THE WAR-SONGS OF THE

PRINCE OF PEACE

A DEVOTIONAL COMMENTARY
ON THE PSALTER

By THE REV. R. M. BENSON, M.A.,

STUDENT OF CHRIST CHURCH

SOMETIME SUPERIOR OF THE SOCIETY OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, COWLEV

VOL. II
A TRANSLATION OF THE PSALTER,
METRICAL AND LITERAL, WITH
.
'r
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND HINTS
FOR SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION

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JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.
1901
 CONTENTS
I.

BOOK
PAGE

ON THE EPIC CHARACTER OF THE PSALTER

THE INCARNATE REDEEMER

THE DOUBLE PREFACE (Psalms J. 2.)

Introductory Note.

The Son of Man .

The Son or God .

Ps. J. Union with Christ as the Head of the Body, the

Church 27
" 2. Union with Christ as the Eternal Son of God 28

FIRST QUINDECAD (Psalms 3.-17.) 31

Introductory Note.

The Outline of the Coming Struggle 31

Ps. 3. Following Christ amidst Difficulties 35

4. The Blessedness of Dying with Christ 37
" 5. Pleading Christ's Sacrifice as a Living Power 38
"
6. The Penitent in his Bondage-Penitential I. 40
" vii
viii CONTENTS CONTENTS ix

PAGF. PAGE

Ps. 7. Hiding in the Grave of Jesus 42 Ps. 30. The Divine Security of the Risen Life 123

8. The Regenerating Covenant 44 " 3 I. The Divine Life a Hidden Life 125
"
9· The Experience of God's Covenanted Love- " 32• The Blessedness of the Regenerate-Penitential II. 129
"
Alphabetical I.
" 10. The Need of Steadfast Hope in Days of Apostasy- NOVENA (Psalms 33-41.)
Alphabetical I.-concluded 49
" I I. Confidence in Divine Protection 51 Introductory Note
" 12. Refuge in the Incarnate Saviour 52 Songs of Deliverance 136
u 13· The Soul feeling the Desolation of Sin 54
" 14·· The Faithful Captive expecting a Deliverer Ps. 33. The Predestination of Grace perfected in the
55
" 15· The Likeness of Jesus Resurrection 137
57
" 16. The Eternal Joy assured to us in being separated " 34· Protection amidst the Divine Discipline-Alpha-
from the World unto Christ betical II I. .
59
" 17· The Saints perfected in Conformity with God 60 " 35·
The Confidence of the Soul in the Redemption
wrought by Christ. 144
" 36. Humble Faith contrasted with Unbelieving Pride. 148
SECOND QUINDECAD (Psalms 18-32.) " 37· The Martyr Spirit-Alphabetical IV. ISO

" 38. The Penitent's Reliance upon Christ-Penitential

Introductory Note. III.
The Champion in His Struggle and His Victory " 39· The Vanity of the World in the Presence of God .
63
" 40. The Glorious Purpose of God's Will
Ps. 18. The Deliverance of the Regenerate Soul 68 The Deliverance of the Faithful Soul from the
" 41.
" 19· Praise to God in Nature and in Grace 76 Treachery of the Flesh
" 20. The Power of Christ's Name 78
" 21. Confidence in Christ's Triumphant power 80
" 22. The Faithful Communicant's Fellowship in the
BOOK II
Redeemer's Struggle 82
" 23· The Flock of the Good Shepherd 96 HUMANITY RESTORED TO DIVINE LIFE
" 24· Union with Jesus in His Triumph 105
" 25· The Righteous Way of the Redeemed-Alpha- NOVENA (Psalms 42-50.)
betical II. . III
Introductory Note
" 26. Fellowship with the Divine Sacrifice 113
" 27· The Divine Inheritance of the Faithful 115 Ps. 42. The Soul needing God's Manifestation as its True
" 28. The Protection of the Faithful 117 Life. 169
" 29· The Joy of the Faithful in the Divine Majesty of " 43· The Soul looking forward to Resurrection in Divine
Jesus 119 Life. 171
x CONTENTS CONTENTS Xl

PAGE
Ps. 44.The Patience of the Saints when God seems to HEPTAD (Psalms 66-72.)
have forsaken them 172
Introductory Note
" 45· The Saints rejoicing in the Heavenly Bridegroom. 175 PAGE
" 46. God Himself the Security of His People 179 The Church under the Guidance of the Holy
. !
" 47. The Ascension of Christ, a Call to Missionary Zeal 181 Ghost 227
8
" 4 . The Glorious Contemplation of the Heavenly Ps.66. Deliverance in the midst of Judgement 229
Jerusalem " 67. The Life of Faith stimulating the Song of Praise. 231
" 49· Reliance upon Divine Redemption. " 68. The Power of the Divine Indwelling 233
" 50. The Theophany of the Conqueror " 69. The Individual Soul in Conflict with its Great
Enemies
" 70. The Sympathies of the Body of Christ
THIRD QUINDECAD (Psalms 51-65.)
" 71. The Hidden Life of the Soul in Expectation of
Introductory Note Future Blessedness 252
The Son of God the Conqueror of Death " 72. The Soul Rejoicing in the Sovereignty of Christ . 254
190
Ps. 51. The Cleansing Virtue of the Incarnation-Peni-
tential IV. 194 BOOK III
" 52. Defiance of the World through Confidence in Christ 199.
" 53. The Folly of the Wicked who set God aside 200
THE DIVINE SONSHIP: CHRIST IN US 257
" 54. The Confidence of the Faithful amidst the Assaults Introductory Note
of Satan 202
Ps. 73. Joy in God contrasted with Prosperity In the
" 55. The Weary Burden of the Besetting Sin 203
World - 261
" 56. The Confident Thankfulness of the trembling Soul 207
" 74. Confidence in God's Name through long-continued
" 57. The Soul under the Oppression of the Powers of
Periods of Outward Distress 263
Darkness 209
" 75. The Triumph of Righteousness in Eternal Life 266
" 58. The Prince of this World and his Followers rebuked 212
" 76. God vindicating His Covenanted People 268
" 59. The Soul lifted up in Christ above the Machina-
" 77. Preparation to follow Christ as Redeeming us
tions of the World. 213
from the World's Oppression
" 60. The Acceptance of the Cross as the Standard
" 78. The Responsibility of the Divine Covenant
of Victory 216
" 79. The Test of Perseverance
" 61. The Inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven 218
" 80. Penitentia( Desires Awakened by the Memory of
" 62. Divine Strength perfected in Human Weakness 219
Saints 279
" 63. The Resurrection of the Soul by Grace 221
" 81. God's Gifts held back by Disobedience 281
" 64. The Blessedness of those who are persecuted for
" 82. Divine Predestination Working Out our Probation
Righteousness Sake 223
in all the Relationships of Life
" 65. Praise due to God both in Nature and in Grace 224
xii CONTENTS CONTENTS xiii
PAGE
PAGE
Ps. 83. Separation from the World which is left to Perish Ps. 102. Individual Penitence and Faith amidst General
in its Success 286 Calamities.-Penitential V. 340
" 84. The Blessedness of Abiding in Christ 288 " 103. Gratitude for the Resurrection 345
" 85. The Divine Favour Assured to Us. 29[ " 104. Man Created to hold Fellowship with God-
" 86. The Divine Strength Comforting Us 293 Halleluyah I.
" 87. The Joy of the Communion of Saints 295 " 105. The Promise to the Fathers-Halleluyah II.
" 88. Confidence amidst the Pains of Death 297 " 106. Faith Looking Forward amidst Troubles to the
" 89. Divine Protection Preparing for the Kingdom to Promised Glory-Halleluyah II I. 355
Come

BOOK V
BOOK IV
OUR LIFE HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD THE PRIEST UPON GOD'S RIGHT HAND

NOVENA (Psalms 90-98.) Introductory Note

Introductory Note
The Heavenly Sacrifice
The Coronation of the Son of Man 3[4
Ps. 107. Memorial Song of Praise
Ps. 90· The Bosom of God the Dwelling-Place of the
" 108. Conquering and to Conquer
Elect 3[8
" 109. The Doom of the Unbelieving
91. The Divine Guardianship . 320
" " 110. The Rod of Power.
92. The Mystical Eternal Life in the Grave of Christ 323
" " I I I. The Eucharistic Memorial of Redemption-
93· Participation in the Throne of Jesus 325
" Alphabetical V. ; Halleluyah IV.
94· Persecution continuing 327
" " 112. The Offspring of the Covenant of Righteousness
95· The Call to Faithfulness . 329
" 96. The New Song of Righteousness.
-Alphabetical VI. ; Halleluyah V.
" 330 " 113. The Universality of the Covenant.-Halleluyah
97· The Light of Life . 332
" 98. The Song of Salvation
VI.
" 334 " The New Exodus
114.

THE TER SANCTUS " God the Life of His People-Halleluyah

I IS. VII.
" 116. The Freedom from Death-Halleluyah VIII.
Ps. 99. Holy, Holy, Holy . 335 " 117. Rejoicing with the Saints-Halleluyah IX.
CLOSING HEPTAD (Psalms 100-106.) " 118. The Opening of the Heavenly Sanctuary
Messiah's Kingdom
Introductory Note to Psalm 119· 397
Ps, 100. The Exultation of the Church Catholic 337
" JOI. The Self-Dedication of the Psalmist 338
Ps. 119. The Way of the Redeemed-Alphabetical VII.
 xiv CONTENTS CONTENTS xv
PAGE
FOURTH QUINDECAD
Ps. 143. Longing for Life and Liberty-Penitential VII.
Introductory Note " 144. The New Song of the Beloved
PAGE
" 145· The Experience of the Saints-Alphabetical XV.
The Songs of Ascent 485 " 146. Happiness in the Fellowshipof Messiah-Halle-
Ps. 120. The Child of Peace in the Land of the Enemy 488 luyah XI. 533
" 121. The Home of Heavenly Hope 489 " 147. The Heavenly Jerusalem-Halleluyah XII. 535
" 122. The Repose of the Saints 491 " 148. The Universal Appeal-Halleluyah XII I. 537
" 123. Waiting for God's Mercy 492 " 149. Summons to the Heavenly Praise-Halleluyah
" 124. The Escaped Bird. 493 XIV.
" 12S. The City of Righteousness in her Stability 494 " 150. The Choirs of Heaven-Halleluyah XV ..
" 126. Weeping and Reaping 49S
" 127. Lifeless Work and Fruitful Life . 497
" 128. The Blessing of Abiding Peace 498
" 129. The Waster of God's People withering away 499
" 130. Wailing and Waiting-Penitential VI. SOl
" 131. The Trustful Weanling S02
" 132. The Enthronement of the Ark of the Covenant 503
" 133. The Unity of Divine Love 505
" 134. The Benedictory Welcome ~f the Pilgrims 507

PRELUDE TO THE FINAL QUINDECAD

Ps. 135. Waking to Life in God's Praise-Halleluyah X. 508

FIFTH QUINDECAD (Psalms 136-ISO.)

The Consummation of all Things 51I

Ps. 136. Absorption in God's Eternal Goodness SI4

" 137· Looking Backward to Bondage and Forward

Vindication
to !
5I6
138. The Perfecting of our Faith 518
" 139· The Omniscient, Omnipresent God 520
" The Seed of the Serpent
140. 52
" 141. The Patient Prayer of Faith 524
" 142. The Prayer of the Prison-House 525
" 1 ;
I

1 \
 ,

ON THE EPIC CHARACTER OF

THE PSALTER

ALL persons who have used the Psalter must have felt
that there is some strange mystery underlying the
arrangement of the Psalms. Otherwise there is an extra-
ordinary disregard of any principle.
The chapters of the Koran are arranged according to
their length irrespectively of their subject or their date
of composition. Delitzsch gives certain catch-words as
linking the Psalms together. Catch-words may at times
coincide with a community of purpose or sentiment, but
unless they point to something further they constitute
but a very artificial rationale.
The general confusedness of the sequence in the Psalter
is emphasized rather than relieved by the evident
connection which binds certain Psalms in moral union,
although the chronological order may be altogether
violated by such combination.
It is indeed often difficult to arrange Psalms under
various heads, because so many phases of feeling are
developed in the course of a few verses. .Mod~~r: hymns '
are generally confined to one idea. We want one hymn
of a sorrowful character for a day of penitence, and
another hymn for a joyful occasion. Hence it is often
difficult to select a Psalm. Sometimes persons are
tempted to take a few verses of a Psalm and leave out
the rest.
The cause of this difference is that hymns are written
to suit a transitory occasion, or at least a special com-
VOL. II. A 1
 EPIC CHARACTER OF PSALTER A LIVING PRACTICAL IDEAL 3
2

memoration. The Psalms are written to be the ut~~r-
'-an~esoran-Eternal Person whose sufferings must never
'b-;;-regarded as transitory nor His joy ever other,:"ise than
.~.'
triumphant and remunerative. He is n~t subJ~cted as . would be stimulating by the nobleness of its portraiture .
we are to vicissitudes of hope or fear. His sufferings are
the sufferings incurred by a glorious struggle, and His
Divine character shines out in the utmost intensity of \.
His human anguish. The Psalms do not set Christ
. before us as a sin-bewailer, but a sin-struggler.
His suffering through sin His whole Being is on the
In all
I
j
side of God, whose glory He has to avenge upon Satan
~nd the Serpent's seed around Him. He bears their \.
iniquity in struggle against their tyrant, but in all His
suffering He is redeeming them and vindicating G?d's
glory against the enemy. He never suffers as the object
of God's wratJ}, but by the greatness of His humiliations
II
He ise~~~' ~~anifesting the Divine endurance and merit-
~.
I
ing fresh manifestations of the Father's love.
The consequence is that the Psalms, however they
may suit us as the highest possible expressio~ of human
devotion towards God, are never exactly suited to our
own personality. There are always expressions which
imply a Divine hatred of sin, a Divine consciousness of
.f.
",{
inherent 'sanctity, a Divine satisfaction in the eternal love,
.. . which go beyond us. .'!Ie feel that they are too strong
for us. We can see that they express the truth. Yes!
·-Th~Y·~xpress the truth of a perfect Humanity struggling
in perfect unity of Divine life, although left under the
conditions of that slavery under which Satan holds
mankind, and winning the victory not by external inter-
ventions of God's goodwill, but in the security of
inalienable approval, to be finally manifested in the
jubilance of heavenly victory amidst the adoration of the
heavenly host.
The Psalms will thus be seen as setting before US not
only an ideal which in itself is beyond our reach. That
might be a poetical basis of admiration, and yet it would
be as discouraging by reason of our incompetency as it
The ideal set before us in the Psalter is, on the contrary,
the portraiture of a representative Champion who calls
us to share with Him in all that He endures, because He
strengthens us to follow His .footsteps,~~d, by participa-
tion of His Cross, to attain the sovereignty wherein He is
glorified.
We must always subordinate ourselves to the Great
Mediator while we recite the Psalms. If we would
profit by them truly, we must seek therein a sacramental
union with the mind of Christ, self-communicative to the
faithful in the use of His words by the virtue of that
Holy Spirit by whose inspiration the writers were moved
when they wrote them.
We are not to consider the occasion upon which each
Psalm was written, as if we might thereby come at its
meaning. The fact is, we are more likely to be misled
than to be helped by giving undue importance to the
human occasion. The Psalms belong to the God-Man,
and if they are considered merely as expressive of human
feeling, they would not be suitable for the merely human
agents. On many occasions indeed typical personages
were called in the midst of their accidental surroundings
to speak words belonging to Him whom they typified.
The Holy Ghost" spake by the prophets," and we must
include the Psalmists under this designation. The Spirit's
"
influence drove them to a supernatural utterance of
i,
j. prophetic and typical import. Bi~ u~te~~~_~~by their lips
,
I
was different from His sanctifying, regenerathlg utter-
ance as He speaks by His people in the Christian
dispensation, dwelling in them and calling them to
voluntary utterance by His illuminating power: The
.;
4 EPIC CHARACTER OF PSALTER
prophets knew that" not for themselves, but for us they
spake the things which were given the~ of God.". How
far they may have realized the meanmg of their own
words we cannot tell. We cannot tell what effect these
utterances may have had upon their own hearts, enabling
them to encounter their difficulties in supernatural faith.
We are not to think that God made use of their natural
feelings of vindictiveness when He called them ~o
utterances of Divine wrath. Indeed we know that the sm
of David was an unwillingness to assert his own position
against his favourite son, whom he in his inspiration was
called to anathematize. In uttering the words of God
'whilst he speaks in the Person of the coming King, we may
well conceive that he was lifted up out of the immediate
sadness of his natural relationship to the strength which
would be generated by a consciousness of sublimer issues.
When he spoke not of himself but of Christ (Acts ii. 3) he
undoubtedly felt an inspiration, an ecstasy, which enabled
him to grasp his typical relationship, as the Holy Spirit
dwelling in us would enable us, if we used His Presence
aright, to grasp the sacramental relationship whereby we
are called to live in Christ. God did not use the sinful
tendencies of men to symbolize His Divine mysteries,
but He used the surroundings of sinful men, the accidents
of this sinful world, to typify the conditions under which
the God-Man would have to act when He became
Incarnate. Thus He doubtless trained His servants to
rise above earth and live in the lofty region of a true
faith. So the things which stirred their evil passions
might well be used to make them dead to those sinful
emotions, while they looked beyond them to the great
realities of Divineglory, which were to be consummated
in the future. The Psalmist looked forward to the great
Conqueror. As the Divine King amidst a people that
were blind to God, he was the type of the great
SACRAMENTAL RELATIONSHIP 5
Redeemer in whom the wrath of God against the serpent
and the seed of the serpent was to be revealed. The
Psalter begins with this acknowledgement. "Be ye angry
and sin not," Divine wrath and human gentleness
must be combined in the God-Man. This presents the
\. law of the Psalter as the expression of the wrath of God
against sin. Messiah was to "dash the ungodly in pieces
like a potter's vessel." David had to exercise wrath not
for the mere protective purposes of human society, but
as the minister of God sent to gather out of this sinful
world a peculiar people, and to exhibit" the wrath of the
Lamb " against those who would not humble themselves
amidst the antagonism of the proud to live in the meek-
ness of Christ's humiliation and follow the banner of the
Cross.
So, then, we may look to find illustration of the Psalms
in those typical events which are specified at times, but
it is only as typical events, not as natural incidents, that
they have their importance. As far as there is any
historical foundation capable of illustrating the Psalms,
it must be used as formulating a type, not as awakening
a sentiment. Chronological order is of no concern, and
we are not helped by guessing at special occasions which
might seem to be suitable. Occasions may illustrate a
poem that is the offspring of earthly feeling, but they do
not help us in the contemplation of Divine sayings. So
it is that in the Psalms we must always recognize not
the man but the God-Man.
We must not look to the Prophet as a man, but as
I'
an inspired organ in the Divine economy, and we must
not .look to our own natural necessities, but to our
sacramental relationship to the Body of Christ, which of
old time was typified in the prophets. Thus we shall
!.
I find the Psalter raising us to the true consciousness of
I,
the life of faith.
 6 EPIC CHARACTER OF PSALTER
The Psalmist is indeed an ideal Personage, but not,
as many would conceive of him, a mere creature of
national sentiment. He is a Person of infinitely greater
reality than any whose names live upon the scroll of
history or the dreams of imagination. He is the Eternal
Son of God, the predestined Son of Man, the Conqueror
of Satan, the Second Adam, the Father of the world to
come.
We, as His children, have to grow to His likeness by
the discipline of His human mind in the power of the
Eternal Spirit. This is what we have to learn in saying
the Psalter.
In the Psalter, when thus regarded as a Divine
collection of sacred songs belonging to the promised
Messiah, we shall perceive a vitality which lifts the
volume up beyond the level of any human literature.
We have not thoughts which might conceivably have
filled the mind of Christ under various circumstances, but
we have formularies of devotion Divinely appointed for
Christ to use when He should come into the world. He
used them both in public and in private. They supplied
not only the words of His devotion, but the law which
would regulate His conduct amidst the accidental features,
foreknown of God, which would mark out His life. No
worshipper in the Temple choirs, however accurately
trained in Jewish lore, knew the meaning' of what was
being sung as He knew it who was standing in their
I, midst. He joined in their recitation as containing the
will of the Father" written in the scroll" which He had
to accomplish both in heart and deed. In solitude He
used them, for He knew Himself embodying in very
truth the words which Satan quoted fragmentarily
falsehood, and in the end He speaks three times upon
the Cross with words having express reference to the
, £.~.~_9.ictionsof the Psalter.
GOD'S REPRESENTATtVE 7
We could wish that we might have stood beside Him
in the hours of Temple Psalmody. We must remember '/,
that He now speaks within us more powerfully by the (
illuminating ecstasy of His Holy Spirit, while we use \
I
the Psalter, whether in private devotion or in public I
il
"
ministries of reiterated chaunt. ..'
IIi
We must be careful that we give to the Psalter and its
recitation all that outward and inward homage which is
due. So shall our minds "grow in grace and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"
(2 Peter iii. 18).
I One difficulty of the present day which arises from
our losing sight of the Eternal Personality of Christ and
treating His humiliation and His glory merely as
successive periods of life, is that we thus lose the Divine
character which gives life to both.
The Redeemer took our sins upon Him, and the
Father" laid upon Him the iniquity of us all," but we
are too apt to think of Him as if He were" stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted" (Isa. 53). This expression
would intimate a time when He was the object of Divine
Justice,requiring from Him a penalty before His humanity
could be accepted in freedom from the guilt derived from
Adam. There is nothing in the Psalter to make us
regard the sufferings of Christ as a penalty inflicted
a required by the Father. The Psalter throughout
pirtrays the Christ as the Chosen Representative of the
Father, the Holy One of God, the object of the Father's
dilight in the deepest sorrows of His lonely struggle.
,I)~Psalter represents Him throughout as sent by the
father into a rebellious world which He has to conquer.
in H: comes as the minister of God's wrath to bruise the
held of Satan, and the sufferings which He has to bear
are, those of which God spoke at the gate of Paradise,
th( enmity between the serpent and the woman, i.e.
S EPlC C'HARACTER OF PSALTER
the assumed Humanity, the enmity between the serpent's
seed, i.e., all mankind naturally born from Adam, and the
Seed of the woman, which is the supernatural Redeemer
who must conquer the serpent,-Messiah, the Virgin-
horn. This enmity His Body still must bear. . demption it was necessary that Messiah should enter
The whole Psalter, although lyrical in its form as
consisting of separate odes, may be regarded as one
continuous epic. It sets forth the mysterious struggle
which was predicted from the outset, when Messiah comes
into the world, to the triumph when all the hosts of
Heaven gather round the eternal throne to praise the
exalted Son of Man. The solitary Struggler is exhibited,
denouncing God's wrath against sin, and enduring all the
opposition which Satanic power could incite mankind
to practise against Him. He bears it all unmoved by
any human weakness, although unrelieved by any Divine
interposition. He triumphs in the integrity of Divine
love, abiding in the unbroken consciousness of a hidden
life with God, looking forward to accomplish the work
which He came to do, even the redemption of mankind,
that so, when all is finished, He may go hence to bruise
Satan's head in the realm of spiritual darkness. He is
the loved One of God, and He triumphs in the steadfast-
ness of His own love to God, ever sustained by the'
presence of the Anointing Spirit until He can say, " It i.i
finished." Then He is glorified by the power of t~
Eternal Father, going hence with a redeemed Humanity
to crush the powers of evil, and to set free the prisoners .f
hope and to prepare a place at God's Right Hand whe'e
His saints, born into a new life in the heavenly Jerusalen,
I
shall reign with Him in glory. This redemptive triumlh
is an object of interest to the whole universe, and 11
take part in the praises of the Conqueror. : the endurance
Evil was thus subdued. Humanity which had ben
enslaved to Satan was redeemed. I Therefore the Psalter, while it sets before us Christ
I
HUMANITY A UNIT
9
We must observe that it is Humanity, as an undivided
entity, which is redeemed, not individuals as separate
captives, but the human race, which by Adam's sin
was enslaved to Satan.· In order to effect this re-
\ into the condition of Satan's slave. He took upon
Himself the form of a slave. If He. had not done so ,
the victory over Satan would not have been the act
of man, and therefore the glory of God would not
have been vindicated. Man was created to conquer
Satan and reign over God's creation. Satan conquered
Adam, but the purpose of God remained. The Second
Adam was not an external Deliverer. He came to
assert in human nature the eternal claims of God against
the tyrant by whom Adam had been slain.
In the rest of manhood not only was the nature
enslaved, but the will was enfeebled by death, for Adam
had lost the life-giving Presence of the Holy Ghost.
The S~n of God came into human nature by the power
of the Holy Ghost, and therefore, although He had the
form of a slave, He was still the living Son of the
Eternal Father, so that by the power of the Holy Ghost
He was able to resist the tyranny of Satan and endure
the sufferings of a condition enslaved beneath his
violence. "He hath set His love upon Me: therefore
will I deliver Him." I t is this unswerving filial Love
which the Psalter sets forth. I t is this Love that we
who recite the Psalter are called, by the sanctification
of the Spirit of Christ, ourselves to share.
We miss, therefore, the whole value of the Psalter if
we regard the sufferings which are there portrayed, as
being anything else than" the witness unto the truth,"
of that violence by which Satan, the
serpent, and his seed, strove to hold Messiah in bondage.
 10 EPIC CHARACTER OF PSALTER PASSION GLORIFYING GOD II

in His Divine nature, sets before us also the humanity our Divine sonship and glorifying our Father by walk- I
of Christ as being the object of redemption. ing in the freedom wherewith Christ makes His members I
Humanity is a complete unit. All mankind are free. Thus must we triumph over the world , the flesh , \\
partakers of one common nature derived from Adam. and the devil.
? This nature Christ bore. This nature, redeemed in
\ T~~J~:!?D' of God was the purpose for which Christ
Christ by Hjs-own--.bT~ine power as the Incarnate suffered. The delIverance of the faithful was the
Representative of the Triune God, becomes by this -subo~di~at-~-result, -b~tit w~snot- the primary Pllrp~~-,".
redemption a principle of regenerative sanctity. Christ f We are too apt to consider primarily the advantage
does not redeem us as separate captives to whom He , I, which accrues to ourselves from the Passion and to
comes as a stranger, but He redeems us in Himself, forget the aspect of the Divine glory as the higher
E@-ki.t:!~!:!~_par!ak~rs of His Divine nature as mem~:rs Creation beholds the Incarnation. All Heaven was,
of His glorified Humanity. The will of man receTve-d so to speak, paralyzed by the failure of man to attain
~"rriortar-w-ourid-byAdam's sin, so that the slave of the predestined throne. The throne of Heaven
Satan could not escape. The will of man is strong remained vacant until the Incarnate Son had crushed
with the freedom of Divine Life in Christ, so that" if the enemy. The Psalter exhibits the progress of this
the Son of God makes us free, then are we free indeed." great struggle.
The deliverance from Satan's external slavery would We may notice Ps. 2., the institution of Messiah;
have been of no avail, if Christ had not delivered us Ps. 8., the predestination of man; Ps. IS., the moral
from the deadly feebleness of will by which we are requirements; Ps. 18., the angel host participating
ready to yield to Satan's bondage. . with interest in the Incarnation of the Conqueror;
))1 .. /' ..Ih~_m:!rp<:>?('!,~herefore,of the Incarnation, as set before i Ps. 22., the struggle; Ps. 24., the proclamation of the
~u..,,}'P ; __ ~~ in the Psalter, is the vindication of God's gl~ry, for i Conqueror's sovereignty and His right to ascend; Ps.
\ .,~ I Christ endured what the first prophecy had described as I
r 28., the struggle concluded; Ps. 29., the celestial
' the-bruising of the Redeemer's heel. Thus would He acknowledgement of the Word of God; Ps. 30., the new
fc, - sh(iw~~n~~elf as the Champion of God against the rebel. 1 Creation; Ps. 3 I., the triumphant commendation of His
\ ifiu;' would "the Son of Man be glorified, and God soul about to descend; Ps. 40., the acceptable Sacrifice;

l wOuld be glorified in Him" (John xiii. JI).

We must glorify God in like manner as Christ's
Ps. 43·, the approach to the Divine altar; Ps. 50., the
Sacrifice of Jubilee; Ps. 51., the Son of God taking the
members, and we must recite the Psalter so as to realize likeness of sinful flesh and building up Jerusalem;
all the afflictions of this present life as coming to us Ps. 60., the banner of the Cross; Ps. 72., the established
1~\\~c:~O~
\
Cl{ ..,..-'
from Satan in order to test our acceptance
; freedom of this Divine Sonship.
of the Kingdom; Ps. 80., the Restorer of Israel; Ps. 99., the
Triune God; Ps. 110., the High Priest at God's Right
I We are too apt to regard them as tokens of God's
\ Hand; Ps.135.,JAH triumphant in Heaven; Ps. 144., man
anger. Against this the Psalmist constantly pleads. perfected according to his predestination; Pss. 146.-150.,
J We ought to regard them as opportunities for realizing the Halleluyahs of the triumph of the God-Man.
 12 EPIC CHARACTER OF PSALTER H• ,t THE FIVE BOOKS 13
, .-
We dwell too much in our ordinary devotion upon I struggle of Him who subjected Himself to death, " that
'r
the Passion as a Divine tragedy. Holy Scripture calls ":,
by death He might destroy him that had the power
us to regard the Cross as the centre of glorious power. of death, even the devil, and deliver them who through
We commonly look to its outward aspects as seen by fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
man. The Psalter calls us to stand afar off, not in the Man in his enslaved condition could not serve God
fearfulness' of human following, but in the adoring con- with that perfection of love which God requires. Con-
templation of the heavenly host, who recognize in that sequently various sacrifices were enjoined which should
form of human weakness the invincible majesty of the symbolize the love wherewith One, as yet unborn, should
Son of God. glorify God and redeem mankind from the curse of the
~~ar1y C1.!~Ls!.ian~JQQke~L.!QJ.~~u~_ at t~~_.~igJg.,,_ law. In the Psalms we welcome the Redeemer whose
Hand oCGOcf,and in the strengt]; . .9f thatcontemplation "delight is in the law of the Lord." rB~"c;k'T)sets forth \
k ..'"- th e more h uman aspect an d t h e details~-.--. zr
of the struggle
5' \?;.vu K~
-:'\ t.h~L!~.?k up their cross a[;ci w~E~•.~~~_d)'"~~0;,.2l~Jor H}!!::.
.Yi~ _l~<?k'-t<:>o . much to' .:t.Iis ~~f!.er~~&"~ .~P<:>~".
th:e... Cross,
iI
Christ the I~carna:e Redeemer, \]'9~k)D celebrates th~
as if~ purpose was to save us f~9_rn. ~.l][~~iDg e.P~c!,~.n.Q,i.
.. power.by which this RedemptiC?P \VCispo~~ib.le~,~heDivine
.!<?~t.t;,!:.g~h~il'-us'to'siifferl~ t~~. ~~l!<:?,~~~!p,,9.f the Si:l:!I1e. Sonship of Christ our Head. \Books III. and TV) refer
sp~. '-Hence t~e wea~!!~~~_o( __I!!.0dern _Ch:!.~!!~.!)i!X:
'H.~nce the un_~!.(!l!ig~!.l!..!!.eglc::<:!
!~~J?i~Ier~'ii'c~ for hYIDfl.S·
of h~I'!l,~_~ J~Eat.~~~9,<:
...,!:t~I!£~
..?L!h,<:: ...g~~!!~!.;."
...

__~~_t?...~,~__ - .
I
I
to our union with Him, the Di"V'fn~-Sonsh"ip,'o'i' Christ in
us, and our life hid with Christ in God. !,,",~Qgk,...
gathers us round the mediatorial throne of our Gre~t"
:V.\
.~.~~~Jy.".fd~!lS!: .., Hence our con.t~Qtt;gn~~~. ..yitn. .th.!s High Priest to join with all the unseen hosts of the
worldof 9~r slavery, if only it can be made comfort~~l~, ,
and our heedlessness of any true home in Heaven as our,
. unseen source C?fstrength. il1:. the com~~t,
and the one absorbing object of our desires wherrfhe
·warfare.· shall be accomplished.
~g~_,.. ?_~!~,~ I
.
blessed in songs of heavenly Eucharist.
In the Hebrew Scriptures numbyrsJ!ave

~sal~~hl.~4.
a special
significance: an? we find that ~00.~_ ..!Lb.<.!§...J:2!:tr.:.~e ~
1.!11plyJI1~perfected probation, so }~at" .
m !:s. 1o:.,Shrl~~._.p'rc::s.~!lt~
....Himself as.tllt;. qCG~R!~Q
~ j~~

_ {}U.::t,f\--V-,\,,\ Co
All the Psalter, therefore, has to be vivified and I. ,~~aH&s~·1.J?gC>.kIJ,\ has thirty-one Psalms, and that is :)
accepted as a practical law of life by recognizing therein
the personality of Messiah, the God-Man.
The Psalter is a Pentateuch, and although we cannot
J~·r~~[l]y.r-I~~~~~:~~~r~7·!'t~~·~e!r~~,~~~:
and they speak of our lite'·-with .Christ in accordance
;P~a~:~~~:"~
recogni~fi;~b;~ks-;;r Moses as corresponding ,I with the meaning of the number Se~enteen '~hich' is
individually Wiffithefive--b~;k-;-'of bayid, we may expressive of God's covenantp~~ple.Ll!!.1i@i.ytth~;e
regard them as being severally the Peiitat~uch of the , are forty'-four~<?z:!gs of the Redeemed, and the numbe;-
letter and the Pentateuch of the Spirit, the Pentateuch indicates the same intention." .... , ~" ....,~..- ..", .....,...,
of bondage setting forth the Divine requirements which The~u~he~' Fift.i6L~~~es very markedly before us
man in his enslaved estate could not fulfil, and the in the Psalter. At once we see that it contains ten
Pentateuch of redemption setting forth the glorious .Q~inde~<:~~~~~._.E~!:!.9~.~~._
..~~_~
.._§f!y"~,rsa~s. It ~il1
 14 E PIC C H A R ACT E R 0 F P SA LT E R JEHOVAH AND ELOHIM 15

be found that the closing Psalm of each Quindecad is .L~go.fgQ~J.n_.It- ~s.,~Qy,~p~nt~clr~I~t,~(m~h!p,t9 f!is ..Regp'!~:>.
a Psalm of prominent importance. ~,_Elohlm '.(Goc:lHls . used. of God as .the Creator and
Eifteen is the numb~r..:>yml:>2Iica.l QL(::J!rjst,_.tb(L§~~E~_. Sover~ign of th~ u~iver~e. . . ," ..' . ..,.
of the Divine Uilction and the Eight of the regenerate
" __ ' " .~.~.".,.,._ ~ '"~=_'~.~"'''''':'_''''''''''' _ •.••.•.••..
_..__..
-•....•
" ••.....
_ .•.•
"'.\0 •••. ~', .. ; .~~, •••••••••••
" •••~ ••••..••..
( These ~dT;t;ibut~--;;(;llows :_
\
Humanity. \
BOOK.
. T'i;;;~~ are several groups of Psalms. I.
]EHOVISTIC. ELOHISTIC.
41
Seven Penitential Psalms. II.
31
,SW~ Royal Psalms. III. 5 12
The Alphabetical Psalms are _!!f.!~~. in number or else IV. 17
eight, according as you count Ps. 119. as one Psalm or as V. 44
eight Alphabets. I07 43
The Alphabetical Psalms seem to be intended to call
attention to the restoration of order as set forth in a ~o;-~sets before us the promised Redeemer coming
Psalm immediately preceding. into the world on the Divine embassy, encountering foes
Fifteep Gradual Psalms. both human and hellish, and at length presenting Him-
Fifteen Halleluyah Psalms. self with full confidence before God as having attained
~n Psalms of David in Book V. by His, obedient self-oblation an acceptance beyond
j.t is £!..~~'L
th?:.L~_hi.~.~1!ms;r.i~~1~2ir~idence cannot be what any Jewish sacrifices could win.
a matter of chance. \:
'I
1
In the opening Psalms of @2.9ICfD
Messiah appears
"Besides this, if we analyze the whole Psalter, it will as symbolized by David, a fugitive upon the other side
be seen that there are intimations in the titles as well of Jordan. He has come into this world, and the river
as harmonies of signification which lead us to break up of Death is between His humanity and the heavenly
the Psalter into groups of fifteen, nine, eight, seven, and glory which is His own. But He looks to ascend God's
three. They are evident to the eye in the prefixed Holy Hill. He is the Son of God, the Second Adam,
I Tabular Synopsis. having the daughter of Tyre for His Bride. He has
A .h.!!'H:!r,~JLf2.~Lrn§" have authors' names prefixed to two natures, one maternal, derived from Adam1s si~ful
them. Fifty are anonymous. This does not look like race;, the other, the Divine Wisdom, whereby H~wHI
an accid~nt:--- "build up the walls of Jerusalem." He meets the genera-
Yet again ~!Y::ll:!re~ are assigned to David, which tion of vipers in Ps. 59., and the universal sovereignty
leaves ~~.v.t::!l:!y:~,~y~n.Such a division of a hundred and of God is manifested in His deliverance and in the
fifty is not what would have been thought of naturally, preservation of the rebellious nation, scattered by way
but it is a division which gives two numbers of sym- of judgement throughout the world, but not consumed,
bolical importance. waiting thus until they come, in the end, to recognize
Then there is the ~iyi.§io!'!._~~!9..J~Q?vis.!!~~!HlElohistic Messiah, the God -of Israel, ruling in Jacob and unto
Ps~lms.~ The name,U,~hovah (Lordlis used wh_enspea~~. the ends of the world. Ps. 6o. sums up Messiah's
 . "

16 E PIC C H A R ACT E R 0 F P SALT E R DIVINE SUPERINTENDENCE 17

{,
triumph. Ps. 72. celebrates His Kingdom wherein He .. '

literature, however little they may be congenial to our

reigns by Divine power. own literary instincts.
~l is naturally J ehovisti~,:,""_~~
__dealing with . We must surely admit that a volume of odes pos~ess-
Messiah in His J udrean ministry. tBQ9.~.J i~s Elohistic, Inlf,."~~~?~_95_g,~:ly arrangement was not the product of.
as treating of God's world-wide rule and the Kingdom ~~~ce. Composed at "variotis"inter~als, 'without any
of Christ in the Catholic covenant. joint purpose, by Moses, David, Solomon, the companies
lBo~k"'~ijif-christ in us. The Asaphic Psalms of Korahites and Asaphites, and perhaps by other
chefisK-The memory of the Exodus and of Rachel's authors late down in the history of Israel, they could
offspring. Joseph represents the Divine manifestation not have produced such an harmonious whole, filling up
as David does the Divine election. The first portion with varied details the portraiture of the world's Redeemer
of this book is Elohistic. After Ps. 84. the name if there had not been a Divine inspiration guiding both
Jehovah is almost exclusively used. the authors and the editors of the Sacred Minstrelsy.
The last three books begin with the declaration of ._L~L.!:!.? 1;:>e.ca!:~fulto recognize that.~hey hc1-V.~
)~~en ,
God's mercy and triumphant power in this evil world. Divinely provided for our use in Divine worship, and
They pass on to the manifestation of the covenant- let us be careful, in reciting the words of Christ, to keep
God in whose Incarnation "mercy and truth meet to- His image so steadfastly before our eyes, that our hearts
gether." The covenant made with Israel of old is and lives may be transformed by the illumination of
established. Jehovah is seen as the God whom His love.
other nations worshipped but knew Him not. He is When we find the mystical law of numbers so
. the Great King in the Royal Psalms. He is the operative in formulating the Psalter, we may be the
God whom all the powers of Heaven must praise for more inclined to recognize the same law in given words
evermore. and phrases. It is easy to deride such consideration
In another place it will be shown that not only are as being merely Cabalistic. The Cabala would not
there these numerical arrangements which indicate a have existed unless there had been some basis for it.
special care in the formation of the Psalter, but also The fault of the Cabalists was in their fancifulness.
each individual Psalm occupies that particular position Arguments drawn from such numerical notions must
which is suitable for its subject, according to the laws of not be used in proof of any doctrine, but they may be
numerical symbolism. of great value to the faithful as illustrating and con-
In all these complicated details we must recognize firming Divine truth, because, where there is a sufficient
a Divine inspiration. Human ingenuity would not amount of evidence on which to ground an argument,
have availed to accomplish such results. They cannot it is a form of reasoning which could not be of human
be set down as fanciful, for even if some of them fail origin. One writer could not thus conform the letters
of pleasing our notions, yet others are so manifest that of his composition to a numerical requirement. Much
we must accept them. Also, we have to bear in mind less could writers of various ages agree together to
that technicalities such as these belong to Oriental produce such a result.
VOL. II. B
 ; .
, '

18 EPIC CHARACTER OF PSALTER

JESUS EXPLAINS THE PSALMS 19
The question cannot here be considered. in. any .,
Delitzsch gives forty-four, but he does not count the
detail but it may not be amiss to mention 10 an Doxology.
Appe~dix some occurrences of the numb~~n the
The word Son occurs fifteen times (including Ps
Psalter, that being ~..B'~~~!!.1!:!~!?~r of "~,P.r~'ppposed 2. 12).
to 666, which is ~1!<:!great number of the Be~,~!,~~L J AHLwhich is the most concentrated name of Messiah
world!y''p_~,-'~y'~r,a number of very rare occurrence .~n - i~,.!~~.~
P~t~!I)~~:;'Fift~~fl'fo;- i£s' riu~~d~al ~alu~,- '''i~
Holy Scripture and always connoting some form of evil.
order to avoid blasphemy in the careless use of this
LJJ.tN.- Perhaps it ought, for the sake of English read:rs, to
Divine name, the Jews used to express fifteen not by
':;: I be stated that every letter in the Hebrew and 10 the 10+ 5 but by 9+6.
I '. _ Greek alphabets has a numerical value, and that from
When we read that our Lord explained the Psalms as
M.vl\p.t¥ very early times it has been customary to count up the
having reference to Himself, two things must strike tis.
I value of the letters in some word or phrase so as to
identify it. w..ith a par.ticular.theological importance.
One of them is that upon these occasions He surely did
not mean to throw out literary hints having a poetic
L The Greek name of Jesus = 888.
-- ~ it;~ti~ip;ted
It is interesting to
"i~ s~ ";;anypiaces in the Old Testa-
beauty as illustrative of His life, but that He was
definitely disclosing the mysterious intention of God
ment. Dr Mahan's" Treatise on Mystical Numbers"
who had entrusted to the chosen people those oracles
(vide Mahan's Works, Vol. II.) goes at great length which He was now personally explaining according to
into this matter, as explained in various parts of Holy their highest, truest, and absolute meaning. The second
Scripture, but the application of this principle to the
is that He evidently expounded a much larger portion
Psalter does not appear to have attracted his special
of Holy Scripture than is covered by those notes of
attention, so that it is only a few of the instances here
His teaching which the New Testament contains. One
given which have been noticed by him. W.h~t is .re-
thing more: He plainly was not now for the first time
markable i~1..J!QLthat ".\\'9[gs .should occur in which ,~.he teaching them the mystical value of Holy Scripture.
number 888 is found, but that whenever the n~m"l?~t..i:>.
They were accustomed to see constant reference to
"found,""iCiilways -'(in" the 'cases discovered) .has some.
Messiah in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
special 'ref~reiKe to j esus Christ, His pro~ls_t;.~, !:E~
..._" Our Lord had only to teach them how that Messianic
_!~~~~I1.L"~-~~-:~p?iY.~f: '·'.A 'n'u~ber of instances wlfI be i"- meaning was fulfilled in Himself. He would give them
inserted in an Appendix to this volume, and no known t

instances. He would give them rules. Doubtless it

occurrence of this number has been set aside as being
was from those oral instructions that the Church learnt
unsuitable, , ;;
how to !P..t~pX~LSsr~pJ.4t~ ..my~!!cally as the early <.
. The number Fifteen is especially symbolical of Christ, Fathers did. ."."~,>,, •
We seem to see" an indication of that numerical sym-
The Jewish conceptions of the meaning of their
bolism in the fact that Elohim occurs fifteen times in
',.' Temple and its ritual must have been very erroneous.
Book I. of the Psalter, and Jehovah occurs thirty times
Alas! so it is even with us in the Christian Church.
I (2 XI 5) in Book I L, and forty-five times in Book III.
I How sadly at fault we are in our conception of Divine
I i
 ,.
)
20 E PIC C H A R ACT E R 0 F P SA LT E R LOOKING UP TO GOD 21
I mysteries, even when we have repeated words of Divine ,
I
\
underlie the facts. The sacred writers were guided t

\
truth with dogmatic accuracy.
more than our thoughts.
Our words contain
Ir
I)
call ~ur special attention to some fe~ instances tha~
we ~Ig~t learn to carry out the same principles whilst
But let us remember that those whom our Lord I' meditating upon other parts. It is not enough to know
I:
instructed had read their Hebrew Bibles with a much .:
\.
the Old Testament merely as a puzzle or a cipher I
i
deeper insight and a much clearer perception than we Our eyes mus.t ?e opened to gaze with loving experienc~ I
can have. The old Jewish teachers saw Messiah in all f upon .the Divine mysteries which shine through the '
..£a!!~.9.Lth~ 9:ld Test~ment, an~ nourished their hope iI narr~ttv:, and this can only be accomplished by devout \1
·r
of the coming Redeemer by many passages which in meditation ~nder the guidance of the Holy Ghost. I.
the present day Yle can scarcely be persuaded to receive
I
i
! The Jewish people did not accept Jesus Christ
in a Messianic signification. Many Psalms must have ~ecause ~e did not fulfil their carnal and debased
spoken to them of Christ in accordance with popular interpretations of Old Testament prophecy W
. '1 1 . . e are
explanation which we, through unfamiliarity with Jewish simi ar y 10 danger of rejecting the Old Testament
methods, fail to apply to Him. Our Lord was not in- ~ecause we st~p short at certain earthly fulfilments,
troducing a new theory of inspiration or exegesis. He m~tead of looking up to recognize God's will. Peo le
was using, and therefore sanctioning, illustrating, and think __~o gath~r their teaching entirely from th~ -~;
enforcing, although in many details He was also cor- .•T~sta~~n!, as If ~h~ Old were now of no use to u~.' It
rec~~~_~h~' mystical law o~ interpretation practised by ~~~.~!2.!:' The prophetic Scriptures cont~i~
~crll?~Qf'!Ij~ .Q~n_9ID'· the roots of the Christian faith, and unless we recognize
We may wonder that we have not more direct record the developments of God's promise as initiated at the
of our Lord's teaching upon this subject. St John gate of Paradise, we shall not be able to give a proper
cannot have failed to tell the faithful at Ephesus some welcome of grateful homage to the Word of God
of those things which our Lord said to himself and to Incarnate at ~ azar~th. God was training the chosen
St Andrew during the first day which they spent with people by. various rinterpositions during the interval,
Him. The teachings of the Great Forty Days must have a.nd our mm~s .must be trained to the spiritual apprecia-
been communicated to many. tt?n of the Divine accomplishment by the study of the
As we read the Old Testament, we cannot but long to hints provided in. type and mystery during those ages.
know how our' Lord explained various passages. Why We must. recognize God as speaking all along. We
are we not told more? must receive the words of Holy Scripture as being, not
The reason is plain. Facts as facts are of no value the mere words of man, but in very truth the Word of
7 ~~E-~piri~~~! !if~. If -'we-'knew aIr the incidents of God. So, and so only, can we attain to see the figure
. our Lord's life which Judas could have supplied, we of ~he Incarnate Son fulfilling the intention of the
should have been in no way benefited, if we had the a?clent covenant. We must feel the outline which is
heart of Judas all the while. What God requires is given to. u.s by Law-giver, Prophet, and Psalmist as being
that we should meditate upon the principles which truly Divine, and then we shall behold the Divine glory
 22 E PIC C H A R ACT E R 0 F P SA LT E R

of Him who fills that shadow with the living substance

of the covenant of grace.
The early Church was aware of this, and, consequently,
the Divine mysteries were never celebrated without
lengthened readings from the Law and the Prophets
when the Christians met together on the first day of
the week. How different is the modern' practice of
Western Christendom. We profess to lay much stress
upon attendance at Divine mysteries, but it is to be
feared we have little sense of what mystery means.
We do not join in Divine mysteries by exaggerated
effortso(-ihe mind to confess contrad{ctio~s. 'Our
~h~a;t~- ~~l~tbe absorbed in the jji~(ne mystery so thirt-
"wi-may be lifted out of the merely"intellectu'a( and
..flni!.~2:RRr.~h~!1.~!s~nof a spiritualClpd infinite 'realify.
The Church enjoins-upon" us 'the constant r-ecitation
of the Psalter, and unless we are taking part in this,
our attendance at other ordinances will be very formal

I~ and heartless. The more we practise ourselves in the

affectionate use of the Psalter the more shall we grow
in true communion with God. This is the school in
I which all saints have been trained. Thus may we hope
to advance through the reverent raptures of earthly
contemplation to the glorious vision of the heavenly
Sanctuary.
 BOOK I

PSALMS 1.-41.

