must exert itself to rise to the serene height of the truth. It is a way of gentleness and peace, unvexed by the furious storms of controversy, sheltering timid souls. It is a way of freedom and of ioy, and it leads to a fixed destination-a celestial place, an eternal kingdom, a. city that cannot be removed, whose Builder and Maker is God.-J. Ver. 3.-lnspirations to energy. • "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees," It is not enough to be sorry for the woes of others. Sympathy may be a. sort of mental "minor," wherewith we simply soothe.ourselves. We must be earnest aud inspirational, Pity must be practical. "Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand I" We have plenty of critics and satirists; we want men who will help t-. save. J. VvE MAY STRENG1'HEN BY OU!' WOHDS. "Say to them lhat are of a fearful heart, lle strong, fear not." T111L a sorrow to some persons, and they draw a picture of still darker :possibilities, and so feed the already gloomy fnncies of the minll. But it Ill 672 THE BOOK OF TRE PROPllE1' ISAIAEl. [ott. :nxv.1-10,