a 4-6. (4) ungodly, v. 1. chaff, worthless, light, void of good. wind, of temptation, trial, judgment. (5) therefore, for the righteous are not blown away. stand, or, rise up. (6) knoweth, approval and love implied. way, course of life, elements of character, designs, plans, etc. a Ps. xxxv. 5; Isa. xvii. 13. Köster thinks placed at beg. of that Pss. i., ii. are Psalter bec. they present at once the two fundamental doctrines of Jewish Ch., the judgment of God, Messiah. and the b Eta in 400 Sks. "Righteousness is God's first requirement and our first need. For this the hypocrite toils. as he clothes his The final destinies of mankind (vv. 5, 6).—I. The solemn event of the future judgment. 1. It is a certain event; 2. It is an important event. II. The different characters which it regards. 1. All the ungodly will be brought into judgment; 2. And all the righteous. III. The final destiny of saints and sinners. 1. The doom of the ungodly will be inconceivably dreadful; 2. The portion of the righteous will be ineffably glorious. Apply :-(1). 6. Bp. Kaye, The value of Divine revelation; (2) The necessity of self-exami- iv. 423. nation; (3) The blessedness of being faithful unto death." Reckoning at the judgment-day.-What! do you think that God doth not remember our sins which we do not regard? for while we sin the score runs on, and the Judge setteth down all in the table of remembrance, and His scroll reacheth up to heaven. Item, for lending to usury; item, for racking of rents; item, for starching thy ruffs; item, for curling thy hair; item, for painting thy face; item, for selling of benefices; item, for starving of souls; item, for playing at cards; item, for sleeping in the church; item, for profaning the Sabbath-day,-with a number more, hath God to call to account; for every one must answer for himself. The fornicator, for taking of filthy pleasure; the careless prelate, for murthering so many thousand souls; the landlord, for getting money from his poor tenants by racking of his rents. See the rest all they shall come like very sheep when the trumpet shall sound,fection and the heaven and earth shall come to judgment against them; when the heavens shall vanish like a scroll; and the earth shall consume like fire, and all the creatures standing against them; and offered free." the rocks shall cleave asunder, and the mountains shake, and the-Arnot. foundation of the earth shall tremble, and they shall say to the c H. Smith. mountains, "Cover us, fall upon us, and hide us from the presence of His anger and wrath whom we have not cared to offend." But they shall not be covered and hid; but then shall they go the black way, to the snakes and serpents, to be tormented of devils for ever.c PSALM THE SECOND. 1-3. (1) people, peoples of many lands. imagine, meditate. vain, foolish, nought. (2) set,a attitude of defiance. (3) bands,' i.e. of Jehovah and Messiah; the bonds wh. unite them in purposes of justice, love, mercy, etc. nakedness with filthy rags; for this the humble thirst; for this the law rages like the sea in a in Divine per hunger and storm; and this the Lord Jesus has wrought out, and brought in, author,prob. David a As Goliath, 1 Sam. xvii. 6. b Isa. x. 27; Jer. XXX. 8; Nah. i. 13. 90; Dr. R. Munk The atheist and the Irishwoman.-During the month of November, 1843, a clergyman and an atheist were in one of the night trains between Albany and Utica. The night being cold, the v. 1. Bp. Van Milpassengers gathered as closely as possible around the stove. The dert, Boyle Lec. atheist was very loquacious, and was soon engaged in a contro-house, iii. 133. versy with the minister. In answer to a question of the latter as to what would be man's condition after death, the atheist replied, "Man is like a pig; when he dies, that is the end of him." As the minister was about to reply, a red-faced Irishwoman at the end of the car sprang up, the natural red of her face glowing more intensely with passion, and the light of the lamp falling v. 1-3. J. New ton, iv. 368. v. 2. J. B. Massillon, 6. ger. c Amer. Messen- directly upon it, and, addressing the clergyman in a voice peculiarly startling and humorous from its impassioned tone and the richness of its brogue, exclaimed, “Arrah, now, will ye not let the baste alone? Has he not said he was a pig? and the more ye pull his tail, the louder he'll squale." The effect upon all was electric; the clergyman apologised for his forgetfulness, and the atheist was mute for the remainder of the journey. a Ps. xxxvii. 13. b Deut. xxix. 19, 20. v. 4. J. Newton, iv. 379. v. 6. Dr. H. Killi grew, 115; Dr. E. Boys, 51; Dr.Harris, i. 215; Dr. W. Smith, 131; T. Boston, i. 475; E. Erskine, ii. 515. c Dr. T. Temple (1642). lieveth truly in Christ. Не leaveth no man comfortless. He goeth about to hurt no man, but studieth to pro wisheth and procureth no less goodness fit all men. He to 4—6. (4) sitteth, quietly, and with dignity on His throne. laugh,a fig. of the derision of the Eternal God. (5) then, when the time comes. Silent contempt foll. by righteous indignation. (6) King, Messiah the Prince. Zion, the Ch., the seat and centre of His dominion. Christ's government in and over His people (v. 6).—I. Jesus Christ is, by designation of the Father, a King to rule and govern all whom He hath redeemed. 