THE INCARNATE REDEEMER

THE DOUBLE PREFACE

PSALMS 1.-2.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

THE SON OF MAN

Ps. I.-The Redemption of the world, the conquest of

Satan, was to be accomplished by man. This prefatory
Psalm therefore tells us of the true happiness of man,
that for which he was created, that which he naturally
seeks. In the great Psalm of Sacrifice he says, "Ears
hast Thou dug for me." His true self-oblation in Sacri-
fice was not to be in any act contrary to nature, but by
living true to the nature in which God had created him.
By the gift of hearing, it was manifest that his nature
was formed for obedience. In obeying God's law, there-
fore, he was to find his happiness. Man was to be
supreme over creation by being obedient to God
(I Cor. xv. 28).
That obedience was not to be mechanical but volun-
tary. It was to be an obedience in the midst of tempta-
tion. The counsel of the wicked would tempt his
reason. His obedience must be humble, so as to avoid
the deceitfulness of false reasoning. Social considera-
23

'/
 24 THE SON OF MAN
tions would tempt him by example and fellowship. His
obedience must be watchful and single-hearted, separate
from the world. Sloth would tempt him to acquiesce
in the avoidance of hardness. He must not therefore
sit in the seat of the scornful. His obedience must be
diligent. He must ever be doing his Father's will. His
obedience must be a loving obedience, for the voice of
God speaks in the heart to those who have ears to hear.
The law of the mind is God's voice speaking within, and
it must always be at one with the voice of God in
external revelation. His obedience must be an active
obedience-listening, cherishing, co-operating. So he
will exercise himself in the law of God day and night.
He did not spring out of the ground as the brute
animals. He is a supernatural being, placed upon the
earth, "transplanted." As he is in the Image of God,
his home is in the Bosom of God. He is planted by the
waterside, for God will make the stream of His grace to
supply him with necessary nourishment. That stream
will not dry up. So will he "bring forth much fruit,
and his fruit shall remain." Death has no power over
him. His leaf cannot wither, for he lives with the Life
of God, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper by the
Divine Word which moved him to the work.
Such is man's true existence by nature. N ow that sin
has entered into the world, and death by sin, righteous-
ness and hope are to be restored by Him who will live
true to this original constitution of nature, abiding in the
fellowship of God.
Such is the Righteousness of Christ, in Himself and in
His saints. The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous,
for it is a living way, living in fellowship with God by
the power of the Holy Ghost. God knows that which
..•
lives by His inspiration, and therefore it must live
I for ever. What does not originate in the Divine activity
THE DOUBLE PREFACE 25
\
perishes, for it is a thing of death. God sees it afar off.
He does not know it, for it is external to His Love.
The work of the Redeemer, therefore, is to gather a
peculiar people as the Lord's treasure, a race living true
to the ideal of man's original creation, created anew unto
good works, and doing that which is pleasing in His sight.
Ps. 2.-N 0 man can redeem his brother by human
power. The Redemption, therefore, although accom-
plished according to the truth of man's nature, must be
accomplished in the power of a higher life. The Re-
deemer must be the Son of God.
r The multitude of mankind are enslaved to vanity by
I
! the power of Satan, who robbed our first parents of the
t substantive reality of God. Mankind, therefore, are ever
I striving after vanity. They seek to gratify their own
independence, not knowing their nothingness. They do
not seek after God, for they know not that their true
substantive joy is to be found only in union with Him.
I .They resent the idea of subjection, not understanding
t that the true power of the creature is only to be found
i.
l'.< in subjection to the Creator.
ij
'>, They consequently reject the Redeemer. They "neither
~
know Him nor His Father." The Redeemer comes to
make them free by bringing them into subjection to
God. He is the true Man, because He is the Son of
God, having the life of God. He is the Messiah,
anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power.
As they will not accept the Son when He comes into
His own inheritance, they must be " miserably destroyed."
God has set His Incarnate Son as King, reigning in His
Name, upon His holy Hill of Zion. There He will show
Himself as the Divinely appointed Redeemer. "Out of
Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the Lord
from Jerusalem" (Isa. ii. 3)·
The purpose of our Lord's ministry was, therefore, to
 i;
~\

26 THE SON OF GOD PSALM I. 27

show Himself forth as the Son of God, not by external, reality under human form. "Blessed is he that thus
accidental surroundings or adjuncts, which did not change wisely discerns the Son of God under the form of weak-
man's nature, such as the glory of Moses' countenance, ness" (Ps. 4I. I). The Blessing with which Book I.
but by inward conformity to the will of Him who sent closes is equivalent to the admonition given in this
Him, and miracles of beneficence testifying to the Divine prefatory Psalm.
Life which was the Personal, vital principle of His restored Constantly we have to choose between Christ's weak-
Humanity. He came avowing Himself as the Son of ness and the power of the world. Blessed are" all they
God, to whom all must come that they" might have life ". that put their trust in Him." " The weakness of God is
(John v. 40). His kingdom would not fail, even though stronger than men" (I Cor. i. 25).
those to whom He came rejected Him. As the Son of
PSALM I.
God, He did not belong to anyone Nation, but all the
nations of the world belonged to Him. His Father UNION WITH CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE BODY
would therefore give Him a world-wide sovereignty. THE CHURCH
His Humanity was taken from the Virgin substance
ENTER into the joy of Jesus, as thou singest this Psalm. That
of His mother by the power of the Holy Ghost, and not
joy is the key-note of all the Psalms, the joy of fulfilling God's law.
by any act of parental co-operation. The Virgin was
The Spirit of God which gives the law, gladdens us in meditating
passive under the power of God. The Birth was a thereon. That joy lifts up the soul from the sorrows of this sinful
Divine mystery. world, joy unspeakable, only to be found in God, and never failing
He was therefore identified with the substance of all. to fill the heart wherein the law of God is written by the power of
humanity as a unit, He did not belong to this or the Holy Ghost.
Jesus came to manifest God's love to man by delivering us from
that nation, but equally to all mankind. So He says,
Satan, whose bondage held us down so that we could not fulfil
Whosoever will do the will of My Father which is in God's law. Jesus came to show forth in man that perfect love of
Heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother God whereby creation is lifted up out of its own nothingness so as
(Matt. xii. 50). Relationship to the Son of the Eternal to be worthy of the Creator. The happiness of man is a living
is founded not upon the accident of human person- happiness by reason of personal fellowship with the Creator, whose
ality, but upon the Divine communication of grace. law is its life.
Those who have not this living power of love have nothing
The ungodly shall not stand in the judgement. Messiah, whereon to rest. The mighty wind of Divine judgement must
as the Son of Man, will have all judgement committed drive them away. They were outwardly associated with the
unto Him. The multitudes of the world are but clay. faithful, but now they are separated forever.
He shall bruise them with a rod of iron. His saints , o Jesus, let Thy life-giving law be my strength, that in every
season of life I may be fruitful unto all holiness.. As Thou camest
partakers of His sovereignty, shall be the executors of
in the fulness of Divine Love to be a perfect Sacrifice, grant me, by
His vengeance, to bind the rebellious kings in chains and Thy Spirit, to know the joy of sacrifice in the obedience of heavenly
the nobles with links of iron (Ps. 149. 8). love. As Thou hast experienced the bitterness of my bondage in
Men must therefore come while it is time to the wisdom resistance to Satan's tyranny, so grant me to live in the joyousness
of faith. This spiritual discernment recognizes Divine of Thy freedom, doing always the Father's will.
 28
THE SON OF MAN
o the absorbing obedience of love! Thus must we be united
to Christ if we would rightly sing the Psalter. God's will our joy
on earth! Himself our joy in Heaven!
THE SON OF MAN.
The Happiness of the Righteous
1 Happy the man, by wicked craft ne'er led,
Not standing in the way where sinners tread,
N or sitting where the scoffers' couch is spread:
2 But in the Lord's pure law is his delight:
He meditates that law both day and night.
3 A tree well planted where full channels cheer,
Constant in fruit as each due month draws near,
And graced with leaf that fails not, year by year,-
Thus prosperous in all works shall he appear!
Christ, the one True Man. His life in God communicated
II
The Doom of the Ungodly
4 Not so, the loose, the wicked ones! Not so !
For these are as the chaff when whirlwinds blow!
5 When judged, the wicked shall not rise to boast,
Nor sinners 'midst th' assembled righteous host:
6 For well the Lord doth know the righteous way
But wicked men's vile way goes perishing for aye!
Mankind in their/allen state. Christ, the True Way. Final perdition
PSALM 2.
UNION WITH CHRIST AS THE ETERNAL
CHRIST the living Way! Blessed are they who know the
substantial glory of this inheritance. Psalm 2. knits together
Psalms I. I, and 119. I, by setting forth dogmatically the necessity of
attaining Divine Life through the mediation of Christ.
How empty are the things which the world so madly seeks!
Miserable blindness of the powers of the world opposing the
kingdom of Christ!
Open mine ears to hear Thy voice, 0 Lord. Thou hast ordained
the kingdom of thy dear Son, of one Substance with Thyself,
PSALM 2. 29
anointed with Thy Divine Power, and rejoicing in the Eternity of
ThyLove. He must come into the world and preach Himself as
the Only Saviour (John iii. 16; v. 39).
This is "the Decree" which is entrusted to Him, and He must
maintain it against all gainsayers. He calls all nations to the
"obedience of faith" (Rom. i. 5).
We must give ourselves to Him as this obedience requires.
Pray for His kingdom to be extended. "Thy kingdom come!"
Learn to long for this coming, to labour for it, to live for it, and, if
it may be so, to die for it.
"Kiss the Son of God" with sacramental rapture and self-
surrendering hope.
Jewish kings did not claim world-wide sovereignty. They
looked forward for the promise made to Abraham to be fulfilled in
Messiah. * In Psalm 72., this initial promise of the world-wide
kingdom is exhibited as having a typical development in Solomon's
kingdom.
Other nations look back to legends of their Divine origination.
in the covenant 0/gr4ce. The Jews alone, while having a purer consciousness of Divine
origin by creation and national election than any other nation,
looked forward for a glorious future surpassing all the past.
The extension of Christ's kingdom throughout all nations is
not only a phenomenon of Divine Power, but is shown to be truly
Divine, because it was foreseen, foretold, expected, throughout
preceding ages. The expectation given by God ratifies the
consummation as being wrought by God.
THE SON OF GOD.
o/the wicket!.
1 Why do Gentiles toss and trouble-
Masses meditating bubble?
SON OF GOD
2 Kings of earth so stoutly rise?
Chiefs, establish'd as allies,
Spurn the Lord? His Christ despise?
3 "Wrench we now their bonds, they say!
Cast we now their cords away! "
Tlte world's emptiness. E1Jerytlting opposed to Christ is but a 1JapOttr.
N.D.-Tilt Psalter begins .uitlt announcing tllC enmity 0/ tlte Sled 0/ the serpent
against tlte Seed a/tile woman.
* Christ, i.e., Messiah only here in Hebrew, but occurring- in Daniel vi. Also c./.
Pss. 18. 5', 20. 7.
30 THE SON OF MAN

II

4 Hear Him high in Heaven deride I

See! The Master mocks their pride!
5 Then what angry thunders roll ! 1
Fiery blasts dismay their soul!
6 "I my King have formed of old,
I
i

Zion's holy hill to hold!" i

T'Iu: world's God speaks.
j
d001l/,
FIRST QUINDECAD
l
'~
III
PSALMS 3.-17.
7 I record the Lord's decree, r
"Thou, My Son! "-He speaks to Me-
" I this day give birth to Thee!
.'I~·
,I
INTRODUCTOR Y NOTE
8 Ask! I'll give, as fits Thy birth,
Gentile hosts! Yea! Seize the earth!
9 Iron be Thy sceptred sway!
!
1
THE OUTLINE OF THE COMING STRUGGLE

Dash them down like potter's clay." Ps. 2. has announced that the Blessed One of the
The Decree which Messiah proclaims. The Gospe/spread tl,roug/tOnt the world.
The judgement exercised by the OnlrEegotten, begotten in tIle Day 0./ Eternity. Psalter is to be a Divine Champion, not only fulfilling
God's law, but meeting the world's opposition while
IV claiming the Divine Sonship.
10 Now then, Kings, in prudence bend! Ps. 3.-We see Him now coming forth to the conflict.
Earth-born judges, warn'd, attend! Those who oppose Him despise Him: but He is the
1I Serve the Lord with rev'rent fear,- Seed of Abraham, to whom after his slaughter of the
Aw'd, but with exulting cheer!
kings God revealed Himself as a Shield and a Reward
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and ye perish on the way!
If His sudden anger blaze to whelm His foes in fierce (Gen. xv. I). Jesus in His conflict avows that Jehovah
dismay, is His Shield and His Glory. He will conquer in Divine
Happy all who fly for refuge to His sure protecting sway! strength. So will He, the Salvation of the Lord, make
The prophetic admonition. The prudence 0./ ./aitl. sees the Eternal acting under all nations to be blessed as God promised to A braham.
tlte feebleness or the present,
Ps. 4.-His strength is Divine, His Human Life is all

I
~
,
i,
prayer. Those round about Him look to earthly tokens
of power. They ridicule the life of Divine confidence;
Jesus, as the Saint of God, is separate from the world,
for the accomplishment of God's purpose.
but

Amidst the
provocation of sin we are not to be disturbed, but abide
with God in devotion. God will prevail. Safety is sure.
Ps. 5. -The daily strife begins with daily oblation.
Each morning anticipates the acceptance of the resurrec-
81
 32 THE COMING STRUGGLE
tion morn. The kingdom of God is growing to its
completeness. God will destroy His enemies. The
Tabernacle of God will be seen as the Palace of the
Great King. God's servant looks to be led forward in
righteousness, while He is surrounded by the ungodly
mouth-pieces of rebellion. God's blessing will surround
I Him , and all the Communion of saints will be gathered
round about Him to praise God's Name.
Ps. 6.-He is come to gather those who love God's
Name from the hateful bondage of rebellion. In so doing
He has to bear their sin as if it were His own, for the
salvation which He brings is no mere external deliver-
ance, but a gathering up of hearts, corrupted in rebellion
that they may be renewed in righteousness by the infusion
of His own Life to bless them.
He cannot purge their sin without feeling it as if it
were His own. The healing which He has to communi-
cate must be a living power, rising up within Himself
with continual renewal. His Manhood would be ex-
hausted under its earthly conditions. He has to taste
death for every man, being made sin for us. He feels
the sin because He abides in this righteousness. The
righteousness which shall quicken His elect must first of '
all be experienced in Himself before He can communi-
cate it. His Nature is worn out. Can He praise God
if He dies? In dying He shall not die. He shall
conquer death. He will bid the ungodly depart in
shame, for He Himself will find the glory of the Triune
God as His reward.
Ps. 7.-Satan is the lion who seeks to rend His Soul,
seeing Him thus bowed down to death. He pleads His
innocence against the Accuser. He knows that His
sufferings are not the result of His own personal sin.
He has even acted as a benefactor to His enemies. So
He has been true to His Divine Mission and claims that
FIRST QUINDECAD 33
death shall not rob Him of His glory. No. He appeals
for the resurrection. Then He will gather round Him
the saints whom He has redeemed.
The judgement shall follow: God who was His shield
during the struggle, will stablish Him upon the promised
Throne of Judgement.
Satan, the murderer, shall be cast into the abyss.
So will Jesus be glorified as the Son of God, in the
fulness of Divine Righteousness.
Ps. 8.- Thus He attains the predestination of man,
who was created in God's Image to rule as sovereign
over all God's works, and is now seen triumphant over
all evil.
Ps. 9.-He sits upon the Father's Throne.
The ungodly who would not accept His Mission must
perish. Jerusalem becomes the symbol of the curse,
as Shiloh of old (Jer. xxvi. 6). The judgement beginning
at the House of God will spread through the :world.
The Lord sits upon His Eternal Throne, judging by the
Man whom He has ordained as the high tower of refuge
for the faithful.
He pleads as the Goel for His people, and praises
God that He has been raised from death to the Throne
of Judgement, and the enemies who rejected Him are
punished in their own works.
This judgement is to teach men their weakness, and it
prepares for the judgement of the last day both in its love
and in its severity.
Ps. 10.-The days of Antichrist seem to defy God's
sovereignty. Antichrist boasts in proud atheistic self-
sufficiency, crushing the poor and helpless. Messiah
calls for God to assert Himself, that He may arise and
complete the deliverance of the meek.
Ps. I I.-The condition of the Church during this time
is such that the unbelieving look upon it as a failure j
VOL. II, C
 THE COMING STRUGGLE
34
but the Triune Lord in His Heavenly Palace is putting
mankind to proof. The wicked will be abundantly
punished, and the righteous will have a full reward in
the Beatific Vision.
Ps. 12.- The Church seems to be obliterated from the
earth. The smooth treachery of civilisation makes the
poor and feeble helpless. . I
Now God will arise. His promises are sure amidst
sevenfold trial. However much villainy may degrade
the world, the Lord knoweth them that are H is, and will
keep them from harm.
Ps. 13.-Messiah pleads for God to give Him life, so
that the power of darkness may not overwhelm Him.
Ps. 14..,-He has looked with Divine scrutiny, and sees
all men utterly corrupt. But now this fear must burst
upon them. He is come to accomplish the restoration
of Israel. Now, then, God's covenanted people shall
have their joy made full.
Ps. 15.- This sets forth the moral character of the
Champion who has suffered amongst men, and is now
exalted in Divine Life to the Throne of Judgement upon
God's Holy Hill.
In Ps. 8.-He was called to the glory of man's Pre-
destination .. Now He has been judged in His earthly
struggle on behalf of God, and has been approved.
Ps. 16.-Messiah looks to God, acknowledging that no
human merit could win for Him such exaltation. Others
wed themselves to various false objects of worship. He
rests upon God, and looks to no other object of
reliance but the consubstantial Godhead which He
inherits as the Eternal Son. This has been the secret
of His Wisdom and of His Strength. He therefore
does not fear to die, His flesh, though laid in the grave,
shall not see corruption. He looks to be exalted to
God's Right Hand in glory for evermore.
PSALM 3. 35
Ps. I7.-He praises God for His acceptance. He has
been thoroughly tried, and found to be thoroughly true.
The Word of God has been the perfect stay of His life
. , amidst the tyranny of the world.
I He has been jealous for God, and He looks for God to
hide Him under the shadow of His wings.
The people of the world boast of their power like their
father, the devil, and seek to destroy the meek.
. Messiah's portion is in God. The world's portion is
to the world. That which they have they must leave.
!Ie lo?ks to ~wa~e from death, and find His perfect and
Im~enshable JOY to that He is the Image of God, called
to live for evermore with Divine Life.
PSALM 3.
FOLLOWING CHRIST AMIDST DIFFICULTIES
A Psalm of David, when he .fled from his son, A bralom
AN~ increase of difficulties round about us must make us look for
the increase of grace to strengthen us for the victory. We
I k for salvati . Christ, unless by His power we have become
cannot
00 or sa vation In
conquerors ove.r many foes. We may be tempted to think there is
no help. for us in God. Jesus wants us to trust Him . TIle S"pint
. who raised up Christ, our Head, from the grave will raise u
also if we are abiding in Him. 's up
I Jesus.is enfthr?n.edas Me.diator on the heavenly Zion. \Ve plead
the ments 0 HIS mtercession, and whatever we ask in HI's
tl '11' name,
. ie F at h er WI give. We can rejoice in tribulations if we rejoice
in Go.d. Every deepening e~perience of death will bring to us an
expen~nce of better resurrection, higher, heavenlier joy.
C.hnst ~as shown ?ow powerless the hosts of darkness are
agamst Himself. He IS·our true Light and our 9alvatio Th
C.ross whiICh told of shame and sin, now tells of His n. erfecte
nghteousness and glory. p
Satan strove to devour Christ, but he was obliged to flee away
from the Cro~s discomfited. His teeth were broken, for he could
not take the . .life of the Incarnate Son of God . So al so h e cannot
take our life If We have Christ living within us. He seeks whom
 THE COMING STRUGGLE PSALM 4. 37
he may devour, but he cannot take away the life of Christ from the
members of Christ who hold fast to Him as their Head. Christ's PSALM 4.
blessing rests upon His people, for they are one with Himself.
THE BLESSEDNESS OF DYING WITH CHRIST

CHRIST ENTERING UPON HIS STRUGGLE To the Precentor. On Neginoth. A Psalm of Dauid
The Mockery oJ Unbelievers THE soul overwhelmed in struggle with sin, cries to the righteous
God, desiring to be absorbed in Him, and made partaker of that
0 Lord," what multitudes against me press,
2
righteousness which is in Him alone. That righteousness tran-
Multitudes rising in rebelliousness!
scends all human effort. It is a new creation, for, although
3 Multitudes at my soul say mockingly,
Salvation God has none for such as He I Selah. exercised in human form, it is the very Life of God. So we are
David driuen away by Absalosn. f esus rejected by Israel, Our Itnlggle againlt
made "the righteousness of God in Christ," not by accidental
sin, Ihe nuortd, and Ihe devil. All the people are laid to rotkn» Absalom, effort, but by the substantive operation of the Holy Ghost, the
Spirit of Christ, working within us.
The proud world shuts itself out of this Divine righteousness. It
Confidencein Divine Support
does not seek" righteousness by faith." It does not discern, and
4 But Thou, Lord," as a Shield 1 art round me spread, therefore does not appropriate and use the Divine power which is
My glory,2 and th' uplifter of my head.t given to us as the members of Christ. The natural heart only
5 With voice unto tlf"e Lord I make my cry, looks to natural excellences. It delights in the emptiness of
And from His Holy Hill He gives reply. Selah. worldly wealth, the falsehood of human praise. It knows not God.
TI" power '!f J tIIlI made manifeII in Had es. The world knows us not, because it knew not Christ. We must
not shrink from the reproach of the Cross, nor seek the satisfaction
of earthly vengeance.
Calmness amidst Enemies
The world wants to see some fruit of its religion. Enough for
6 I, a1l the while, lie calmly down and sleep: us to wait until the Light of God's countenance shines upon us.
Calmly I wake! The Lord with care doth keep. The world mocks the Church for its failures, and yet it is only from
7 I will not fear though peoples round me rise, Christ that the world has learnt what is truly good. Christ did not
With ranks of myriads ranged in threatening guise. promise immediate success, but He gave gifts of grace which
of Christ. should work secretly, and issue in final glory for those who will
I Tlu deat/e and resurrection OUY own security in Him.
share the present weakness. Sweet is the music of the soul which
rests in Him, dead to the world and hidden in God. Sweet
Callfor the Manifestation of Divine Power
loneliness! Alone with Jesus I Safe in Him!
8 Rise! Lord," my God! For my Salvation fight!
My foes upon the cheekbone dost Thou smite, THE PEACEFUL DEATH OF GOD'S CHOSEN ONE
Shivering the teeth of wicked men with might!
2 Now at my cry, my righteous God, reply I :
9 Salvation still belongs unto the Lord!
Thou hast enlarged me, bound in misery:
Thy blessing on Thy people sha1l be pour'd! Selah.
Be gracious 2 now and hear 3 my litany.
The overlhrow 0/ world~y powerI by Christ's resurrection, The final tn'"""'h 0" The appeal a/lite redemud soul,
'he faithful.

3 Brave men! My glory will ye yet blaspheme?

Bubbles ye love: of lies ye fondly dream. Selah.
 1
~.
\
THE COMING STRUGGLE "P SA LM S. 39

4 The Lord I by wonders sets the saint apart: some degree that Love which is the very Essence of God, the
The Lord 2 will hear my cry, my trustful heart. glorious Act whereby the Father and the Son rejoice in the Pro-
S Anger is due, but, let not sin molest: cession of that Holy Spirit Who has come to earth in order to be
Rest in your bed's heart-converse! Silent rest! Selah. their Life. The Divine Life is an impenetrable halo wherein they
David to f oao and Eis brd"r~n. God's r~fresentative must share the Divine are kept safe from all the power of their enemies.
anrer at sin, but nnat not sin through hUl1tan anger. II Tlu wrath of tlu Lamb." How much our prayers suffer through want of expectation. "When
ye pray, believe that ye receive, and ye shall have" (Mar. ii. 24).
6 With righteous sacrifices now make haste, We must live more truly in Christ. Sacrifice is an act of com-
And in the Lord a your changeless trust be placed! munion with God, and the more we live in the merits of Christ's
7 Multitudes say, "Well! after all, what good?" sacrifice, the more must we feel its power with a deepening sense of
Lord, lift o'er us Thy Face with lightsome flood! gratitude for the past, and sublimer consciousness of the mediation
8 Thou giv'st my heart a joy untold, that ne'er of the present, and an intenser gaze into the eternity of the future.
Their harvest's plenty nor their vintage share.
Eucharistic sacrifices. The Bread and Wine 0/ Heaven, betttr tI,an any produce TIlE MORNING SONG OF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE
o/earth.
Eucharistic Presentation of the Risen Sauiour' s Merits
9 In peace I lay me down, and sleep unmoved,
2 Listen I to my utterance, Lord!
For Thou, Lord, Thou, alone to be beloved,
To my meditative rapture now Thy full regard afford 2 !
Hast call'd me thus to dwell with trust well-proved.
3 To my voice, appealing loudly, hearken 3 Thou, my God, my King,
The Divine Peace found in Christ.
For to Thee my prayer I bring.
4 Lord,' 'tis morn! My voice Thou hearest, voice that wakes and
PSALM 5. shall not die.
Thus my gifts at mom I order, looking up for Thy reply.
PLEADING CHRIST'S SACRIFICE AS A LIVING POWER
To the Precentor. Upon Nehz'loth. A Psalm of Dauid. The Purity of Christ's Oblation
MEDITATE upon the sacrifice of Christ which is the fulfilling of the 5 Sin-stain'd gifts to Thee, great Godhead! no delight can ever
law. In the power of that sacrifice let thy words ascend to God. g ive :
He is the Lion who has triumphed. He is the Ram with seven Nought of wrong with Thee can live.
horns upon Mount Zion. He is King and Priest. Set in order 6 Boasters shall not in Thine eyesight stoutly keep their bold
before God the merits of His oblation. Look up with confidence. estate:
God will not say thee Nay (Rev. v.6). Villain-workers Thou dost hate.
Let God hear thy voice rising from the night of sin and death in 7 Thou wilt bring to swift perdition all who speak the lying word!
the early morning of grace as a child of the resurrection. Flee Yea, the man of guile and bloodshed is abhorrence to the Lord.
from the world in thine heart, as Lot fled from Sodom.
Christ shall lead thee onward in righteousness. Put away from Self-Oblation in Christ
thyself all the imaginations of the carnal heart. Consider how
deceitful are all those carnal affections and lusts which seek to 8 In Thy mighty mercy's guidance I will to Thine House come
separate thee from Christ. Claim thy portion in the song of joy near,
which those alone can sing who are redeemed unto God. They Bowing tow'rds Thy Holy Temple, reverential in Thy fear.
who live with Christ have a perpetual Eucharist (Rev. xiv. 3). 9 Lord.rrnidst many fierce aggressors,lead me in Thy righteousness!
They who know the power of the regenerating Spirit love the Yea, make plain Thy way before me, onward where Thou bid'st
Name of God. They are baptised into it, and they experience in me press.
40 THE COMING STRUGGLE PSALM 6. 41

10 Help! For nought he speaks is stedfast! Ruin fills their whereby He abides in the Divine embrace. Had He ceased from
inward parts! this, He would have lost His Divine life, for the act of the human
Like a yawning grave their throat! Their tongue so smooth will was as necessary to the hypostatic union as the power of the
with treach'rous arts! Divine will.
In Ps. 5. He was seen as the Righteousness of the elect. Now
The Redeemer speaks as the Appointed Judge He appears as being of one substance with all our sinful race, bear-
ing the iniquity of us all, and having to contend with our slavery.
II God! convict them! By their schemings let their fall more He must bear the outward death which Satan exacts from his slaves.
:,
fatal be! This cry shows Him as possessing a Life which the outward death
Hurl them down, so oft transgressing, for they have rebe\l'd at could not destroy.
Thee! We must not complain of the weariness of our slavery, but look
12 Joy be theirs who seek Thy refuge-shouts, that ring with up constantly to God as Jesus looked up. The Holy Spirit which
ceaseless claim! Jesus gives is the power enabling us.
Thy protecting power be o'er them! Glad be all that love Thy
Name!
THE SIN·BEARER
13 On the Righteous One Thy Blessing, sworn of old, shall aye
abound: 2 Lord, smite me not in angry guise,
Thou, 0 Lord," with Thy good pleasure, like a shield, wilt close N or in relentless wrath chastise!
him round. 3 Grace, Lord, I ask, who withering lie !
Health, Lord !-Dismay'd, my bones are dry!
PSALM 6. 4 My soul is sore dismay'd with wrong!
But, Lord, for Thee I wait !-How long?
THE PENITENT IN HIS BONDAGE
Christ appeals to the Triur •• Godfor the healing 0./ """,an natu •.e.
PENITENTIAL I
5 0 Lord, return! My soul set free!
To the Precentor, Upon Strittged instruments. Upon Sheminith.
0, for Thy mercy, save Thou me!
A Psalm of David.
6 In death Thy memory cannot live:
THINK of thy state of abomination before God, as born in sin. And who in Sheol Thy thanks can give?
Seek the grace which God has provided in Christ and the healing 7 I am worn out with ceaseless sighs:
power of the Holy Ghost, that thou mayest find in God's holy My pallet nightly floating lies:
discipline a chastening worthy of His love, and not a vengeance My bed with tear-floods liquefies.
such as, but for that love, must have been thy doom. 8 What sorrow-moths mine eye consume,
Jesus suffered beneath thy burden. Invoke His fellowship. He Abandon'd to th' oppressor's gloom!
will restore to thee the Divine Presence which Adam lost. His Ckrill shares man's death but looks tltrough deal/I. to tlu resurrection,
Soul, which desired to be set free from the burden of our weary
flesh, will be the healing power for thine own soul, if thou bewailest 9 Ye villain-workers! Hence! Away!
the taint of sin which makes thee so often sink beneath that burden. The Lord 1 hath heard what sobs can say!
The Psalmist contemplates death as being alienation from God. 10 The Lord 2 hath heard my cry for grace;
By death Satan holds us in slavery. Christ has taken the form of The Lord S will give my prayer a place!
a slave. Yet He is ever doing the Father's will. He pleads that II Shamed, sore dismay'd, my foes in fright
the indignation may be removed which belongs to human nature Turn back to sudden, shameful flight!
by reason of that slavery, This continual prayer is the human act TriulIlpltQ1Zt praise to tlte Triune. So Ilu soldiers 0/ the Resurrection.
42 THE COMING STRUGGLE
PSALM 7.
HIDING IN THE GRAVE OF JESUS
Shigg'iiion of David, which he sallg to the Lord "pan the Words of .
Cush.the Benjamit«.
As Shimei cursed David, so must thou expect the world to curse
thee, and reproach thee with thy past sins, if thou seekest to be
penitent, flying from the world along with Christ. Nevertheless,
take refuge with Jesus trustfully. Fly from the Jerusalem of
earthly praise. Follow Jesus beyond the Jordan of death. Lose
thyself in Jesus. Meekly to bear in this world the consequences of
our sin is the true discipline whereby thou shalt obtain God's
blessing.
Commit thyself to God's keeping. If wrongfully accused, bear
it. What does man's judgement matter! God will gather His
saints round about Him in judgement hereafter. Then shalt thou
be established in righteousness, if thou art true to Christ. Thy
righteousness is that to which He calls thee by grace. Christ is
the Righteous One whose covenant cannot fail. God's righteous-
ness is eternal.
This is thy true sphere of judgement. Those who will not
acknowledge this tribunal now, must feel its power when the fiery
arrows come forth with destruction.
The world is toiling for mischief, and the fruit of its travail is
only disappointment. The world is the great lie, seeming to be
what it is not. Its prince is the liar. What he does now to hurt
thee will recoil upon himself.
Thou art buried with Christ. Thank God for the righteousness
of Christ which He has given to be thy life. Thou wast Satan's
bond-slave. The Son has made thee free. Live in the freedom of
the sons of God. So canst thou praise the name of the Lord most
High wherein thou art new born.
Nothing that loveth or maketh a lie can follow thee into the
heavenly Jerusalem. There shalt thou praise God who has called
thee by His name to rise to the glory of predestinating Love,
whereby He created Man at the beginning.
PSALM 7- 43
CONQUEST OF SATAN BY THE DESCENT INTO HELL
2 0 Lord my God,' my refuge is in Thee:
Save me from my pursuers l Set me free!
3 Lest like a lion he my soul should tear!
He rends! And none comes nigh to free from fear.
Safity of Christ, not by human innocence, but by His Divine Nature. Satan
watchin~ for th« Soul of Jesus. He is tlte lion of death. He is the antagonist of lite
Lion of Lift. Ihe Lion of Judal.. 7'he appeal is double, as in Ps. 22. 2.
4 0 Lord my God,2 if such mine act has been,
If stain of malice on my hands be seen,
5 If gentle peace I e'er with wrong repaid-
I freed th' oppressor when vain charge he made !-
6 Lei my pursuing foe my soul o'ertake,
And trample down to earth my life, and make
My glory dwell in dust, no more to wake. Selah.
Tlu hU11lan lift and the Divine glory. Satan cannot taA.~eaway tire Diuine g-lory
while Jews abides in th« Divine holiness. Verse 10 compldes tlte tltreefold ajpeal as
Ps, 22. II.
7 Rise,' Lord," in anger's fulness terrible:
Lift up Thyself.s th' oppressor's wrath to quell :
Awake 3 to me, ordaining judgement well!
8 Let gather'd masses troop around thy might,
And at their head return Thou to the height,
9 So Lord," redress the people! Lord," judge me,
With righteousness enrobed and perfect purity.
AjJpealfor uindication to the Triune Godhead. Christ ascending a.t the head oftlu:
saints.
10 Thus let the wicked all their wrong give o'er,
But make the righteous firm for evermore!
The hearts and reins Thy sounding blows explore,
Thou, God,3 the Righteous One, whom we adore ..
7'lufinal judgemmt manifesting the Divine righteousness ofCh,.,'st ..
II God bears my shield: no power of ill can harm:
He saves th' upright in heart from all alarm.
12 God is a righteous Judge, and every day
\ . The Godhead's anger foams, though vengeance stay.
13 With well-ground sword He smites/.le. stubborn foe!
With firm-fixt aim He bends the I !rnng bow :-
14 Yea! fixt to strike Him, points the shafts of death!
His arrows barb'd with flames He fashioneth !
God uses tIle />ow~rs of evil as instruments for tryi'1lg' His saints. TI,e Righteous-
ness of Christ, tlze only Righteous One, nrust b, proved 10 be witltin 'If. Cod's pro-
tecting care of His people in Ihdr struggle.
 'f;
,.
r-,
r

44 THE COM I N G S T R U GG.:LE PSA LM 8. 45

15 Behold him travailing with villainy,
Conceiving mischief, bringing forth a lie!
16 He hollow'd out the snare, dug deep the pit
He made the chasrn l Himself fell into it !
17 His mischief shall return to his own crown :-
On his own scalp his cruelty corne down.
18 Thanks to the Lord for all His righteousness!
His name as Lord Most High my Psalm shall bless.
Sa/an proposing to destroy man, only worlts his oum overthrow.
triu11lJllt .>/good.
salvation which I have to work, the throne which I have to win"
(Ps. 22. I). This Psalm beholds that throne. Messiah was to merit
it as man by human struggle. He inherited it as God by Divine
Birth. So Ps. 2., Heb i. 3, 4, indicated. We, in saying this Psalm,
must remember that the fight has to be continued by ourselves,
each one, in the power of grace, although the victory is the gift of
redeeming Love (I John v, 4; I Cor. xv. 57).
Newborn in the name of Christ, we are" the children of the
Tire lillal light" (Eph. v. 8). When Christ comes again from Heaven, He
shall be glorified as the Son of Man, and we shall be glorified in
Him (2 Thess. i. 12).

