(b) They are not dependent upon man for their watering.
(c) No mortal might protects them.
(d) As to their inspection—they preserve a sublime indifference to human gaze.
(e) Their exultation is all for God.
(f) There is not a cedar upon Lebanon which is not independent of man in its expectations.
2. The glorious display of divine care.
(a) In the abundance of their supply.
(b) They are always green.
(c) Observe the grandeur and size of these trees.
(d) Their fragrance.
(e) Their perpetuity.
(f) They are very venerable.
3. The fulness of living principle: "The trees of the Lord are full of sap."
(a) This is vitally necessary.
(b) It is essentially mysterious.
(c) It is radically secret.
(d) It is permanently active.
(e) It is externally operative.
(f) It is abundantly to be desired.
Verses 17-18. "Lessons from Nature." (See "Spurgeon's Sermons, " No. 1,005.)
1. For each place God has prepared a suitable form of life: for "the fir trees, ""the stork"; for "the high hills" "the wild goat, "etc. So, for all parts of the spiritual universe God has provided suitable forms of divine life.
(a) Each age has its saints.
(b) In every rank they are to be found. The Christian religion is equally well adapted for all conditions.
(c) In every church spiritual life is to be found.
(d) God's people are to be found in every city.
2. Each creature has its appropriate place.
(a) Each man has by God a providential position appointed to him.
(b) This is also true of our spiritual experience.
(c) The same holds good as to individuality of character.
3. Every creature that God has made is provided with shelter.
4. For each creature the shelter is appropriate.
5. Each creature uses its shelter.
Verse 19.
1. The wisdom of God as displayed in the material heavens. In the changes of the moon and the variety of the seasons.
2. The goodness of God as there displayed in the adaptation of these changes to the wants and enjoyments of men.
3. The faithfulness of God as there displayed. Inspiring confidence in his creatures by their regularity.
"So like the sun may I fulfil
The appointed duties of the day;
With ready mind and active will
March on and keep my heavenly way."
Verse 20. Darkness and the beasts that creep forth therein.
1. Ignorance of God, and unrestrained lusts. Ro 1:2 Sins discovered. Beasts there before, but not noticed, now terrify man.
3. Spiritual despondency, dismay, despair, etc.
4. Church lethargy. All sorts of heresies, etc., begin to creep forth.
5. Papal influence. Monks, friars, priests, etc., creep about in this dark age. A.G. Brown.
Verse 20.
1. Night work is for wild beasts: "Thou makest darkness, " etc.
2. Day work is for men: "Man goeth forth, "etc. Good men do their work by day; bad men by night: their work is in the dark. Ministers who creep into their studies by night, and "roar after their prey, "and "seek their meat from God", are more like wild beasts than rational men.— G.R.
Verse 21. Inarticulate prayers, or how faulty the expression may be and yet how real the prayer in the esteem of God. Verse 22. From the effect of sunrise on the beasts of prey, exhibit the influence of Divine Grace on our evil passions. C.A.D.
Verse 23. "Early Closing." A sermon preached on behalf of the "Early Closing Association, "by James Hamilton, D.D., 1850. In the "Pulpit," Vol. 57.
Verse 24.
1. The language of wonder: "O Lord, how manifold, "etc. Their number, variety, cooperation, harmony.
2. Of admiration: "In wisdom, "etc. Everywhere the same wisdom displayed. God, says Dr. Chalmers, is as great in minutia as in magnitude.
3. Of gratitude: "The earth is full," etc. G.R.
Verse 24.
1. The works of the Lord are multitudinous and varied.
2. They are so constructed as to show the most consummate wisdom in their design, and in the end for which they are formed.
3. They are all God's property, and should be used only in reference to the end for which they were created. All abuse and waste of God's creatures are spoil and robbery on the property of the Creator. Adam Clarke.
Verse 26. There go the ships. (See" Spurgeon's Sermons, "No. 1,259.)
1. We see that the ships go.
(a) The ships are intended for going.
(b) The ships in going at last disappear from view.
(c) The ships as they go are going upon business.
(d) The ships sail upon a changeful sea.
2. How go the ships?
(a) They must go according to the wind.
(b) But still the mariner does not go by the wind without exertion on his own part.
(c) They have to be guided and steered by the helm.
(d) He who manages the helm seeks direction from charts and lights.
(e) They go according to their build.
3. Let us signal them.
(a) Who is your owner?
(b) What is your cargo?
(c) Where are you going?
Verse 27. Trace the analogy in the spiritual world. The saints waiting, Ps 5:27; their sustenance from the opened hand, Ps 5:28; their trouble under the hidden face; their death if the Spirit were gone, Ps 5:29; their revival when the Spirit returns, Ps 5:30.
Verse 2 9.
1. The commencement of life is from God: "Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, "etc.
2. The continuance of life is from God: "Thou renewest, " etc.
3. The decline of life is from God: "Thou hidest thy face, " etc.
4. The cessation of life is from God: "Thou takest away their breath, "etc.
5. The resurrection of life is from God: "Thou renewest, " etc. G.R.
Verse 30. The season of Spring and its moral analogies. See John Foster's "Lectures, "1844.
Verse 32.
1. What there is in a Look of God. "He looketh, "etc.
(a) What in a look of anger.
(b) What in a look of love. He looked out of the fiery pillar upon the Egyptians." The Lord hath looked out from his pillar of glory," etc. He gave another look from the same pillar to Israel.
2. What there is in a Touch of God: "He toucheth," etc. A touch of his may raise a soul to heaven, or sink a soul to hell. G.R.
Verse 33.
1. The singer—"I."
2. The song—"praises."
3. The audience—"The Lord, ""My God."
4. The length of the song—"long as I live; while I have my being."— A.G.B.
Verse 33. Two "I wills."
1. Because he made me live.
2. Because he has made me to live in him.
3. Because he is Jehovah and "my God."
4. Because I shall live for ever, in the best sense.
Verse 34.
1. David's contemplation.
2. David's exultation. Thomas Horton.
Verse 35.
1. They who praise not God are not fit to be on the earth: "Let the sinners be consumed, "etc.
2. Much less are they fit to be in heaven.
3. They who praise God are fit both for earth and heaven. Though others do not praise him here, the saints will. "Bless thou the Lord," etc.
(a) In opposition to others, they praise him on earth.
(b) In harmony with others, they praise him in heaven, etc. Everywhere it is with them, "Praise ye the Lord."— G. R.