1. He reigns in us, giving laws of life, working grace in the heart, imparting new supplies of the sacred Spirit, purifying the heart, creating peace, etc.; 2. He reigns over us, subduing all enemies, bestowing all blessings, sanctifying all conditions, settling all ecclesiastical polity. II. The kingdom of Jesus Christ shall be firmly established notwith"He that be-standing all opposition: there are three kingdoms opposed to itChrist, succour- Sin, Satan, and Antichrist; but Jesus can plant His sceptre where eth the poor no earthly king can set his foot.c members of Christ equal with God.-It was during the reign of Theodosius the Great, in the fourth century, that the Arians made their most vigorous attempts to undermine the doctrine of the Divinity of Jesus Christ. The event, however, of his making his son Arcadius partner with himself on his throne was happily overruled in the following manner, to his seeing the God-dishonouring character of their creed. Among the bishops who came to congratulate him on the occasion was the famous and esteemed Amphilochus, who, it is said, suffered much under the Arian persecution. He approached the emperor, and, making a very handsome and dutiful address, was going to take his leave. "What!" said Theodosius, "do you take no notice of my son? Do you not know that I have made him a partner with me in the empire?" Upon this the good old bishop went to young Arcadius, then about sixteen years of age, and, putting his hand upon his head, said, "The Lord bless thee, my son,' and immediately drew back. Even this did not satisfy the emperor. "What," said he, "is this all the respect you pay to a prince that I have made of equal dignity with myself?" Upon this the bishop arose, and looking the emperor in the face, with a tone of voice solemnly indignant, said, "Sir, do you so highly resent my apparent neglect of your son because I do not give him equal honour with yourself? What must the eternal God think of you, who have allowed His coequal and coeternal Son to be degraded in His proper Divinity in every part of your empire!" This was as a two-edged sword in the heart of the emperor. He felt the reproof to be just and confounding, and no longer would seem to give the least indulgence to that creed which did not secure the Divine glory to the "Prince of Peace." d others than he doth to himself. For out of sincere faith cometh charity, insomuch that he which believeth truly in God can never be without it."-Bacon. Queen Mary was so much attachful Calais, that when, in the exigencies of war, she lost it, she grief that the name would be found written on ed to her beauti affirmed in her her heart. The a Ac. xiii. 33; 7-9. (7) I, i.e. the Messiah, who takes up the word of Jehovah. decree, by wh. I reign. Son, this, the ground of His right to reign. ́(8) ask, etc., the Father's promise to the Son, now in course of fulfilment. (9) break, etc., a picture of the utter overthrow of idolatry. . 8. Bp. Barring ton, 22; Dr. A. M'Caul, 308; Dr. J. Brown, 197. ing on his deathbed; and, SO lying, he looked at his chaplain and said, "I know that Jesus Christ is a Saviour, but how am I to know that He is a Saviour to me ?" The chaplain answered simply, "My lord, it is written, 'Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no The dying bishop was silent for a minute, and then often read and thought of that Scripture, but wise cast out."" The objects of Divine complacency (v. 7).-I. Point out the uprightness of the people of God; of it there are four proofs. 1. Its internal character; 2. Its universality; 3. Its constancy; 4. Its moral rectitude. II. Some of the ways in which the favour of God is habitually manifested towards His people. 1. He v. 9. J. R. Pitpardons their infirmities and hears their prayers; 2. He improves man, 8. and strengthens their religion; 3. He comforts them in their Bishop Butler, straits; 4. He separates the righteous from unjust reproaches; thinker, was ly thegreat 5. He will crown them with grace and glory. Apply:-(1) Examine yourselves whether you are the people of God; (2) Dread the thought of being otherwise; (3) Let the true saint rejoice. Christ the power of God.-Christ is called the power of God as well as the wisdom of God (1 Cor. i. 24). Not only in the fruits of the Gospel upon the hearts of men, but in His office, wherein was manifested the power of God in redeeming the world. It was in Him God tore up the foundations of the devil's empire, disarmed all the curses of the law, overthrew the false conceits of the world, knocked off the fetters of their captivity, demolished the power of death, snatched souls from the flames of hell, unbarred the gates of heaven, prepared everlasting mansions, laid His beams in the waters; the foundations of a happy eternity in the misery, afflictions, death, blood of His only Son. He restored man to glory by weakness; to wisdom by foolishness: He made the law lose its sting in the sides of Him whom it struck; took away our captivity by misery; flung death to the ground by death; quenched hell by its own flames; opened heaven by a cross; cemented an everlasting habitation by blood; and condemned sin by a sacrifice for it. By a crucified