PSALM 8.
CORONATION OF MANHOOD IN CHRIST
THE REGENERATING COVENANT 2 0 Lord, our Master! Name of might!
To the Precentor upon Gittith. A Psalm of David.
Thy brilliance robes all earth with light,
Who now-! Yea, o'er the heavens be bright!
THIS Psalm is the fulfilment of the vow made in the preceding. 3 Sucklings and babes thou makest strong!
o the unspeakable glory of the Divine Name! The Psalmist Their mouth, amidst th' oppressor's throng,
relapses into silence. He breaks off in his utterance, for that of Shall hush the foe self-helped in wrong.
which he would speak is what has not entered into the heart of Christ invoked to ascend in I{lory. .Growth of the Church by Infant Baptism.
man to conceive. It is above the heavens.
Praise God that He has chosen the weak things of the world to 4 The'heavens I view, Thy fingers' skill,
confound the mighty, children to be regenerated and gathered into Moon, stars, firm fixt by Thy great will.
the heavenly choirs. 5 Why dost thou thus frail ma~urvey ?
Ask for a childlike heart. God has sent His Son to be born as Why visit thus the child of cia ?-
a child upon the earth. Now He is exalted far above all gods. 6 Awhile Thou mak'st him want t e bliss Divine,
This Psalm speaks of the exaltation of Messiah to the Divine
Sovereignty. The two Psalms following tell of the Judgement.
He lifts us up to sit with Him upon His Throne as He, Personally
I
If,
r '
creation.
Soon, with majestic glory crown'd, to shine!
Gnd tlte Son uisiting: man by humbling
Man's Draine predestination.
Himself to our iou: estate. /O,I,,,,'s eartMy

in our manhood, is seated upon the Throne of the eternal Godhead,

a throne not of created splendour but of Divine fellowship. 7 O'er all Thy works Thou giv'st him sway-
A new heaven and a new earth! There is a hope awaiting the Crouch'd at his feet bid'st all obey,
whole creation. That hope is to be fulfilled by the exaltation of 8 Sheep, oxen, all that serve his home,
the new race of man, the redeemed in Christ. In the Sabbath of Monsters that o'er the prairie roam,
that Day of Peace, the power of the prince of this world will be 9 Heav'n's wing-borne tribes, sea's tenantry,
hushed. God avenges H is people, and the self-avenger of earth That traverse paths of many a sea.
shall be no more (Rom. viii. 2 I). Man's soverdgnty to be developed in Divine fulness, wk.n the saints reign with Christ.

Here we have the Psalmist amazed in contemplating man's pre-

destination, the glory of the throne that is to be won by man. He 10 0 Lord, our Master, Name of might,
will ask hereafter, "Why hast Thou left me to struggle alone against Thy brilliance robes all earth with light.
the enemy. My weakness seems incompatible with the predestined 7Ju I{lory of God maniji:st i" t"~rel{<n"'4tion,
46 THE COM I N G S T RUG G L E PSALM 9· 47
/'
The wicked are cast into hell. The poor, the people of Christ,
PSALM 9. are avenged. Christ is seen triumphant in judgement.
The Psalms have to be sung in union with Christ as the
THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S COVENANTED LOVE
Champion of Divine Truth against the powers which" now hold the
ALPHABETICAL I world in thrall: We cannot rejoice in Christ as the Lord our
Righteousness unless we also rejoice in the judgement to be exerted
To the Precentor. 011 th~ Death of the Son. A Psalm of David. against the powers of darkness.
Unbelievers who rebel against the doctrine of God's punitive
THIS is the first Alphabetical Psalm. judgement illustrate the necessity of the very truth which they deny.
It is noticeable that the Alphabetical Psalms always follow upon Evil must be hated.
Psalms which point to the attainment of man's predestined glory. They themselves blindly hate evil as they suppose it to be in
This Psalm follows Psalm 8., the primary Psalm of man's pre- God. They conceive of evil as if God were in some way under the
destination. As man fell away from his true end, the Alphabetical possibility of its influence and hampered by the vague supremacy of
Psalm is imperfect and broken, showing that the intended order of darkness. They blaspheme God's goodness which hates all evil.
the universe has not been attained. The Jewish covenant perished They ought to hate evil along with God. In God there can be
through unbelief (Ps. 9.), and the Christian consummation is marred no evil, nor does evil baffle Him, although it baffles our finite
by Antichrist (Ps. 10). Had man been true, Psalm 9. would have imagination. Evil deserves punishment and must receive it.
told of the Divine exaltation of the Son of Man as the predestined In this present world good and evil are mixed. We see nothing
Head of Creation. In consequence of man's sinful unbelief, Psalm 9. that can be wholly loved or simply hated. Evil is that which is
has to speak in other language. It is "On the Death of the Son." separate from God, self-asserting itself against God. Good is that
That death is the doorway of His exaltation. which is at one with God, living in God, the only object of love
The Psalm begins with a Gloria. The Son of God has passed either to God or to man.
through death to life. He will come again in judgement. Satan
and all Christ's enemies shall flee. The presence of the Father in
manifest glory with all His holy angels shall encompass Him. GOD COMING IN JUDGEMENT TO DELIVER IllS PEOPLE
The destruction of Jerusalem for rejecting the Son of God is
the type of all destruction awaiting the ungodly. The Jews are 2 ~ With all my heart I thank the Lord,
here called Gentiles, for they have become as Gentiles by rejecting ~ Yea, all Thy wonders would record.
Messiah. "The death of the Son" shows that they are not the 3 ~ My joy, my gladness, spring from Thee!
children of Abraham. Had they been so, they would not have ~ Thy Name, Most High, my psalm shall be!
sought to kill Him (John viii. 40). Tlu JJivin~ Nall1C lIlt strengtlt. o/tllt Incarnate Son.

The world perishes in its pride, despising the meek. They may
crush the faithful for a season, but they must bear the bitter con- 4 J How turn my foes in sore disgrace!
sequences. They stumble, perish, at Thy Face.
The Incarnate Son comes to avenge upon Satan the death of Thou wrought'st redress and judgement: Yea!
Adam, the predestined Son of God. He comes as the Goel. He Thou, righteous Judge, sit'st throned for aye!
is our Brother in the flesh. By the very act of dying He pursues 6 ~ Thou hast rebuked ' the Gentiles! Thou
the murderer into the other world and crushes his head. Hast made 2 the wicked one lie low!
So the heavenly Zion wherein Christ is praised shall abide in the Thou blott'st 3 their name that none may know.
grace of Christ, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against the 7 i1 The foe consum'd ! Their homes laid waste!
Church. Pluck'd up by Thee! From mind erased!
. [Selah. Music expresses the wild terror of the judgement.] SO II" Jews Id' backward wlten He said, I AM, Tit_ d(Slruction 0/ Jtrusa!em .

THE COMING STRUGGLE
8 , So sits the Lord I for evermore,
His throne firm-fixt for judgement sure,
9 To judge the world in righteous,ness,
Masses uprightly to redress.
Tlu whole world subfect' to Divine Prouidencc.
10' Lord 2! for the crush'd one be a Tower,
In sorrow's tides, a Tower of power!
II Who know Thy Name, Lord," trust in Thee,
Who ne'er forsak'st Thy devotee.
The covenant if God's Namc a "cfugefor
12 Sing to the Lord I on Zion's throne!
To peoples wide His deeds make known!
13 He sues the murderer, heeds their tale,
Forgets not, when th' afflicted wail.
Christ, the Goc!, to avcn![Con Satan the death 0.1His brelhrt,..
14 n Grace, Lord 2 !-My haters' insults see!
From gates of death Thou liftest me,
15 Thy praise in Zion's gates to tell,
As saved by Thee, exulting well.
Tlte exultation iftl" resurrection-lifr in the f..cavmly Zion.
16 t:) How Gentiles sink in chasms they made!
Their feet are snared in nets they laid.
17 The Lord 3 is known by judgement strict:
The wicked by his works is wreck'd. Higgaio1t. Selah.
Tlte doom 0.1tlte persecutors. Tltt JroJS pen'slt by tlte Romans,
18 , To Sheol the wicked turn in fret,
All Gentile hearts that God forget!
19 The poor shall -iot forgotten yield:
Th' afflicted shall have hope fulfill'd.
The separation at ttu last day.
20 i' Rise, Lord! Let not frail man be strong!
In Person judge the Gentile throng!
2 [ Place terror, Lord, for them to see!
Let Gentiles learn frail men to be! Selah.
Th~ 'llJr.a!..'JUSS of men in I!t~ day oj God's peWitr,
'{"i
-I"
'.:,
;
, I~
,.
PSALM 10. 49
PSALM 10.
THE NEED OF STEADFAST HOPE IN DAYS OF APOSTASY
ALPHABETICAL 1.-( Concluded.)
THE faithful soul complains of being left alone. It seems as if the
promise respecting the gates of hell had failed. All is confusion.
[In the Hebrew the alphabetical notation is interrupted, and
signifies this disorder. The lines form the stanzas correctly, but
the acrostic letters are not in their places.]
Look earnestly for Christ to come. He will come. He stands
all in trouble. aside that He may try thy faith. Let not the pride of the world
shake thy confidence.
[After the description of Antichrist, the acrostics begin again in
verse 12].
Christ comes in the glory of the Father. The Son of Man lifts
up His Hand of power. The Holy Ghost fulfils the covenant, and
gives glory to the suffering saints. Look forward with holy hope.
Christ does not leave us as orphans, but we in our seeming
orphanhood must trust in Him.
Christ arises, and the Wicked One, with all that belong to him,
shall be slain before Him, while He takes the kingdom which
God has prepared for Him and His saints along with Him.
" Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth! "
The violence of the enemy is quelled for ever.
"Fear not, little flock. It is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom."
The serpent bruised the heel of the Son of Man. Now is his
head bruised. "God shall tread Satan under our feet shortly."
1lJMm tJrr.yi"vo.h·d.
Christ has triumphed over him in hell.
THE CHURCH WAITING IN THE TIMES OF ANTICHRIST
1 (~) Why stand'st Thou, Lord, so far aside,
Conceal'd in sorrow's frequent tide?
2 The Wicked brags; th' afflicted burns !-
Their scheming to their capture turns.
A ntiel,rist ajJIicling- tIlL Church, [~VI,y r For tlu trial 0.1 o",-fail/,.]
3 [t:I] That Wicked's hymns for lust are pour'd :
His gain he blesses-scorns the Lord!
4 "No suit to fear"-in pride he dreams:
"No God! "--so he completes his schemes.
His conetousness, [We must cherisl: 'lte opposite virtues.]
VOL. II. D
50 THE COMING STRUGGLE PSALM 11. 51

His ways are settled, safe and tight: Shiver his arm--that Wicked one!
Thy judgements high escape his sight: Sue Thou the wrong, till all be gone!
He puffs at hindrance with despite. 16 The Lord b is King to everlasting days!
His pride. The Gentiles perish from the earth He sways.
Tlte afjwfrance ofelt";st injudgmunt. All in tlte new 1uorld a re God's covenant
6 [0] He boasts, I shall unmoved abide!
p,ople. N01le are lift as Gentiles.
My progeny no ills betide.
7 Curse fills his mouth and guileful grind:
His tongue vile mischief stores behind. 17 (n) Thou, Lord, wilt hear! the lowly as they long;
His insolence. Thou giv'st 2 Thine ear: Thou mak'st their heart
right strong."
8 [11] He sits where bushy homesteads screen; The crush'd, the orphan, find Thy judgement's truth,
He slays the Innocent * unseen, That Earthborn man no more may rage with ruth.
With eyes on crippled victims keen. Tit, AIa1l wllO isthe Lord/rom Heauen fakes tlte place o/tl" man of earth.
His cunning.

9 [El] Bush-hid, like lion in his lair,

He lurks, th' affiicted one to snare-
Bears off th' afflicted, netted there. PSALM II.

His ra}acity. The pO'lu~r o/tlte 'world bears offllu suffircrs in their a.gc"lY, out to
Izi~()7J}n destruction. CONFIDENCE IN DIVINE PROTECTION

He couches, hends : his serried blows To the Precentor, Dam'd's

Make fall a host of crippled foes.
II His heart says,-" Godhead will forget!
IN"this Psalm we bewail the continuance of evil, so dominant in
Secretes His Face! Saw nothing yet!" the world, so self-avenging, so scornful in its unbelief, so ready to
His hypocrisy.
mock the faithful because of their weakness. It seems as if God's
promise to the Church had failed. It will seem to do so more and
12 (p) Rise,' Lord'! Great Godhead, lift 2 Thine Hand!
more. Yet the H ill of Zion is the refuge of the faithful. Thou must
Forget 3 not Thou th' afflicted band!
not be moved when unbelieving taunts bid thee take refuge there.
13 Why scorn Thee thus that wicked crew,
They know not its Divine strength. It is mightier than the
With heart so sure-" God will not sue " ?
hills of Bashan. So the Daughter of Zion can laugh her proud
Tlte appeal 0/failh.
enemies to scorn. The Holy Trinity guards thee there. God the
Father dwells in His Temple. Christ is on the heavenly Throne.
14 (1) Thou seest, for mischief-sorrow-soar
The Holy Ghost is striving with thy spirit, strengthening thee
To Thy regard: Thou pay'st their score!
amidst these experiences of difficulty.
Great orphan's Help! The crippled poor
If now thou hast to suffer, think of the doom which awaits the
Leave all to Thee for evermore.
enemies of God in the world to come
God's people must be in -ureaimess 'While time lasts.
God's face is hidden now: but think what it will be to rejoice in
• The innocent is in the singular number. The ~oor and the needy are spoken or the glory of the Beatific Vision. Keep His commandments there-
sometimes in the same sentence, as singular and plural. We cannot observe the fore, and abide in His Love.
distinction of number in our English version, hut it points to the fact that the Church is
the Body of Christ, so that His Person and His members require to be considered in
their combined unity and their separate individuality.
 I
I

THE COMING STRUGGLE P SA LM 12. S3

THE OUTWARD FEEBLENESS OF THE PERSECUTE~ us distrustful, as if Christ's Church had failed. It must make us
CHURCH hopeful that He will soon come to vindicate His Church,-and
prayerful, so that we may hasten His coming. He looks for the
The Blasphemy oj the Unbelieving prayers of H is elect. He suffers them to be in trouble, in order
The Lord my Refuge! Why, then, mock ye me ?- that He may stimulate them to prayer.
" Off to your hill, poor frightened partridge, flee! " The world speaks. Civilisation boasts of its successes. They
2 Mark ye not how the wicked bend the bow, may accept some of the outward maxims of Christ, but they have
With darts firm-fixt, the string's full strength to know? no love of God in their hearts. They claim to be unanswerable.
In dark they strike the upright-hearted low! They-repudiate God as a Personal Sovereign.
3 "When props are smash'd on every side around, God will show Himself, and the poor shall be made triumphant.
What has the righteous by his goodness found?" He will make His people safe in spite of all the taunts which they
The world sees no security in. thi HiLI of Zion. The Powers 0/ Dnrk ness uckillg have to bear. God the Son, the Word, will show His Truth and
10 destroy tlu Ctncrcti. Th(/all 0/prdat(S,/ro1ll Judas dmomuard. faithfulness. The power of the Spirit shall be developed in the
faithful by the sevenfold processes of refinement which shall prove
The Reliance oj the Fait/zjul upon the Divine Covenant their acceptance of God's Word. The sevenfold Spirit will keep
them safe from the evil.
4 Boast not! The Lord 1 within His Temple dwells, Thus shall the Truth of the Incarnation be manifested. "The
The Lord," whose throne in highest heaven excels. haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall
He sees-His eyelids prove-when man rebels. be exalted in that day" (Isa. ii. II).
5 He, the Lord," proves the righteous,-consecrates ! God, Who heard the groanings of His people in Egypt, sent
The wicked, loving cruelty, He hates! Moses as "a redeemer" (Acts vii. 35). He sent His Son for a
6 On wicked men the snaring storm shall burst, greater Redemption. He will send His Son amidst the persecu-
Fire, brimstone, and simoom, their drink accurst! tions of the last days to destroy every enemy and perfect "the
Tlte Fa/fur in His nlaiesty. T'Iu: Son, God and Man, exercising judgellllnt. Tlte redemption of our bodies" (Rom. viii. 23)·
![oiy Gkost searchittff IIUfl'S luarts.
Alas! How apt we are to complain, as if God were negligent!
And how negligent we are in prayer by which we should call God's
The Beatific Vision power into action. Even when we pray, how feeble, how carnal
7 For righteous is the Lord,-loves righteous ways! are our prayers! 'vVe are too apt to desire and expect temporal
Mark the upright one! These upon His Face shall gaze. blessings for God's Church which God has not promised, instead of
Those who are like Him shall sa H'im, looking through a vista of earthly suffering, and crying out for the
manifestation of His heavenly Kingdom, which ought to be the
absorbing object of our hope. "Thy Kingdom come! " " Come,
Lord Jesus! "
PSALM 12.

REFUGE IN THE INCARNATE SAVIOUR THE ANNOUNCEMaENT OF GOD'S PURPOSED INCARNATION

To the Precentor. On Sh.emillith. A Psalm of DaVId. 2 Save, Lord,' for saintly man no more we find:
The faithful vanish from amongst mankind,
CALL upon Jesus to show Himself. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
3 They speak with fraud and flattery, each with each!
"Iniquity abounds." So He foretold that it should be. Look up,
Smooth lips !-But double-hearted is their speech!
therefore, and lift up thine head with faith and love for His appear-
Christ conus 'wlun nlil lias reached its climax. So it was at Flis'first comilt!:,' so
ing. The prevalence of unbelief round about us must not make it will O( at His second. Yet s!tall t/ure be m-uch:outward show o/relicion.
 \
54 THE COMING STRUGGLE L
"
PSALM 14· 55

4 Those lips so smooth-O let the Lord 2 cut off! Jesus is thy salvation. The Spirit of Jesus shall fill thy heart
The. braggart tongue so madly prone to scoff! with joy. Sing praise to Him for dealing with thee in such tender
5 Whlc~ say, Our tongues shall be exalted thus! love, leading thee to life, and strengthening thee to keep God's word.
OU,r hp~ are with us! \Vho shall master us?
6 Th afflicted wail-the poor sob forth their c . THE LONG-CONTINUED EXPECTATION OF GOD'S
'T' . nes. CHOSEN PEOPLE
IS tirne ! Now saith the Lord 3 I will . i
A I I. f ,anse,
nc set 11m sa e, no more the scoffer's prize. 2 How long,' Lord, wilt Thou ever thus forget?
1 How long 2 from me Thy Face secret'st Thou yet?
7 Urig.ht sayings are the sayings of the Lord,
As silver from the crucible outpour'd,
By sevenfold process in refinement store\.
COJll/ort ill th e security of God's promises.
l 3 How long- 3 must my vext soul vain plans devise?
My aching heart with daily anguish cries!
How long shall my proud foe against me rise?
Ttre Godhead hidden in Christ, 10 be reueaied hereafi''''

8 0 Lord, 'ti.s Thou Who keepest them secure! 4 0 Lord, my God 1 Regard' me! Answer" now!
o gua~'d him from this age for evermore! Lighten c mine eyes, lest death's last sleep lay low!
9 The. wicked walk in freedom all around, 5 Lest my foe say, " Against him I prevail'd,"
Whilst men most mean in lofty place are found. And adverse hosts exult that I have quaiI'd.
"](eep tllent/r011l tIle euil."

6 But I Thy mercy trustfully revere;

My heart exults in Thy salvation's cheer.
PSALM 13.
Still to the Lord I'll sing, for kindness ever near.
THE SOUL FEELING TIJI;~- DESOLATION Christ, as Redcel1lt'r, dranll t Iu: cup, but looked JOY the Divi~tt: light 10 slziHt' o u t
OF SIN
a/tlY7J.Jards. II Be 0/ g-ood cheer: I Ita,lc overcome tlu: 'world,"
To the Precentor, A Psalm oj David

THINK not that God has forgotten to be raci ., PSALM 14·

J~sus will shine out if thou wilt look to l-ri ClO~s. 1he Face of
WIll cheer thy soul, if thou wilt yield thyself :. H~he .l-:oly Ghost THE FAITHFUL CAPTIVE EXPECTING A DELIVERER
thou must cease from thine own vai . IS guic ance ; but
C wn yam counselhngs ] . To the Precentor. David's.
ounsellor. Thou must look to Him and f ." esus IS the
-God waits for thy self-surrender. ollow HIm. How long? ALAS for the hardheartedness which distrusts God 1 Be not thou
The foe will insult thee until thou beco as the fool who denies Him. He who looks into all hearts looks
heareth not, for that is the t h me~t .as a deaf man that
(Isa. xlii. 19). rue c aracterrstic of God's servant into thine.
The corruption of the natural heart brings spiritual blindness,
God the Incarnate Son will regard thee with D" I unbelief, contentedness to live without God's knowledge-the very
thee with human sympathy, and enli h IVI~e o:e, answer principle of agnosticism.· Instead of recognising God's image, and
Holy Ghost, so that the power of de t~ ten thee with gifts of the consequently His claims, as existing in their fellow-men, they seek
When He pleaded for life in Gctl a ma~ not c~rry thee captive. to make gain out of their fellow-men, and do not look for God's
. . tsernane It was m ord I
might grve it unto thee. ,I er t iat He
blessing.
R e Iy upon H' trn, and not upon thyself Otl . Their security is only for a time. God dwells in the righteous
will b . . rerwise the ene
e sure to prevail against thee. my generation, and will suddenly vindicate them, making the worldly-
Complain not of God's discipline , but t rus t iin H' IS mercy. hearted to tremble. They despised the poor because they did not

\-----
 \
\
56 THE COM I N G S T RUG G L E I PSALM 15· 57
J
I'
recognise God in whom the poor man trusted. Nevertheless, 'the 4 Since all work villainy, is knowledge fled?
virgin, the daughter of Zion, will laugh the scoffer to scorn. This J They eat my people simply as their bread,
despised company have a Saviour's pledge abiding in the midst And me, the Lord, have not solicited.
of them. w, are not to trade "pan our hrelhr,,,', needs ; hut prayer with love to ale brei hre«

The last verse is not a liturgical addition, but the culminating will surely brine God's blessing.

utterance of the Psalm. Zion is the type and symbol of God's

people continually suffering in worldly wickedness. However much Behold them how they fear with deadly fear,
God seems to have forsaken them, yet will He renew the mani- For to the righteous race God bideth near.
festation of Messiah, Who is the Personal principle of vitality to l/t/uy wer""" to tlu Covmanl:God1uo"ld lulf thesn.

God's holy Hill. Whether in the flight of David, or the blasphemy

of Sennacherib, or the desolation of Nebuchadnezzar or any seem- 6 Ye shame the counsel of th' A ff1icted One,
ing triumph of the gates of hell over the Church, we must not doubt. Because His Refuge is the Lord alone.
God will visit and redeem His people by the resuscitation of the The AflIicted 0,,, is the t"" Counsellor. The -usorld scorns tlu !romises 0/ the Cruciji,·d.

inherent vitality of His Covenant.

The Lord turned to the captivity of His people (Deut. xxx. 3). 7 Israel's salvation! N ow from Zion speed!
Their distress was because they, by their own alienation, had made When the Lord turns to turn His people's need,
Him turn away from them. The Lord turned the captivity, or re- Then Jacob shall be glad, I srael rejoice indeed!
Cod turns to His people whm Ihey turn to Him. He brings the»« out o/Ihe bonda.t;c
stored the prosperity of Job (Job xlii. 10. Lit.; "turned the
of sin, Zion is the prophetic centre 0/ benediction-
turning").
Zion is the heavenly centre to which the Church must look in her
distress, however much that central principle of Divine power may PSALM 15·
seem to be set aside. No help can spring up to the Church from
the world outside. "God is in the midst of her." He can restore. THE LIKENESS OF JESUS
He will accomplish the triumph. A Psalm of David

CONTEMPLATE the life of Jesus sojourning upon earth a~d the

GOD SEEKING A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART glory wherein He reigns. Thou must be like Him here, If thou
would'st reign with Him in His glory. We must put away from
The fool's heart bids him boast, "God there is none" ;
us the glory of earth, but we must seek the glory .of He~v~n, not
Corrupt abominations have they done;
for our. own ambition, but in filial love to God, that, m glorifying us,
No; there's not one that doeth good, not one!
This Psalm is JeltOvislic. Th e renegades ar child,'''' o./Ilu Covenant.
He may be glorified. .'
Seek the perfection which is in Jesus, the nghte.ousness wh~ch
His Divine life gives to His members, the truth which shall gUide
2 The sons of men the Lord from heav'n survey'd
thy words if thy heart is filled with His love. .
To see if but one heart, by prudence sway'd,
Be like Him a neighbour to thy fellowme.n, l?vmg. them as
With suppliant love would sue tow'rds God for aid.
thyself, true in word and deed, and jealous to mamtain their honour
Cod looks down as H, did bifor, t M Flood. Afflictions I"'ove whether ",e have an
ulldtrs!rr.ndinJ: I:lart. against all misrepresentation. . .'
Be lowly in thine own sight, regardmg thy sms With abhorren.ce.
3 Backsliders all of them! A fetid whole! Give special honour to those who would live for Cod, and shnnk
Read forth the names of men! On all the roll not from that which thou hast promised. Whatever It cost thee,
There's none that doeth good, no, not one soul! God can give thee more if thou walkest in love.. ,
The trial is indivjdu!,l. Seek not the wealth of this world at thy neighbour s cost, but
 THE COMING STRUGGLE P SA LM 16. 59
shrink from gain unless thou hast earned it by what shall be a
good return. Thy wealth is but fraud if thou enrich thyself at the
cost of thy helpless neighbour. PSALM 16.
There is no security for thee in outward possessions, but if thou
livest true to God's will, thou shalt always be free from harm. THE ETERNAL JOY ASSURED TO US IN BEING
This Psalm answers the question with which the last Psalm SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD UNTO CHRIST
closed. Jesus, Messiah, is a Guest in the Divine Tent by reason
of His human nature. He is the Shekinah dwelling on the holy jJ1ichlam of David
Hill of the Eternal Covenant, making Zion to be a centre of
I F thou wouldst be like Christ (Ps. 15.) thou must take refuge in
blessing, not only to the ancient Israel, but to the suffering people
Christ. Own Him as thy Master. Seek Him as thy portion.
who looked to God from every nation of the world in every age of
Rejoice in the fellowship of His saints who are now abiding in
the world's history. His glory.
Life in the world to all of us is as a journey. We must feel that
V. 3 is very obscure, but it helps us to realise that strength which
we are sojourning in God's Tent. Unless we do so, we cannot
we should gain from the Communion of Saints if we would lift up
claim to dwell upon God's holy Hill in the glory of eternal life.
our hearts more constantly to contemplate the perfection of their
"Our citizenship is in Heaven." If so, we must remember that
joy with Christ who, while they were upon the earth, suffered with
the Psalmist's words belong to us-" I am a stranger with Thee, Him.
and a sojourner as all my fathers were" (Ps. 39· 14).
Shall we not count it the greatest joy to suffer for Him as they
suffered?
JAH, THE DIVINE PATTERN Follow not the people of the world in the festivities of their
idol-warship-pleasure, wealth, fame! Alas! what shedding of
Lord, who as guest Thy tent's blest care shall tell? blood belongs to them! Be not wedded to this world. Offer to
Who on Thy Holy Hill rise up to dwell? God the oblation of a heart dead to the world, and renewed to
heavenly aspirations by the everliving Blood of Jesus Who is thy
2 His walk be perfect! Righteousness his deed!
portion and the blessedness of thy Clip. "We are heirs of God
The Word of Truth shall from his heart proceed.
and joint heirs with Christ." Earth's bitterness expands into the
This is flu first occurrence o/Ille 'Word II tr uth: It in the Psalter. II is tlu "tltrll1f.Ce

of llflssiah. Ttu: last occurrence is Ps. 1-46. 6. fulness of God if we feed truly upon the Body of the glorified
Saviour.
3 He tolerates no tripping with his tongue,- The Incarnate Word shal1 be thy Counsel1or. How wilt thou
No act that tends to his companion's wrong, praise God eternally for the discipline given thee during this night-
N or to his neigh bours lets reproach belong. season of thine earthly life! We must meet al1 perplexities, not
with human cleverness evading them, but with simplicity of child-
4 Despised in his own sight, refused, abhorr'd, like trust in God, so as to be sanctified by them. They prove us,
Yet glorifies he those that fear the Lord. whether we are living for God or for the world.
His oath, though to his hurt, is ne'er ignored. The Spirit of Christ will be thy Guide. If we are led by the
Eternal [rut" the lasu of tIle new world. Spirit of God, we shal1 find Him at our Right Hand, giving us
firmness and stability. 'liVe shall always have Divine strength to
He gives not silver for usurious pride, do what the Divine guidance wil1s us to do. Death cannot
N or wounds the innocent by bribes belied. separate thee from Christ. He will make death to be a door of
Who thus sha11 act, shall aye unmoved abide. life, if thou art dead with Him to this sinful world, looking to His
I-V,:take reward ag-ailtsl the innocent WllO: we connive at worldly nt axisns, so ('IS joy at the Right Hand of the Father.
to cUs/y(ly by our example souls 7(lhicll Christ has redeemed.
 60 THE COMING STRUGGLE PSALM 17. 61

(James i. 6, 8). It must rise up to God as the outcome of a life

TO LIFE THROUGH DEATH
obedient to Him. We cannot expect God's Omnipotence to work
1 Preserve me, Godhead! Thou my Refuge art! our will unless we yield ourselves with integrity and effort to do
Tlze Codtread II" inherent strength 0/ Christ's AfllnlLO~d.
His will.
Speak to the Father in the Name of Christ. If thou claim His
2 I call'd the Lord! I "My Master Thou must be ! righteousness as one of His members, thou must take heed that
All good I have is nought compar'd with Thee." thy life is consecrated to act and to suffer along with Him in all
3 I called the holy ones on earth who dwell : things.
'Tis my delight their brilliant ranks to tell. Accept therefore the discipline whereby God would prove thy
4 Many their woes who some strange god would dower: heart. Light shines from the Cross in the darkest night. The
Blood of oblations ne'er with these I pour : Spirit of God will refine thee with heavenly fire. Follow Christ.
No blessings on their name my lips implore. The Cross will sustain thee so that thou shalt not slip.
S The Lord my 'pportioned share, my cup, shall be The Son of God gave His life to save thee. He will keep thee
Thou mak'st my lot secure eternally. as the apple of His Eye. He feels all thy sufferings, knows thy
6 My lines are fall'n where countless sweets combine' needs, sees thy dangers, shelters thee with the wings of His Holy
Yea, a delightsome heritage is mine! ' Spirit. Fear not. Look to God. The Sword of His Spirit, the
Christ's lift" t,.",/ellowship with God. He glorifies His saints in Himself. [A
Right Hand of the avenging Mediator, shall rescue thee.
v~ry obscl~re.'pa~sag~.] Chnst redeemed all men, but intercedes for His members. How miserable is the dulness of the world, so proud of that
Earthly limitations cltan.t;cd into resurrection ffI01Y. Ch17'St is the Heir. which is so profitless. Instead of rejoicing in God's gifts as His
children, they find themselves enslaved to a world of death. What
7 I bless the Lord! 2 My Counsellor is He! we recognise as coming from God ennobles us, whether it be joyous
Yea! Night by night my reins admonish me. or sad. The outward accidents of life are a bond of communion
8 I set the Lord 3 in front, my constant Guide with God, if we know them to be the ordering of His love.
My right hand's Guardian! All unmov'd I 'bide. The world goeth about to slay the righteous, like their father
9 Joy fills my heart! With glee my glory swells! the devil. He is the lion: wicked men the lion-cubs. Christ will
Yea! Now my flesh with trustful stillness dwells! appear in due season and destroy them with the breath of His
10 My soul to Sheol Thou never wilt forsake Mouth. The world leaves all that it has to the tyranny of Death.
Nor let Thy saint of sin's foul chasm partake, Death devours, despoils, distributes everything in this perishing
1 I The path of life to me Thou wilt make known. world. If we are dead to the world, we pass on through
Joys stored in plenty where Thy Face hath shone death to feed without weariness or stint upon the exhaustless
S weets ne 'er to fade, at Thy Right Hand lawn. ,
plenitude of everlasting life.
'Ie learn,' obcdit'nc~ ,by suirt'ri1t!:. l,lis llear! rewarded. His soul personally
g-l~rlli(d. Il,s Jles/~ wa~tlllg ~r resurrection. His A1anhood lift to die UPOIt the Cross.
Hzs Go~/uad ::;/W'Ullllg- ztuif In tlu. !rjump!t down in Sheo!. His flesh 110t to see th~ HEAVENLY SATISFACTION IN CONFORMITY WITH GOD
cOrr1lption o/tllt .rra1lt, His ascension to God's Right Hand.

TIle Righteousness oj tIle All-Perfect Saviour

PSALM 17.
1 0 Lord, hear J righteousness! Hark Z! My cry rings!
THE SAINTS PERFECTED IN CONFORMITY WITH GOD Listt l For my prayer from lips all guileless springs!
A Prayer. David's 2 Now from Thy face my judgement shall proceed!
Now to uprightness let Thine eyes give heed!
THE prayer which God will hear must have God's glory for its
The saints plead tlu righteousness o/Clzrz'st dwelling in them.
object. It must not be a wavering or double-minded prayer
62 THE COM ING S T RUG G L E

His Innocency proved by Suffiring

3 Thou sound'st 1 mine heart! By night Thou visitest 2_

Refinest " me! Nought find'st Thou to molest

No scheme of evil by my mouth exprest. '
4 Whate'er men do, the word Thy lips decreed
Is my sale rule, the spoiler's paths to heed.
S I plant my treadings in Thy wheel-worn way:
So shall my steps ne'er totter with dismay. SECOND QUINDECAD
Temptations by ell:" spirits. Personal com nncnion 'wit" God.

Appeal for Resurrection PSALMS 18.-32.

6 Godhead! I cry to Thee! Thou wilt reply!

Stretch out 1 Thine ear! Hear 2 Thou my Litany! INTRODUCTORY NOTE
7 In wonder show 3 Thy mercies! Thy Right Hand
Saves refugees from the rebellious band. THE CHAMPION IN HIS STRUGGLE AND HIS VICTORY

Tile Human Nature abiding i71the Divine Protection

Ps. IS.-We have here the Divine Sonship of Him who
8 Keep me as light's loved child, where eyesight springs!
comes into this world to be the Divine Champion
Secrete ~e 'neath the shadow of Thy wings!
9 From wicked men! They seek my soul to crush-
against the powers of darkness. The cherub hosts
These deadly foes of mine that round me rush! wait upon Him. He is the First- born whom God calls
Tt')uptatioftS/rol1l the world. out of Egypt to accomplish His victory. He comes in
Tlze Arrogance oj the UllKodly the fulness of filial love, to rescue humanity. The
powers of the spiritual world tremble before Him. The
10 In fat insensibility they hide,
And with their mouth they utter words of pride. cherubs accompany. He is the Word of power, up-
I I As we step forth they compass me around: lifting humanity. As man He fulfils all righteousness
They set their eyes to stretch me on the ground. and manifests the perfections of the Godhead. His
12 He's like a lion, coveting to tear-- manhood is glorified so that He takes His [place therein
A lion-cub that bides in secret lair.
Th cpeople o/Ihe world. Tltey are like their /all,e,-. He is lite Prince 0./ Ilu world.
upon the Father's Throne. He suffered in our nature,
and conquered the powers of darkness. Those who
Imprewtion upon Antichrist reject Him have no Saviour. The Gentiles take the
13 Rise, Lord! Confront him! Make the Wicked kneel! place of the Jews entering into the New Covenant. The
Rescue my soul! In him Thy sword reveal! Doxology celebrates H is deliverance from the Jews and
14 Thy ~and, ~ord! Life's brief space these men would seize ~
ThIS life their lot, fee! from Thy treasuries
His exaltation among the Gentiles.
With .plenteous offspring, babes their lega~ees ! Ps. 19.-The Incarnate Word is the Creator of the
I S Be rnme ; on Thee to gaze in righteousness, Universe. The sun is the type of Him who' comes
. And wake~O plenteous joy !- Thine image to possess. to be the Bridegroom of the New Creation. His glory
The c.",1/"':': o/Chnsl rn glory. Tlte world wiLLnol ackllowlcdg-e God as lite A uthor
0/ alllltezr enJoymenls. Tlte I/O}e 0/ lite Divine/ruiliOll 10 eternity.
was manifested in the giving of the law to the covenant
63
 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
people. He is the promised Avenger of mankind
against Satan.
Ps. 2o.-Messiah is set before us, going forth to His
struggle. He goes forth from the Temple of God, with
sacrifices that have proved favourable. Thus is signified
the predestination of the Incarnate Sonship, the Eternal
idea of the Divine Mind which the Son of God comes
to fulfil.
Ps. 2 I.-This Psalm celebrates the victory of Messiah,
typified by David's victory over Ammon. The following
Psalms give the detail.
Ps. 22.- The struggle of Messiah against the powers
of darkness, and His suffering amidst the bitterness of
His human enemies, are here briefly depicted with the
utmost detail. He has to endure all in the solitude of
His human nature without the intervention of Divine
succour in any external assistance. At length the
Divine Power is manifested in the moment of death,
giving Him deliverance. The latter part of the Psalm
contains thanksgiving for His acceptance, and a
prophecy of its results, the institution of the Christian
Church as a Divine Family, His supernatural offspring.
The Eucharistic Sacrifice is their Food, and His work
of triumph is to be commemorated through all
generations.
Ps. 23.- The Champion of God, having conquered
Satan, has acquired to Himself, by right of victory, the
captives who were under the power of death. These,
therefore, now shall henceforth live with a Divine life.
The Redeemer is acknowledged by the faithful as the
Good Shepherd, who leads them forth from the Valley
of the Shadow of Death by the baptismal waters of
comfort in the Holy Ghost, and with the Eucharistic
Food for their journey to strengthen them against their
enemies.
SECOND QUINDECAD
. [
Ps. 24.-Messiah appears in the full possession of the
authority given to Him both in Heaven and earth. It
is His by birthright. I t also is His by Divine approval,
for in Him is realized the prescribed character of God's
elect servant, as detailed in Ps. 15. He, therefore, now
quits the sphere where He has" borne witness to the
truth." He descends into the lower parts of the earth as
Conqueror, and the powers of darkness are obliged to
confess that He is Lord. They cannot find any fault
in Him, so as to make Him their captive. He rises
from the dead The angel hosts on high acknowledge
Him to be the King of Glory, because He brings with
Him the multitudes, the hosts, redeemed from the
grave.
! Ps. 25.-An Alphabetical Psalm implies the restora-
;1 tion of order. The Ascension of the Son of Man to the
, 1
predestined throne shows that the Divine creative plan
is now accomplished. "The earth is the Lord's." It has
been rescued from the rebellious powers of darkness.
By Messiah's triumph it becomes the abode of righteous-
ness. Ps. 5. expressed the longing for righteousness,
for the glory of the Resurrection-Morn. Ps. 25. speaks of
that righteousness as now being achieved. Messiah wins
the Divine approval, treading the way of the Holy Cross,
and longs to be led forward in the way of truth, as befits
the glory of His Sonship, by the power of the Holy
Ghost. Thus would He be set free from the bondage
of original sin under which Humanity has hitherto been
held. He, Himself, was subject to this bondage as an
outward condition, although, as having in Himself the
Spirit of God, He was not affected by its taint. Now,
then, human nature, redeemed in the Person of Christ,
becomes the personal object of the Father's mercy. We
learn the meekness and righteousness of Christ. We
look to inherit the land of righteousness. Foes are
VOL. II. l~
66 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY SECOND QUINDECAD

many, but God's covenant of perfectness and upright- ot the Host of Heaven rejoicing in the redemption ot
ness is all-sufficient to deliver us. earth, while the powers of darkness tremble.
The letter Vav, i.e. 6 (symbolical of sin), is omitted, Ps. 30.-David's exultation when he dedicated the
and the letter Pe i.e. 80 (symbolical of regeneration), is house after conquering Mount Zion leads us up to
added at the end. Also Qoph, i.e. 100, is wanting, for the glorification of Christ's Body, "the house not made
the perfection is not yet attained, but Resh is substituted with hands, eternal in the heavens." The misery of
to express the intensified longing which is symbolized' fallen humanity in its weakness is no longer to affect
by the number 200. So the acrostics harmonize with the the glory of the great victory. The righteous enter
drift of the Psalm. along with Him. The sackcloth of sin is loosed and
Ps. 26.- The spotless Priest calls upon God for the glad girdle of righteousness put on.
recognition. He has washed the hands of His Ps. 3 I.-This series ends with the Psalm whereby
humanity in the innocency of Divine Life, and thus Jesus upon the Cross commended His soul into the
claims the privileges of a true priest by virtue of His hands of the Eternal Father. That commendation is
eternal Sonship. His Body is the house where God's the consummation of His work, as He "leaves the world
glory dwells, and He has kept Himself separate from and goes to the Father." He pleads His suffering
sinners. Thus He looks to claim redemption from the condition, the merits of His passion, wherein His
slavery of Satan, in which all mankind were held. human nature has been so reduced, that He becomes
Ps. 27.-This Body of Christ is the temple of light a reproach to His neighbours. This complaint is
wherein we are to find salvation. His prayerful changed into exultation. The wicked shall be ashamed.
allegiance to God has been proved, and now He waits He Himself rises up to the glory of God, and happy are
to be exalted upon the Throne of Glory. This has those who take refuge in Him. Their life is "hidden
been the joy wherewith He bore His struggle. "Seek ye with Him in God."
My face," was the call ever present to His soul. A Maschil, or instruction, gathers up the teaching
Ps. 28.- The struggle is concluded. The Champion so that we may take up our cross and follow Christ.
claims that God shall not let Him be dragged away Ps. 32. brings the Quindecad to a close.
with the workers of iniquity. They must receive the Ps, 32.- The second Adam is thus perfected in the
works of their hands. He comes forward blessing the happiness of Divine life. Messiah has borne our
Lord for His triumph. Truly the Father has heard His transgression, struggling with Satan on our behalf,
prayer. In virtue of the Sonship He has found strength and has covered our sinfulness with the joyous health
and safety. I t is the Holy Ghost whose presence has of regenerate life. Sin is imputed to us no more if we
been the energetic strength of the Sonship sustaining abide in Christ. In Him we must abide. We must
His human heart. not be like horse and mule, needing external compulsion,
Ps. 29.- The sevenfold triumph of the Incarnate but as the eyes of our understanding are enlightened
Word exalted now above the heavenly water-floods! by the Holy Ghost, we must" walk in love as God's dear
All glory is to be given to Him. It is the acclamation children" (Eph. v. I).
 r ,
68 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
Songs of deliverance encompass 4l:he triumphant
warrior, and those who seek for refuge in Him as
their Deliverer are compassed about with mercy.
Gladness is their eternal portion.
PSALM 18
THE DELIVERANCE OF THE ,REGENERATE SOUL
To the Precentor. A Psalm oj David, the servant of the Lord, who spake
to the Lord the words of this song in the day the Lord had deliuered
him from the grasp of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and
he said: 1will love thee, etc.
OH marvellous satisfaction, when the soul shall awake up to
behold God's glory in the perfection of the resurrection-life!
The beloved who has served the Lord with loving obedience,
wakes up in freedom from all enemies, in the full fruition of Divine
Love.
I. Anticipate that awakening. Let the tenderness of thy love
respond to the Infinite Love of the Lord thy Creator, the Lord thy
Redeemer, the Lord Who inspires thee for His praise I
. He is the firmness of thy love. Thine own sentiment were too
feeble for the devotion due to Him.
Hide thyself in Christ as the Crag or Cleft. Oh, that wounded
side I It is a place of sure defence. Thou wast undone. He is
thy Rescuer. He took hold of thee, ere thou couldst take hold of
Him. He is thy God, the Rock whose eternal Sonship will give
thee firm footing, the Messianic King with whom thou must take
refuge, a Shield to thee as to Abraham, so that faith may ward off
all the fiery darts of the wicked. These cannot pierce to those
who have a life hidden with Christ in God. He is the Horn of
Salvation, enabling thee to thrust them down, the high Tower
which they cannot reach.
How great His love to thee, as God! How tender in the
sympathies of a brother, sharing with thee in t1~inee~rthly n:ed !
The Spirit of God will enable thee to praise HIm, while He
teaches thee how thine adoration must find its loving utterance in
praise. The new-born soul must praise God in newness of life as
the redeemed ones who follow the Lamb upon Mount Zion.
I I. Evil powers pursue thee, the world with the cords of death,
the flesh with its floods of rottenness, Satan with the cords of Sheol.
Death, Belial, Sheol! Then the second death coming hastily.
PSALM 18.
Jesus hears thy cry: fear not I .".
II I. Earthquake and thunderstorm wait upon His word.
Terrors in the outer world are but symbols of spiritual realities.
How .little dost thou know the spiritual conflict which centres
round thine own person, the angels of God contending with the
powers of darkness. Think of Elisha and his servant. Open
thine eyes by faith to behold the spiritual powers which maintain
thy cause, fighting round thee. How strange that we in our
earthly environments are so little aware of them! How strange
that we are so dead to the consciousness of Christ's indwelling
Presence within ourselves. This indwelling makes our enemies
as active as they are. They see. They value though not in love
but in hate. We do not see the Body of Christ, although we bear
it within ourselves. Though we do not see, we ought to love.
IV. Behold, then, by faith how the Incarnate Presence is borne
onward upon the cherub-car. Thou art not solitary. The whole
Church, the Body of Christ, moves as an undivided Body. That
cloudy terror is a booth wherein the mystery of the Incarnate
Majesty is enshrined. Humbly invoke the power of the Holy
Ghost. Gleams of light and love shine forth with Divine power of
encouragement upon the faithful soul. Hailstones and coals of
fire overwhelm thy pursuers, but the faithful soul shall be set free
thereby.
V. God's voice is angry thunder to the ungodly, but amidst the
thunder there is an articulate Voice which thine heart should hear.
The ministries of grace are arrows of love to those who welcome
them for the destruction of the flesh, but lightning flashes of doom
to those who go away and are scattered.
VI. The redeeming Hand of Divine Power holds thee in its
grasp, and draws thee out of the mighty waters of iniquity. The
very act of deliverance makes thy nature quake. Well is it if thou
feel its power. God, in the manifestation of His anger, would
destroy not thee but thy sin. Christ gives thee His Cross to be
thy staff. By the Cross His Soul went forth in freedom from the
struggle. He went forth as the accepted Conqueror. Thou must
go forth as being accepted in Him. "The Father Himself loveth
you because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came
forth from God." all, the joy of going forth in the freedom which is
beyond the grave!
VII. Do not distrust God. He will not let thee suffer wrong-
fully. His well-beloved Son was proved by the endurance of
suffering. If God lets thee suffer, it is in order that He may prove
 .',

P S A LM 18. 71
70 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
XIV.-Jesus Christ is Head over aJ1 things to His Church.
thee, so that thou shalt obtain an abundant reward according to the
Hear Him claiming thee as one of His members, that thou mayest
fulness of His love.
henceforth serve Him, and He will deliver thee. .
VII 1. As thou livest for Him here, so shalt thou find Him in the Be not as the Jews who were His covenant people and reJ~cted
day of manifestation. If we have lived in His love, we shall find Him. Remember that" thou standest by faith." Hear the voice of
His love. If we have resisted Him, we shall find that He is a
the Spirit speaking to thee individually, and to all the churches.
Conqueror, from whose vengeance we cannot escape. God seeks to deliver thee from the carnal heart of the faJ1en-nat~re.
Pious love is the bond between father and child.
Come forth from the stronghold of thy stubbornness, and Yield
Perfection is the complete organisation of moral character.
Cleanness is the absence of actual defilement. thyself captive to Christ.
XV.-Praise the Father, the source of eternal lif~. Bless a~d
Give thyself to God, with the reasonable s~rvice which shows exalt Jesus the Rock of thy salvation. Praise and sing to God \11
that Christ is thy life and thy righteousness. Then wilt thou
the power of the Holy Ghost, who is Himself the eternal bond of
become like Him and see Him as He is. The perverse shall not
life, proceeding from the Father and the Son.
find Him indifferent. The activity of His loving Being is turned
to indignation and wrath. '
IX.-Think of the lamp promised to David which was evermore to THE VOCATION OF THE DIVINE SERVANT
sh~ne before God. Look up to Jesus as the true Light, which shall
bnghten thy darkness with the illumination of grace. No troops of
hostile power.can resist the burning power of His Word. No barrier [rnrocatior:
can limit its operation. He is a shield which no enemy can pierce. He said:
X.-God is drawing thee to Himselfby the Holy Ghost, in whom 2 Heart's love! The Lord,' is my firm stay!
the Father and the Son dwell for evermore, One God. Jesus Christ 3 The Lord2--Crag, Fortress, Rescuer,
is the Rock, the Foundation on which the Church is built. The Godhead, my Rock, for refuge He,
Holy Ghost dwelling in Christ will gird thee with Divine power. My Shield, my saving Horn, my Tower!
messed are those who stand with Christ upon Mount Zion, "hinds 4 Praised Lord ' : To Him I'll make my cry
of the morning" (Ps. 22.), leaping on the heavenly hills. Look for And safely thus my foes defy. . .
TAe l'atlter's love is tIlt: firm stay 0/ existence. Tire tender heart n/Cllr~~t is the
Him to fill thee with His power. . t ce response 0/ {t depmdmt a"cation. Cftrist abiding' in the love 0/ God." I;!KIti/oM
XL-Think of Jesus reaching from on High to lift thee up, yea, n I'
I nuaca 10'''.
• C ""I"/,c/,·"
rag-. l'J .
Roc!'" or {Iorch. A look-ollt rmucr. CIIYlst III tlu: power
•.. '.I. It
coming down to the lowliness of our estate on earth, sharing our 0/ His GodllCad surveys tlze rcbeliians world wlzicl, lie has to conq uer, lie S111"IltySa
woes in conflict with our enemy, to set us free. He, by His witlt the confidmcc 0/ Divine glory.

victory, has obtained for us the glorious liberty of spiritual life II

where no infirmities can any longer hold us down, nor any tempta-
TIle Saviours Appeal as He enters into the World
tion cause us to stumble.
XIL-Look with faith to Christ. He will strengthen thee to 5 The cords of death environ'd me :
conquer thine enemies in His Name. Act in His strength, for thou Belial's flood enhorror'cl me :
must not leave any habit of sin unsubdued. 6 The cords of Sheol encompass'd me :
XIIL-Think how evil spirits which have tempted thee cry out And snares of death confronted me.
unto the Lord. They would accuse thee. The ungodly of earth in The cords 0/ death arc the sins OJ men and tlte powers 0/ evil which enslaved men

like manner revile thee because God delivers thee. Call up the so Illat tltey COl1lm'itted tlUJJt.

power of the Holy Ghost to drive them away, as the dust of the * Eightfold invocation-Stay, Ps. 31. 95, only here as substantive; Crag, Ps. 3.~·4,
earth out of which thou art made, but to which thou canst no longer 7 3' Fortress, Ps, 91. 2; .Rescuer, Ps. 17. 13, 40. 8; Rock, ver. 3'2, Deut. XX.~II. 41
1
P~. 3~' 3; Shield, Ps. 3. 4, Deut. xxxiii. 29; Horn, Deut. xxxiii. 27, I Sam. 11. 10,
belong. Empty out of thine heart all remains of evil habits, as
Ps,' 133. 17; Tower I 1->5. 9· 101 144· 2.
rottenness, the mire of the streets.
 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
7 In straits I cried unto the Lord:
Unto my God th' appeal I pour'd.
In temple throned, my voice He hears:
My appeal before Him strikes His ears.
III
Attendant Convulsions of the Spiritual
8 What shivering, shuddering, seized the earth!
The mountain basements shook with dread.
They shudder'd 'neath His scorching rage:
9 See, from His nostril smoke ascends!
See, from H is mouth devouring flame!
See! coals of fury blaze thereby!
10 Hebows the heavens. So comes He down!
Beneath His feet black terrors frown!
The convulsions at the Exodus sucre tyjical of convulsions
attendant Up01t CILn·st's rcdemptio1t.
IV
I
Tile Cherub Chariot
1I The cherub chariot speeds his flight:
He swoops on wide-spread wings of wind.
12 He sets the dark therein to hide,
His booth around him, there to bide.
Dark waters piled in storm-clouds wide,
13 Th' unburden'd clouds th' effulgence own
Hailstones and fiery coals come down.
. A II heavenly powers suaitcd ujoJt Christ. They wait 0/1,
Wztlt .IIim uihen. lie returns iniudgcmcllt.
The Manifestation of the Word
14 The Lord in heav'n His thunder wakes:
He, the Most High, gives forth His voice.
He sends His shafts, dispersing them,
15 Thick lightnings to discomfit them.
Channels appear, where waters flow'd :
The basements of the world lie bare,
16 Lord, how Thy stern rebuke they find,
Thy nostrils breath, Thy blasting wind.
The Word 0/ God ouertlireur tlte Egyptia1ts, deliuercd David,
CJzUYclt, and ozerttironi all enemies. At the Cruciji xion the powers of darkness were
ouerthrmun, So the trillmplt of tlte Churclt is »rainly spiritual, not merely external
and terrestrial. It is a tn'1Im}/t which waits to be manifested herea/tcr.
\--_ .._. - -_ ..
P SA L M 18. 73
VI
The Deliverance of the Manhood
17 He reach'd 1 from High, uplifting me-
From mighty waters drew 2 me forth
18 From my strong foe He set me free,"
World From haters that o'ermatch'd my strength.
19 Me they confront, when weighted sore;
But still the Lord my Staff is found,
20 He leads, with largeness sets me free:
Yea! He Himself delights in me.
The Divine Nature drew /ortlt ttie !I1"nltood fi"Olll the womb an.i frorn tlte grave,
and will drasu fortl: tIle Body o/Cltristfi"OlJt this suorld 0/ tinte and sin/1Ilness. Efe is
euer drawing us as l-lis people out 0/ the great deep. Tlu resurrection 0/ Cltn'st and
our own. resurrection in Baptisl1t.
in tlte spiritual 'world,
VII
The Righteous Claims of the Beloved
2I The Lord requites my righteousness:
My pure hands I-Ie shall recompense:
22 For I the Lord's ways always heed,
Nor wickedly forsake my God.
23 H is judgements are my constant aim:
N e'er thrust I His decretals hence;
24 With Him still perfect will I be,
Keeping from mine iniquity .
flim still, and will COJIlC Jesus kept His Father's cosnrnandmcnts,
U and abode in His love." Jesus tool: upon
Himself our flesh, but by the Eternal Spirit fie p,·csmlcd HimrelJ without spot to God.
VIII
The Justice of all God's Dealings
25 The Lord returns my righteousness:
My purity of hand He sees.
26 To saintly love Thou showest love:
The perfect Thy perfection finds:
27 Pure shines Thy truth on one kept pure:
With one perverse a wrestler sure!
28 'Tis Thine to save th' afflicted race,
will deliver lIte
But lofty eyes Thou dost abase.
God is manifest to our perceptions in proportion as we are conformed to His lik,ncu.
Tlte same wordfor jI toviJlg-" is n.jJlicd to (;od once again in tIle Psalter (P~. 145· 17·)
74 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY P S A L M 18. 75
IX XIII
The Glorification oj Messiah's Humanity
The Utter Perdition oJ the Lost
29 Thou, Lord, my God, my lamp dost light:
o how th' effulgence quells my night. 42 They make appeal, but none can save;
30 By Thee I make a troop to fall, The Lord to them no answer gave.
And by my God o'erleap the wall. 43 Crush'd like the dust, when whirlwinds play,
31 The Godhead! Perfect is His way: I'll shovel them, like mire, away.
Fire-proven all the Lord doth say:
A shield for refugees for aye. XIV
Shur was the" If/all" ooundary 0/ Egypt. There the A male"itcs d,,,c/I tuho look
captive David's wives. The Jews rejecting tile Messiah •. tlie Gentiles acceptil1g Him.
X
44 The people strive: Thou rescuest me,
The Consubstantial Godhead
The Gentiles' Head ordain'd to be !
32 For who is Deity? The Lord!
An unknown people serve with glee.
What Rock? Our God alone ador'd !
45 Their ear but hears, and prompt they rise:
33 Godhead! With force He girds my loins- The alien children mock with lies,
Gives the perfection He enjoins.
46 See how the alien children fail-
34 Like some swift hind He makes me fleet;
Look, from their prison-\\,alls-anc 1 qual '1 I. . .
Firm on my heights He plants my feet, The Jews became aliens by rejecting Mcssial: Jesus occontcs Ift:ad 0/ the (,enlde
35 He trains my hands for war's alarm: world.
The brass bow bends beneath mine arm.
The Rock is the sjJecial title 0/ the Couenant God, Ihe Divine SonsltijJ whereon
XV
Ckrist builds His Church.
XI DOXOLOGY
The Condescending Power oj the Incarnation (i.) Deliverance front the Je7vs
36 Thou giv'st me Thy salvation's shield:
47 Hail, living Lord! My Rock be blest!
Thy Hand to me firm stay shall yield,
My Saviour: God's high power confest !
Thy woes for me have wealth conceal'd.
48 Godhead! He gives me vengeance meet-
37 Large space for march Thou dost prepare,
Subdues the peoples 'neath my feet.
Mine ankles shall not stumble there.
" Thy 1VOes": Ihe Passion 0/ CI,n'sl preparing for the glory 0/ the resurrection,
49 My Rescuer: though foes be strong,
" Itfeekn.ss" in Ps. 45. 5. The meekness whiclt stooped 10 Ihe Cross. Thou lift'st me from the rebel throng-
Xil Deliv'rest from the man of cruel wrong.
God ouerrules euen tlte "nbefie/ o/ilte J"WS for tlte final lri"mph 0/ His Chu rch,
The Overthrow oj the Powers oj Darkness
38 On then! Still on! My foes I'll track, (ii.) Exaltation among the Gentiles
Nor till they perish, turn me back.
39 So will I smite, that none shall rise: 50 Therefore 'midst Gentiles, thanks I'll bring!
Their fallen host down-trampled lies. Lord, to 'rhy Name my psalms I'll sing!
40 Thou girdest me with force for fight- 5 I He to His King salvation shows,
Bid'st rebels kneel before my might. And mercy on His Christ bestows,
41 Thou giv'st my foes their neck to show, On David and his seed, while still the Eternal flows!
IFc mus t l(}ok/orward to tlu: conversion 0/ all nations and tIle restoration 0/ Israel
And all who hate, fall whelm'd and low.
in tl,e Eternal Kingdos»,
The victory o/Chrisl 10 be carried on ill Ihe ClwrciL untii alt enemies arc subdued.
 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 19. 77
fight. Ps. 29. identifies the Redeemer in His victory with Him
whose Kingdom was prepared of old when the earth was destroyed
PSALM 19. by the waters of the flood.

PRAISE TO GOD IN NATURE AND IN GRACE

GOD, CREATOR, LEGISLATOR AND REDEEMER
To the Precentor. A Psalm of David

CONSIDER the material heavens as exhibiting the glory of God. THE GLORY OF GOD MANIFESTED IN CREATION
The sun as the central power is the symbol of the Sun of
Righteousness, the Giver of Light and Strength, the foundation (a)
whereon the constellated glory of the Church must repose. Tile Inarticulate Universe
Hear the voice of God speaking through their silent obedience.
2 The Godhead's glory heavens declare:
His Word sustains them.
Space heralds what H is Hands prepare.
That same voice speaks in thine heart, and thou must live to
3 Each day to day o'erflows with speech:
set forth the glory of God in the covenant of grace. Jesus is the
Bridegroom of the soul. And night to night doth knowledge teach.
4 No speech, no worels, make music swell :
The soul has its times of day and night, of joy and sorrow. The
With voice unheard their tale they tell.
one calls thee to utterance of praise. The other hushes thee in the
The beautijul order 0/ the outtuard Heavens indicates a IliglLCr bCflllty a/moral
intensity
known.
of faithful experience. In both ] esus makes Himself
•...
I
relntio1lt/tips wltich it symbolizes.

He gave the law of old. He gives thee now the better law of (b)
the spirit. The old law was spiritual. In the new law thou art
Tile Impersonal Universe a Parable
taken out of the weakness of the flesh, that thou mayest live in its
spiritual power. Give thyself to Him with the wisdom of child-like 5 Through all the earth their line is gone,
simplicity, trusting in H is sure promises, rejoicing in all that He To the world's end their strain runs on-
gives Thee to do, walking steadfastly in the light of His moral A tent He makes them for the sun.
control, so as to be illuminated by the holy love wherein it is 6 That bridegroom quits his curtain'd bed,
fulfilled. Let holy fear keep thee from swerving, and the discipline Ecstatic, giant-like, his tread!
of H is Providence speed thee in righteousness. 7 See from the end of heaven he goes:
o the riches, the sweetness, the illumination, of a life thus lived The ends of heaven his circuit close,
with Christ! Let Him be thy joy, and He shall find joy in thee. All nature with his glory glows.
He is the Rock on whom thou mayest stand secure. He who has The Su.n of Rigltll..'olfsJlCSS is the Bridegroom 0/ fllc SjJirituaI1l1liverse.

delivered thee from thine enemies will avenge thee and betroth
thee to Himself in eternal love. II
The two parts of this Psalm are quite different in structure from THE GLORY OF GOD ;vlANIFJ<:STED IN REVELATION
one another, but they are not distinct compositions. The first sets
forth the physical glory of creation. The second declares the (a)
moral glory of the Creator. The one leads on to the other. The Eleuating' Power of the Law
The whole Psalm introduces a yet nobler theme, the glory of
Redemption. This is indicated by the last word-my Avenger. 8 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul from lies:
The following decade exhibits the great Avenger going forth to His The Lord,-l-I is witness is faithful. The simple it makes to
struggle with the enemy. In Ps. 22. we see the intensity of the be wise.
 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 20. 79
9 The Lord,-Upright are His precepts, transporting the heart through J esus thy glorified Lord, who has smitten thine enemies,
with glee. and made thy soul His Bride.
The Lord,-His commandment is pure, giving light, that the He is the Divine Goel, and thou art called by His Name.
eyes may see. Praise Him for the salvation which He has wrought. Look
10 The fear of the Lord has a lustre which standeth for ever forward to the salvation which He will make manifest when He
unmov'd. comes in His Kingdom. He is the true David the King. Great
The Lord,-His judgements are truth, in righteousness is the joy which He takes in all His saints who call upon Him.
always approv'd. He will avenge them speedily.
Christ received all authority both in Heaven and earth when He
(b)
rose from the dead and was declared to be the Son of God in all
Personal Dependence on the ll£ercy of tile Le,gislator the power of the Holy Ghost (Matt. xxviii. 18).
He stilI intercedes for us in Heaven by the presentation of
1I Gold cannot match their desire, and the finest gold fails of
their glow. Himself as the Head over all things to His Church, identifying
Himself with His members, so that He is sensitive to their
They are sweeter than drops of honey, which from combs in
sufferings upon the earth and calls them to participate in the
their fulness flow,
glory wherewith He is exalted in Heaven. He does not, however,
12 By them is Thy servant enlighten'd. The Wages to heed
need now to ask on our behalf, for He has received all whereby
them are sure.
His Church in her fulness shall be glorified in His Name. We as
13 But waywardness-who can detect? Acknowledge me
His members have to ask the Father in Christ's Name, and He, the
inwardly pure!
consubstantial Son, owns it as the glory of His triumphant
14 From the proud let Thy servant be guarded, and let not the
tyrant prevail! . Humanity to dispense to us those gifts for which we plead. His
intercession is glorious and authoritative as the Personal Dispenser
So let me be perfect and pure, though a world of
of the Divine bounty. By feeding upon Christ in the Holy
transgressors assail!
Eucharist we obtain the right to exercise in prayer that claim of
ry Let the speech of my lips be Thy pleasure, the musings
Divine Sonsbip which was given to us when we were made His
that spring from my heart!
members in Holy Baptism.
Yea, Lord, let them rise up before Thee! My Rock, my
Avenger, Thou art!
THE WELCOME OF THE SAVIOUR KING

PSALM 20. Tile Chorus speaks

THE POWER OF CHRIST'S NAME 2 THE Lord in sorrow grant thee blest reply!
To tile Precentor, A Psalm of David The Name of Jacob's God uplift thee high!
3 He from His shrine thy help display-
HEAR the multitude of the heavenly host encouraging thee. Thou From Zion shown to be thy stay!
hast many enemies to meet if thou wilt be true to Jesus. Fear not. Thine offer'd meal He deign to mind,
Abundant strength is provided in the covenant of grace. Be That thus thy gift may fatness find i-Selah
diligent therefore in presenting the Eucharistic oblation with Jesus 5 He give thee all that wins thy heart-
triumphant in glory. He wiIl acknowledge thee. "What thou To all thy counsel fulness blest impart!
askest the Father in My Name He wiIl give it thee." Th e meal, witlt oil and frankincensc 'Was tIle tncmorial acco}:zplZ1tying tIle 'pUIU·
Jesus is to be glorified in tl e fulfilment of thy prayers. He is offirillff and p!eadil1,..t: its virtues. (Tlu: sacrifice is (1j!t:red and the toketls are
the Right Hand of the Father. What the Father does, He does favQurable.]
 80 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
PSALM 21. 81
The Priest
Let thy whole life upon earth be a psalm of praise, telling of His
6 Now chant we Thy salvation's fame! triumph, acting in His strength, conformed to His Iik~~ess: Be
Now rally in our God's great Name! strong in the Lord and in the power of His might: ReJol~e 111 the
The Lord fulfil what Thy petitions claim! Lord alway. Rejoice in tribulations. Rejoice 111 the victory of
7 The Lord, I know, His Christ doth save: faith. Rejoice in the eternity of love.
Answer from Holy Heaven He gave.
He His Right Hand with saving might will wave.
MESSIAH'S RETURN
Chorus
2 Lord, in Thy strength how joys the King-
8 Some look to chariots, some to horse, but we Exults Thy saving power to sing!
The Lord our God's Name bear in memory! 3 His longing heart by Thee is blest:
9 Brought to their knees our foes lie fallen there: Thou hold'st not back his lips' reqllest.-Selah.
But we shall rise, made strong new life to share. Praise for Christ's victory. His desire to return to the Ftr.tllcr.

10 Lord, still to us Thy great salvation bring!

We call and watch the answer of our King. 4 Thou meet'st him rich with blessings sure:
Israel was to have no cavalry. Jehoval,: was the true King-. lJavid was His reo Thou crown'st his head with gold most pure.
presentative.
5 He ask'd Thee life, and Thou didst give
Long days,-for evermore to live.
TIre ascended Saviour ruling- over the earth. TIre eternal kilfg-dom. The agony
PSALM 21
is rewarded by eternal life.

CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST'S TRIUMPHANT POWER

6 Great glory claims he, Thy salvation,
To the Precentor, A Psalm of David Majestic brightness, Thy donation!
CONSIDERthe joy of our Lord's Humanity now glorified in Heaven. 7 Centre of blessings shall he be,
Look upward by faith into the opened heavens. By the partici- Cheer'd by Thy Face rejoicingly.
pation of His adorable mood I-Ie calls us to enter thither along l1u connnunicated merits o/Christ.

with Him. Ask in His Name, and nothing shall be denied.

[The Music expresses the loftiness of the prayer.] 8 Since on the Lord the King relied,
Behold Him in His glory. He suffered in the struggle of earth. The Highest's mercy bids unmoved abide.
Rejoice to suffer along with Him, that with Him thou mayest be 9 All foes-Thy Hand shall find them out!
glorified. Seek His strength in suffering, that He may be glorified All haters Thy Right Hand shall rout!
in thee. God hath given Him to be a Saviour. He has conquered TI,e world-wide souereigruy, Its contrast will, lI,at 0/ Alltic/,ri!!.
the prince of this world. Now He rejoices in the welcome of the
Father's love. He rejoices while He calls Thee to share His
10 Thou'lt make them like a furnace-fire!
struggle and to be exalted in the same welcome.
One look! The Lord in swallowing ire
Consider the doom of His enemies. They must be put to flight.
Engulphs! They feed the flaming pyre.
All who will not own Him as King must on that day be brought
II Their fruit Thou shalt destroy from earth,
forward for judgement and slain before Him.
Withering their seed from human birth.
Accept Him as Thy King in holy love. By love thou must
The KiJt~s face, i.c. }(i'llg Jl1cssialz, looks, Oil tlum .. David was a type. The
accept Him. In love will He glorify thee. A nnnonites cast into bric!': 1...;1115 WOe: (l. type (1/ 'Jlt 1lll~fodlylit the last day.

VOL. II. F
 82 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 22.

12 What though at Thee such wrongs they plann'd- serpent must bruise the Redeemer's Heel. He in whom was no
Such schemes devised! They shall not stand. sin has assumed a nature in which He must die to sin. . Only by
13 Thou mak'st them fly in wild disgrace: death can He leave this world. The Divine glory could not shine
Thy bowstring's burden smites their face. out within Him until the tyranny of Satan was done away.
Tlte Vidor's arrmos are bot" ofvellJ;eance affaillst evil jo'WC1'Sand also of apostolic
grace./or salvation oftltefait/ifu!, The Son of God feels in this struggle the separation from God, not \
as one Person from another, but as a terrible rending of His own ~
14 Lord, in Thy strength ascend the height! Personal Being, for He is of one Substance with the Father, and)
Our songs, our psalms, shall praise Thy might! He is also of one Substance with the whole sinful mass of mankin~.
He who, being man, could not show forth the fulness of HIs
Divine glory until that' manhood has passed through death out of
PSALM 22, Satan's tyranny, calls thee, now that He is glorified, to experience
the fulness of grace which He will give thee if thou abidest in Him.
THE FAITHFUL COMMUNICANTS' FELLOWSHIP IN
"He emptied Himself" to take thy nature. Thall must empty thy-
TIlE REDEEMER'S STRUGGLE
self, if thou wouldst be filled with the fulness of God, as partaking of
To the Precentor. Ou ' The .Hind of the l1fonzillg." A Psalm of David H is nature (John i. J 6).
He died that He might enter into His glory. Thou must die if ~ ./"" ~
CHRIST, our King, exalted in His own strength I So the last Psalm thou wouldst be filled with His glory. He died when His discipline
ended. We contemplate that exaltation and praise His power. of suffering was complete. Thall must die by the power of grace,
But if we would do this rightly, we must contemplate the struggle if thou wouldst know H is indwelling Presence as the hope and
by which He has attained to be exalted. Come, then, to the Cross earnest of glory, now given and hereafter to be revealed in Thee.
and behold the Almighty Son of God in the utmost weakness of Thou must learn to appropriate His gifts in the same discipline of
His Manhood. In that weakness must the Divine strength be suffering whereby He obtained the right to give them to thee.
manifested, not making the weakness less, but filling it with Divine " My Godhead! My Godhead! why hast Thou left Me alone?"
endurance, so that no outward suffering can take away His life. He could not act in the strength of His Codhead; but He could
It is for thy sake that He thus proclaims it, that thou, being united not forfeit the life of His Godhead. Therefore He could not die in
with Him, mayest rise through weakness to the experience of the the weakness of His Manhood. The Holy Ghost, proceeding from
Father's love. Enter into the mystery of the struggle, and repeat His own Person eternally, was always resting upon H is Manhood;
the opening question. Repeat it not merely in sympathy as) and that, not by external shelter as He came upon holy men afore-

I~ with a sufferer, but with adoration,

to be truly God.
miracles.
for this suffering shows Him
Others might have been empowered
This suffering in a sinful world, struggling
to work His
with all th~T
time, but with internal, all-penetrating
conscious of His Personal
He came, and to this Blessed
relationship
vitality, making His Manhood
to the Father from whom
Spirit by whom He came. The
powers of darkness, is what none but the Incarnate God could knowJ Godhead of the Father and of the Holy Ghost is His own. He is
I t is a Divine struggle, for it surpasses all the power of Satal1.\ consubstantial with them. He appeals as being one with them,
He is struggling with Satan for God's glory. Give Him worship. : while yet H is Person has to bear the horrible loathsomeness of sin
He is struggling on thy behalf. Give Him thanks. Yea! Dedicate wherewith His human nature is identified. He is left as man, but
thyself to take up thy Cross and follow Him.
He has to do the work of God. His Godhead remains within Him,
Consider how, during the three-and-thirty years of His hurnilia- but it does not by any co-operative omnipotence lessen the
non, the Son of God emptied Himself of all the prerogatives of strain whereby His Manhood must resist the pressure of Satanic
Godhead which in their self-communicative nature would naturally evil.
have glorified, from the very first, the manhood with which they Thou hast to bear that pressure also, but not in like manner.
were so closely identified. That manhood could not be glorified His glorified Manhood is within thee. Thou art one of His
while it was in this world subject to the tyranny of Satan. The members. His Manhood, which acted of olel alone, now acts in
 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
thee for thy sanctification with all the power of the Holy Ghost
dwelling within Him.
Thou hast been baptized into the Triune Name. When temptation
or sorrow comes upon thee, recall to remembrance that thou art
partaker of the Divine nature in Christ, for God hath" laid help
upon One that is Mighty," and "underneath thee are the Ever-
lasting Arms" (Ps. 89. 20; Deut. xxxiii, 37).
Do not doubt the reality of grace, although it does not dispel thine
enemies. Do not complain that God has left thee. Though thou
dost not experience His support, His Presence is within thee. Ask
Him why He leaves thee thus. There is a reason.
Surely without this withdrawal of Divine manifestation Jesus
could not have accomplished the work of thy redemption. Surely
without a like experience thou wouldst never be able to claim His
,redeeming power. In Him thou seest what that redemption cost.
By thine own experience of incapacity under Satan's power, thou
must learn thy need of that redemption. The cry of thy faith must
rise up to the bitterness of His anguish. By the power of the
Holy Ghost He endured that anguish. By the power of the Holy
Ghost must thy cry rise up for help.
o my J esu, I hear" the words of Thy roaring" in the anguish of
Thy redeeming love. Great is the mystery whereby Thou dost
assume man's emptiness, but I look to Thee for salvation. In the
roaring of Thy passion I hear the Voice of the Beloved, the
Eternal Word ofUod. Thou art the Lion of Judah, whom Thy
brethren must praise. Thy roaring makes Satan tremble, for in
the very anguish wherewith he sees Thee to be afflicted, he reads
the doom whereby his own head must be bruised for ever.
Thy Voice, 0 Jesu, resounds amidst the powers of hell to whom
Thou art come down, and" Thy salvation" shines upon the throne
of God where Thou wilt stablish Thy redeemed. But hadst Thou
not taken our nature so as thus to come down to the depths of our
sorrow in Satan's bondage, Thou couldst not have raised us from
that depth to the height of Thy joy at God's Right Hand. Thy
roaring is deeper than we can hear, and Thy glory is higher than
we can see. Great is the mystery of creation, and great is the gulf
of sin, but Thy Divine love spans the gulf, and Thy Divine wisdom
shall reveal the mystery.
o my Jesu, I hear Thine appeal. Surely not without reason art
Thou left to enter as man into anguish greater than we, exiles, can
know, for Thy Divine Sonship fails not. Through the gateway
of death whereby Thou passest to be owned in glory as the Eternal
PSALM 22.
Son, Thou callest us from our state of exile to attain the blessedness
of Thy Sonship in Thy Father's Home.
OJ esu, how did'st Thou persevere in prayer with strong crying
and tears! Alas! How soon do I become weary and leave off, if
I do not at once obtain that which I desire.
o Jesu, from beneath the darkness of our sins, Thou didst con-
template the holiness of God. That sight, which Thou, as the
Eternal Son, alone canst see, was the strength whereby Thall didst
remain untainted amidst the evil. Unless Thou didst enable us to
praise God in His holiness, our voices could not rise beyond the
sphere of our darkness. Help me to confess Thee as the Holy One
of God, that in praising Thee I may attain to the vision which shall
perfect me in holiness with Thyself.
o Jesu, surely" our fathers found deliverance" by reason of Thy
sanctifying presence. Thou wast ever the Hope of Israel. Thou
didst rescue them when they were in peril. Thou art He in whom
all nations of the earth shall be blessed. That blessing was assured
to Abraham when he gave up his son to die, and Thou art the
Lamb whom God has provided for us. Thou through the typical
ceremonial of earthly sacrifices, hast sustained Thy people through
ages ever since. By death Thou bringest to us blessings which
this world's life could never know. Thy death manifests Thine
immortality. In Thy strength men of old trusted, hoping for the
Divine glory to shine out. That glory is Thy life, and no powers
of darkness can set it aside. That glory is the truth whereon Thy
Church relies, communicated now to us by the power of the
Pentecostal Spirit. Thy Word has been proved in truth by every
age. The gates of hell cannot prevail against it.
o Jesu, Thou didst create man in Thine own image, that he might
shine with Thy glory. How hast Thou humbled Thyself in taking
the likeness of our sinful flesh! The King of Heaven appearing as
a worm of earth! Thou layest aside Thy heavenly glory. Thou
takest not the glory of earth. Nay! Thou knowest the glory of
earth to be only false and worthless. Let me, as one of Thy chosen
ones, feel in my heart how worthless all earthly glory is, that I may
not be separated from Thee by its falsehood.
o Jesu, if others laugh Thee to scorn, let me the more give to
Thee the homage of my heart. If they taunt Thee, as though the
claim of God's protection were unavailing, let me own Thee as
my God, who alone canst deliver me. They know not how
God delighteth in Thee, for they neither know Thee nor Thy
Father. They who are of earth, know not the things of God:
86 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 22.

but give Thou me the spiritual discernment whereby to recog- o J esu, Thou didst cry unto the Father when the trouble was
nize in earthly reproach and feebleness the true tokens of Thy near at hand. Now again dost Thou cry out. Thou hast shown
benediction. Thyself faithful in the endurance of the conflict. Now Thou dost
o J esu, Thou who didst take Eve out of the side of Adam, didst call to the Father, claiming to be delivered. Alas! How often
vouchsafe to take for Thyself a body in the womb of the blessed have I failed in that struggle which Thou hast assigned to me that
Virgin. As nature is feeble in its beginning, so let me accept the I might follow Thee! Thou hast been near me, and I have not
feebleness wherein grace is communicated, that I may grow to Thy looked to Thee. Nevertheless be Thou near me now. Thou art
full stature according to Thy will. In my weakness Thou canst my succour. Haste Thee to help me. I have no power of per-
still make Thy grace to be triumphant. Only teach me how weak severance save what comes from Thee. Though I forget Thee, do
I am, that I may know how strong Thou art. not Thou forget me.
o Jesu, the germ of Thy Manhood was the manifestation of God- o J esu, Thou didst cry unto the Father ere Thou wouldst leave
head's power, when Thou wast" conceived by the Holy Ghost." the world of flesh to go forth with Thy soul into the region of
On that Godhead Thou did'st rely with filial confidence while yet an spiritual darkness. As Thou wast true to the Father in the
Infant. Thou comest forth to do the will of God, and find therein struggle of earthly life, so shalt Thou abide joyous in H is Truth
Thy meat all the days of Thy life. Yea! Thou art" one Godhead" in the spi rit-realm whither Thou art going. Now also, though
with the Father. He is Thine in the unity of the Holy Ghost. I have been so untrue to Thee, be Thou true to Thy promises
Now also by that love whereby Thou art I-lis, I entreat Thee to which Thou hast made to me. Rescue my soul from the sword,
claim me also as Thine own. The Father will not reject any that Thy darling from the power of the dog. The sword of Thy
come to Him through Thee. Spirit of Truth shall overcome the sword of the foul spirit of
o Jesu, surely though Thy roaring belongs to a condition of falsehood.
humanity far removed from the exaltation of Thy Godhead, never- o Jesu, Thy soul was indeed a solitary one, and the vile dogs of
theless Thy Person ever abides in the Bosom of the 'Father. " He earth hunted Thee. Thou art the only Soul, true to Coel and true
will not be far from thee." So teach me also to abide in Thy love, to man. Soul of Jesus, sanctify me. Yea, Lord! Behold my soul
even though the sin which dwelleth in me separates me so sadly united to Thine. Thou alone art secure from the power of the dog.
from the sweet consciousness of Thy grace. "Trouble is hard at I can have no security except in Thee.
hand, and there is none to help," but the Cross makes me cry out to o J esu, Thou hast suffered in the world in all the weakness of
Thee, and for the sake of the Cross do Thou think upon me to the flesh. Now Thou clost call for the power of the Godhead to
rescue me. save Thee in hell by the manifestation of the Spirit. Thou art the
o Jesu, many bullocks, the strong powers of darkness, gathered Only One, the well-beloved of God. Thy Human Soul is united
round Thee: but they could not destroy Thee. Round me also do indissolubly with Thy Divine nature. Yet Thou wilt own me as
they come, and I have not power to keep myself; but help me in I' united unto Thyself. The evil one is yawning to swallow me up.
the fellowship of new birth to keep myself close to Thee, that the I "Save me from the lion's mouth." He could not close his mouth
wicked one may not touch me. They gape upon me, the brood of upon Thee when Thou didst descend thither by Thine own free
hell. The enemy still goeth about as a roaring lion seeking to will, having finished Thy work upon earth, I must go thither when
devour. Let me remember that Thou hast conquered him. Keep my time is come, for it is the due of Illy sin that I should experience
me by Thy grace ever steadfast in the faith. his engulfing, but save Thou me by Thy Divine indwelling, that his
o J esu, "Thy Blood was poured out like water" in the bloody mouth may not close upon me. Lift me out of his mouth, that I be
sweat, when Thou didst feel the power of the enemy seeking to not swallowed up, but may Iive for ever.
destroy. 0 let my blood be strong with the heavenly power of o Jesu, Thy Bones are out of joint, but not one of them is
Thy Blood whereby I am raised to heavenly birth, that Satan in broken. I n the agony of Thy frame I behold the very manifesta-
I
his assaults may not find in me the feebleness of my fallen nature, I tion of the Divine care which sustains Thee. So be it with me.
but the immortality of grace. I As earthly things fail, help me to experience in my heart the security
 88 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
of Thy covenanted promises. Yea! let me glory in my infirmities
rather than in any gifts of nature. So shall God be glorified in me.
Yea! And when I see Thy Church, Thy mystical Body, disjointed
by carnal divisions, still let me recognize Thy grace which calls us
to be conformed to Thy Passion, but will not suffer the evil one to
take away our life. I behold the Divine glory of the Church, not
in the power of her external organisation, but in the weakness which
enshrines an indestructible life.
a J esu, how is Thy Heart become" as melting wax'" Strange
struggle' Has it indeed destroyed the natural functions of Thine
earthly vitality? But Thou livest! The evil one cannot destroy Thy
life. The Heart is the organ of life to man, but the Divine fellowship
is the Source of Life to Thee. What though Thy Heart be as melting
wax while the serpent crusheth Thee; it does but show the power
of Thy Godhead whereby still Thou livest. Thou art crushed after
the likeness of sinful men, but Thou livest with the Spirit of God.
Yea! An Angel shall come to Thee and strengthen Thee with
renewed vigour of fleshly org-anism, that Thou mayest yet go for-
ward and fulfil what remains of the struggle, so that Thou shalt
crush the Serpent's head. a let me never despond as if I could
no longer do what God has given me to do. "My heart and my
strength faileth, but Thou art the strength of my heart and my
portion for ever." a let all the blood of earthly passion be squeezed
out of my heart by the very violence of Satan's assaults, that I may
have no life of my own, but that life only which Thou dost give to
such as have died unto the earth with Thee.
a J esu, "Thy strength is dried up like a potsherd, and Thy tongue
cleaveth to Thy gums." No earthly solace can alleviate the suffer-
ings to which Thou art led forth. Thy prophetic ministry is ended.
Thou shalt be silent in the midst of Thine enemies, as one that is
dumb and cannot open his mouth. A few words of Divine power
shalt Thou speak, but Thou art the silent Lamb now being
led. out to the slaughter. How is the moisture of Thy Body
clramed away by the bloody sweat' Hurried about from one
judgement seat to another, how is Thy whole Being wearied. No
feverish heat is Thine, such as would be ours in the midst of such
wild worry, for Thou meetest all in the calmness of God; but the
waste of natural supply is what Thou hast to suffer, the parched
mouth, the intolerable thirst. a let me in all bodily exhaustion
seek strength and refreshment from Thee, for Thou hast borne
this strain of the earthly nature in order that the fountains of
grace might be as watersprings in the dry ground of our humanity.
PSALM 22.
Hereof must we drink and go upon our way with renewed energy
until our appointed task be done!
a Jesu, Thou hast been "brought into the dust of death"
whither all men must return, that Thou mayst raise us up in the
glory of the spiritual body wherein Thou shalt assemble Thy
faithful ones as Thine own members to live with Thine eternal
life.
a Jesu, Satan could not take away Thy life, but now must the
seed of the serpent do their worst against Thee. Dogs, the
council of the wicked, surround Thee now as the spiritual bullocks
of Bashan surrounded Thee before. The savage troops of un-
cleanness in the city take the place of the larger herds of the
mountains. They were dogs ruling in apostate Jerusalem' Alas!
did not my sins then compass Thee round? Thou didst feel the
sins of Thine own people who, though called by new birth into the
heavenly Jerusalem, would yet devour Thee in their wicked
passions, wasting Thy grace, instead of feeding on Thee by faith
that they might live by Thy cleansing power.
a ]esu, I see Thy Hands and Thy Feet pierced as Thou
hangest upon the Cross. As they were fastened thus in obedience
to the decree of an unjust judge, so let my hands and my feet be
nailed to Thy Cross-transfixed by the love wherewith Thou, the
righteous Judge requirest Thy people to be united unt~ Th.ee. By
the Cross Thou clost pass from this world of suffering II1to the
glory which Thou hast won, and we, if we die to this world of sin
upon the Cross, shall find death to be the gate of life whereby we
may enter into the glory which Thou callest Thy redeemed to
share along with Thee.
a ]esu, "the Bones of Thy stretd~ed Body may al~ be counted."
Thy Flesh mangled with the scourg mg no longer hides them. I
see Thy Form so ragged, so raw, so red with Blood. But more
than the suffering of Thy Body is the suffering which Thou dost :/
bear by reason of the sins of those who are Thy mystical Body.
Alas' Thy very saints, how dost Thou grieve for them that they
should have been so torn by the poisonous wounds of sin although
united to Thee and living with Thy life.' a how dost Thou mourn
for my sins' a how must I mourn for them when I look to Thee!
yet Thou dost tell all Thy Bones. Thy people are known to Thee,
one by one. We know Thee, because we partake of Thy grace.
Thou knowest us, because Thou givest grace to each one. Thou
knowest us by the necessities of our sins.
a J esu, the multitude of the Jews" stand staring and looking
I I
90 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
upon Thee." They look with hatred, but I would look to Thee and
worship Thee. They look to Thee, and their hate finds satis-
I) faction in Thy death, but Thy death shall separate Thee from their
malice for ever. I look to Thee and behold Thee triumphantly
exalted through the gateway of death; and the glory of Thine
I mmortality shines forth through all Thy wounds. A flood of
sanctifying power streams through these wounds on every penitent
soul burning its way with ecstasy of transport into every heart that
rises out of its earthly self to be lost in the contemplation of Thine
exhaustless love.
o J esu, the soldiers "part Thy garments among them," but I
would seek to be clothed not with the garments which Thou hast
put aside. Rather let me put aside all the clothing of my sinful
pride. I would come to Thee to have my nakedness clothed with
the raiment of grace which Thou dost communicate to the inmost
nature. Through Thy wounds it comes to the penitents who share
Thy Passion, and they who bear its hidden virtue, clothing the
interior man in this vale of sorrows, shall find it enwrapping them
with its mystical splendour when Thou earnest in Thy Kingdom and
Thy Train fills the Temple.
o Jesu," they cast lots" upon Thy seamless robe. They only
know it by its earthly value, and seize upon it by earthly means.
Worthless were that which Thou hast worn, if it be taken away
from Thee. Blessed shall be the apparel which unites Thy saints
to Thyself in the communicated merits of Thy Life on high. It
shall not be parted among many so as to lose the unity of its
life, nor shall it be appropriated by one, so as to minister to the
pride of the possessor, but Thou shalt wear it and Thy saints shall
wear it along with Thee, Thou the Head, and they the members.
The robe of manhood which belonged to Thee as the Seed of the
woman shall shine with the brightness of God marking out the
merits of Thy Passion and those who have lived true to the
fellowship of Thy grace shall be clothed as partakers of the
glorified Humanity in the Unity of the Holy Ghost. Creation
yields to God the worthy praise for it is the Voice of the Creator
which attunes all to itself. Help me to sing Thy praise in the joy
of the Eternal Spirit.
Glory be to Jesus! Thou callest all to praise the Lord, "all who
fear" Him as the Almighty Creator. Thou call est "all the seed of
Jacob to glorify Him," for on them the blessing of Isaac rests the
inheritance of Abraham. Thou Thyself, art the Son of God in
whom the promise is fulfilled. Thou callest upon all "the seed of
PSALM 22. 9I
Israel" to bow with awe before the Lord. Jacob prevailed as a
Prince with God, and his name was changed when he saw God
face to face.. So must those have their name changed from
earthly to heavenly who prevail with God in the power of the
Holy Ghost, and have their eyes opened to see the glory of
Messiah. Even so let me evermore be lifted up in the praise of
Thy revelation.
Glory be to Jesus! While I contemplate Thy glory I learn to
praise Thee for Thy humiliation. "Thou hast not despised nor ab-
horred the low estate of the poor," and as Thou hast shared our
suffering, being despised upon earth, the Father hath not despised
Thee. He hid not His Face from Thee, though He left Thee
alone in the humiliation of our earthly estate. He has heard
Thy voice when Thou calledst unto Him. All Thy sufferings
are now rewarded in the fulness of Thy love. So let me also
remember that the Father will not reject me because of my
sufferings. Help me to call upon Him in the power of Thy grace,
that through Thy poverty I may attain the riches of the heavenly
glory.
Glory be to Jesus! Upon Thy Mediatorial Throne Thou callest
all the saints, living and departed, "the great congregation," to
praise God, and Thou praisest the Father as being Thyself the
Only-begotten Son. Thy praise is the utterance of that eternal
love which Thou hast to Him, the consubstantial life whereby Thou
rejoicest in Him, God of God and Light of Light, one God with
the Father for evermore. Let not my praise to God die out in
the feebleness of earthly emotion. Evermore let me pour forth
Thy praise in the fellowship of eternal life.
Glory be to Jesus! As Thou hast wrought out our salvation by
Thy suffering, enduring all for the glory of the Father, so dost
Thou present Thyself before Him with all the merits of Thy
passion. "Thou dost perform Thy vows in the presence of them
that fear God" by the perpetual intercession whereby Thy
glorious Sacrifice pleads in heaven. All creation rests upon the
merits of Thine oblation, and as we look up to Thee at the Right
Hand of the Father, we know that those merits plead for ever
with all the power of the Eternal Word. Teach me so to rejoice
in Thine intercession that I may lay hold of the blessings of Thy
reclem ption.
Glory be to Jesus! Thou callest us, though so poor and
unworthy, to feed upon Thy Body and Blood, that we may" eat and
be satisfied." Teach me to draw near with such true faith, that I
 92 STRUGGLE AND VICtORY PSALM 22. 93