man, and a weak flesh encompassed with infirmity, the God of heaven subdues the god of the world, destroys the empire of the proud spirits, and subdues principalities and powers under His feet. It is seen in raising Christ from the dead, after He had sustained the weight of the sin of the world upon Him, and bringing Him forth with success and glory after that great encounter with the powers of hell; in powerfully raising a Church to Him from the seed of His blood, in spite of all spiritual and secular enemies, defending it and supporting it under the most terrible waves of the world, that He might be acknowledged, adored, and praised in this world, and that which is to come." 10-12. Address of Psalmist who has heard the words of a 1 Sa. x. 1; 1 K. Jehovah, and Messiah. (10) wise, considerate, thoughtful. kings..judges, all ruling powers, and authorities._(11) serve, sincerely. fear, bec. of His power. rejoice, in His merciful and beneficent rule. (12) kiss, acknowledge. little, lit. for His wrath may suddenly, or, for an instant, kindle. (Then) blessed are they that trust, and find refuge in Him. he said, "I have never till this moment did I I From the mo feel its full power, and now die happy." ment you believe in Christ, all the blessings of the entailed on you. new covenant are d S. Charnock. xix. 18. v. 10. S. Augus tine, vii. 78; Dr. D. Fealley, 93; Bp. M. Smith, 179; Bossuet, xvi. 77. vv. 10-12. R. Bax Reconciliation to Christ (v. 12).-I. The exhortation. It ter, xvii. 381. implies-1. Submission to Christ's authority (1 Sam. x. 1); 2. b G. Brooks. Love to His Person (Luke vii. 38); 3. Devotion to His service. 11. W. Scongal, (1 Ki. xix. 18; Hos. xiii. 2). II. The arguments by which the idge, ii. 522; Abp. 173; Bp. Beverexhortation is enforced. 1. The danger of disobeying it (Rev. vi. Secker,ix.193; Dr. 15-17); 2. The benefit arising from obedience to it. H. Blair, i. 412; Dr. A. Rees, ii. The all-sufficiency of Christ.-All the good things that can be reckoned up here below have only a finite and limited goodness: 369; J. H. Newman, i. 341. v. 12. Dr.J. Donne, ii. 186; 1. Pearse, 243; T. Scott, iv. 141; F. Trench, 233. that He dined with; it was real ones-those some can clothe, but cannot feed; others can nourish, but they cannot secure; others adorn, but cannot advance; all do serve, but none do satisfy; they are like a beggar's coat made up of many pieces, not all enough either to beautify or defend. But Christ is full and sufficient for all His people; He ascended on Jesus sat at meat high that He might fill all things (Eph. iv. 10), that He might with publicans pour fourth such abundance of Spirit on His Church as might and sinners; answer all the conditions whereunto they may be reduced; and, blessed be righteousness enough to cover all their sins; plenty enough to God, it was not abstract, meta- supply all their wants; grace enough to subdue all their lusts; physical sinners wisdom enough to vanquish all their enemies; virtue enough to cure all their diseases; fulness enough to save them, and that to the utmost. Over and besides, there is in Christ something proportionable to all the wants and desires of His people. He is bread, wine, milk, living waters, to feed them; He is a garment of righteousness to cover and adorn them; a Physician to heal them; a Counsellor to advise them; a Captain to defend them; a Prince to rule; a Prophet to teach; a Priest to make atonement for them; a Husband to protect; a Father to provide; a Brother to relieve; a Foundation to support; a Root to quicken ; a Head to guide; a Treasure to enrich; a Sun to enlighten; and a Fountain to cleanse: so that as one ocean hath more water than all the rivers of the world, and one sun more light than all the luminaries in heaven, so one Christ is more all to a poor soul, than if it had the all of the whole world a thousand times over.c whose sins came from the baser passions, and were abominable to all men, so that no man should say that it was not for such that He came. c Spencer. author,prob. David A morning Ps. for one in distress, as sociated with David, on the occa sion of Absalom's rebellion. PSALM THE THIRD. 1-5. (1) increased, the Ps. seems inspired by hearing of one and another joining the rebellious party of Absalom.“ (2) no help.. God, the bitterest feature of his trouble was that it brought dishonour on God. Selah, a guide-term for the musicians. (3) shield, as Ge. xvi. for me, or about me; defending me. my glory, in whom I joy, or boast. lifter, etc., who I know will lift up my head.d (4) cried, better, cry incessantly. a 2 Sa. XV. 12, his holy hill, the heavenly Zion. (5) I, emphatic. This is my experience. slept, even the very night of the flight from Jerusalem. sustained me, better, sustaineth, does so continually. xvi. 15. b"A word of doubtful origin, probably meaning, a sweep of harp strings marking a pause."-Spk. Com. The troubles of the righteous (v. 1).—From the superscription of this Psalm, we learn that it was composed on the occasion of David fleeing from his son Absalom (2 Sam. xv. 13-23); there is a beautiful contrast indicated. I. Trouble as contrasted with shield. II. Implied shame contrasted with Divine glory. III. "The hero Implied humiliation, contrasted with the lifting up of the head. to battle and IV. There is the lie of his enemies, who say there is no help for victory lives him in God, rebuked by the Lord hearing, sustaining, and inand breathes inspiring his confidence. accustomed warlike thoughts and associations."