may indeed partake of Thy fulness and show forth the virtue of
Thy new life, nourishing me in union with Thyself.
Glory be to Jesus! "They that seek the Lord shall praise Him."
Thou hast promised that they who seek shall find. 0 let me know
my need increasingly, that I may seek more and more and find the
ever-increasing abundance of Thy gifts, and rise to Thy likeness
while I become perfected in praise.
Glory be to Jesus! Thou dost promise that our "heart shall
live for ever." 0 let me live for ever with the heart of flesh which
Thou givest to Thy people, that we may always know the joy of
Thy life.
Glory be to Jesus! "All the ends of the earth shall remember"
their God from whom they have wandered after their dead idols.
They shall turn back to the Lord. So shall the kingdoms of the
world become the kingdoms of the Lord and of His Christ. Thou
art the Seed of Abraham in whom all nations of the world are to be
blessed. All the families of the Gentiles shall fall down and worship
Thee. The whole race of mankind shall be perfected in Thy
before Thee or shall be after Thee. Thou dost lead the praise of
God upon the heavenly height. Blessed was the Song of M~ses I
Much more blessed is the Song of the Lamb, filling the emptiness
of the Law with the fulness of the Divine Word.
Glory be to Jesus! What though death be the universal doom
of fallen man! Thou art greater than death! All who go down to
the dust by the touch of death, kneel not to death but to Thee.
Thou, too, hast given Thyself to die. Do the scoffers ~ake mock
of Him "who kept not His own Soul alive?" The faithful n:ust
give Thee praise. Thou gavest Thyself to die that we might
live. Yea! as Thou diest, Thou call est us to follow Thee through
death.
Glory be to Jesus! Hast thou not said that except a corn of
wheat die it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much
fruit? S; truly with Thy dead Body shall a multit.ude rise ~IP,
quickened with the immortality which that Body which has ~hed
once for all, enshrines for ever. A seed shall come up from fhy
grave, and shall serve God in the fruitfulness of. ,!,hy power.

I redeeming love. My Lord and my God!

ever and ever.
Thou shalt reign for They shall be counted as the generatiori of th~ Divine Master.
Thou hast given them a law and Thou hast given them a new
Glory be to Thee, 0 J esu ! Thou didst summon the Triune life.
Glory, hidden during Thy life in the Flesh, to be manifested in Thy Glory be to Jesus! Righteousness could not be obtained b~ the
soul when the Veil of Flesh was done away. "God heard Thee from Law of Moses for that law could not give life. But Thou grvest
among the bisons' horns." Principalities and Powers could not but a new life to those who are born again through Baptism into Thy
acknowledge Thee as the Son of God. The Cherubic Throne is death. Glorious life! They who spring out of Thy grave "shall
the place where Thou shalt dwell, the triumphant Lion of Judah, come and shall declare Thy righteousness" as a living power that
the glorious Ram, in whom the victory of God has been won. Now abideth for ever. " One generation shall show it forth to those that
upon Thy Mediatorial Throne, as Thou hast prevailed to deliver me, are born after them." The song of praise shall waken an utterance
answer me with the welcome of Thy love. that fails not. " He hath done it." This is the Lord's doing, and
Glory be to Jesus, returning from the grave! He calls His it is marvellous in our eyes. .
Church to rejoice along with Him! He declares His Name unto "He was made sin for us who knew no sin," that He might
His brethren, sending forth His Apostles with the fulness of His conquer the tyrant by whom we were enslaved, and" we might be
exalted authority" to baptize all nations in the Name of the Father made the righteousness of God in Him."
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Help me to live in the Even so, blessed Jesu, the Conqueror of the serpen~, the Seed
power of Thy Holy Name. . of the woman the Heir of Abraham's promises, the Builder of the
Glory be to Jesus! Thou hast gathered round Thee the souls heavenly J erusalern, anointed of the Father to reign upon the
that waited for Thee, and they are called to the perfection which Holy Hill of Zion, Head over all things to the Church, glory be for
was designed for them in Heaven. Yea! Thy Spirit goes forth to evermore to Thee!
train the new-born saints of the heavenly covenant for the glory
which is reserved for them. 0 let me hear Thy voice of love
binding all Thy brethren in one in the covenant of grace.
Glory be to Jesus! Thou art the High Priest of all that were
II ,
,

94 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 22. 95

The Appeal renewed

THE TRIUMPHANT STRUGGLE OF MESSIAH
12 Stand not far off, when sorrow is so nigh!
None gives Me help in Mine emergenc~ !
The Appeal 13 Wild steers upon Me crowd, encompassmg-v-
2My Godhead, Godhead Mine! Why such lone strife? Bashan's strong bulls in an unbroken ring!
My roaring cry suits not salvation's life! * 14 They open wide their mouth to vex My way,

II 3 I call by day: still doth Thine answer fail!

My God, by night no silence checks My wail!
A lion, tearing, roaring o'er his prey!

Tile Humiliation
4 But Thou, the while, all-holy evermore,
Art throned on high where Israel's praises soar! IS How weak am I! Like water pour'd apace!
/I All strain'd by force, My bones are out of place!
My heart unfit to act, like wax is press'd,
The Weakness A melted useless lump within My breast.
16 Like potsherd dried, My vigour goes for n~ught,
II ·5 Our fathers trusted in Thy sovereign strength-
Trusted in Thee-and rescue came at length.
My parch'd tongue cleaving to My gums with drought.
Into death's dusty waste Thou driv'st Me out!
6 To Thee they made their wail, and rescue came:
I n Thee they trusted and they found no shame. The Crucifixion
II 7 But I, no more a man, a mere weak worm,
Bear man's reproach : people despise My form. 17 See what a pack of hounds enclose Me round!
8 All laugh at Me, who see Me thus distrest- Intent on wrong, the circling troop abound!
Mock with their lips, and wag their heads in jest. My hands My feet they pierce with many a wound!
II 9 -" Just leave it to the Lord? He'll set Him right!
He'll surely rescue One, His dear delight!"-
18 My bones-I " count them all! . h t. '
TheY'r~ c1e~r to srg'
Yet these regard, and see Me with delight !
10 'Tis true, for Thou did'st draw Me from the womb, 19 They part My garments: each his sh~U"e has got!
And eager for My robe, they cast their lot.
II And on My mother's breast didst trust assume.
I I Yea! From My birth have I been cast on Thee:
Tile Final Appeal
Thou from My mother's womb My Godhead deign'st to be.
20 But Thou Lord now stand not far off from Me !

II * If it is wished to retain the word with which we are so familiar in our Lord's utterance
from the Cross, we may read the first two lines :_
21
Thou, My "persistence,* haste My Iie Ip to b
,e: I .
Now from the sword My soul, thus whelm d 111stnfe,-
"My Godhead, Godhead Mine, why ME forsake? Now from the dog's paw free My darling life!
Shall roars like Mine salvation's victory wake?"
22 0 save Me from the lion's mouth, e'en now,
II However, the rendering given in the text seems more adequately to represent both the
Hebrew and the Greek. The word does not connote the idea of displeasure which is in
our minds generally associated with this uuerance. The word II forsake I, means merely
From bisons' horns! Blest answer givest Thou!

H leaving." as if what is left were not wanted. There is no subordinate thought of

Tile Appeal ansu/cred
aversion or anger implied by the word either in the Hebrew or in the Greek.

II Messiah looked to be saved out of the power of His enemies, as He was saved by the
Divine glorification in death. The complaint of the Sufferer is that He is left to struggle
23 Thy Name I will recount wl~ere br~thre~ meet~
Amidst th' assembly Thee with praise WIll greet.
alone, and there is no token of the promised salvation vouchsafed to Him. He is 24 0 ye that fear the Lord, these praises lead!
struggling and roaring in His dire necessity, and yet He is left alone and obtains no saving
Show forth His glory, all of Jacob's seed!
reply. The struggle was to be a human struggle, though not without Divine anointing

II and strength.
was finished.
The welcome was to be a Divine welcome as soon as the human struggle All seed of Israel now with awe give heed!
if A form of the word U strength," which occurs only hue.

II
II
11
98 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
Good Shepherd. This rod is the sceptre which shall not depart
from Judah (Gen. xlix. 10.). It is "the rod of uprightness" which
symbolizes the Kingdom of Messiah" (Ps. 45. 7). With this will
He smite the wicked" (Isa. xi. 4). It is the law" of His Mouth" for
He is the Word of God who enjoins it as the test of discipleship
(Matt. x. 38). "With this rod He will feed His people, the flock of
His heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of
Carmel" (Mic. vii. 14). They are distinct from all nations around,
for they alone of all nations have the life of God within them. So
Balaam beheld them (Num. xxiii. 9). So Micah pleads for them.
So the beloved disciple admonishes the spiritual Israel, reborn in
the life of the Crucified (I John v, 19). As the ancient people had
been fed upon the pastures of Bashan and Gilead before crossing
Jordan, so will the Good Shepherd feed His people in a better
" Bashan and Gilead" of abundant fruitfulness "as in the days of
old."
The rod was used for counting. "To pass under the rod lJ
(Lev. xxxii. 32), to be touched by the Cross, is the token of
individual recognition as belonging to the flock of Christ. " He
calleth His sheep by name and leadeth them out." Individually,
He takes count of those who have been marked by the symbol of
regeneration (Ez. ix. 4) saying in the heavenly Jerusalem (Ps.
87. 8), "This man was born there."
So is the rod of the Good Shepherd a comfort to the flock. It
is the token of spiritual union. The Israelites in the wilderness
"crucified the Holy One of Israel" (Ps. 78. 41,42), limiting Him
and" forgetting the day of redemption" in Egypt. We are" cruci-
fied with Christ" (Gal. ii. 20), so as "to live by the faith of the
Son of God," acknowledging the greatness of His power in the
participation of His weakness. To seek for earthly consolation in
preference to the signs whereby our Shepherd proclaims to us His
redeeming love, would be to assimilate ourselves to those Jews who
ignorantly" crucified the Lord of Glory" ; yea I it were" to crucify
the Son of God afresh" (Heb. vi. 6).
Thus does the rod" purge out from among us the rebels." God
pleads with us, "causing us to pass under the rod and bringing us
into the bond of the Covenant" (Ez. xx. 36).
But the Good Shepherd also has a staff. It is the leaning staff
whereby faith learns to rely upon Christ. To rely upon the merits
of Christ's Passion and not to "crucify the flesh" (Gal. v. 24), is to
lean upon the staff while rejecting the rod as a covenant sign of
union. So it was with the old prophets of whom Micah speaks.
PSALM 23.
"They lean upon the Lord, and say: Is not the Lord among us?
None evil can happen unto us" (Mic. iii. II). SO do we, if we look
to the Good Shepherd with the boast of His redeeming love, and
do not humble ourselves to be dead unto the world along with Him
in loving penitence.
With this staff He drives away the enemy, for" by death He
destroyed him that had the power of death" (Heb. ii. 4). Upon
His death by which our enemy was destroyed, He calls us to lean,
while we die with Him in the acceptance of His discipline.
The instruments of the Good Shepherd are for the benefit of the
flock whom "He calls by name, leading them out" of the world
(John x. 3) to follow Him upon the mystical hills of heavenly
pasturage, and protecting them from the wolf while they follow
Him in the paths of righteousness as befits His Name.
"The instrument of the foolish Shepherd," on the contrary is
only, that he himself may eat the flesh of the fat and tear their
claws in pieces" (Zech. xi. 15).
The wounding rod of an earthly religion is harder to bear than
the Cross of Christ. The world is a hard taskmaster in every
form. Its pleasures, its businesses, its morals, and when it
assumes a religion, its religion, all are a terrible bondage, not for
edification but for destruction. Such will be the Antichrist whom
God will raise up for the punishment of His people because they
would not accept the Shepherd whom He has sent.
Oh! how great is the comfort of His guidance I It is by the
ministration of the Spirit that He guides us, and that Spirit is
the Comforter. The Comforter" convinces us of sin," so that we
know ourselves to need the rod. "He convinces us of righteous-
ness," so that we follow Christ, who has left the world and is gone
unto the Father. We follow Him by the Spirit's power in the paths
of righteousness. "He convinces us of judgement," for the staff
on which we are called to lean is the redeeming Passion by which
"the Prince of this world has been judged" (John xvi. 8- I I).
. The Comforter comes to us in all the fulness of Divine power.
He is consubstantial with the Father and the Son, from whom He
proceeds eternally, and therefore, now that the Good Shepherd is
gone unto the Father, " He testifies to us of Christ," enabling us to
realize our fellowship with Jesus our Lord in His glory. Our
glorified Head is present with us by the fellowship of the Holy
Ghost, whom He gives to us, His members, as the living power of
His glorified Body. He has not left us to wander unheeded. By
the gift of the Comforter He has fulfilled His promise: "If a
(
\
100 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
man love Me, He will keep My words, and My Father will love
him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him"
(John xiv. 23). The Comforter's presence is made known to us in
grateful experience by the discipline of the Good Shepherd's rod
and staff.
He is with us so that we fear no evil, for His Presence is no
mere external companionship, but He is the Head of the Body.
wherein our souls are brought back to the life of God. The rod
and the staff of the Good Shepherd are no mere external discipline.
They are exercised by the power of the Comforter who unites us
with the Passion of Christ, the Head. Neither of them would do
us any good unless we were partakers of the Divine Life of Him
who suffered for us upon the Cross. It is only in His living
members that the grace of His Passion can have any avail either
to correct or to defend.
We are not to think that all suffering must be a gain to us as
men. It is the fellowship of Christ's sufferings which is a gain to
us as members of His Body. "As He was, so are we in this world."
As He suffered, so must we suffer if we are His living members.
So must we be made" conformable to His death," and then, "if we
suffer with Him we shall be glorified together" (Phil. iii, 10;
Rom. viii. 17).
Christ Crucified is the Door of the sheep, and by participation
of His Death we are admitted into the fellowship of glory which
the Holy Ghost communicates to the members of His Body. As
He died and lived by the Holy Ghost in death and through death,
so we find comfort in dying to the world. "If ye, through the
Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Being thus dead to the world by the Passion of Christ and alive
unto God by the Holy Ghost, who is the life of Christ's glorified
Body, we are called to feed upon the Body of Christ as the nourish-
ment of the faithful.
The Good Shepherd has" prepared a table for us in the presence
of them that trouble us." It is a Sacrificial Feast which He sets in
order. The priests in the tabernacle laid the wood in order upon
the altar and laid the parts of the victim in order upon the wood"
(Lev. i. 7, 8). Jesus is continually presenting Himself before the
Father as the acceptable offering by the power of the Holy Ghost,
and He calls us to feed upon Him, that we may "live by Him"
(J ohn vi. 57). The Israelites murmured of old, saying, "Can God
set in order a table for us in the wilderness?" (Ps. 78. 19).
God gave them bread not from the true Heaven but in symbol of
PSALM 23. 101
what He would provide in after-time. Now, as we are going
through the wilderness and the valley of the shadow of death God
" gives ,
. us the true Bread from Heaven," even the flesh of His Only-
Begotten Son, the Sacrifice which He delights to glorify by His
eternal acceptance.
Our enemies who trouble us are the powers of evil which are
continually seeking to hinder us in our heavenward progress. The
food provided for us on God's altar is a preservative against their
assaults. "Our sinful bodies ought to be made clean by Christ's
Body, and our souls washed through His most precious Blood."
Thus do the faithful who are members of Christ gain continual
nourishment and purification, as they are increasingly stablished
in the unity of Christ's glorified Body by continually feeding upon
Him. The Good Shepherd feeds us with Himself, and as the wolf
could not devour Him when He gave Himself to die, so neither can
the wolf devour His faithful members who feed upon Him and rise
to the fellowship of His glorified life in Heaven, while outwardly
they are still pressing onward in the weary pilgrimage through
the wilderness of earth.
The Body of Christ is our nourishment, and by partaking thereof
we are made "partakers of the Divine nature," which is in Him
(2 Peter i. 4). As then our glorified Head is anointed" with the
Holy Ghost and with power" (Act. x. 38), we share in this anoint-
ing by the life which He communicates to His members. He is
the. Mecliat~r, and we cannot feed upon His Manhood without par-
taking of HIS Godhead. God" accepts H is burnt sacrifice" (Ps.
xx. 4) as our High Priest. The meat offering is not merely given
to God, the meal with the oil and frankincense of earth. The oil
and frankincense of this pure oblation are given by God Himself
for they are the unction and the merits of God's Only-Begotton Son:
whom He has given to be our Sacrifice. Thus does God" anoint"
our Head with the glorious unction which can belong only to the
Incarnate Son. •
The Good Shepherd is one God with the Father, begotten of Him
from all eternity. The Good Shepherd is the Head of God's
covenanted people, feeding them with Himself by the mystical
extension of His own Incarnate Body. The Holy Ghost proceed-
ing from Him eternally in the Godhead, is the glorifying power
whereby His Manhood is anointed, whereof we are made partakers
in Him. Thus it is that "all they who are fat upon earth have
eaten and worshipped" (Ps. 20. 30). The ''.fatness'' is the unction
communicated by the heavenly food, whereon they feed at the

102 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
tabl~ which the Good Shepherd in the" fatness" of His own unction
provides.
.S? does "~ur cup o'erflow," There was no cup to be drunk by
Divine appomtment in connection with the Jewish sacrifices.
They were sacrifices of death. The Good Shepherd has ordained
"the Cup of the New Testament," that we may drink of His Blood
for His ~lood did not perish in the corruption of death. After Hi;
deat~, HIs Blood flowed forth from His pierced side, living incor-
ruptibly by the power of the Holy Ghost. This Cup is indeed a
cup o~abundant refreshment, for in this Blood is the life which no
~nemle.scould take away, and this human life of our anointed Head
hves ~Ith the ~nointing life of the Eternal Spirit.
. This Bl.oo.dIS not only needful for the period of earthly wander-
mgs. It IS m the virtue of this Blood that we are to live for ever.
Now w~ have to "go through fire and water," but God is "bringing
us out into abundant refreshment" (Ps. 66. 12). [The word is
the same.]. Tha~ ref:es~ment whereby we are called to a holy
and mystenous inebriation, transporting us out of ourselves, is
none other than the Blood of Christ whereby our souls are washed
freed from corrupting passion, lifted up into the life of God
eternally.
David's calumniators have taunted him with his incapacity to
show .them any good coming from his service of God (Ps. 4. 6).
Tha~ IS a taunt which we must be content to bear. The obedience
of faith would be little worth if it were not tested by failure but
the child.ren of faith know whom they have believed. The; are
not. huntmg after some earthly good, for there is no good to be
denved from earth. Earth is all evil. God is all good. We
cannot produce good out of evil by any human effort. No I "The
w~oIe world lieth in the wicked one" (I John v. 19). But in this
evil world the goodness of God is in continual attendance upon
us. "-,Goodness and mercy" are the powers by which the Good
Shepherd keeps His Rock together. Evil is round about them
a~d. they are liable to be assaulted by wild beasts, but the
Divine goodness pursues them so as to prevent their wandering
away, and the Divine mercy brings them back when they have
strayed.
The pn~vi?us verses have spoken of the i!¥-.e.r.iorgifts, nourish-
me~t, anomtmg, refreshment, power to progress ill righteousness.
This last verse speaks of the external protective and restorative
powe~. "They that seek the Lord shaiI .lack no manner of thing
that IS good" (Ps. 34. 10), God sanctifies every creature so
II
)
I
I PSALM 23. 103
as to be good for His people, even though in our fallen state it be
evil. It becomes an instrument of His goodness. Every vocation
of life is hallowed by His Providence if we are following where
He, our Good Shepherd, guides. The needs of our life vary from
day to day, but the goodness of God is acting on our behalf to
supply us according to our daily need. Day after day He gives
us the bread which is most serviceable for the day. His goodness
follows us so as to give us the proper allowance for every day
(Prov. xxx. 8). Surely we should use the best things to our hurt if
the goodness of God did not keep close to us in their using, and
the worst things tend to our well-being if the goodness of God
provides them.
But His goodness needs to be accompanied by His mercy, for
we, by our wilfulness, are ever apt to go astray. The Psalm of the
way of life ends with the confession of continual wanderings. "I
have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: 0 seek Thy servant"
(Ps. 119. 176). When we wander, then the wolf is likely to get
hold of us. David could look back to boyhood, when he delivered
the lamb from the lion and from the bear, when the beast had
him already in his mouth. Now he looks for the mercy of the
Good Shepherd to be his own deliverer. Does not the shepherd
take out of the mouth of the lion even the two legs or a piece of
an ear? (Amos iii. 12). Much more can the Psalmist trust the
Good Shepherd to deliver him from the mouth of the destroyer.
The two legs with which he went astray I Part of an ear, although
he would not attend to the Shepherd's call! The worthless
remnant of our being, swallowed up though it be by Satan, He
will not leave to perish. His mercy will take hold of the soul
which He has brought to repentance. Earthly life cannot be
restored, but where there is a part of an ear left, the Good
Shepherd can refashion, recreate, His perished prize. So does
His mert.:yfollow after that which was lost. 0 the daily sins by
which we wander! 0 the daily mercy which scares us back in
penitence, and heals us when we are wounded by sin, yea! takes
the smallest remnant of our being, so that when we are past all
natural recovery, we may yet live to praise Him for the restoration
of grace.
o what goodness He shows to us in the Communion of saints!
o what mercy He shows to us in the Forgiveness of sins! Yea!
all the days of our life! and then, after death, the Resurrection of
the Flesh, and the Life Everlasting. "I shall dwell in the House
of the Lord for ever."
 S T RUG G LEAN D VI C TOR Y PSALM i4. r05

"We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were 4 What though I tread the vale of death's dark shade,
dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with With Thee at hand, no wrong can make afraid,
hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor. v. I). "Blessed are they Upon Thy rod, Thy staff, with comfort stayed.
that dwell in the House of the Lord!" (Ps. 84. 4). We may 5 Before my troublers Thou a feast has spread:
fall away from the Divine goodness during this life of probation, Thine unction's fatt'ning fragrance cheers my head,
but the life which follows knows no danger. The days of this And richly is my cup replenished.
TIte Patriarchs wailed in hope. We muslfind Ihe passion o/Cllrisl our discipline,
life need God's mercy by reason of our frailty, "but the length of
oursupporl, by tltefollowship 0/ lite Comforter, We muslfoed on His Body, rejoice in
days" in the security of the eternal home lasts on without any His anointing: Spidl, and rise in lite raplure 0/ His Precious Blood, which. dealh.
assault of the foe. "At Thy Right Hand there are pleasures for cannot dejdve 0/ living po'wer.
evermore" (Ps. 16. II). Mercy will then no longer be needed, for
sin shall be no more. Mercy exhausts itself in building up the 6 Goodness and mercy follow me right sure,'
House. The mercy which delivers us from our sins is transformed, Till all life's days be past.
when its work is done, into the majesty of Divine glory from whence So the Lord's House shall be my horne secure,
it arose. "Mercy is built up for ever, and God's truth is Through length of days to last.
Slrmglh./or holiness, and pm"do,,/or sill, bollt in/illile w!<i{e {ife lasts. The glory
established in the heavens" (Ps. 89. 2). "Mercy and truth
a/tilt Body o/Chrisl our Home/or euer.
are met together" (Ps. 85. 10). The sheep that is gathered
into the eternal home can indeed say, " It is good for me that I
was in trouble that I might learn Thy statutes." Thus is the PSALM 24.
goodness of God manifested in His loving discipline. Yea!
"Good to me is the law of Thy mouth, above thousands of gold UNION WITH JESUS IN HIS TRIUMPH
and silver." This is the goodness of the nourishment of grace.
A Psalm of David
"Good is that which Thou hast done with Thy servant, according
to Thy Word." The Incarnate Word is the Good Shepherd. THE Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep that He
o the adorable goodness of that love which no utterance may take it again, and make them partakers of His glory. At His
short of the Eternal Word can tell! God gives to His redeemed resurrection" all power is given unto Him, both in Heaven and
all the goodness of His own eternal glory. The faithful soul earth." In the strength of this exaltation, He sends forth His
must look up to the Good Shepherd and exclaim, "Thou art apostles to gather His Church out of a1l nations, that they may
good, and doest good; 0 teach me Thy statutes!" (Ps. 119. ascend with Him to the Holy Hill of Zion, whither He is gone to
70,71,68). dwell.
The earth and all that is therein belongs to Him by creation,
and He has now bruised the serpent's head, and destroyed the
THE EXODUS OF THE REDEEMED power whereby it was held in rebellion against Him. All mankind
were enslaved to Satan. Now He has accomplished universal re-
The Lord doth feed me: want can ne'er be mine I demption, so that all belong to Him by a new claim. .
2 He folds me where the tender pastures grow: In speaking of redemption we must remember that all mankind
He leads me forth where restful waters flow. is a unit, enslaved to Satan by the personal sin of Adam. Christ
3 My soul He will reclaim. by taking our nature redeems it from that slavery. . He. ~as
Yea, in the righteous highway He will guide, asserted the power of God within our fallen nature by HIS Divine
True to His Name. Personality. No created person could have effected this re-
Jesus is Ihe Good Sheplterd,/or He is lite only g'ood, good in Himself, noudshing in demption. It is accomplished, not by separat~ action towar,d: a
goodness, g-uidinl: in goodness, creating- in eOOd,USS, sanctifying- in g-oodness by lite
multitude of personalities, but by the operation of the Divine
followship a/His Holy Name.
Personality in our nature, renewing it with Divine life, so that all
106 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
His sheep who hear His voice are set free by being taken into the
renewed Humanity of the Second Adam. Psalm 22. declares the
struggle with Satan. Psalm 23. is the exclamation of the sheep
who obey the call. Psalm 24. is the call to the whole universe to
praise the Redeemer, who, by descending into hell has bruised the
serpent's head, and calls the faithful to follow Him in that freedom
wherewith He has made them free.
We must sing this Psalm in gratitude and joy as being His
'\
redeemed ones.
Think how Jesus, as the Son of Man, rejoices in the fruit of His
triumph. If the suffering was great in the struggle whereby He
redeemed us, the reward is equal to the struggle. He sees of the
travail of His soul and is satisfied (Isa. liii. II). This is "the joy II
that was set before Him, so that He endured the Cross, despising
the shame, and is set down on the Right Hand of the throne of God
(Heb. xii. 3). We. rose much by not contemplating the joy of
Christ's triumph. He does not merely rescue us from a state
of bondage, but He uplifts the creature into the glory of the Divine
Adoption. That glory, infinitely transcending all created possi-
bility, is His even now. We, by grace, are called to share in it.
We look to hear His words of final welcome if we are faithful-
••Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt. xxv. 21).
The earth founded upon the seas is a type of the new earth, the
solid covenant of the redeemed, gathered out of the sea of turbulent
nations. The floods, the brilliant powers of Heaven, have raged
horribly in their rebellion (Ps. 93. 3), but they are subdued, and the
throne of the Redeemer is fixed firmly upon them, so that it shall
not be shaken by their violence.
The invitation therefore goes forth, calling the redeemed ones
to enter into the glory prepared for them. What is the test of
admission? Those who are to claim the sovereignty with Jesus
must be conformed to His likeness. So we have the pattern of
sanctity for the King's followers derived from the pattern of the
King Himself as deliverer in PS.I 5. As we sing the words we must
be stimulated to conformity with Jesus in His humiliation.
. There must be the clean hands of holy action and the pure
heart of heavenly contemplation. The soul must be dead to the
treacherous desires of sense, so that it may be lifted up to the
true pleasures which are at God's Right Hand for evermore. The
words must be words of truth whereby the truth of the Eternal
Word shall become the inspiring principle of converse in all deal-
ings with mankind.
PSALM 24. 107
The Saviour-God will welcome these as His true followers. So
must we seek His blessing. 0 Lord Jesu, grant me so to follow
Thee upon earth, that I may receive of Thee the "crown of
righteousness in the last day," along with "all those who love
Thine appearing" (2 Tim. iv. 8),
As Jacob saw Thee face to face, and prayed, and prevailed, so
would I seek Thee, that I may be found in the generation of Jacob
whom Thou hast loved (Gen. xxxii. 28).
Think how the night is far spent and the day breaketh. Claim
i earnestly the blessing which belongs in Christ to the Israel of God.
Faith sees already the brightness of that glorious dawn. [Selah.
Music gives time to gather up all the energies, and the swell of
sound gives to the eager cryan intensity beyond words.]
The eye of faith sees the way into the holiest opening. Jesus who
descended into hell appears as the Light of them that were in
darkness, going up as "the Breaker at the Head" of the redeemed,
and calling His people on earth to follow Him (Mic. ii. 13).
In saying this Psalm we must not think of ourselves as stragglers
fallowing after a procession that took place in ages past, and
separated from us by all the events of intervening history. We
must rise superior to time. See the Communion of Saints with
Jesus at our Head ascending to the throne of God in one continuous
stream. We can only ascend, as belonging to that one Body, as
redeemed by Christ and members of the Second Adam, the
humanity restored to life by Him.
Also, we must remember that the ·triumph begins upon Calvary.
The loud cry. which made the earth quake opens the gates of hell.
The descent into hell is the beginning of the triumph. He that
ascends must" descend first into the lower parts of the earth," and
we must descend along with Him. So we are" baptized into His
death" (Eph. iv. 9; Rom. vi. 4).
The Powers of Darkness have left the Cross, for they could do
nothing more against Jesus. He has prevailed. The angels of
light welcome Him as He commends His Spirit into the Hands of
the Father. They wait upon the Divine Conqueror. They wait
in like manner upon us to drive off the assaults of Satan. Al-
)
I though it may seem to us in our struggle as if nothing had been
I done, and we were left alone, yet that is only the earthly experience
.I', which He, the Son of God, had to bear. His victory is complete,
I and we must claim our part in it. This is the Name at which
I: devils trem ble, even the Name of Jesus.
I
See the darkness of the spiritual region into which He penetrates I
 log STRUGGLE: AND VICTORY
See Him, the Light, who, as He enters, pierces the darkness with
His radiance, but only to transfix it with changeless antagonism,
not to cheer it with any diminution of its malignity. He binds the
strong tyrant with the glare of resistless manifestation, and sets free
the prisoners of hope which Satan had held in bondage.
The holy angels round abo It Him praise God for the accomplish-
ment of the victory, whereby the head of the serpent is thus crushed.
The expectant faithful souls utter their thanksgivings to their
Redeemer, and rise up in the power of His Spirit as their nature
vibrates with the Word of God. They rise in union with Him and
follow Him.
Se~ the Light passing onward, reassuming the Body which was
left In the grave. See that Body shining out with the Divine
Light. A beau~y ine~able glorifies every wound whereby it had
bee~ marred amidst HIs earthly suffering. See how it expands its
luminous essence, incorporating into itself the multitudes of faithful
penitents through many generations. Each drop of His blood
from ev:ry po;e ?f His skin, is transformed with mysterious joy;
as the. vital pnn:lple of a soul gratefully acknowledging itself to be
the prize wherein the Soul of Jesus triumphs, for the Redeemer
and the .rede~med ones are one for evermore in mutual transport of
everlasting Light by the fellowship of the Holy Ghost.
Hear the songs of angels as this glorious Body of Christ passes
from one form ~f angelic existence to another, each form brighter
than the preceding one. The angel hosts shout jubilantly to the
h~sts abov: them, that they may welcome the King of Glory, for
H~s ascending nature cannot be held down by any inferior laws of
existence, but must pass on to live with energies of life such as
surp~ss the v~rio~s capacities of each angelic sphere.
HIs ascen~lOn IS not a translation in space, but a glorification
through various orders of existence superior to space. He is
se~arated from the world of sense, for" the world seeth Him not
nel~her)kno:veth H.im." The world cannot receive the ComfoJte;
which <glor~fies HIs h.umanity, and therefore cannot follow that
humanity In the various stages of His ascending glory. But
though He leaves the world, He does riot leave His faithful
people.. Th~y are. the. members of His glorified Body, and
shar~ In HIs glOrificatIOn. Into His glorified Body we are
baptized, a~d .where t~o or three are gathered together in His
N~m~, H~ IS In t~e midst of them as their common principle of
unifying hfe. HIs Humanity is more closely bee
c. ib identif . , ause more
rorci ly, I enn ed With us by His Ascension than it could be
I
(,
PSALM 24. 109
during the time of His humiliation. The unifying Spirit could
not be given until Christ was glorified, but by His Ascension the
force of His glorified humanity holds His members in a vital
union, that they may live in Him with ever increasing illumination
of faith as they die by His grace increasingly to their natural
earthly condition of outward sense amidst the humiliation and
bondage of this sinful world.
The angel-orders each in turn, the very Cherubim and Seraphim
above them all, ask who is this that comes, the King of Glory?
That which He is no angel-tongue can tell, for He is the Ineffable
Word of God. No creature can speak of Him save by telling of
the victory of Redemption which He has won. He has purchased
unto Himself a Church to live with His own glory and be His
Bride. "The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory."
As thou hearest the songs of Heaven, take care that thine own
heart wakens up in participation of the rapture which thrills
divinely through this realm of life. Catch from the lips of an
apostle the ejaculation whereby alone thou canst claim to live
with all this joyous multitude. " He loved me and gave Himself
for me." "My Beloved is mine and I am His." No principalities
nor powers, nor death nor life, nor hell nor Heaven, can hold me
back from going where He is. I am redeemed from amongst
men that I may live with "the Love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord" (Rom. viii. 38, 39)·
Thus must thou learn to praise thine ascended Lord, the Good
Shepherd, standing on Mount Zion, uniting thyself in heart and
mind with Him and yielding thyself up to dwell with Him upon the
heavenly height. "Seek those things which are above, where Christ
now sitteth at the Right Hand of God." Now would He unite thee
with Himself in grace, that thou mayest belong to Him in the day
when He maketh up His jewels, and mayest come with Him when
He returns and He may be glorified in thee for ever.
THE ASCENT OF THE TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION
Chorus
Earth and its fulness to the Lord belongs,
The round world and its populating throngs:
2 For on the seas He founded it to dwell,
Firm fixt on mighty floocls that round it swell.
Song' 0/ anrels watc1ting' round tIlC Cross, All />owe" in eartlt is given to tI"
Saviour. Tile Creatorhas become the Redeemer.
 110 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 25. III

Versicle Voicefrom within

3 Who shall go up, on the Lord's Hill to rest, Who's this, the King of Glory hight?
The various ranks make Ihe questio« one a./ter another in adoring love.
Or in His holy place rise up, all-blest?
He who I:oes down 10 Ihe g-ravc not as a prisoMr bul as a Conqueror is Ihe Lord Processional Chorus
who it to reign on Zion.
The Lord of hosts is King of Glory infinite! Selah.
Response Jesus enters the highesl heavens leading- His hosts redeemed from Ihe rave.

4 Clean be his hands! His heart be pure from stain!

His soul ne'er lifted up to objects vain! PSALM 25.
His oath ne'er used a guileful end to gain!
THE RIGHTEOUS WAY OF THE REDEEMED
INs innocence is 10 be vindicated by His A scens ion,
ALPHABETICAL II
Chorus David's
5 True blessing from the Lord shall He receive,- THIS Alphabetical Psalm following upon the Ascension of Christ
Righteousness, which our Saviour-God shall give. celebrated in Psalm 24., indicates the restoration of moral order as
6 Such must they be, who sue Him! Such the choir a consequence of that Ascension.
Who seek Thy Face, as Jacob did, our Sire. Selah. Wilt thou follow Jesus? Lift up thy soul unto the Lord. Look
The Conqueror is the true ftfelchizedek. He is the Angelw;/l, whom Jacob strove to Him to keep thee on the way. Scorn vanity. Hope in Him.
."hen he saw God./ace to./ace. The people blessed <if Chrisl must be like Chn·st.
Seek His favour. Walk in His truth. Sweet is the Name of
Jesus! The tenderness of a human heart and the strength of
Choir entering the outer Court
eternal predestination meet together in the living love which has
7 Ye gates, heads high! wrought out Thy salvation. Come before God, hating thy sin!
Ye timeless doors, up-fly! Come before God claiming the adoption which clothes thy soul
The King of Glory cometh nigh I with the love of Jesus.
Chrisl at the gales 0./ lIades. Contemplate His mercy to sinners. He is the Way. Walk
therein with meekness. Mercy and truth shall accompany thee.
Voicefrom within Yea, though thy sin be great, His Name has power to cleanse.
The fear of the Lord brings wisdom, stablishes in goodness, and
Who is the King of Glory hight?
entails blessings for the future. The fear of the Lord opens up
The last cry 0./ rebellious despair '/rom the roil spirits '/orced to admit Ihe
Conqueror. knowledge, develops experience, issues in freedom.
Let thy misery lead thee to Christ. He has borne thy sorrow,
Processional Chorus and pleads for thee as being one with Himself. He will lead thee
out into the joy of forgiveness. He has felt the pressure of thy
The Lord of prowess, full of might 1
manifold temptations. He has fought for thee. He will keep thee
The Lord of proven might in fight!
from shame if thou take refuge with Him.
His perfection shall shine out upon thee through His mercy.
Entering the Inner Court
His truth shall lift thee up into the fellowship of His uprightness.
Ye gates, heads high! The reward which belongs to Him shall rest upon thee.
Ye timeless doors, up-fly ! Jesus comes to be thy Redeemer. He hears the cry of His
The King of Glory cometh nigh I people. Claim His blessing with the earnest wrestling of Israel,
Chn'sl ascendin/[ Ihrough Ihe heavenly choirs. thy Father.

112 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
THE INTERCESSION OF THE RIGHTEOUS
(N) To Thee, 0 Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 (:1) My God, in Thee I trust: keep me from shame I
Let not glad foes through my defeat exclaim!
3 () Yea! None should be ashamed that hope in Thee !
Traitors be shamed,-that treat with vanity!
4 (,) Show me, 0 Lord, the ways Thou dost approve:
Yea! Teach me in the paths that Thou dost love.
S (n) 0 lead me in Thy Truth! Thy lore impart,
For Thou the God of my salvation art:
All day to Thee with hope I lift my heart. *
6 (r) Remember, Lord, Thy tendernesses: yea I
Thy mercies !-From th' eternal depths are they I
7 (n) Youth sinn'd-transgressed! remember not the past I
Remember me, yea! me! Thy goodness vast
Is Thine own law. 0 Lord, let mercy haste I
Juuslookedforward to tMloy if the Fathers acctplanu. Rebtlswatch to ensnare
1M Heir, 1M Incarnate Son. TM hopt of the Resurrection. The 7uayoftM Holy
Cross. The law if the Spirit of Lift. The Eternal Love whtreby tM Incarnation
was prtdtstintd. Tht sin of the first A dam to be set aside. The Sonsltip of the
Second Adam to beacknowledged.
8 (~) Good and upright the Lord abides for aye:
So points He sinners onward in the way.
9 (~) Way to the meek He ill the judgement shows;
The meek He teacheth in the way He knows.
10 (:3) Mercy and Truth I The Lord in paths like these
Gives covenant pledges to His votaries.
1I 6) Oh! For Thy Name's sake, Lord, I Thee entreat:
Clear mine iniquity, for it is great.
12 (~) The man that fears the Lord how shall we know?
To him He loves His chosen way to show I
13 () His soul shall lodge in goodness aye secure:
His seed shall claim the earth by title sure.
14 (0) The Lord's true fear brings mystic knowledge blest,
Th' experience of His Cov'nant thus possest.
1S (11) Mine eyes are tow'rds the Lord in constant cares
For He alone can free my feet from snares.
The blusings if God's covenant. No safity amidst temptation bitt by looking to Christ.
• The acrostic' (=6) is wanting.
Also i' (= 100), the following leiter being duplicated,
~ (= 80) is added at the end.
I 13
r 16 (~) 0 look to me! Be gracious unto me,-
REDEEMER So lone, so lorn, in lonely misery!
17 (~) Large are the sorrows which my heart oppress;
o lead me from this pinching sore distress!
18 (i) See, what affliction, mischief, weighs me down:
And oh ! forgive me all the sins I own!
19 (i) Yea! see my foes, for multitudes are near!
A cruel hatred is the hate they bear.
20 (e') 0 keep my soul! Come with deliverance nigh!
No shame be mine, who to Thy refuge fly I
21 (n) Perfection and uprightness be my guard,
For still with hope I look for Thy reward.
TM ",e(iiatorialpraytr of Christ, and O"YS as abidinr in Hi",. Tlte Per/ectio» of
Christ our safiguard, for He the Head if the Body is truly Cod.
22 (~) 0 give redemption, God! to Israel
So long in weary sorrows forced to dwell !
Tlte closingverselifts the Psalm aboveDauid's immediate needs to Christ as tlte
true Speaker.
" PSALM 26.
FELLOWSHIP WITH THE DIVINE SACRIFICE
David's
REMEMBERthat the Cross must prove thy fellowship with Christ,
His perfection clothing thee, His strength upholding thee, His
Spirit purifying thee.
If thou wouldst be owned in the Communion of Saints, thou
must be separate from the world, so empty, so fraudulent, so
violent, walking in forgetfulness of God.
If thou wouldst approach God through the Sacrifice of Christ,
thou must do the work of Christ, washing thy hands in His
innocency. Show forth His praise by thy life and look forward in
this dispensation of grace to the manifestation of glory.
Give thyself to walk in the perfection which Divine grace com-
municates. "He that is born of God keepeth himself and that
wicked one toucheth him not" (I John v. 18). The Lord is thy
Redeemer, His grace is sufficient for thee.
Praise God who has called thee into the Communion of Saints,
so that thou may est walk in safety in the heavenly freedom. Once
He trod the earth as man, and stumbled not, though He was
"
VOL. II. 1-1
114 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
tempted by all the power of Satan. Now must thy feet tread not
earth but Heaven, if thou art one with Him.
The level ground where thou must walk, following the spotless
Priest, is the perfection of Divine righteousness belonging to the
Covenant of Grace, a terrace or high-way, raised above the stumbling-
blocks of our fallen condition. God's loving spirit shall lead thee
forth in level lawns of righteousness (Ps. 143. 10). See the
crooked things of earth made level for the heirs of Heaven I (Isa.
xlii. 16). The word is used as a Proper Name for the plateau of
Moab, Misor (I Kings xx. 23), stretching from the heights above
Jordan, far into the desert of Arabia. The cities of the plain, where
Reuben abode among the shepherds, when he ought to have girt
himself for the wars of the Lord, symbolize the easiness of the world's
prosperity. A curse must come upon the plain of Moab (Jer. xlviii.
21). The righteousness of Christ's judgement is a level lifted up
above the earth (Ps. 45. 7 j 67. 5)· The plain of earth's indulgence
is accursed. The mountain of earth's difficulty becomes a plain
(Zech. iv. 7), a table-land upon the heavenly Zion, where the great
High Priest gathers His people to follow Him (Rev. xiv. I).
THE SPOTLESS PRIEST
1 Lord,' judge me, for in perfect truth I tread:
The Lord ~my trust! No stumbling can I dread!
2 Lord," sound 1 me! Scrutinize 2 Thou every part.
o let Thy Fire refine S my veins, my heart!
3 For still Thy mercy shines before mine eyes,
And on Thy truth my daily step relies.
4 I do not take my seat with fellows vain,
N or join the self-concealers' crafty train.
5 The throng of wrongfulness I hate to meet,
And with the wicked do not take my seat.
The TriuneJdlOvah vindicating him. The Father disciplines: the Son sustains:
llu Holy Ghost refinu.
6 In innocency, Lord,' I wash my hands,
To make procession where Thine altar stands,
7 Uttering the voice of Eucharistic praise,
Recording all the wonders of Thy ways.
8 0 Lord,~ the mansion of Thy House I love,
The place wherein Thy glory deigns to move.
No external laver is l1is. Christ lias innocency in Himself, in His own Blood.
~Ve have to wash therei«. The House or Temple 0./ Christ's Body has its mansion or
resting-Face al the Righi Han d oj'Cod, Ih, dwelling-place o'/glo,y_
PS ALM 27. 115
9 0 gather not my soul with sinful men,
My life as chargeable with bloody stain,-
10 With those whose hand is train'd in schemes of ill,
Their right hand swift of bribes to clutch their fill.
II See that in my perfection still I tread I
Redeem me I Yea! Thy grace in fulness shed I
Christ claims to be separate/rom sinners.
12 Now stands my foot to level ground restored,
Amidst the mighty throngs to bless the Lord."
PSALM 17.
THE DIVINE INHERITANCE OF THE FAITHFUL
JESUS, our salvation, is the Light of Light, eternally begotten of
the Father, shining forth in these last days to man. In His life we
live.
Calm is the soul which rests in the Incarnate God as a sure
home. Seek for the gift of perseverance, that thy faculties may be
increasingly opened by the Holy Ghost to spiritual delight. So be
it thy joy to search out the mysteries of grace, enshrined for the
edification of faithful souls in the Body of Christ. In that Temple
of Life the sweetness of God is found.
He is a Booth to shelter thee, a Tent to hide thee, a Rock to
exalt thee. He is thy Head. He is glorified in saving thee.
He presents Himself as the all-sufficient Oblation on the heavenly
Throne. He calls thee to join in His Self-oblation, and the
fulness of His glory streams down on the faithful worshipper.
We must live with holy longing to behold Him, not under veils
of earthly form, but as He is. If we are to behold that glorious
Light hereafter, we must live now in its sanctifying power.
Earth fails. God's welcome cannot fail.
If those on whom we most rely cast us off because we are true
to Christ, yet God will only the more manifestly protect us.
The blind man's parents left him to answer for himself. Then
Jesus revealed Himself to him as the Son of God. So shall it
always be. He may leave us outwardly forsaken, yet not utterly.
He lets us feel the outward forsaking, for without. that experience
of earth's nothingness, it would be impossible for the finite nature
to rise up to the full experience of the heavenly, the infinite, love of
God. Such an experience was necessary even for Christ. Other-
 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 28. ! 17

wise He, as Man, would only have known the Divine Holiness by
infused, intellectual knowledge derived from His inherent Godhead.
We need to know God by moral, experimental knowledge. Thus
the Holy Ghost not only informs us by revelation, but teaches us
by life. Thus He leads us for His Name's sake in the level paths of
righteousness, where no foe can make us stumble. Yield not to
the world's falsehood. Fear not if that falsehood assail thee. In
faith and hope look onward for the vision to come. With firmness
of holy love bear for a while the toils of thy pilgrimage.
THE TEMPLE OF LIGHT AND LIFE
I The Lord is my Light, and Salvation for aye:
What can I fear?
The Lord a sure stronghold of Life will supply: .
Dreams disappear.
2 Yea! though around me the multitudes rose,
Insolent all,
Eager to eat my flesh, ravenous foes!
Stumbling they fall !
Tlte SI,.kinah illumi"ating the Sanctuary. "They
6YOund."
3 What though an armament face me for fight!
Firm be my breast!
War may against me rise, yet, in its height,
Trustful I rest.
4 One thing, one only, I ask of the Lord 1 I
Thus will I sue,-
Let the Lord's 2 House a blest mansion afford
All my life through!
There the Lord's 3 sweetness reveal'd to behold,
There in His Temple blest converse to hold!
Prayer to the Father. The House is the Body a/the incarnate SOli. The beauty
t!/ Divine 1:"''7 is the Holy Glzastfillwg the heavenly h"rlt! and opening our eyes to
t."e Vision.
. 6 Now then triumphant my head will I rear,
Foes to dismay.
Victims with shouts to His tent bringing near,
Songs to the Lord and sweet psalms will I pay.
7 Hear,' Lord! My voice I raise to Thee.
Be gracious 2 to me! Answer 3 me !
8 My heart responds to "Seek My Face,"
With" Lord, Thy Face I seek in grace."
9 Secrete not Thou Thy Face from me!
Thrust not Thy servant angrily!
Spurn not! My help was aye from Thee.
My Saviour-God, forsake not me !
IO Though father, mother, may forsake
The Lord into His care will take.
11 Lord, teach me where Thy way is found!
Lead me in path of level ground!
Aggressors lie in wait around.
12 Give me not up to enemies!
False witnesses against me rise,
went backward antifill to fl,. Snorting with savage cruelties.
A II ear/My ties are liaMe to break. Christ is tIre consnbs tantiai Son t!/ God.
lie is the Way, 'phold;"g us against all/alse1tOod. 111m will assail us falsely as they
assailed Hint.
13 Bright faith! * The Lord 1 His goodness soon shall SllOW,
Yea! In that earth where life unmixt shall glow!
14 Hope in the Lord," in spite of transient ill !
Be firm! Thine heart let stout endurance fill !
Hope in the Lord 3 !-Be this thy watch-word still.
Tlu net» ear/It, tlu flome o/tlte Resurrection.
PSALM 28.
THE PROTECTION OF THE FAITHFUL
Dauid":

5 He in His booth, when wrong-doers are proud THE Rock, thine Avenger, will listen to thee if thou persevere in
Safely will shroud! thy cry. He will avenge thee speedily. He went down into the
He in His secret tent still will secrete, pit, but not like other men. He went down by His own triumphant
Firm on the lofty rock raising my feet. act, and by that same triumph He will keep thee like unto Himself
The B •• th t!/ the pilgrim bft 0/ humiliation. Th, tent s/ lhe Media/onal
in that pit, if thou art abiding with Him in the life of grace.
CIlfJlna1Jl. .• There is some lacuna here. as indicated by the Hebrew points.
118 STR UGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 29. 119

Lift up thine hands, as being nailed to His Cross by holy love. 4 Match I Thou their deeds, their exploits wrongly wrought,
The wicked have for their punishment nothing but the recoil Yea! match 2 for them the things their hands have sought:
of their sin. Thou shalt have for thy security all the merits of His Repay 3 them all the gain their toil has brought.
Passion. A l/ tlte imprecations oftlte Psalter are hut tlte ,-durn to the eviliMC1'0/ His OW11

Bless the Holy Trinity wherein thou art renewed. The Father tnali'g-ltant actions.

hears thee. The Son renews thee, protects thee, encourages thee,
helps thee, transports thee with exulting rapture. The Spirit is 5 Alas! The Lord's great deeds they think not on-
the renewing strength of every member of Christ, for, as He pro- Nor what His Hands have wrought-the triumph won!
ceeds indissolubly from the Second Person of the Godhead, He So will He smash their frame, not build with benison.
T Ite blindness 0/ the enemy.
makes the life of the Godhead fill the Manhood. That which is
the strength of Jesus is our strength also, since we live in Him.
6 Blest be the Lord! I His gracious ear
In Jesus we are all one. Plead, therefore, for thy brethren as for
My suppliant voice hath deign'd to hear.
thyself. There is one flock and one Shepherd. Jesus is the
7 The Lord 2-He is my strength, my shield,
Good Shepherd. He who gave His life for the sheep loves them
He my heart's trust, my help reveal'd.
collectively and individually with undivided love, even as He and
My heart exclaims! My song His thanks shall yield.
the Father are one. He leads them through the valley of the
8 The Lord 8 for them true strength shall be !
shadow of death, but He tends them with constant watchfulness.
Messiah's saving stronghold He !
He feeds us and carries us. By His Incarnation He took upon
Himself the whole race of man, as an undivided burden, entering 9 Salvation on Thy people pour !
Bless Thine own birthright, claim'd of yore!
into the sufferings of all men with a perfect sympathy. Hence
Feed them and bear them evermore!
He has right to take away all our griefs and sicknesses! So the
Tllanl(s/or victory. Probably added after attainment of some uict ory ill ans-u-er
Evangelist explains His miracles of healing. The evil one had no to tilt preceding-pra)'tr. [ClosiNgverse 0/ tilt Te Dm1J/].
power to inflict bodily sickness upon Him. He was sinless in the
power of Divine Life. By His Divine innocence, He repudiates
Satan's right to molest those with whom He is substantially One. PSALM 29.
By a yet further act, He now takes us up in His arms, and blesses TIlE JOY OF THE FAITHFUL IN THE DIVINE MAJESTY OF
us, feeding us with His glorified Humanity as His covenanted JESUS
children, so that the evil one cannot touch us if we abide in Him.
A Psalm 0/ David
THE STRUGGLE CONCLUDED THIS Psalm stands as it were alone. Messiah's struggle is con-
The Appeal c1uded.The following Trilogy celebrates the triumphal com-
mendation of His soul into the Father's Hands wherewith He
a Lord, I make my cry to Thee! leaves this world, and goes forth into the realm of darkness to
My Rock! a be not deaf to me ! bind the vanquished rebel. It is a development of what we have
For, what if Thou be silent! I should be already heard, the spiritual world calling to the Powers of Darkness
Like those who have gone down the pit to see. to lift up their heads because the Lord, the King of Glory, mighty
2 Hear Thou, my suppliant voice, th' appeal of mine I in battle, is corning forth from the conditions of earthly life under
I lift my hands towards Thy holy shrine. which He has been bearing their assaults.
3 Oh! with the wicked drag me not along, Call, then, upon the spiritual powers to glorify God with the
The villain-working throng, threefold ascription of praise due to the Triune Name, and with
Who speak with peace their friends among. the undivided act of worship wherewith the One, the only, God
While in their hearts is nothing else than wrong. must be approached.
120 S T RUG G LEA ND V rc r0 RY
Hear the heavenly orders crying one to another, recording the
destinies of earth which they watch so eagerly. It is the Gloria in
Excelsis spiritually echoing around the death-scene of Calvary.
Waters of mystic darkness surround our earth. The Son, the
Word , of God , has come into this darkness, and now passes. hencef
in glory. There is a loud voice. The realm of the Prince 0
Darkness is shaken to its utmost depth. It is the voice of the
Father, speaking as once over the waters of primeval creation, and
over the waters of Jordan, with the glorious thunder of the
Incarnate Presence and the power of the Holy Ghost. The
waters of the infernal depth hear, and the waters of earth's popula-
tions resound.
The Incarnate Word is no longer hushed that Satan may bruise
His Heel. The voice of the Lord comes forth in strength and
glory.
The cedar is the symbol of earthly power, excellence, and dura-
bility j but when cut down it cannot spring to life again. The
voice of the Lord falls upon them with destruction. Perhaps here
we may understand not only the overthrow of all worldly power
as such, but, in particular, the overthrow of the J ewish eco~om~,
for the cedars tell of the glorious Temple at Jerusalem which IS
overthrown by the death of Christ. Its glory passes away as a
mere earthly thing. It has fulfilled its purpose now the Lord
descends. The loud voice from Calvary rends the veil of the
Temple. It makes the earth quake, as the high hills hopped of old
when the Son of God was mystically brought out from the typical
bondage of Egypt. The mountains are shaken to their very roots.
The graves a~e opened. The Lord descends to vanquish the
demon-powers in the inmost parts of the earth, as the first stage of
His Ascension to the heavenly throne.
The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire, ascending on
high to claim for mankind the gift of the Spirit and shedding it
forth to light in cloven tongues upon the Apostles.
The voice of the Lord with the power of the Holy Ghost
personally acting in the Name of Christ causes the wilderness of
the Gentile world to feel the pangs of spiritual child-birth. Kades
is the representative of the Christian Gentile world as Horeb of the
Jewish Covenant of the law.
The voice of the Lord rends not only the Divine cedars of the
chosen Temple imperishable until God destroy it, but also the
oaks of worldly power and the Gentile forms of religion which were
so generally associated with the oak-tree. All powers throughout
PSALM 29. 121
the world must be broken by the power of the Divine Word. The
oak is the representative of Israel as a nation though not as a
religious system. Israel shall be as an oak whose leaf withereth
(Isa. i. 30). Nevertheless this threat contained within itself a promise.
The cedar would be destroyed, never to sprout again, but the teil-
tree and the oak whose substance is in them when they cast their
leaves (Isa. vi. 13) represent the people of Israel who could never
be restored as the exclusive Temple and Shrine of God's covenant,.
but yet would be graffed in again into their own olive-tree, the
.covenant of Abraham, as partakers of the Divine nature.
The oak of worldly power must be torn by the Word of God ere
the Divine promise to mankind could be accomplished. The forest
trees must be barked by flash of God's angry visitation, ere the
new Temple could be seen with the Shekinah of Divine glory.
Then would the ark of God be found in the forests of the Gentile
world. We heard the voice of the Lord at Bethlehem and found
ii it in the forest field (Ps. 132. 6).
All the multitudes of the Catholic Church are saying Glory in
His Temple, the heavenly Jerusalem which has the glory of God j
and the Lamb, the Word of God, is the Light thereof (Rev. xxi. II).
The Lord sat enthroned when He brought the flood upon the
earth, and now He remaineth a King for ever, the Son of Man,
enthroned on the Right Hand of God.
This glorious Psalm is full of mysteries. The interpretation
given here leaves no expression as superfluous.
We should notice the Trine invocation at the outset and the
Trine proclamation of verse 3, somewhat veiled by the use of
thunder instead of the voice, of which it is the equivalent.
"The Lord" occurs eighteen times. "The voice of the Lord"
seven times. This implies the sevenfold action of the Holy Ghost
by whom the voice of the Lord comes to men.
The strength of God (verses I, II) is manifested in man who is
now about to take his predestined throne. Ps. 2. gave the
promise; Ps. 8. the predestination; Ps. 18. the Cherubic descent
to earth at the Incarnation; Ps. 22. the victorious struggle; Ps.
24. the proclamation of the Conqueror about to ascend. Now then
Ps. 29. bids the spiritual world look forward to the spiritual
destinies of the loud voice. Pss. 30., 31. bring the Conqueror before
us commending His Soul to the Father, as He claims the
Resurrection triumph.
In the second Temple this Psalm was sling on the last day of
the Feast of Tabernacles. This is implied by the addition which
122 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 30. 123

the LXX gives to the title-" outgoing of Tabernacle," i.e. the eighth PSALM 30.
day of the Feast. Sohar con ects Ps. 29. with the pouring out of
THE DIVINE SECURITY OF THE RISEN LIFE
water on the seventh day of Tabernacles, for there It is said that
by means of the seven "voices" (answering to the seven com- A Psalm. A SOl1g for the dedication of the House. David's
passings of the altar) seven of the Sephiroth open the flood-gates
THE fortress which David built upon Mount Zion was a type of
of Heaven. (DeHtzsch.)
the risen Body of Christ (2 Sam. v. 8). The lame and the blind
were not to come into the House of David. They were the scorn-
THE SONG OF THE SEVEN THUNDERS ful garrison over which he prevailed. The lame and the blind in
the spiritual victory of the Son of David are raised out of the
Give 1 to the Lord, ye sons of heavenly prime I infirmities of sin, and are regenerated so as to run in the way of
Give 2 to the Lord glory and strength sublime I God's commandments and to see the things of the heavenly
2 Give 3 to the Lord His glorious Name's decree I Jerusalem, as members of Christ's Body, dwelling with the Son of
Bend to the Lord with holy majesty. God in His House for ever.
The Word of God tri>lll/phallioucr tlu silent grave. A 1Icreation called topraise Some refer this Psalm to the House of David: others to the con-
Him. secration of the altar site when purchased from Araunah. Thank
3 The Lord-His voice is on the waters 1 wide; God for lifting thee up out of the pit of misery wherein thou wast
Godhead in glory wakes the thunder's 2 pride, born. He has given thee health by union with Christ. The Holy
The Lord on mighty waters 8 glorified! Ghost quickens the soul as a member of Christ. Christ is the Burnt
Sacrifice (according to its Hebrew name) "the Ascender." He
4 The Lord-His voice in vigour speaks on high I does not merely ascend for us, but He makes His members ascend
The Lord-His voice comes forth in majesty I ~h Himself. We must in heart and mind ascend along with
5 The Lord-His voice the massive cedars rends I Him. Otherwise His oblation profits us not. Any part of our
To rend the Liban groves the Lord descends. being which does not ascend in the fire of His Love, fails of union
6 Skipping like some wild calf He makes them go, with Him.
Liban and Sirion, like a buffalo, The glorified Body of Christ is thy stay. It pleads for thee be-
7 The Lord-His voice divides the flames of fire I fore God, and thou must claim its virtue with grateful remembrance,
feeding thereon in Holy Eucharist. Amidst life's sorrows look for
8 The Lord-His voice with pangs awakes the wild-
The Lord the wild of Kades as with child! the morning of joy, for which He is preparing thee.
9 The Lord-His voice the oak-tree's strength will tear! As Jordan" went down" to the Dead Sea, so mankind go down to
Bark'd by His touch the forest-trees stand bare. the pit. But Jesus went down into Jordan that He might raise
His glory in His Temple all declare. thee, so that thou perish not as others that have no hope. Seek not
the high places of earth, but ascend with Him to the Hill of God.
This Psalm was used in tltt Synagf'gtlt at Pentecost, A nather reading : "malus
hinds 10 calve withftar." That Hill is strong, but thou canst attain to its glory only by shar-
ing in the Passion of thine exalted Saviour. God's pleasure,
10 Above the flood the Lord sat throned of yore: accepting us in Christ, is the only strength of our prosperity. We
The Lord sits throned as King for evermore. must feel our entire dependence upon Him, and know Him as our
lIThe Lord with strength His people will increase: only life. If we do so we must not be surprised that He puts our
His people He, the Lord, will bless with peace. faith to trial by withdrawing the outward tokens of His approval.
Then we must still rest calmly, trusting in Him, and He will not let
He reigned as Godfrom n'crlasling'. The Throne of ereat ion was waiting for its
predestined occupant, the Lion of i"dah, the victorious Ram, having the sev"'fo/d us perish. Jesus entered not into His glory without suffering, be-
Spirit. coming obedient even unto death. So must we be content to die
124 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 3 I. 125

without seeing in this world that our death can be of any gain. 10 Whatgains my blood, to yon foul chasm gone down?
Then in death we shall live triumphantly and shall rise to praise Shall dust give thanks? Shall dust Thy Truth make known?
God eternally. II Hear, Lord I On me Thy gracious goodness show!
Trust not in outward appearances of success. Fear not, if God Yea! Lord, I pray, come near to help me now!
hides His Face for a while. He is watching thee with a purpose 12 Yea! Thou hast turn'd my wail to mirthful dance,
of holy gladness while thou hast to struggle, and in the stormiest My sackcloth loosed, and girt with jubilance!
night thou shalt suffer no harm' if thou cling to Jesus. His Blood The mystny o/Chn'st's death. The tn'umfh 0/ resurrection,

was not shed in vain. I t shall a waken thy dust to thankfulness for
13 Thee then in deathless psalms shall glory praise,
the setting forth of His truth.
Eternal thanks to Thee, 0 Lord, my God, I'll raise!
When thou risest in His glory, thou shalt be able worthily to
Eternal glory livit/g in God's frai".
praise His glory. The sackcloth of sinful earth shall be changed
into the brightness of the Divine lustre. Thou shalt be gathered
into the joyous exultation of the heavenly choir. Thou shalt live PSALM 31.
in thankful love to God. That thankful love shall be the never-
THE DIVINE LIFE A HIDDEN LIFE
wearying experience of eternity.
To the Precentor, A Psalm of David
THE TEMPLE OF HUMANITY PERFECTED BY THE
JESUS upon the Cross appropriates this Psalm in Divine triumph
RESURRECTION
as He enters the grave. Take refuge with Him as the Mediator and
2 I will extol Thee, Lord l ' Thou dost upwind. thou wilt not fear the grave. There will be no shame in His death.
Nor mak'st my foes their spiteful joy to find! Thy death will be all shame unless thou die in Him, but with Him
3 0 Lord,2 my God, to Thee I made appeal: all is glory. His Divine Sonship is a Rock of Asylum for thee.
And not in vain, for Thou hast deign'd to heal. His glorified Humanity is the fortified House wherein thou shalt
4 0 Lord," my soul from Sheol Thou mak'st ascend. find salvation. Come thither and claim the promise made to the
I live, though others find that pit their end! lame and to the blind, so dear to the soul of David's Son (Isa.
Th« glonficatiot/ o/CM;st's Body. TIlt deliv,rana/rom Hell. xxxv. 6). The Rock and the Crag tell of the beginning and ending
of Israel's journey, the Incarnation and the Passion of Christ.
5 Ye Saints, unto the Lord your psalms address! The Divine Power did not interfere to drive away Christ's
Holy memorial bring with thankfulness! enemies while He had to contend with them, but when the victory
6 For though His anger briefly may appear, was won, God welcomed the Spirit of His well-beloved Son who
His pleasure triumphs still our life to clear: had conquered, so that He left this world of humiliation. He had
The eve may give a lodging to a tear, redeemed our humanity in His own Person by the strength of the
But hark! at morn, what ringing mirth we hear! Godhead whereby at first He laid hold of it. In His redeemed
The Holy Eucharist tIlt memorial of Christ's tn'umfhant d,ath. The Resurrection Humanity we are to claim redemption as His members. He is the
at rarly morn,
Second Adam,
7 Mark me I In prosperous wealth I boldly cried, Jesus quotes this Psalm in the moment of death. He inserts
"I shall eternally unmoved abide." the word "Father." This no typical Psalmist could use. This is
8 Thy pleasure, Lord,' with strength my mountain stay'd ! the title whereby God is claimed as lifting us out of the pit which
-Thou didst secrete Thy Face! I sank dismay'd ! must otherwise be our destruction. Jesus is the Son of God, and
Now therefore, Lord," to Thee I make my cry, as His members we can say, Our Father. Such a title is not found
9 Yea I-to the Lord S for grace a suppliant fly! in the Psalter, for the truth of Divine Sonship did not exist
The Divine lift tilt only security, "Why hast Thou firsakm M, roo amongst men before the Incarnation. Now God has not only

126 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
redeemed us from death by the Right Hand of His power, but He
has 'raised us out of the condition of natural birth by the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Oh, how we must hate the phantoms of this lower world of sin
and death, if we really know what it is to die to transitory things
and commend our spirit to God's loving welcome and the beatific
manifestation of His glory.
Wonderful love whereby the Son of God took upon Himself the
form of a slave, becoming subject during three-and-thirty years to
the tyranny of death in our nature I He hates the blindness and
lameness of sin. He gives to His people illumination and vigour.
Wonderful power whereby in the weakness of our nature He
asserted the freedom of His Divine Sonship, and crushed the
serpent's head I "He put off" from His Humanity" the domination
which principalities and powers had exercised, and made a show of
them openly, triumphing over them in His Cross" (Co\. ii. 15).
How vain are the idols of human praise. Thou must learn to
love the Cross of Christ, dying to the world, that with Him thou
mayest live unto God. So will He love Thee evermore, and those
that seek earthly things can have no share in His redemption.
Consider the lifelong suffering of Jesus, how He became an
abomination to those who were round about Him. Fear not to
bear His reproach.
Observe how the lamentation of this Psalm is free from all
remorse. Be watchful that there shall be nothing in thine own
conduct which may deserve to be blamed.
If upon any occasion thou sufferest undeservedly, thank God
that by the grace of Christ thy suffering may be acceptable to
Him, but remember also on how many an occasion Thou hast
deserved to be blamed. Yea, think what a sinner thou art in the
sight of God. "We indeed suffer justly, but this Man hath done
nothing amiss" (Luke xxiii. 4 I).
As Jesus was strong to overcome by reason of His Godhead, so
must thou look for His strength to succour thee in times of tempta-
tion, relying upon Him as thy Lord and thy God.
Look for the light of His countenance to shine upon thee .. He
l Lord,' give me grace, by such oppression doom'd I
will put thine enemies to shame, if thou art content to lie hidden
with Him, buried in His grave, waiting for the resurrection, when
I~
.
He shall come to be glorified in His saints.
As thou feelest the bondage of sin, so must thou claim the
unfailing presence and help of thy Redeemer, for He is thy God.
Call others to live in this same Divine confidence. He who
PSALM 31. 127
said to Simon, " Strengthen thy brethren" bids us fulfil the work of
charity in brotherly exhortation. '
Jesus entered not into His glory until He had suffered. Fear
not to suffer. If we suffer with Him, we shall be glorified
together:
THE DIVINE REDEEMER
2 To Thee, 0 Lord, for refuge do I flee:
Let me not be ashamed eternally I
In Thine own righteousness-Oh ! rescue! me !
3 Bend ~ down Thine ear! To my deliv'rance speed 8 I
To me be Thou a stronghold-rock indeed!
A fortress-house of watch from danger freed!
4 For Thou! my Crag-my Fort of Watch-art Thou I
o for Thy Name's sake, lead 1 me, guide 2 me, now!
5 0 draw S me from the net there which they hide,
My stronghold Thou, wherein I may confide!
6 My spirit to Thy Hand in charge I yield,
Thou hast redeern'd me, Lord !-Godhead in truth reveal'd.
. Tlie lt~mriliatio1t 0/ lite Passion is not /01' ever. It passes into tlu Iflpry 0/ tlte
Res.urrectlOn. The Body 0/ tlte Lncarnate is a House of jur>nanent d'mdling from
wlttelt God looks "pon tlte Satanic world into wlliclt He It(f.$entered and the Divine lift
makes it secure as a fortress. The great Exodus 0/ tlze Son 0/ God. TIle strong Itand
0/ Diuine power uplifts tlze manhood from tlte tyranny 0/ Satan. Jesus inserts the
HUe It Father." No one could use tllis title truly until Jesus came.
7 I hate the devotees of phantoms vain,
But trustful.' in the Lord will still remain;
8 Exulting," joyous," I Thy mercies own,
For Thou on my affliction hast look'd down.
Thou know'st my soul, when seas of sorrow drown.
9 Thou past not shut me up in the foe's hand,
But mak'st my feet in widespread freedom stand.
Tlte upwinding·(ps. 30')' now tlu/reedom o/tlte redeemed lift ..
Mine eye, soul, flesh, beneath their spite consum'd !
II For spent with anguish wastes my life away,
Sad years which sob themselves into decay I
My vigour through iniquity gives way,
And, grief-consum'd, my bones are left as clay.
Skar« C.hris!'s Passion and mourn-for tlzy sins wlticll needed His R,dtmptivi
str/iggl,. 1lte suffi,.,ng lift o/Cltrist giving Him tilt appeam",e 0/ age.
128 STRUGGLE AND VI CTORY PSALM 32. 129

12How with reproach th' oppressors all infest! 24 0 love the Lord,' all ye His saintly train!
See 1 neighbours nod 1 They fear who know me best I N e'er fails the Lord 2 the faithful to sustain.
And gazing externs shrink as from a pest! He pays the proud their work! Full price they gain!
13 I am forgotten like th' uncared-for dead, 25 Be firm,-your heart with stout endurance great-
Like some crack'd vessel, whence all use is fled. All ye that on the Lord 3 with patience wait.
TIte suffiring- 0/ reproaclt. We must not think it hard if others shun us.

14 For I have heard the carping multitude,

PSALM 32.
Myself a scare to all that round me stood,
While these establish'd in alliance rude THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE REGENERATE
Scheme for my soul with sharp solicitude.
PENITENTIAL II
The m ultitude around the Cross.

David's. For reflectior:

t 5 But as for me, I trusted,Lord,? on Thee:
Yea, I have said, that thou my God shalt be. Ps. I. sets before us the blessedness of man walking according to
16 My times are in Thy Hand? Deliverance bring I a the law wherein God created him, and gave him a covenanted life.
From hand of foes, and persecutors'ring. This Psalm sets forth the blessedness of the new man, restored to
17 0 let Thy Face with light b Thy servant bless I acceptance with Goel. It is the first of the eleven Psalms which
o
save « me for Thy mercy's tenderness 1 are entitled" Maskil." The new covenant which God makes with
Confidence in God. The Lig-ht 'i/God"s Face shines as lite g-lory o/Ihe Reswrrec- us in Christ demands our solemn consideration. If we fall away
tio«. It shines not by outward prosperity bul by participation of Christ'» risen IVe. from it, there is no power whereby we can be renewed.
"Happy is he whose transgression is taken up." Taking up
18 Put me not, Lord," to shame! To Thee I call : implies taking away. Christ took our transgression because He
Let wicked ones find silent shame in Sheol ! took upon Himself the consequences of our transgression. He was
19 Let lying lips be dumb, to silence hush'd : wounded for our transgressions, for the transgressions of God's
The Righteous with abandon'd words they crush'd, people (Isa. liii. 5, 8). By His Incarnation He became subject to
Despising all, reckless in proud disgust. all the sufferings which have come upon man inasmuch as man
The enemies o/Christ shall be dumb when He sptaks their doos«,
rebelling against God has become the slave of Satan. He did not
institute a new covenant between God and man by a mere external
20 Thy vast hid goodness those who fear Thee find,
reconstitution. He entered into the condition of the rebels whom
Wrought for Thy refugees before mankind.
He would restore, taking- upon Himself the form of a slave to Satan,
21 Thy face secretes them from men's hostile leagues:
although He was all the while abiding in the form of God, as the
Thou hid'st them in a booth from tongues' intrigues.
Son consubstantial with the Father. The transgression, the re-
22 Blest Lord I His wondrous mercy girds me well,
bellion, was ours, not His. His undivided Personality made Him
A city of strong walls, wherein to dwell.
experience the antagonism between the Uncreated and the Created
But as for me, I said in hasty woe, natures, the Infinite and the finite, the sovereignty of the Almighty
23 "I am hewn off, no more Thine eye to know: " and the self-will by which His brethren after the flesh repudiated it.
And Thou, when I appeal'd, my prayer didst not forego. Our nature, perverted by rebellion, had lost the controlling in-
Security in God. His goodness to us during our probation will be manifest in tlte
spiration which was given to Adam at the beginning. He took
Judgemenl. The new Jerusalem. In Ps. 60. Edom is the well:ftnctd city, Ille power 0/ this nature upon Himself, and by taking it He had to experience
lite world. NowChrisl has conquered. He triumphs in thep·ave. Thesoliludeifthe the strain of holding it as it were in place. His perfect obedience
Cross did not mar His confidence 0/ union with Ihe Father. W II", we see our danger WI
",..,st not h/taiful, oul musl appeal to God in Christ, to God was a continuous exercise of violence upon the impulses of
His assumed Humanity, as He felt the pressure of man's corrupt
VOL. II. I
130 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY P SALM ~ 2. 131

will in all the sympathies whereby He was con substantially united substantive renovation, by which we are taken out of the un-
with every individual of the human race. The transgression which healthy condition of impurity, and the sins of past life are so
He bore was the measure of the merit of His own unswerving covered with the energy of holiness, that all the scars and traces of
obedience to God. He could not act true to God in any respect past sin are done away, as when the skin peels off from the human
without experiencing the greatness of man's rebellion. Their re- body, during the recovery from a fever.
bellion was the measure of His allegiance. Christ becoming man took upon Himself the strain of our per-
Without the Divine life He could not have exercised such verted humanity, so as to rectify our humanity by His own will,
opposition to the corrupt law of our fallen condition. Oh! happy never swerving from its allegiance to God.
is man, in that God has sent His Son that we may not perish in our Christ by His Godhead infused into our humanity the energy
rebellion, but may live true to the Divine will, by being incorporated of holiness by which our corrupt nature may rise to a condition of
into the Well-Beloved! health.
And yet it is not enough that our state of rebellion against God Such is the happiness which belongs to the Second Adam!
should be terminated. We have to give account for the individual Delivered from the possession of the fallen will, and raised to the
sins whereby we have offended Him. glorifying acceptance of the Divine Love.
All our acts leave a mark upon our nature which must remain Therefore in saying this Psalm grasp the Cross and praise God
unto the day of judgement, unless there be a supernatural action of for the renewal of holiness to which thou art called.
grace to obliterate each mark. This is the resurrection of the flesh, Happy is the man, the new Adam, to whom the Lord will not
not merely an insensible appendage or instrument of the soul, but impute perverseness.
our very self, such as we have made ourselves. Our actions leave We are all born into this world in a state of rebellion, as our
an indelible mark whether for good or for evil, according to which nature is broken away from the Divine principle which would keep
marks we shall be judged. The judgement according to our works us true to the law of obedience.
will be effected not by external attestation, but by the manifestation We are all born into this world, and live on in it, with manifold
of our past lives as visibly recorded upon the bodily faculties wherein sins, by which the corruption of our present condition makes
we acted during life. itself manifest, marring our best actions.
We need, therefore, to have all the traces of past sin done away Our nature is corrupt by its evil desires, and burdened by the
by the supernatural power of grace. Otherwise they would cry out accumulated inheritance of sinful actions.
against us, even though we had ceased from our rebellion. , This nature Christ has taken upon Himself, being conceived in a
It were impossible for us to cover our own sin. Neither will any substance which was the original nucleus of the corrupt mass with
external covering avail which leaves the sin hidden underneath. which He thus by His Incarnation became associated, and in-
The eye of God requires truth in the inward parts. No covering, heriting all the consequences of man's sinful actions which belong
therefore, is of any use which does not effect a real obliteration of that not only to the individual who has committed them, but by
which is covered (Ps. 5 I. 3, 4). The covering must be as the participation of nature to the whole race as a solid unit, for we are
covering of a healthy glow, covering over the skin which had "members one of another."
previously been eaten out with the sores of some terrible disease. The Divine life of Christ strengthened Him, so that I-Ie could
The leprous flesh of Naaman was thus cleansed, and his skin exercise His individual will in antagonism to the mass of man's
became as the skin of a little child. So must our corrupt nature corruption from whence He derived the natural elements of His
be renewed in healthy purity if we are to have the happiness of external nature, but He had necessarily to experience the unity of
which this Psalm speaks. natural life in which He was associated, with all His brethren after
This is the gift of regeneration. It is not merely a renovation to the flesh. Nothing but death could separate Him from this con-
future obedience, but it is a deliverance from past sin. The for- dition in which He bore our trangression. But God as He looked
giveness of sins is not a mere act of amnesty by which God treats upon Him saw that there was in Him no iniquity. The Lord laid
our sins as if they need not be remembered, It is an act of upon His living, conscious Personality the iniquity of all mankind,

-..-
132 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY PSALM 3 2. 133
with whom He was thus identified. He was bruised for our InI- We must have the Word of Christ dwelling within us as the re-
quities, suffering at the hands of Satan all those consequences of newing power whereby we may speak to God with confidence,
slavery which man's iniquity involved. So He bore our iniquities, appealing to Him as our Father. Only while we thus rise out of
remaining Himself uninjured by them, however much weighed ourselves to live in Christ can the roaring of sin's slavery give way
down by the grievous burden (Isa. liii. 6, 5, I I). SO are we freed to the peace of God which pas seth understanding. We are
from our slavery. "If the Son shall make you free, then are ye free , I
silent towards God unless the Spirit of His Incarnate Word is
indeed." We are made free by being incorporated into Him. The making intercession within us.
strain of man's corruption has been done away for the members, In reciting this Psalm we must consider the misery of our natural
so that they who are in Him are contrariwise made subject to the estate! Ask for the spirit of penitence that you may humble your-
impulses of His inherent righteousness. self before God with the confidence of holy love. We must feci
Thus does this Psalm anticipate the teaching of the A postle, "for the Hand of God heavy upon us for our punishment. Only so can
He was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made we know what it is to have the loving ear of God ever open to our
the righteousness of God in Him." "He that dwelleth in Him prayer.
sinneth not." Happy indeed is that new Adam to whom the Lord [Selah. The music seems to tranquillize the soul so that by
imputeth not iniquity. In our Baptism we died to our old selves penitence it may claim the blessedness of the renewal in the
that we might live in Christ unto God. heavenly covenant.)
As we repeat this Psalm we must remember that we cannot The penitent strengthened by the promises of God in Christ utters
belong to the new Adam unless we are dead to the old Adam. We the words of humble confession. His sin estranged him from God.
are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, and unless we are He cannot escape from his sin save by coming to God. The Hand
living in the power of His Resurrection, we are putting away from of God presses upon the sinner that he may become penitent. Then
ourselves the blessing of H is death. The Spirit of Truth, which is the Hand of God lifts lip the penitent that he may rejoice in the
the inward life of Christ, this Second Adam, must rule our hearts, Communion of Saints. "So Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin!"
so that in our spirit there may be no lingering guile such as natur- [SeLalt. The music expresses the calmness of one who poured out
ally belongs to us by the taint of the serpent's poison. God does grief and found comfort in God.)
not accept us in Christ by any external imputation, as if Christ The pious soul can now therefore hold sweet converse with God,
were our substitute. He accepts us in Christ by a regenerating being restored to dwell in the light of His countenance. The day
inspiration, because Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church, of restoration is a day of finding. God finds us when His Word
and we are members everyone in particular. comes home to our heart and wakens us to confession. We find
This Psalm sums up the blessedness and the responsibility of God when we no longer hold ourselves aloof from Him in stubborn
our Christian calling. perversity. Seek and thou shalt find. If we know the forgiveness
No man can say that Jesus is Christ but by the Holy Ghost. of God by the experience of renewed love, we must call upon all
How does the Apostle groan while writing of the state of man in others to seek the same. Torrents of darkness may overwhelm liS.
the slavery of sin. It was in the experience of the slavery from The powers of evil claim liS as their prey. "They cannot separate
which He would redeem mankind that Christ speaks of His" words liS from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." "Our
of roaring" which seem to be so inconsistent with His mission of life is hidden with Christ in God." He is our hiding-place until
salvation. While He was on earth He spake not with the external this tyranny be overpast. Under the old conditions of nature's
omnipotence belonging to His utterance as the Eternal Word. slavery to Satan there was no escape. Now there is a hiding-place
He allowed Himself to be in silence. His bones, His human although the external tyranny of Satan still remains. There shall
nature, in its inmost solidity, felt the wasting power of the sin which be a manifestation of Divine Love. When Christ who is our
He had to counteract. This interior struggle with man's sin was life shall appear, then shall they who have been hidden in Him
the daily" roaring" of the Saviour. appear with Him in glory. So will the songs of deliverance burst
We must share in this roaring. 'VIle must be dead to ourselves. forth. We must exult in looking forward to that day, though for
 P S A L M 32. 135
134 STRUGGLE AND VICTORY

a while we may have to sing the Lord's song as it were in a strange THE COVENANT OF THE NEW ADAM
land. Faith lays hold upon the joy that shall be in that day.
Even so. Come, Lord J esus, I 0 happy lot! Transgression borne! Sin veil'd !
(The music swells out in glad anticipation of the time when sin 2 Happy the man on whom the Lord can smile,
shall be no more.]
Free from iniquity, from spirit-guile!
The joy of God's covenant of pardon must not make us forgetful
3 While I was silent, all my bones gave way
of His requirements. The voice of God Himself is heard closing
By reason of my roaring, all the day. .
this Psalm with admonition. He who gives us the spirit of adoption Union with God restored and Divine glory voucltsa/ed in the Cvvenant 0/ new li/e
warns us that we must walk as God's children. ill Christ.
It is the characteristic of the Christian covenant that we are
"all taught of God." God admonishes, teaches, gives us, that is, 4 Yea! Day and night Thy heavy Hand I bare,
a new law, even the law of the Spirit, acting as our Counsellor. My moisture dried like summer's weary gl::tre. Sciai:
Jesus is the Counsellor (Isa. ix. 6). The Law of Moses had no 5 Iniquity and sin I'll show to Thee-
counsellor to guide the people in obeying it. Christ personally Not veil transgression! To the Lord I flee,
guides those who are admitted into the fellowship of grace. For Thou dost bear my sin's iniquity! Selah.
He guides His people with His eye, and that, not as an external Penitence owns the sins wlticlt Christ bears.
spectator, but in the power of His Holy Spirit, searching their
hearts and strengthening them as well as illuminating them 6 Thus while Thou may'st .be found, each saint .shall pr~y :
according to their needs. And what though drowning torrents round H rrn play.
God's people must not be like horse and mule. They are driven Surely untouch'd He shall remain for aye.
by external compulsion. The obedience of the Christian, instructed 7 Thou dost secrete and guard when troubles press.
by the Spirit of Counsel, must be an obedience of love. We must With ringing peals of rescue Thou wilt bless. Selah,
be watching to see how His eye would guide us. If we have felt Joy o/the soul restored through. "milt1"e to peace.
His Hand heavy upon us in our trouble, we must now watch for
H is eye to be upon us, and in the fellowship of love which that eye 8 "I will instruct I thee-teach 2 thee how to go-

reveals we shall draw nigh, that we may walk in the light of the With watchful eye will needful counsel show."
Lord. See horse and mule stand stubborn, stupefied! .
The Son of God is come to make us free, but if they escaped 9 C -b'd bridled brav'ry I Be not yours such pnde
11l , . d I
not who rejected him that spake on earth, of how much sorer As mocks the master save by harness tie .
punishment shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under The necessity 0/ obedient love in tlrose who are restored.
foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Blood of the covenant
wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and "hath done 10 "See! For the wicked many a woun d iIS stor 'd I;
despite unto the Spirit of Grace"? Mercy shall compass him that serves :h~ L~~·d.
We must close this Psalm with a joyous act of self-oblation. II Exult,! ye righteou~! In the .Lord re~OIce . . I"
-" Lord Jesus, I am Thine." 0 Lord, do with me what Thou wilt, Shout," ye upright 111 heart, with c:leel ful voice :
for I know Thou lovest me. Thou who earnest into the world, The joy 0/ thos« who abide in rlgMeoustless.
bearing our transgression and renewing us to righteousness for the
putting away of our sin, findest Thy joy in giving life to Thy
redeemed: and shall not I that was the slave of sin find joy in
Thee who art my Light and my Salvation? The joy of Thy Love
must ever be the law of my nature, the principle of my regeneration,
the strength of my actions, and the consummation of my desires.
 I
"
PSALM 33. 137

Tn'logy of the Acceptable Sacrifice

Ps. 39.- The Redeemed having assumed the nothing-

ness of created existence waits with confidence for the
welcome of Divine love.
Ps. 40.-He bursts forth in the happiness of the new
NOVENA song to which He attains in that He, His B~dy, has be~n
given to God, and is the Acceptable Sacrifice wherein
PSALMS 33.-41.
God delights. He has been obedient even to the death
upon the Cross. His enemies are put to shame, and
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
He wakens the Magnificat of all who trust in Him.
Ps. 4 I.-The redeemed people must share the trial of
SONGS OF DELIVERANCE
faith.
Trilogy of Divine Power As Book I. opened with a double blessing, a blessing
for the One Man who lived in doing God's will, and a
PS. 33.-The victory of the great Champion ought to blessing for those who took refuge in Him, so it ends
burst forth in songs of rescue. The Creator is He who with the blessing of Him whose life was a continual
looks upon us to deliver us from death. trust in God, and now of those who continue with Him
Ps. 34·- The third Alphabetical Psalm. The Angel in His temptations, recognizing by faith the Divine
of the Lord is near, so as to deliver God's people in Word which is veiled under His form of human
their distress. weakness.
Ps. 35.-The Angel of the Lord will smite all those
who have opposed God's Chosen One. PSALM 33.