-Ewald. 7. 66 Selah.-The translators of the Bible have left the Hebrew word Selah, which occurs so often in the Psalms, as they found it. d Ps. xxvii. 6, cx. Summer, after examining all the seventy-three passages in which the word occurs, recognises, in every case, an actual appeal or summons to Jehovah." They are calls and prayers to be heard, expressed either with entire directness, or if not imperative,"Hear, Jehovah!" or "Awake, Jehovah!" and the like,—still earnest addresses to God that He would remember and hear, etc. "The title of this Psalm is as a key hung ready at the door, to open it, and let us in to the entertainments of it. When occasion this P3. was penned we know the better how to expound it."-M. Henry. we know on what e The Study. "As every flower its sweet reflec the Carden saith that cious stone hath some egregious virtue; so righte every pre ousness is its own reward, though few men think so and act accordingly." -F. W. Robertson. A Christian's life, without any occasion for his lips telling it, should proclaim him to the world a child of God; The word itself he regarded as indicating a blast of trumpets by the priests. Selah itself he thinks an abridged expression used for Higgaion Selah; Higgaion indicating the sound of the stringed instruments, and Selah a vigorous blast of trumpets Dr. Addison Alexander, in his work on the Psalms, gives a more satisfactory explanation. He says, "This term occurs seventy-three times in the Psalms, and three times in Habakkuk. It corresponds to rest, either as a noun or a verb, and, like it, is properly a musical term, but generally indicates a pause in the sense as well as the Bibliotheca performance. Like the titles, it invariably forms part of the Sacra. text, and its omission by some editors and translators is a mutilation of the Word of God. In the case before us (Ps. iii. 2) it serves as a kind of pious ejaculation to express the writer's feelings, and, at the same time, warns the reader to reflect on what he reads, just as our Saviour was accustomed to say, 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' Again, on Ps. iv. 4, "The effect of this exhortation to be still is beautifully strengthened by a pause in the performance, Selah."-The pious soldiers.-Soon after the surrender of Copenhagen to the English, in the year 1807, detachments of soldiers were for a time stationed in the surrounding villages. It happened one day that three soldiers, belonging to a Highland regiment, were sent to forage among the neighbouring farm-houses. They went to several, but found them stripped and deserted. At length they came to a large garden, or orchard, full of apple trees, bending under the weight of fruit. They entered by a gate, and followed a path which brought them to a neat farm-house. Everything without bespoke quietness and security; but as they entered by the front door, the mistress of the house and her children ran screaming out by the back. The interior of the house presented an appearance of order and comfort superior to what might be expected from people in that station, and from the habits of the country. A watch hung by the side of the fireplace, and a neat bookcase, well filled, attracted the attention of the elder soldier. He took down a book: it was written in a language unknown to him, but the name of Jesus Christ was legible on every page. At this moment the master of the house entered by the door through which his wife and children had just fled. One of the soldiers, by threatening signs, demanded provisions: the man stood farm and undaunted, but shook his head. The soldier who held the book approached him, and pointing to the name of Jesus Christ, laid his hand upon his heart, and looked up to heaven. Instantly the farmer grasped his hand, shook it vehemently, and then ran out of the room. He soon returned with his wife and children laden with milk, eggs, bacon, etc., which were freely tendered; and when money was offered in return, it was at first refused. But as two of the soldiers were pious men, they, much to the chagrin of their companion, insisted upon paying for all they received. When taking leave, the pious soldiers intimated to the farmer that it would be well for him to secrete his watch; but, by the most significant signs, he gave them to understand that he feared no evil, for his trust was in God; and that though his neighbours on the right hand and on the left had fled from their habitations, and by foraging parties had lost what they could not remove, not a hair of his head had been injured, nor had he even lost an apple from his trees. so I have known an infant bear such striking resemblance to his father, that what not tell his face his tongue could did; and people, struck by the likeness, remarked of the nurs ling, 'He is the very image of his father.'" Guthrie. Dr. "The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not SO ill with us as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."-G. El liot. |