THE PREDESTINATION OF GRACE PERFECTED

THE RESURRECTION
Trilogy of the Dzscipline of Weakness
THE life renewed out of death! (Ps, 30.). The life hidden wl:ile
Ps. 36.- The boast of the proud perisheth. dwelling in the world! (Ps. 31). The life restored to loving
obedience by deliverance from sin! (Ps. 32). Now we come to the
Ps. 37.- The patience of the saints and the final
life as renewed to the utterance of Divine power by the resurrection.
triumph of the meek who have God for their support Thus do these Psalms carryon the progressive consciousness of
is here contrasted with the overthrow of the wicked, who i
,I the risen life.
boasted of their worldly power. Noah found a new world around him after the flood. The
Ps. 38.- The penitent acknowledges the sin which he Christian in Christ finds not only a new world around, but a new
life within. He has to sing as the voice of the Lord speaks within
bears, and endures the reproaches of the world, for he
him triumphantly and eternally. This is the new song of re.surrec-
looks for God to haste for salvation. tion. Ps. 40. calls for the new song of the Acceptable Sacrifice of
18~

•
 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 33. 139
righteousness. Ps. 96. is the new song of Catholic adoption into
The Son and the Spt'rit
Christ's Kingdom, initiated by evangelization. We call all around
to join with us therein, looking forward for Him who sat enthroned 6 All the heavens the Lord's Word made: 2

above the flood to come again, for He is reigning now unseen. All their host His breath display'd."
Ps. 98. echoes the wide appeal with exultation by reason of 7 Oceans piles He like an heap-
the diffusion of Christian consciousness and the expectation of Fills the treasuries of the deep.
Divine judgement. Ps, 144. is the new song of humanity per-
fected in the glory of Christ. Ps. 149. is the new song of heavenly God lhe Creator
consummation. 8 Fear the Lord, all ye of earth!
A new song I God's purposes in creation are perfected in faith- Tremble, all of worldly birth!
fulness. The ten-stringed lute of moral obedience rises to the 9 All things rose at His command:
articulate song of spiritual love. By His law firrn-fixt they stand.
The Word of the Lord made the heavens, and in the power of
H is Spirit they were sanctified so as not to fall away from the The Wisdom of God's Government
truth. A finite creation could not but fall into sin if left to itself,
JO He, the Lord will bring to nought
for sin is the contradiction of God's infinite will, and the finite
Gentiles' counsel, peoples' thought.
cannot of its own power be for ever true to the infinite. The co-
1 I Counsel fr0111the Lord is sure;
operation of the sanctifying Spirit was a sustaining power to all
Thoughts He loves for aye endure.
which the Word of God created. The creature therefore fell into
sin, not by the necessity of God's creation, but by rejecting the
The Blessedness of tile Druin« COVe11tl1l1
gift of the Holy Ghost.
12 Who the Lord as God have known-
Happy folk! His choice! His own!
THE DIVINE LIFE OF THE NEW CREATIONS 13 For the Lord from Heaven surveys
All mankind. He sees their ways,-
Introduction 14 Notes from His abiding-place
All on earth of every race-
1Shout, ye righteous, to the Lord:
Sweet is praise uprightly pour'd.
IS Forms their hearts, yea! One by one,
Well discerns whate'er is done.
2 Thank the Lord I Haste, harps to bring:
Wake the Psaltery's tenfold string!
The Creature Powerless
3 New be now the song ye raise,
Skilful concert, shouts of praise! 16 Kings may fail, though great their force,
During tlte Passion tlte Word 'Was silent, not acting in Divine Inan£ftstation. Tlte Men of might in vigorous course.
Divine power in Him was manifested when, dying upon tlte Cross, He destroyed death. 17 Treacherous oft, the trusted steed,
Now we have to celebrate the T"iumj"-
Fails to save by forceful speed.

The Word of Truth Tile Watchfulness of Divine Love

4 The Lord's Word upright is found, 18 But the Lord approves our fear,
And in Truth His Works abound. While men wait for mercy near.
S Righteous, judgement-loving Lord! 19 He from death will free their soul:
Earth is with His mercy stor'd.' He in famine keeps them whole.
 '40 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 34.
The Joyous Confidence of Faith heart." David marked the gate of the city with crosses. 'Ve
must take up our cross and follow Jesus in His humiliation. So
20 Fixt we pause, the Lord to see;
must we learn of Him the fear of the Lord. Then shall we have
He our Help, our Shield is He!
the eyes of the Lord upon us, whereas otherwise we shall have the
21 For in Him our joy we claim,
Face of the Lord against us. If we show Christ dwelling within
Trusting in His holy Name.
us, the Father hears, the Son is near to us in the bonds of brother-
22 Lord, let mercy crown our state,
hood, the Holy Ghost will deliver by strengthening us against
For on Thee with hope we wait.
every danger.
The power of death cannot harm us. "The Lord keeps all His
bones." What was exhibited in Christ upon the Cross will be
PSALM 34.
equally fulfilled in all Christ's members.
PROTECTION AMIDST THE DIVINE DISCIPLINE Jesus is the Righteous One. He lives in all His members.
Gethsemane showed His Righteousness, for Satan could find no
ALPH,\BETICAL III taint of sin in His Blood when He strove to C1:.!:!.shHim.
David's, when he changed lzis dcmeanonr before Abimelech, who drove Calvary shows how He was protected, for Satan could go no
!,illl away and he departed
further in assailing Him than God's permission. We are safe in
death if we abide in Him.
GATH represents the world, the winepress trodden by Jesus in His We are not to fear men, but to fear the Lord. David was afraid
Passion. The Prince of this world would claim to be the son of a of Achish, and feigned madness. This was a different tone of mind

I,
King (Abimelech, my father, a king). But he has rebelled against from that in which as a mere lad he had gone out to fight against
his Father. Jesus is the First Begotten, the Eternal Son. He Goliath. He had now with him Goliath's sword, which ought to
cO.mes here not putting forward His Divine claim, but changing have made him reitful in God's protection. In truth his folly W:lS
HIS demeanour as If He belonged to the world alone. The Divine f
in seeking protection from the people of Coliath, Saul and Gath,
Wisdom was hidden. The world thought Him to be beside both of them, represent the world, though in different aspects. It is
Himself.
~
madness for the beloved of Cod to seek for the world to give pro-
Fear not, if the world drives thee away. Thou seemest mad tection against the world. If we ally ourselves with tbe people of
to the world if thou delight in the Cross. Yet the Cross changes the world, our conduct will seem to the world around us to be mad-
the gates of earth's prison-house into gates of Paradise. Take up ness, for they cannot understand the maxims upon which we have
thy Cross and learn of Christ to be meek. Angels wait around. to act. The world will despise us if we seek its alliance, and
David left Gath to abide in the cave and gather his followers. happy it is for us if the world does despise us. The wisdom of the
We must follow Jesus from Gethsemane and hide with Him in the world is foolishness with God. David learnt to exult and praise
gr~ve of baptismal ~eparation. Fed with His grace, we shall see God for being despised at Cath much more than he could have
HIS glory. The children of the devouring lion starve and die. clone for any help which Achish could have given. Thus he learnt
That lion is death. But out of the eater comes forth meat. The the lesson of meekness by which alone we can inherit the earth.
Body of Christ raised from death is the Food of eternal life for all Thus he learnt as a poor man to cry unto the Lord, and the Lord
the faithful. heard him. The lasf Psalm was a Psalm of deliverance by Divine
The Psalm changes in verse 12 from praise to instruction. The power, the Word of the Lord, manifested in the resurrection life.
opening distich was followed by three triplets. Now another This Psalm is a Psalm of deliverance by Divine illumination,
distich introduces three more triplets. The Psalm closes with a delivering LIS from reliance lIpon ourselves. Cod's power is of no
quatrain of contrast between the ungodly and the righteous. avail to LISuntil we have learnt in meekness to distrust ourselves.
I t is the life of meekness which the Psalmist inculcates. "Take Happy is the man that takes refuge in the Lord. If we would
My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of come to Christ Crucified, we must die to ourselves. \Ve come to
 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 34. 143
Him as the gateway whereby we quit the world altogether. We 9 ~ The Lord 1 is good. Come, taste!' Come, see!
mark that gateway with crosses, being conformed to Christ's Happy His valiant refugee I
Passion. IO \ 0 fear the Lord," ye holy train;
So must we fear the Lord, not because we have felt His Hand Who fear Him, find no want remain.
to be against us, but because we have tasted His supernatural I I :l The lion-cubs may starve and die:
sweetness, giving consolation to our souls amidst the worldly Who sue the Lord," find good supply.
antagonism. Thus we come to have our eyes opened, and see that 1'1" children o/therod one.
the Lord is indeed good. Then we can fear Him truly, yea! "fear
the Lord and His g oodness " (Has. iii. 5). 12' Come, children, give me now your ear:
The latter part of the Psalm, therefore, is fittingly an instruction I'll teach you how the Lord to fear.
upon the fear of the Lord. How safe we are if we fear Him!
We must be "seeking peace," not under the care of Achisb, but 13 r.> What man delights in lengthen'd life-
in Him whose welcome awaits us when Achish drives us away.
The deliverance is not for one' alone, but for all who, like the
poor man, cry unto Him. The broken-hearted, the crushed, those
I Loves days prolong'd with goodness rife?
14 J Guard thou thy tongue lest wrong defile ?-

who have great woes in the world, shall find His promise ever sure. I Thy lips, that they may speak no guile:
15 0 Turn thee from wrong; all goodness do :
He who redeemed us upon the Cross will not suffer those who trust
in Him to be condemned. I Seek peace and patiently pursue.

16 Y On righteous men the Lord 1 looks down:

Their loud appeal His ears shall own,
THE ANGEL OF THE COVENANT
17 ~ Workers of wrong feci the Lord's 2 Face,
2 ~ The Lord at all times will I bless: Mighty their memory to efface.
His constant praise in words express, 18 ";) They made their wail: the Lord} replies:
From sorrows freed, He bids them rise.

3 J My soul shall boast the Lord's I true care:

The meek with joy responsive hear!
19 i'The Lord the broken heart will heed-
Saves the crush'd spirit in its need.
4 J With me the Lord's 2 great power proclaim!
20 1 Great woes the Righteous Man befall :
Extol we with one voice His Name!
The Lord will set Him free from all :
5 , The Lord 3 I sued: He answer'd me :
21 ~ He keeps His bones: the word is spoken,
From many a scare He set me free.
Not one amongst them shall be broken.
David was driien away, as beil1g marl. lVe must rejoice if tIle 'World casts us out.
Tlu electfollour Christ. To tlu world t!le Christian seems to be mad. TIllY are flu This promise/"ljil/cd on Calvary is a plcd!{e to all/,du,-e times 0/ God's protecting
children 0/ the Kin/{ 0/ Heave n, care.

22 n
The wicked by his wrongs is slain:
6 i1 Him they regard! How bright their smile! Who hate the righteous nought but guilt must gain.
Their faces shall no blush defile, 23 ~ The Lord redeems His servants' soul:
7 r Th' afflicted cries; the Lord replies,- His refugees from guilt shall be made whole.
Bids him from sorrow safely rise. '/we 'would pr(ljit II)J Christ's death 7tlt' nt nsl take rc..'JiI$"e in Ilim,
S n Carnp'd, the Lord's angel circles near
To free all those who own H is fear.
All in aJlliclion must realize tlte/ellowship o/t/te ,l1'an 0/ Sorrows. 1'1" A "gel 0/
t4. Lord will always be lIe4" II{ose w/'o ji/{Izt aeains: Ihe n'il one,
 •

144 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 35. 145

unbroke.n bones ~re the witness to God's Truth (Ps. 34. 21 ; 35.
10). HIS very existence amidst the antagonism was an evidence
PSALM 35. of the Divine life. The sword of Goliath told of what God had
done. His existence, continuing unbroken amidst the present in-
THE CONFIDENCE OF TIlE SOUL IN THE REDEMPTION
tensity of struggle, is a living voice to Him, speaking of God's con-
WROUGHT BY CHRIST tinuous, covenanted care.
His enemies must perish, for they are assailing Him whom God
has sent. God's vengeance is the basis of His own imprecations,
IN the opening triplet invoke the Holy Trinity, that the Incarnate not the result of His own human desires. Tiley are "of their
Son, Himself thy Shield and Buckler, may with the Spirit hold father, the devil, who was a liar from the beginning."
back thine enemies. So will He show Himself as J esus, thy Hear them accusing Jesus of blasphemy and rebellion! He had
Salvation. come to manifest the truth of God and establish the Kingdom of
The Psalmist seeks from God protection, not retaliation. If Truth. David was a type of Him by his loyalty to Saul, waiting
God were outwardly to smite Christ's foes, it would destroy the q for God to give him the predestined kingdom. Therefore Saul
moral value of Christ's obedience. " Their hour and the power of hated him. So the Jews persecuted Jesus, because He came as
I
darkness" must be left free. The Divine Word present in Christ God's representative, the Divine Heir of the Kingdom which they,
made it impossible for the malice of Satan to take away His life. by their worldliness, had forfeited.
The impossibility was typified by the command given to Satan not Jesus came, the promised Redeemer, the Son of God, clothing
to take away the life of Job. . J., Himself with the sa_cl<:<::10hof our flesh, because of their sins. By
I' prayer and fasting He would cast Satan out. He mourned as a
The active punishment of Christ's enemies was to follow after ,
Christ's trial was over. Then the Divine wrath would come upon companion of earthly sorrow, a brother after the flesh. He
,.
them to the uttermost. Christ, the Sufferer, will eventually be the mourned as for a mother, weeping over Jerusalem which was dead
Judge. The tenderness of His human love cannot interfere with II to God.
the identification of His will, both as God and as Man, with the His enemies exult over His very sorrow. Seeing Him halt-
will of the Father. He must therefore denounce those who reject possibly there is an allusion here to the agony as putting His bones
the redemption which the Father sent Him to accomplish. They
f out of joint (el Ps. 2z.)-they ought to have recognized herein a
choose to be Satan's slaves and must perish with the master whom sign of God's Messenger typified by Jacob, their forefather (Gen.
they have chosen. xxxii. 12). On the contrary, they rejoiced. They buffeted Him and
So in this Psalm they are to be the chaff scattered by the breath mocked Him.
of God's displeasure. The Angel of Vengeance pursues them. The Psalmist prays to be delivered from the young lions, the
They have rejected the Lord, the Light, the Way of Salvation. brood of hell.
They must be given over to darkness, and the slippery ways of He prays to be vindicated against His enemies, not for their
their own corrupt choice. Helpless as chaff, they yet cannot lose hurt, but for the manifestation of His own integrity in God's
the personal consciousness of their misery as they fly in darkness service.
and slip down into greater depths of moral evil. Their future In that vindication those who hate Him must be clothed with
suffering will be the result of their own actions. The mischief shame and disgrace. They who delight in His righteousness shall
which they sought to do against God's Messenger will be accom- praise God. He will lead their praise all the day, the day of
plished upon themselves. eternity.
Observe David's songs of rescue. He pleaded (Ps. 31. 2). He
promised to sing praise (Ps. 32. 7). Deliverance from death (Ps. 33.
19). Deliverance of the poor, the meek (Ps. 34.5, 18,20). Deliver-
ance of the Divine Champion in His poverty (Ps. 35. 10). His
VOL. II. K
 146 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 35. I47

[3 When they were sick I sackcloth wore-

THE ANGEL OF VENGEANCE Humbled my soul with fasting sore-
Bow'd on my breast, my prayer did pour,
Plead, Lord for plaintiff throngs prevail: [4 I cared as friend or brother cares,
Fight on my side, when foes assail. As one who mother's mourning wears.
2 Seize Thou the buckler and the shield, Christ 'W(:a,-z'llg our suj/i:rillg ./lUll in order to deliver us fi-011t our sins. /fim.sc/f
And rise, my needed help to yield: our Companion and Brother 1110Urnillgfor the sinfid race out 0/ uihosc deadness lie tuas
born, as one tuh ose mather Izas died.
3 And take the spear, and block the rear!
osay,- To save thee I am here. IS I halt :-in joyous bands they meet-
"Divine saluation expected. Jeer at me-abjects from the street!
With lacerating jibes they greet!
4 Let all who would my soul defy, [6 As worthless parasites profane,
In blushing shame confounded fly ! In gnashing mockery they remain!
,I 5 TIe they as chaff by whirlwinds blown! iff aticious scorn. 0./ tIle ungodly.

" I Let the Lord's angel thrust them down! Appeal jor Deliverance
6 Be their way darkness, slipp'ry mire!
Let the Lord's angel chase, nor tire! 17 Master, Thou seest it. Haste! Arise!
Bring back my soul from their wild howling cries,
The perdition 0.1 the ung-odly.
From lion-cubs the darling that I prize.
18 Midst the great choir my thanksl'J1 raise-
7 All unprovoked their net they laid:
Midst serried people chant Thy praise.
To snare my soul the chasm they made.
Thr lions.' evil spirits 'l(J/tOUt Ife Ilas/vll07.0cd into Hades. Tile ell u rc/t , gatlu:n.:d
8 His be the howling deep unknown! /rc'"l all nations in to a glorious solidarity.
The ?let he hid shall be his own,
Who in that howling deep falls down! 19 Let not my foes rejoice through lies,
9 My soul exults the Lord to see, Nor causeless haters wink their eyes.
And His salvation wakes my glee. 20 No words of peace wi th these are found:
Earth's shrinking souls with guile they wound.
The deliverance of f esus from the doom wldch awaits the rnemy.
2 I Large mouths they make, at me to sneer:
" Aha," say they: "our eye sees clear."
10 So speak my bones revived from grief!
Lord, who like Thee can give relief, 22 0 Lord, Thou seest! Not silent be I !
Th' afflicted, when strong foes are nigh, My Master, keep not far from me J !
Th' afflicted, poor, to free from robbery? 23 TIe roused ~! Awake 2! For judgement's need!
Deliverance: 0./Jcsusjl"om Satan. tile spoiler 0/7Ilankind. God, Master! For my soul to plead;
24 Just Lord, My God, give 3 judgement right!
Complaint a.:;-ainstHis Enemies Let them not joy in vengeful spite." !

II Witnesses rise with cruel tone:

25 Let them not say, "We wished it so,"
N or boast" He's safely swallow'd now."
They question me of things unknown.
26 Blush they with shame, at wrong to boast!
12 For good they pay me wrongful pain:
Shame and confusion clothe their host,
Bereavement is my soul's sale gain.
Who o'er my strife have vaunted most!
Tlte/a'se uiitnesses.
 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 36. 149
27 Let all rejoice who hail my sight! light have their eyes opened that they may rejoice in the VISIOn of
The Lord, they'll say, is great in might God. Jesus is the Light of Light, and they who are incorporated
His servant's peace is His delight. with Him shall behold the glory which He had with the Father
before the world was.
28 My tongue Thy righteousness shall bless, To live in this Light and to be transformed from glory to glory
And all day long Thy praise express. is the joy of the faithful. Vain is the scoffer's self-seeking boast.
Thejoy 0/ the 'aitliful at tile manifestation 0/ Icms in His glory. o my God, keep me from the machinations of the ungodly.
Keep me humble. Let Thy mercy bring me to Thy glory in
safety.
PSALM 36. This Psalm points to the culminating self-enthronement of human
power in the person of Antichrist in contrast with the true exalta-
HUMBLE FAITH CONTRASTED WITH UNBELIEVING
tion of the Son of Man to the throne of God.
PRIDE

To the Precentor. A Psalm of David, the Lord's seruant

THE ENDURANCE OF THE MEEK UNDER THE PERSECU-
THE Angel of Vengeance will pursue the ungodly. Yet they go TION OF ANTICHRIST
on foolhardily in their plans against God. Sin makes men bold
because it makes them blind. The heart rests secure and despises The Vain Confidenceof Antichrist
God. Momentary success is accepted as if it would last for ever.
So the heart is busy, scheming for villainy, and sets aside God's Transgression thus inspires the wicked heart,
eternal judgement. That fear of God may from his eyes depart.
o Lord, let me not act in the darkness of sin, but in the light of 3 He smooths himself, his eyes' proud will to sate,
Thy countenance. To find out his iniquity, to hate.
o let me look to Thy mercy for my sins need it, and to Thy rA
'jJIt!
'ilt,.)'
scojJcr's illsjJinttiolt
ooscu re ,)crsc.',]
0/ pride is likenr:d to tlu Psalmist's ill~j>iraHo1t by Cod.

truth for Thou wilt maintain it. Thy judgements will not leave any
sin un searched. Thy righteousness is as a mountain that I may
climb. I ts firm footing shall not fail. And yet the height to The Undiscerning Heart of the Simzer
which Thou callest me is beyond what mine eye can reach. 4 With villainy and guile his words o'erflow :
God created all for Himself, and yet no creature can satisfy the
Prudence and goodness he hath ceased to know.
Divine justice. We must look to God for salvation. It is His
S His thoughts are villainy upon his bed.
gift, not our merit. Man and beast both alike are dependent upon
A way not good how stoutly doth he tread,
Him, and it is only in His mercy that we can trust. But oh! how
Refusing nought of wrong, nor check'd by dread!
great is His mercy! The children of men can look for His wings
to overshadow them with creative power. The Holy Spirit who
brooded over all at the beginning will make His power manifest in The Rt/;lllcousncss and Truth of God's Covenant
our sanctification. 6 Lord, in the heavens Thy wondrous mercy burns,
Taken thus into covenant with God, we are called to feed upon And to the skies Thy changeless truth returns!
the fatness of His House, the nourishment of the heavenly altar, 7 Thy righteousness as hills of Godhead high!
and the sweet transport of the Blood of Christ. Thy judgements a vast cleep beneath us lie!
The creature does not rise up to God, but in God's covenant the For man, for beast, Thou, Lord, art Saviour nigh!
very life of God is communicated to us. The regenerating fountain
TIlt sublimity 0/ Divine reward. TI,e mystery 0/ denial fnn/isIIlJlent. TIlt
opens our faculties to supernatural inspirations. The children of universality 0/ '-Cdt!lItj;tio1l.
150 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 37. 151

The Delight of the Faithful in God's Promises proud in Ps. 36. This contrast is the moral basis of Messiah's law
of meekness-righteousness (Ps. 45.), which is developed here.
8 0 God, Thy mercy is supremely kind, The prosperity of the evil is so transitory that it is not worth
Men's sons beneath Thy wings their refuge find. our consideration. It is only of man, and perishes, for all men are
9 Thou giv'st them fatness from Thine House supplied, only as grass. Our prosperity must have a Divine life, while we do
And bid'st them drink Thy sweets, a copious tide. the work of God, and dwell in the covenanted land of Divine
10 Yea! Life's true fountain springs from Thine abyss, assurance and feed upon faithfulness. We live by faithfulness
And in Thy light we see light's perfect bliss. (Heb. ii. 4). The unseen powers of the Divine covenant are true as
The dt;ftnsive power 0/ the Holy Ghost. The supernatu,·al Joy 0/ grace. Hence coming from God, and true as exercised by ourselves. So we feed
in Nicene Creed, Ligl.t 0/ Light.
securely. The covenant of faith is eternal. We feed upon God Him-
self. "He that eateth Me shall live by Me." No food so abiding!
The End of the Faitlz/ul and of Antichrist
No food so sweet! All our prayers are sure of answer in proportion
II To them that know Thee stretch Thy mercy's length, as we live true to this covenant, "keeping His commandments and
To men of upright heart Thy righteous strength! doing those things which are pleasing in His sight."
12 Let not the foot of pride against me come, We must cast our care upon God. He will preserve. He will
Nor wicked hand expel me from my home! help. He will vindicate. If we would trust in Him, we must do
13 The villain-workers! See them how they fall, nothing without Him. Our trust and His help are commensurate.
Thrust down to earth, no more to rise at all ! What is done in the power of His righteousness will shine with
The gift 0/ perseverance. TIle p01Uer 0/ fhe enemy cannot equal the power 0/ the brightness of His glory. Whereas all the noblest acts of man
f csus. can only die out in darkness.
Faith must have the patience of hope for its strength. We must
wait meekly for God to act in His own time. The silence of faith
PSALM 37.
looking up to God is the most earnest of prayers. It is not the
THE MARTYR SPIRIT silence of fatalism, nor of churlishness, but of loving expectant con-
fidence. "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the
ALPHABETICAL IV things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are
David's temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." Faith
grasps the eternal and becomes transformed into that which it
Ps. 36 has set before us the human development of power, the grasps, so as to live thereby in the vision of eternal love.
power of Antichrist. This is not the world in which God in- Silent submission stablishes us in God. Fretfulness and anger
tended His faithful servants to be supreme. Worldly power holds separate us from Him, and therefore they make us sinners, even
us back from God. though we fancy ourselves to be moved with zeal for God's glory.
As the great Psalms of man's exaltation (Pss. 8., 24., 33., 110., 118., We must identify ourselves with God's judgement and wait for Him
144.) are followed by Alphabetical Psalms speaking of the restora- to come and show His power. He will cut off the ungodly,
tion of moral order and righteousness, so is the Psalm of man's though He bears long with them, as "when His long-suffering
power culminating in Antichrist. Here, however, the restoration waited in the days of Noah" (Gen. ix. II). When the ungodly
of the Divine order is by the boldness of the martyrs who rise are cut off, then those who wait for Him shall have their promised
superior to the ungodly world, living with the life of God by dying inheritance (Josh. xi. 21,23).
to the world. The waiting is but for "a little while"! Measure it against
The meekness inculcated in Ps. 34. is set before us in the eternity. "The vision is for an appointed time. It shall not tarry,
example of God's persecuted servant in Ps. 35. Its glorious issue but the just shall live by His faithfulness" (Heb. ii. 2, 3). The
is contrasted with the blind but short-lived self-sufficiency of the faithful shall have the abundance of the kingdom of peace, the new
 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE P SA LM 37. 153

earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, the inheritance of the meek. That which the righteous man possesses does indeed overflow,
Then shall the wicked be no more. for he is able to make others partakers of the benefit. In the Com-
The present world is the hour of the enemy and the power of munion of Saints all things are possessed in common, for they have
darkness. They laugh the righteous one to scorn. But the Lord an indivisible life inherent within them. The joy of each is that
will laugh them to scorn when He comes. The day is coming which he experiences in making others partakers of his joy.
when the wicked will have to give account. They think to fight The conduct of a good man is stablished by the Lord. The
against Christ, and" if they find any of this way, they would bring righteousness of God is the life of all his actions. The Lord
them bound," but thus" their threatenings and slaughter" shall have strengthens his feet and upholds his hands. God does not forsake
an end. him.
What vexation their prosperity gives them! Yes! And what True, he has to bear the lot of man's sinful inheritance. Yet he
they have toiled for will quickly be taken from them. Evil in has the Bread of Heaven. Though the outward man perish, the
desiring! Evil in getting! Evil in having! Evil in losing! inward man is renewed day by day.
Nothing good left behind. The blessing of God flows on to his posterity. Whilst living,
On the other hand, what the righteous man has is good. How- he has what he can impart to others in their need. He leaves his
ever small it may be in outward appearance, it is safe by the children to the fatherhood of God. If they come to penury, it is by
sustaining power of Divine life. It is good, for it comes from their own sin. They may cast God away. God will not reject them.
God, good for it is enjoyed in God, good for it is used for God, The covenant made with God is an abiding one. We must not
good for it expands with the experience of God, good for it is be dismayed by the appearances of a false world. Do good and
consummated in the fruition of God. seek the judgement of God's love, for that cannot fail.
The Lord sees the day of the ungodly coming. It is a day of The service of God is no blind expectation. The Word, the
doom for the outcasting of the sinner. It is the day of darkness Wisdom of God, comes to those who are serving Him. It is his
separate from God's holy light of love. He does not see the days delight to speak of the things of God, and he is illuminated by the
of the perfect coming as a vision from afar. These He knows Spirit of God to perceive the beauty of the Divine law. He obeys
within Himselfwith the full knowledge of His unchanging love. He' God. He is conformed to God. He loves God.
knows them, for they are the communication to the elect of the When trouble comes to him from the ungodly, he looks up to
glory of His own eternity. They are the eternal life which He God and fears not. The trials of the outer life are a judgement to
gives to those who are incorporated into the mystical Body of which he must be subjected, but they only serve to develop
His consubstantial Son. that love which God approves, and so they turn to His greater
In the days of evil, when men's hearts fail for fear, the righteous blessing. Such is the law of patience by which faith is to be per-
will look up and lift up their heads. They who have lived by the fected. Life in the world is a struggle, but its end is peace.
world and for the world have nothing left them which can satisfy We must take refuge in the Lord. He is our stronghold in
them. The righteous have the Lord for their portion and their trouble, our help, our deliverance, our salvation. He gathers the
cup. Their cup is full. righteous into the welcome of His eternal love.
The unrighteous man" builds upon borrowing." The means
whereby he makes his way are not his own. In the end he is THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS
bankrupt and can give nothing back. (t() Chafe not thyself because of wrong-doers,
In truth, whatever means he had belonged to God. He used (~) Neither be thou envious against them that work malice,
what was God's for his own purposes, and not for God's glory. He 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
is accountable to God. And wither as the green herb.
Oh, how important it is for us to remember that everything we 3 (::1) Trust in the Lord, and do good:
possess does belong to God, and that God expects to reckon with Dwell upon earth, and feed securely.
us for all that He has loaned to us ! T/ze lift o/'.Iail/I.
154 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE P S A LM 37. 155
4 Make the Lord thy gratification, 18 (,) The Lord knoweth the days of the perfect:
And He shall give thee the petitions of thine heart. And their inheritance shall be for ever.
5 () Roll thy way upon the Lord: 19 They shall not be ashamed in the time of wrong,
Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass. And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
6 And He shall make thy righteousness to go forth as the 20 (:J) But the wicked shall perish
light And the foes of the Lord shall be spent as the excellency
And thy judgement as the noonday. of the pastures.
7 (,) Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. They shall be spent: like smoke shall they be spent.
Chafe not thyself because of him who prospereth in his
ways,
2[ 6)
The Wicked borroweth and payeth not again,
Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass But the Righteous dealeth graciously and giveth.
JVailj,'g'in hope. 22 For such as be blest of Him shall inherit the earth,
And they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off.
8 (n) Cease from anger and forsake wrath: 23 (D) A Man's goings are established of the Lord;
Chafe not thyself: it tendeth only to wrong-doing: And He delighteth in his way.
9 For wrong-doers shall be cut off 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast away,
And those that hope in the Lord, they shall inherit the For the Lord upholdeth him with His Hand.
earth. S'atan opjJ,.,:ssillg Ilis staues. )(S1(.$ tI,e Gipcr OJ Grace. TIle Ideal M an, jt:JUS Christ.

10 (1) For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be :
Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place and he shall 25 ()) I have been young, and now am old;
not be. Yet have I not seen the Righteous forsaken,
II But the meek shall inherit the earth, Nor his seed begging their bread,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 26 All the day long, he dealeth graciously and lendeth,
And his seed is blessed.
12 (r) The Wicked plotteth against the Righteous Pt!'rpctllal blessing on C !lrist.

And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13 The Master shall laugh at him, 27 (0) Depart from wrong and do good;
For He seeth that His day is coming. And dwell for evermore.
14 (n) The wicked have drawn out the sword and have bent 28 For the Lord loveth judgement,
their bow, And forsaketh not His saints.
To cast down the Afflicted and Poor, (11) They are preserved for ever;
To slay such as be upright in the Way. But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
IS Their sword shall enter into their own heart, 29 The Righteous shall inherit the earth,
And their bows shall be broken. And dwell therein for ever.
Satan's enmity against Christ. TIre l1u111berso/Chrisl, The necessity if a rigJlteo:Is lift·

16 (tl) Better is a little that the Righteous hath 30 (!:l) The mouth of the Righteous meditateth wisdom,
Than the abundance of many wicked: And his tongue speaketh judgement.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: 3I The law of his God is in his heart:
But the Lord upholdeth the righteous. None of his steps shall slide.
TI" poverly u/CI,ris! and His eternal riches. Cltris! lite /f'isdom o/God, diSPl'nsillg' Ilu law (l>ld/lI/filli1lg' it.
 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 38. 157
32 (~) The Wicked watcheth the Righteous, Remember in saying this Psalm how truly Christ has borne our
And seeketh to slay him. weaknesses, borne our transgression (Ps. 32. I), and. in so doing
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, has provided a special gift of strength for us individually as His
Nor condemn him when he is judged. members, that in the regenerate manhood we may rise out of the
Satan s<eking- to slay Christ. weakness of our original nature.
The chastisement which our sin has brought upon us was so
34 (p) Hope in the Lord and keep His way shared by Him in His struggle against the tyrant who holds us
And He shall exalt thee to inherit the earth, down in particular forms of besetting sin, that the infinite treasury
When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. of His grace has supplied to each one the special gift necessary for
35 (1) I have seen the wicked in fierce power, restoring us to peace and health. Thus He suffered mediatorially
And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. and efficaciously. By His stripes we are healed. His sacred
But one passed by, and, 10, he was not: Blood shed in struggle with the enemy flows out of every wound to
Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. purge us as we are incorporated into Him from the blood-poison of
Satan's power conting to naught. Satan's malice.
I. The miseries of the body ought to bring horne to us a sense of
37 (!:!') Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: our spiritual condition. Alas! We feel the one, and yet deplore
For the Man of Peace has a posterity: not the other! Jesus suffered not from disease, but He suffered
38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: from those powers of evil which bring our diseases upon us. He
The posterity of the wicked shall be cut off. who, as being triumphant over these powers, took away diseases
39 (n) But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: "'from men (Matt. viii. 17) is He who now takes man away from the
He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. bondage of sin by the gift of H is grace.
40 And the Lord helpeth them, and rescueth them, This Psalm, connected with the meat-offering in the Temple, "for
He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them memorial," rises up to God with the frankincense of Christ's Divine
Because they have taken refuge in Him. t: oblation, His merits communicated as a living power to all who
TI,e glory O/CIZ17'St'S inhe""'tanc~.
feed upon His blessed Body in the Holy Eucharist.
We must see that we rise out of ourselves so as to be acceptable
PSALM 38. unto God in the virtue of those merits.
In order thus to rise up along with Christ, we must hate our sin-
THE PENITENT'S RELIANCE UPON CHRIST fulness as Christ hated it. If He felt our burden, we must not the
less feel our own. vVe are too apt to think of sin as a transient
PENITENTIAL II I
act that may pass away and be forgotten. We must feel sin as a
A Psalm of David. For memorial lifelong burden against which we have to struggle in the power
of grace. vVe must thus become more than conquerors through
IN this Psalm Christ speaks as the Head of the human race Him that strengtheneth us. We must conquer the sin. We
bearing the sins of all mankind, for He is one wi th all mankind. He must offer ourselves an acceptable offering to God through
s~ruggles against Satan, not with the elasticity proper to his own Christ.
sinless manhood, but in a condition of external slavery as bearing Alas! the Church, the Body of Christ, has still to bewail the
the burden of our inherited guilt. As He felt all men to be under corruption which eats through the whole frame. Yet we must plead
God's displeasure, so, by the perfection of His own human will with God in the strength of Christ's renewal. He desires to purify
having in Hims.elf the inwar.d Truth which God requires (Ps. 5 I. 3) His Church, that His Bride may be seen at length" without spot or
He hated the sinfulness which by the Incarnation He had taken blemish or any such thing" (Eph. v. 27).
into union with Himself.
God knows the desires and the sighing of the penitent, though no
 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE 1
I
PSALM 38. 159

strength seems to remain, and the sight of spiritual things seems 8 My bones are fill'd with withering pains:
utterly to fail. No soundness in my flesh remains.
Our Lord, upon earth, was forsaken of H is friends and kinsfolk. 9 Corpselike, and crush'd with utter grief,
The Jews were eager for His life. The like opposition still remains My heart in moaning seeks relief.
even amongst those who are called by His Name. Those who would The iones lure arc tlu mass o/Itumattity witlt wIdelL Christ. is associated by Wilily
of nat ure.
be true to Him have to encounter like opposition. But amidst the
strife of tongues we must practise silence in all meekness. II
Throughout these Psalms that is the leading thought, meekness- Appeal to God as the Sovereign Lord 'WIIO knows our Needs.
righteousness. We are not to be solicitous to answer those who
reproach us. The reproach comes to us for God's sake, and we 10 Master, my longing Thou dost see:
must leave our vindication in the hands of God. He will not fail us. No secret sigh is hid from Thee.
/ The halting of Jacob must be perpetuated in all who would attain II My heart a whirl! My vigour gone!
( to shine as a prince with God. The life of Christ was a perpetual Light 'of mine eyes :-they are as none.
"'halting by reason of the sins of mankind. His bones were indeed TIlt weary wail a/empty li./ewaits llponGod wit/Wilt despondi11!{,/or He k"ows and
He loves.
out of joint in that He had to bear the violence of the enemy. See
Him in His feebleness! See His enemies in their strength! With I2 Friends, lovers, from my plague remove,
which shall thy lot be? Those near of kin, remote in love.
Cling to God and cry out for thy salvation to come. "Even so, 13 Men lay their snares my soul to seek
Come, Lord Jesus." They sue my wrong, of ruin speak,
Aye meditating guile to wreak.
T'Ius may include tlte angels, 'luz"nessi1f.g our Lord's .1zljferinC', but 1I0t sent to hcljJ
THE COMi'LAINT OF THE SIN·BEARER Him, TIle Ieurs treated our L01'd's suffering as an euidcnce that Cod Ilad disoumrd
Him.
14 But I, as deaf, hear ne'er a word,
Appeal to God as the Lord oj Life, .Jehovah As one that's dumb, whose lips ne'er stirr'd !
15 I am like one that heareth nought.
2 Lord, smite me not in furious guise,
My mouth for smiting words untaught!
N or in relentless wrath chastise,
3 Deep to my heart Thy darts are press'd :
I Hard on my frame Thy hand doth rest.
Christ as tl" Head 0/ IlUmanity pleads/or all mankind.
III

Appeal to God as the Saving Power.

16 For, Lord, indeed I wait for Thee:
4 0 foaming wrath! My flesh must rot: Thou, God, the Master, speak for me ~
o sin! My bones no peace have got! 17 Lest sneering joy should curl their lip,
5 Iniquity's foul flood prevails, Lording it o'er: me, if I slip.
Burden so great that strength quite fails. The Elect Humanity it! Christ waits /01' the manifestation 0/ tI,e Word, d urin ..,:'
the silence 0/ tlu nrnlliliation.

6 My fetid, festering wounds make known

The senselessness that holds me down. 18 For I am fixt in tottering plight:
7 Distorted, bow'd, with palsied gait, My wound perpetual haunts my sight.
Mourning all day, I drag my weight. 19 Iniquity I must confess:
Bodily angllisl, dupeni,,!: tltat o/tlt, soul. My sin o'erwhelms with anxiousness.
160 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 39. 161

20 But serried foes with quenchless life love. In that love thou learnest the true law of silence. This is
Crowd on, with lying hate, for strife. not helplessness towards man but confidence towards God.
21 For goodness only wrong they wreak- Enoch walked with God and was not. God took him. Let God
Antagonize the good I seek. no longer see thee as a stranger upon earth, but welcome thee as
finding thy home in His love. 0 the change of vanity into blessed-
22 But, Lord, forsake me not, I pray! ness! No more a thing of earth! Alive for evermore in God!
My God, remain not far away!
23 Haste Thou to bring sure help to me !
My Master, my Salvation be! CREATED NOTHINGNESS
TI,e Humanity appeals to the Holy Ghost. as inalienable by reason 0/ tlte
Hypostatic Union. EXPERIENCED BY THE INCARNATE WORD

.:The Burden of Silence

PSALM 39.
2 I said, From sins of tongue I'll keep my ways:
THE VANITY OF THE WORLD IN THE PRESENCIi Yea, let me keep a bridle on my mouth,
OF GOD While still before me stands the wicked one.
To the Precentor, ToJedttlhtm. A Psalm of David 3 Thus was I dumb. Deep silence held me down.
I could not speak of good. Then throbb'd my wound.
HUMAN nature, feeling that life is not worth living, is tempted to
My inmost heart indignant raptures seized:
vindicate itself, as if this subjection to Satan's tyranny were unjust.
4 Then blazed the fire: my tongue began to speak.
How wilt thou rise out of this despondency? Remember that life
TI,e Eternal Word l'caring- the sinner's ,ltlll1bllcSS In. tlte presence 0/ Sruon's
is not all. Look to God's goodness, invisible, eternal, sure. tyrannical claim.
. This life is given to thee in perishable, vapoury instalments.
Look to Cod for the imperishable, solid joy which He has in store
Man's Ignorance and Dependence Bewailed
for those who wait for Him.
Silence must not be sullen, but faithful and prayerful. Consider 5 Make me, 0 Lord, to know my nature's end,
the shortness of life,' but consider also that amidst created nothing- The number of my days, what it shall be:
ness thou art being prepared for God's eternity. o let me know how soon I cease to be !
Blessed nothingness! The burden of sin which Psalm 38. de- 6 Lo! Thou in handfuls givest out my days.
plored is not for ever. The God of thy salvation, Jesus, will haste My flitting is as nothing in Thy sight.
and help the penitent. Surely each man a vapoury stoutness boasts! Selah,
Wondrous nothingness! The Son of God takes this nothingness 7 Surely proud man walks shadowlike abroad!
upon Himself (Ps. 40.) that He may do God's will and win for thee. Surely like vapour melts his dreamy moan!
the glory of blessedness in the life with God. Man is but a breath j The wealth he heaps, a stranger harvesteth !
but the Word of God, becoming man, hallows that breath.
Ii
, Tlte vanity 0/ time and earthly wealth. contrasted with tlte hope 0/ dental life
[Music, meditative, submissive, tranquil.] as our true satisfaction.
Contemplate the fading away of life, as when twilight spreads
over the landscape. A new day is ready to burst. Look with hope God's Greatness ackn07lJledgedwitll Reliant Hope
to God. The very consciousness that this world is worthless testi-
fies to a hope which God has implanted within thee, and He will 8 And now, my Master, what shall be my hope?
not falsify the instinct which He has given. He gives His Son That which I wait for is from Thee alone.
that thou mayest lay hold upon the hope of eternal life. 9 From all transgressions done deliver me !
God is love. Look to Him with love, and thou shalt find His .Appoint me not the fool's reproach to feel!
VOL. II. L
 I
162 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE r PSALM 40.

10 Now am I dumb, not opening my mouth,
For whatsoe'er befall, Thou doest all.
II 0 turn Thy plague to fall on me no more:
'Neath Thy belabouring Hand my strength is spent.
12 To chasten pride Thou smit'st iniquity,
And moth-like mak'st man's fond desires to fail.
Surely each man is vapour,-vanity! Selak
God's pardoning mercy and tlte e.rpcctatio" 0/
man's incapacity 0/ self-restoration.
Cry for Refreshment
13 Lord, be attentive 1 to my prayer!
To my appeal lend Thou Thine ear 2 !
Oh, be not silent" ! own my tear!
I as Thy guest invoke Thy care,
A settler as my fathers were.
14 Look off! I'll leave with smile of love,
All lost to earth, to live above.
Christ appeals/or His Sonsh.ij> to be ack1towlcdgcd.
is separated/rom tI:e sinful world.
conquered Satan. He, though coming in the flesh, is full of grace
and truth. His obedience is precious in the eyes of God. Thy
nothingness by union with Him becomes partaker of the Divine
Substance. The Divine righteousness of the well-beloved Son who
came to do the will of the Father, is communicated to thee as a
living power.
Praise God for this gift of righteousness in Christ. Live true to
Dioir te deliverance contrasted with. it. By the power of the Holy Ghost He enables His members to
do the will of God as He did it. His sacrifice lives on in them
.\
; ,
that they may offer themselves an acceptable sacrifice to God. No
sacrifice can really be availing for us unless we are ourselves vitally
united therewith. The life of the sacrifice must show its powers
in those who live thereby. It is the life of truth which makes the
sacrifice accepted with God, not the mere death. The sacrifice
accepted with God lives on, triumphant over death. The Jewish
sacrifices ended in death because God did not accept them save as
types. In union with the sacrifice of Christ our own self-sacrifice
ascends from the accepted life of earth to the glorifying life of
The Eternal L"". w1r.erein He Heaven.

THE BODY FORE·ORDAINED OF GOD AS TIlE

PSALM 40. ACCEPTAl3LE SACRIFICE

THE GLORIOUS PURPOSE OF GOD'S
To the Precentor. A Psalm of David
THE struggle in the midst of human sin and misery! (Ps. 38.).
The wail of created vanity! (Ps. 39.). That passes into the smile of
Divine recognition, and now we come to the accomplishment of
the Redeemer's joy, the acceptance to which He looked forward.
He that descended is the same that now ascends out of the pit of
our corruption.
Jesus had to be proved. Think not that God rejects thee because
He proves thee. According to the greatness of the approval must
be the severity of the probation. Cod will not neglect His guest
(Ps. 39. 12). The miry clay of humanity is thy natural condition.
Humble thyself in this confession, and look for God to exalt thee
upon the crag in the security of redeeming grace.
The Son of God calls thee to share the glory of the Divine life.
The sacrifices of the old law were but types. They had no value
in themselves, no substance. The Person of the Only-Begotten
Son gives substance to the created nothingness wherein He has
WILL 2 With longing hope still look'd I for the Lord!
He reach'd to me and heard th' appeal I pour'd=-
3 Lifted from howling pit, from miry c1ay-
Raised on the crag my feet=-made firm my way-
4 Fill'd with new song my mouth, our God to praise !-
Throngs learn to trust the Lord with reverent gaze.
Tlte Sin-Bearer's /wln: is realized.
Happy the man whose trust the Lord supplies,
Not heeding pride, nor fascinating lies.
6 0 Lord, my God, Thy deeds for us are great,
Thy thoughts to usward, matchless in Thy state!
Fain would I seek in words to celebrate!
Their serried throng no record can relate!
The ltapfines< 0/ admo'wledging :1/C /Jilline purpose 0/ 100)efor ""W.
7 Victims and r.akes of meal delight not Thee!
Attentive ears Thy love has scoop'd for me !
Not holocausts, nor gifts from sin to free.
 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE PSALM 41.

8 Then said I, La, I come; see here the scroll I PSALM 41.
,T~e record. written for my life's control! '
THE DELIVERANCE OF THE FAITHFUL ,SOUL FROM THE
9 TIS my delight, Thy pleasure still to do-
TREACHERY OF THE FLESH
Thy law, my God !-My inmost heart is true!
Gralefi,1 obedience Ihe sacrifice which God accepts. To tile Precentor. A Psalm of David
REMEMBER the poor. Think of the Crucified. Minister to Christ
10 In t~le great th~ong thus preach'd I righteousness: in His poor. Accept the poverty of Christ as making .thee rich.
La, neath my lips I did not aught repress: God, the Father, will rescue thee. God, the Son, will preserve thee
Thou,. Lord, dost surely know, and Thou wilt bless. in His own life as one of His members, so that no power of earth
II Thy nghteousness heart-hid I do not hold: shall harm thee. God the Holy Ghost will cheer thee and change
Thy truth and Thy salvation I unfold'
Tl . thy sin-stricken state to saintly joy.
.. ly mercy and Thy truth to the great throng I told. Cry out to God for pity. The Powers of Darkness cry out against
DZVl1U Rlg}tte~lIsness working- out mercy and tnt//z. w'tl. . power.
1 1 savill.!: thee to accuse, and ask permission to assail thee more and more as
they assailed Job. Satan knows both thy weakness and thy aims.
12 Lord, ne'er wilt Thou repress Thy tender love: He will cause false imaginations to harass thee, hoping to ensnare
Thy mercy an~ Thy truth my guardians prove: thee by many temptations and to draw thee back from thine
13 For wrongs quite numberless environ me.-
How mine iniquities rush blindingly , aspirations.
Aye! There is an Ahitophel, a Judas, in every heart, a treacherous
~y hairs less countless! Sheer infinity!
element constantly ready to side with the enemy.
y heart forsakes me in my misery! How little do we know the extent to which the spiritual powers
God's mercy
Izuntallity. and t ru tit e:fficct tea:I fi or deliveranCe' ./rom tlu: count tess sins 0/ of darkness and of light are watching us, hindering and helping
respectively. Cherish the grace of God. That is always at hand.
David, the Beloved-the greater David, the Only-Beloved-calls
14 0 Lord, be pleased to free me! Haste 0 L d
The help to me so needful to afford!' or , thee to be one with Himself, and thy temptations are to test the
15 Shamed let them blush, who seek my soul to vex' faithfulness whereby thou givest thyself up to Him,
Who vaunt my wrong , Ie t fiiIg h't s diisgrace perplex . I Let no sin make thee despond. Let every sin humble thee. God
will not suffer thee to be tempted above what thou art able to bear.
16 Let them grow stiff with shame-it is their due-
Look up in the midst of thy weakness. See His loving countenance.
. Who shout Aha! Aha! my fall to view!
Tlu Diuine Champion pleads agai1lst /I' .
So shalt thou be changed into the same image from glory to glory,
}-/( is sent to destroy. ulIJemusJor tluyarcCod's enemies, whom
even by the Spirit of the Lord.

THE BLESSEDNESS OF FAITH IN CHRIST

17 L~tjoy and glee on all who seek Thee wait'
sun' let Thy saved ones sayc , The L or db' e great' Tile Blessing of tlze Compassionate
18 AfH icted sore, and poor, I can but bow! .
2 Happy whose prudence reads the poor man's truth!
o
Master, think on me! Thy help bestow!
The Lord 1 shall rescue him in days of ruth. ,
19 I look to Thee! My Rescuer art Thou!
3 The Lord 2 shall guard him, yea! and make him live,
Then hear me, 0 my God! Delay not now!
Earth's happy gratulations to receive:
. HtePleads/or tllOse to be gl017fied, suho accept lIis rede/ll~II'on
H rs g Dry. " . TI/Cy shall behold Him to his foes' desire Thou shalt not give!
4 The Lord 3 shall stay him drooping on his beel
Yea! Thou in sickness all his couch shalt spread.
The "appi,uss 0/ believi1lg in Christ w"en the worldly·hearted turn away.frolll
Him (er. their doom in Ps. 82). Death. will show tlte happiness.
166 SONGS OF DELIVERANCE

The Psalmist's Enemies wanting in Compassion

5 0 Lord! said I, Thy grace to me be shown!
Heal Thou my soul! I sinn'd 'gainst Thee alone.
6 My foes speak wrong of me with spiteful boast :-
"When shall he die? When shall his name be lost :-?'
7 Yea! If he comes to me, he speaks deceit,
His heart with plans of villainy replete.
So talks he when he gets into the street! I

TIle antagonism 0./ the J "'IUS. t

The False Friendship
8 'Gainst me their mutual rnutt'rings vent their hate:
'Gainst me their thoughts all wrongful tales create :-
9 "His outpour'd worthlessness will hold him tight! I
Now that he's down, he ne'er shall rise upright:"- rI
10 The man, my friend, in trusty closeness found,
I'
(Who ate my bread !) lifts now his heel, to wound.
The treacherous correspondence 0/Judas.

Confidence in God
II But Thou, Lord, give me grace and make me rise:
So will I pay them their iniquities.
12 By this I know Thou mak'st me Thy delight,
Because my foes must hush their shout of spite,
13 But me in perfectness Thou makest sure,
And sett'st me in Thy sight, for ever to endure.
Christ vindicated by tile Resurrection, Tlte same law 0/ hatred, betrayal, and
deliverance belongs to each. age dtlze Ch urcls. Specially to tlte days 0/ Antichrist.

14 BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL

FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING.
AMEN AND AMEN.
 I
I
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I

I
BOOK II

,I PSALMS 42.-72.

j CHRIST, THE DIVINE HEAD OF THE CHURCH

i NOVENA
r."
I PSALMS 42.-$0.
I
I'::
INTRODUCTORY NOTE

HUMANITY RESTORED TO DiViNE LIFE

Trilogy 0./ Desire

Ps. 42.-The Sons of Korah in their eight Psalms

represent the people of Christ speaking in Christ's Name,
with Him as their Head. The Son of God is our
Representative as the Head of the covenant people.
He experiences the drooping of human nature in its
separation from God, and this is contrasted with the
joyousness' proper to the Head of the human race,
as the High Priest of Creation before man fell.
He experiences the cataracts of death round about
Him, and the taunts of His enemies reproaching Him
with His separation from God.
In the midst of all He nevertheless knows Himself to
be Divinely abiding in God.
PS.43.-He looks for God to raise Him up on the
third day.
167
 r68 HUMANITY RESTORED P S A LM 42.

Ps. 44.- The sufferings of Christ are perpetuated In PSALM 42.

His mystical Body. Nevertheless, the voice of the faith- THE SOUL NEEDING GOD'S MANIFESTATION AS
)I ful is unceasingly ascending. " Thy Kingdom come." ITS TRUE LIFE
To the Precentor. Maskil of the SOIlS of Ji.ora/l.
Trilogy of Divine Union ART thou like the hunted hart, panting, braying, fearful, longing
for God? God will relieve the exile's sadness. Still be thirsting
PS.45·-The Bridegroom of the Church is the Word
for God, the living God, the eternal life of those who drink into His
of God, the Second Adam. The Church is His Body, Spirit.
and is to be extended by Apostolical grace through all Sin drove thee from the sanctuary of Paradise. Here in the
lands. exile of this world of death, learn to thirst for Him who is thy Life.
Ps. 46.-Amidst all the afflictions set forth inPs. 44., The only life of the penitent is to thirst for God. Oh! to cross the
Jordan and gain Jerusalem! I must die in order to find the peace
the Church can find joy and security in the Presence of
of the heavenly vision. nut I cross the Jordan now from the other
God, dwelling within.
side. To cross Jordan once was to leave God and die. Now to
Ps. 47.-As Ps. 45. set forth the Apostolical extension cross Jordan is to go back to God. Outward death is changed into
of the Church, so now the Church acts in the truth life eternal. "I leave the world and go unto the Father."
of her Catholic character, calling all nations to the Death! Yes! Dying daily! Mortifying my earthly members!
obedience of faith. Only thus can I go up from this sinful world to the heavenly
Jerusalem.
Alive to the world by my sin, I fail of seeing God. When shall
Trilogy of Stablislzmmt in God I be wholly dead, and see Him as He is. The more we know of
God, the more shall we feel our exile.
Ps. 48.- The Heavenly Jerusalem appears In its Tears day and night! Think how Jesus wept. He wept for thy
perfection. blindness. See Him in His humiliation weeping because impurity
Ps. 49·-After the VISIOn of the Church in her inde- in thee blinds the eye of faith. Thou must learn to weep along
fectible glory follows a consideration of the natural with Him. Such tears of love open the eye of faith to behold God.
They nourish the soul. They are not tears of fretfulness or
incapacity of mankind. There is no human power of
despondency, but of gratitude, self-abasement, adoration.
deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. The Weep with Jesus. Thirst with Jesus. Such thirst is the very
faithful look for God to deliver them. He wlll take warrant of refreshment, and the more the soul is refreshed the more
them as He took Enoch; and Sheol cannot keep them it thirsts. We must drink of the Cup of the Passion with the
captive. thirst of penitence. So shall we experience the sweetness of His
grace.
Ps. 50.-Asaph the Seer concludes this Novena with
In penitence I must "pour out my soul upon myself." My whole
a song of ] ubilee. All nations are called to share in the bitter self must run out into the Chalice of Christ's Passion. To
glory of the Church of the Redeemed. melt away in tears! To bleed until my life-blood with its corrupt
But all must live worthy of this covenant of life. passions has flowed all away! Then shall my soul feel the pure
"Without holiness no man can see the Lord." The mood of Jesus streaming forth upon it to allay my thirst, and clear
the eye of faith, and renovate my heart with holy love. 0 joyous
righteous shall see the salvation of God, the glory of
consciousness when that sweet life shall fill my frame. "I-Ience-
Jesus.
forth I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
 170 HUMANITY RESTORED
) PSALM 43.
Hast thou shared in the Communion of Saints, and art thou now 9 By day the Lord His mercy doth prepare:
lonelyindeath? Have those shoutings of joy come to nothing? No. Godhead, my Life! Night wakes His song, my prayer!

I. They were not meant to satisfy.

store.
They told of something
Oh! In death's loneliness, Jesu,Thou art my life.
still in
I look
10 Godhead, my Crag! Dost Thou forget me? Why?
Why go I mourning? See the foe defy!
for more hereafter than I have ever known here below. Thou shalt TIle land beyond Jordan represents eartltly lift: separated by deatl, />'0111 tlze
heavenly Jerusalem. Tlte Powers 0/ Darkness in wild/foods assailing His soul.
be glorified in Thy saints, and they in Thee.
The drooping soul is refreshed by the very remembrance of God I[ How rotten feel my bones! Alas, such taunt!
in this land of Jordan, but the Hermons of worldly power, and "Where is thy God," still, still, th' oppressor's vaunt!
Mizar, the Zoar to which Lot fled, can furnish no home. Cataracts 12 My soul, why droop'st thou, moaning on my breast?
all around! A stormy wild! Yet even these tell of Thy love. They Still wait on God! To Him be thanks address'd,
shall pass away. The outward Heaven shall once more be bright My Saviour God, to sight-soon-surely-manifest !
a
then I must not fear. So will God make His mercy shine on
me, a day of calm. Death like a peaceful night shall teach my life
a song of praise. God's love lifts me up. In the power of His PSALM 43.
atonement I will pray, and know that I am not forgotten. God's
THE SOUL LOOKING FORWARD TO RESURRECTION
love to His own Son is the pledge that He will hear me.
IN DIVINE LIFE
a my soul, endure unto the end! I will yet give thanks and own
Him as the salvation of my countenance and my God. CALL upon God to judge thee. Has not J esus striven for thy
cause and conquered the Powers of Darkness upon the Cross? In
maintaining thy cause the Holy Ghost convicts the world of its
MESSIAH THIRSTING FOR THE DIVINE MANIFESTATION
sinfulness and of the righteousness of restoring grace and of the
judgement of the enemy. Thus does I-Ie rescue thee. Jesus has
2 A hind which gasps, the gushing stream to gain- conquered. In the Holy Eucharist thou call est for the manifesta-
So, God, to Thee my gasping soul doth strain! tion of that triumph whereby He is glorified in Heaven. The
3 My soul for God, for living Godhead, thirsts! Prince of this world is judged. The people no longer living in the
Blest clay when on my sight God's Presence bursts! covenant of Divine love are seen in their sinfulness. The deceitful
4 By day, by night, my tears have been my food, man that would charge Goel's servants falsely is convicted and the
Hearing the constant taunt-" Where is thy God?" righteousness of Christ shines out in its truth.
5 My soul o'erflows me, mindful how so long Jesus glorified is thy stronghold-God. He cannot reject thee.
I to God's House advanced with festive throng, He felt the oppression, taking upon Himself thy condition of
With ringing shouts of praise in troops of song. slavery, that He might make thee partaker of His Sonship, Fear
6 My soul, why droop'st thou, moaning on my breast? not to follow Him through the gloomy vale of the shadow of death.
Still wait on God! To Him be thanks address'd, Look to Him. He in His glory shall be a light to thee in thy dark-
My Saviour God, to sight-soon--surely-manifest ! ness. If thou stand still despondently in the darkness it shall be
-----:/eslls utterin~ the c01ltplaint-o/-tlu Iwman soul as abiding in our land 0/ exile. thy destruction. Press onward. The enemy oppresseth thee, for He
Ilis thirst declared upon Calvary. His Iltiman soul bidden to "est upon His Divine
Personality.
sees not the Divine Light which would make him tremble. Thou
must look up that that light and truth may shine upon thine inmost
soul. They radiate from the glorified Humanity in the power of
7 Upon me droops my soul! I mind Thee still, the Holy Ghost. The Comforter is a sure Guide. He will bring thee
From Jordan's land, the Hermons, Mizar's Hill. to the Holy H ill of Zion, to the manifold mansions of the Father's
8 Through echoing deeps Thy rushing cataracts roar: House, to the altar of the Divine Sonship. Thou, in presenting the
The dashing, breaking billows whelm me o'er memorial, sharest in the perpetual oblation of Himself, whereby
 172 HUMANITY RESTORED

Jesus, as thy High Priest, makes the glory which He has obtained
to stream forth for the supply of thy necessities. The harpstrings
r PSALM 44.

[Music celebrates the glory of that early march of triumph.]

Alas' How is it now! Satan seems to drive us back, plunder,
173

of thy humanity must vibrate in union with the mysterious Voice slaughter, scatter, vilify. Our death is like that of sheep for the
of His joyous mediation. market, not of martyrs accepted by God. Unbelievers taunt us
Come to Him with that rapture which befits His ascended glory. for our feebleness. The Church becomes a by-word.
Lose sight of earth. Lift up thine heart unto the Lord. Droop Feel thine own sin, "the shame of thy face."
no more as nature's exile. Rejoice in the Lord Jesus, thy Salvation. Yet God's covenant remains. Think of Jerusalem on high'
God's Spirit is with us. He is more true to us than we to Him.
In love He lets us feel forsaken. He desires to rouse and restore
THE EXILED KING IN EXPECTATION OF RETURN
us. We must accept our degradation as being itself ordained for
I God, judge me' Crush the impious Gentile's plea' God's glory.
o from man's guilt and malice rescue me I , There were martyrs at first. Martyrs there shall be. Despond
2 My stronghold-God' Dost Thou reject me? Why? not because of the world's ridicule. Rise superior to it. The
Why go I mourning? See the foe defy' Church cannot rise to victory save by struggle. Fear not to be
3 Send forth Thy light, Thy truth, my guide to be, despised. Live for God's glory.
Thy Holy Hill, Thy mansions blest, to see. " Up, Lord, why sleepest Thou?" He sleeps not. He is trying
The .Jewish people become mere Gentiles by rejecting Christ, The IJlercy Seat thy faith. "Why art thou fearful?" He hides His face that we may
bttwun the Cheruid»« was the type ofCllrist in His heavenly intercession. seek it. Humbly, penitently, hopefully, perseveringly, ask Him to
rouse His people, to strengthen thine own self according to His
4 Thus guided, to God's altar let me go, will. It is we who slumber, seeming to ourselves to be awake, but
The Godhead whence my joys exulting flow' driven by the dreams of the world. Awake, thou sleeper. Wake
Thus God I my God' my harp my thanks shall show. to another world where thou shalt know the fellowship and power
S My soul, why droop'st thou, moaning on my breast? of Jesus.
Still wait on God I To Him be thanks address'd, Arise, 0 God' Help us, rouse us, quicken us to the life of
My Saviour-God to sight-soon-surely-manifest , faith. Even me ,
Tile mediatorial throne of the Lamb.

TIlE SONG OF THE IZEDEEMED IN OUTWARD TRIBULATION

PSALM 44.

THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS WHEN GOD SEEMS TO

HAVE FORSAKEN THEM 2 0 God, our ears in constant memory hold
To the Precentor. 1I1askilof the Sons of Koran That which our sires with blest experience told:
Thy work they saw, and heard from days of old.
ANOTHER Psalm of exile, recalling in many ways Psalm 22. 1-20. 3 Thy Hanel clrave Gentiles out, to plant them in,
Think of the early martyrs through whom the Church was spread Mass'cl hosts Thou didst destroy-mad'st these to win.
abroad. The victory was not of human strength but of faith. 4 For not their conquering sword this home hath won:
Christ is the Right Hand of the Father, His Arm, the Light of N at their own arm hath this salvation clone;
Light. "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and to-day and for ever." Thine Hand it was-Thine Arm-which wrought alone;
He is still our King. The salvation of His people comes from His Thy Face whose light with pleasure on them shone.
sovereign Word. Our strength from the very first has been in His Thyself, 0 God, Thou only art my King'
Presence working with 'us, His Holy Name. Salvation manifold to Jacob bring.
174 HUMANITY

6 Strengthen'd
RESTORED

by Thee our tyrants far we'll drive-

In Thy Name stamp them down who rise to strive.
I PSALM

IV
45. 175

23 'Tis for Thy sake that all day long we die,

7 I place not in my bow the trust I have,
Counted as sheep meant but for butchery.
Nor can my sword have any power to save;
24 Up, Master! Wherefore sleep'st Thou? Can it be?
8 For Thou must save us from our tyrants' hand,
Awake! Reject us not perpetually!
And those that hate us Thou with shame wilt brand,
25 Wherefore Thy Face art Thou secreting yet,
9 To God we lift our praise all the day long,
Mindless of our affliction and our fret?
And to Th~ Name give thanks in everlasting song.
26 Behold our soul to very dust laid low!
The victorious power a/Cod's Name in ancient times, ComjJare tIle cry, I' ~Ve have
110 kinK but Casar," Our belly c1eaveth to the earth with woe.
27 Rise for us now the needed help to make,
II
Redeem us now at length! Yea, for Thy mercy's sake!
10 But now Thou dost reject us and confound,- ApjJeal/or rcdentpt ion.
N a longer lead'st our hosts to battle-ground.
II Thou turn'st us back, the tyrant taunting still,
PSALM 45.
And they that hate us pillage us at will.
12 Like sheep Thou giv'st us to be eaten up, THE SAINTS REJOICING IN TIIE HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM
Scatter'd 'midst Gentiles! Bitter is our cup!
To the Precentor. Upon lilies. 1I1aski!of the Sons of Norah. A song of
13 Thou sell'st Thy people for a worthless tale,
lovely thiugs
Thou carest not to profit by their sale.
14 See us, while neighbours with reproach abound, REJOICE in the redemptive glory of the Incarnation, for which the
Left a lewd laughing-stock to all around, old dispensation was crying out. We ourselves in the fallen
15 A by-word 'midst the Gentiles everywhere; estate of Christendom have still to call for the Divine power to
The masses shake their heads at us and stare. make its glory manifest. It seems as if there were no beauty.
16 Confusion is before me all the day; But that is because our eyes are holden. The King's daughter is
Shame makes its pall upon my face to stay- all glorious within. The 'Warrior upon the White Horse is still
17 Shame such reproach and blasphemy to hear, riding forth, conquering and to conquer.
And see the foe, the self-avenger, there. The Eternal Word was the source of prophecy and is Himself
Tlte present /ct.'blclless 0/ Ch ristcndom, Faithfulness to God ift tIle midst 0/ the object of prophecy. Psalm 44. called upon God to arouse
chastisement,
Himself. Now must our tongue give utterance to an heart over-
III flowing with gratitude. Full of grace are H is lips. N ever man
spake like this Man, the Word that has become flesh. He reveals
18 This came on us yet ne'er forgot we Thee-
H is beauty to us, opens our eyes to behold it, and perfects us to
Ne'er from Thy cov'nant swerv'd with falsity.
show forth His glory, "fairest among ten thousand and altogether
19 Our loyal heart has never turn'd aside,
lovely."
Nor led our steps from Thy true path to slide,
He is the Conqueror bearing the sword of the Spirit. " Come,
20 Though Thou hast crush'd us where the jackals howl,
Lord Jesus." His Right Hanel which conquered of old is not
And cast death's shade a pall upon our soul,
violence but meekness-righteousness. He came to conquer pride
21 Oh! If our God's great Name we sought to change,
by humiliation. We too must learn the martyr's patience in the
Or spread our hands in prayer to Godhead strange,
death of Calvary. Our weapons are weapons of life, quickened by
22 This surely God will prove with faultless skill,
His Blood, triumphant through His power, efficient for his glory,
Who knows full well the heart's abstrusest will.
irresistible by His supreme command, bright with the supernatural
I/we cast not Cod aside, if" will restore us.
 HUMANITY RESTORED PSALM 45. 177
righteousness of His merits, because the truth of the Divine Word Even so learn thou to rejoice therein. Think not of earth. The
can never fail.
King delights to see His own beauty in thee. Worship Him, and
Arrows of grace! Have they touched thine own heart? Their learn the love whereby He claims thee as His own.
healthful, life-giving wound destroys the dulness of nature, and by .The Patriarchal dispensation looked to inherit an earthly blessing
the mortification of our earthliness fits us for the fight of Heaven, With a future hope. That hope is come. The Apostolic Church
that being conquered ourselves, we may be the instruments of re~oices in the heavenly blessing of spiritual powers, to be trans-
victory, bringing others in subjection to the meekness, the righteous- mitted from age to age through every clime by princely ministries
ness, of His Kingdom. Through thee He would smite others also of regenerating grace. One generation of her progeny shall rise
with resistless love. The King's enemies, the pride, the pomp, the
up after another. Children shall be begotten unto God in every
power, of the world shall be humbled so as to participate in Divine land. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church.
exaltation by the humility, the hiddenness, the holiness, of grace. Bles~ed that multitude which shall at length be called to the
Righteousness does not win its sway over the nations by external marnage-supper of the Lamb!
enforcement but by the suasive unction of the life-giving Word.
The Blood from the pierced Heart of Jesus comes forth with re- THE MARRIAGE SONG OF THE LAMB
generating power to renew a rebel world with kindred affections
after the likeness of His own love. In virtue of His uprightness
He has obtained the sovereignty; and righteousness, clothing His The Eternal Word
meek form with silent but invulnerable dignity, becomes in His Good is the word which makes my heart o'erftow ;
Hand a sceptre which demands obedience. The powers of sin A theme of royal glory will I show.
and' death fly discomfited before Him, and the sweet joy of Divine As pen in writer's hand, my docile tongue shall go.
TIte prophets o/' old time spake by the power o/, tile Holy Ghost tltiltg's whiclt
life is only to be found within the sanctuary or'His love. His joy tltey kn cw not.
is that which none can know in its fulness. The joy of His
II
brethren is what they share by being absorbed into His life.
He enrobes His people with the garments of His meritorious Invocation of the Incarnate Word
Passion. He clothes Himself with their manhood, by vital in- 3 0 Thou beyond man's race in loveliness,
corporation into His Body, and clothes them with His own Outpouring of rich grace Thy lips possess!
radiance by the diffusive energy of His inherent Godhead. o Thou whom God has deign'd for evermore to bless!
He comes from the teeth of the grave with the stringed instru- . 4 Thou mighty One, gird sword on thigh,
ments of a risen humanity, no longer dumb, but resonant now Thy brightness and Thy majesty!
with the blessed strains of heavenly power. All the hosts of 5 In majesty press onward! Ride!
Heaven raise their Halleluyahs in response to its joy. Truth, with meek-righteousness allied,
Behold that risen Humanity as the Bride of His Godhead. That Shall bid Thy Right Hand's terrors be Thy guide,
manhood which He espoused to Himself in the lowly chamber of 6 Thine arrows sharp! The peoples prostrate fall :
the Virgin's womb, He now leads forth in spiritual glory, extended The heart of the King's foes must feel them all.
by sacramental-communication-as-the-basis-and principle-of:-----. 7---Q-Ged,-for ever stands Thy Throne,
vitality to His Church. He who was of one substance with all man- Thy sceptre for uprightness known.
kind by natural birth, so as to redeem all by the overthrow of the 8 Thou lov'st the right: the wrong dost hate!
common enemy, has purchased His elect by His own Blood to be So God, Thy God, anoints Thee great
redeemed from amongst men, taking them into His glorified With gleesome unction's peerless state.
substance that they may be one with Him and He may be one The I-Iumanity 0/ tlte l-Vord, anointed witlt tlte Holy Gltost: Fore-ordained 0/
God to bear the sword o/, the' Spirit. Tlte meekness o/, human obedience and tit<
with them for ever. power be/onging to Him as the Right Hand o/tlte Father. The arrows o/, ApostoliC/II
How mysteriously does His manhood rejoice in His Godhead. ministry, subduing the rebel race o/man. The eternity of Christ's Kingdom.
VOL. II. M
 1 PSALM 46. 179
HUMANITY RESTORED ~
r

IJ I

The Reward oj the Passion PSALM 46.

Myrrh-aloes-cassia-c1othe Thee round: GOD HIMSELF THE SECURITY OF HIS PEOPLE

9 ,
From ivory halls glad strings resound.
10 Kings' daughters grace Thy pomp serene. 'I To the Precentor. A Song of the Sons of J..orah. On A lillllotlt
Upon Thy Right Hand stands the glorious Queen, I
Dazzling to sight with Ophir's wealthy sheen. I THE Word of God has come forth with power, and has betrothed
unto Himself a Church to be for ever glorious as she dwells in
Tluj"rap-ance oftlte Passion clothes }{illl. II ~l~llsl" =': always
~xc~!t in this
·1 ~
t.
her chamber, not as the old Temple, needing the lamps for its
(in the Psalter)" Temple," an indication "Ithe sjnntual Slgnijicnnce o/th.s Psalm.
illumination, but bright with the Presence of God. The ancient
Temple had the cedar and the gold significant of the inward glory,
IV
but it was dark. The Living Temple is the Body of Him who is
Invocation to tIle Elect Humanity the Light of Light. Of old the Shekinah was withdrawn when the
Priest entered the Holy of Holies. Now we look for Him to lift
II List, daughter! Look! With ear full set! up the Light of His countenance upon us. The worldly sanctuary
Thy kin, Thy father's house, forget! has passed away. The true Light now shineth.
12 How greatly longs the King for Thee! Yet is the Church as Goshen amidst the darkness and oppression
Thy beauty His! Thy Master He! of Egypt.
Bend down before Him reverently. Peace within! War without! The Church is unassailable,
13 Tyre's daughter comes! The wealthy seek Thy Face, because God is our Refuge. The Church has a tranquillity which
Oblations brought with sweetly smiling grace. the world cannot know. Troubles come upon the world. It might
The Church is the extension o/Christ's Humanity, His Body. Human power, tl" seem as if the Church must perish along with the world around.
wealth 0/ the world, minis tering: to Divine manifestation is represented by Tyrc. The hills carried into the midst of the sea! Is there any security
for Zion's Hill? Yes! The things which are made are shaken
V and removed. "The things which cannot be shaken shall remain."
The outward tabernacle wherein we lodge may perish, but we have
The Humanity Sldning in the Divine Glory
received" a kingdom which cannot be moved, a house not made
14 See the King's daughter in her cell, with hands, eternal in the heavens." The Church is exposed to the
Attir'd in gold, all-glorious dwell ! outward vicissitudes of worldly history, but her life is ever secure.
15 In broider'd robe she meets the King, The Gates of Hell may rage but they cannot prevail against the
Virgins, her fellows, following. Church. That is built upon the foundation of the Incarnate
16 With joy exulting see them come! Godhead.
They enter now the royal home. [Selah. The music sets forth the turbulence of worldly life.]
17 "Not fathers now, but sons, be Thine! The waters of Shiloah flowed softly from Zion's Hill (Isa. viii. 6),the
As princes through all earth to shine! " joy of Jerusalem. That sacred stream was but a type of the refresh-
18 Th' unceasing mern'ry of Thy Name I'll sing! ing gift of grace vouchsafed to the Church from the presence of the
Eternal thanks to Thee shall peoples bring. Lord in His Holy City. The Holy Spirit is "sent" unto us from
the Father. The blind man washed in the pool and gained his
The ascended Humanity as seen in the hidden glory 0/ Christ, Ihe !lead. Christ
glorijied in His Saints. TIt( Catholic Episcopale 0/ :/I~Chl~rch lakes.'he place of
The Eucharistic memorial of Ctcrist s anton wtlll HIS />eo;l~.
sight. Blessed are they whose eyes are opened to see the glorious
jtwislt Patriarchs, things which belong to the heavenly City. The world may besiege,
180 HUM A N I TY RES TOR E D
PSALM 47. 181
but there can be no fear of drought, for this stream never faileth.
We must not rejoice in worldly power. Rezin and Remaliah's son THE SONG OF THE CHURCH MILITANT
will be swept away by the flood of the Assyrian waters, but the 2 God is our Refuge I yea, Our Strength is He !
daughter of Jerusalem can rest secure in her feebleness, for God is In sorrows prompt to help exceedingly!
her strength and her joy.
3 So fear we not, though earth should be o'erthrown
[The music expresses the calm confidence of faith.] And shaken mountains in the seas cast down
The judgement of the world follows. The. world does not know 4 Though moaning, foaming waters rise and break
that all the turmoil which brings it into confusion is only the
And in their restless pride the mountains shake. ' Selah.
judgement of God for its sin. The powers of hell bring the trouble,
but God permits them to do so, in order to punish men for their,
;) The strCltgtl, 0/ the Diville life.

wickedness, and especially for their assaults upon His own people. 5 A stream of joys through God's blest city swells
Sennacherib's
to blaspheme
assaults against Jerusalem
the God of Israel.
were specially intended
It was a sacrilegious war, and
therefore God replied with a special manifestation of Divine power"
I, The holy place wherein the Highest dwells.
6 God in her midst! No power to shake she fears!
'

l God for her help when morning's face appears!

destroying

against
the Assyrian host.

the Incarnate God.

So also the persecutors
tianity perished by miserable deaths because they were taking part
So with all profane
of Chris-

schemes of
I 7 The Gentiles fret: all kingdoms shake in death!
He gives His voice: earth melts beneath His breath!
8 The Lord of hosts is with us! Blest His Name!
worldly boast in which the world thinks to achieve triumphs which A mighty Tower in Jacob's God 'we claim! Selah.
will put the Church to shame! They will ever be generating fresh TI,e riucr 0/ baptismal g;-act.
forms of mischief. Evil may change its form, but its character
bursts out afresh in every phase of human life. The life of God is 9 Come, g.aze upon the deeds the Lord hath wrought,
the only power which can hold back from corruption. If He is What Wide destruction He on earth has brought!
acknowledged, He will bring health and a cure, but if He is 10 He maketh wars to cease through earth's domain:
repudiated He will cause the sorer judgements to come upon the The bow He breaks, and knaps the spear in twain:
earth. He burns in fire the warrior's rolling train.
Those judgements must come upon the earth before the end, men's I I "Now cease your strife! As God will I be owned
hearts failing them for fear. In the midst of that great tribulation High throned o'er Centiles, o'er the earth high-thr~ned !"
the faithful are to rejoice because their redemption draweth nigh. 12 The Lord of hosts is with us! Blest His Name!
Wars and rumours of wars! But then shall come the manifesta- A mighty Tower in Jacob's God we claim. Selah.
tion of His glory. He shall make wars to cease. The earth and God app~arillg- ill.illdgemcnt. TIle rcbe] and Ilis hosts cast into the lake 0./fire.
all that is therein shall be burnt up. There shall be a new heaven
and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. The heavenly
Jerusalem shall be seen, "having the glory of God." "God is in PSALM 47.
the midst of her."
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, A CALL TO MISSIONARY
Amidst all the weakness of the Church in the world we must be ZEAL
looking forward to see the mighty power of God to be manifested
in the Church when Jesus shall be seated upon the throne of His To the Precentor, A Psalm oj the Sons of .li.orah
glory.
ALL the nations of the, wor!d ~re to exult in Messiah's triumph.
We must take our part In bnnglng them to the knowledge of the
trut~: The Lord from Heaven has appeared in Incarnate Majesty
~s KI.ng upon the earth. We must go forth upon Missionary work
In HIS power, for all power is given to Him. The inheritance
182 HUMANITY RESTORED PSALM 48.

given to Jacob by Divine Love swells out into the world-wide glory PSALM 48.
of the Christian Church. THE GLORIOUS CONTEMPLATION OF THE HEAVENLY
[Music celebrates the heavenly Kingdom about to be revealed.] JERUSALEM
. The Covenant-God of Israel shows Himself by the Ascension as A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah
the One True God of all the nations of the world. The trumpet of
FROM the glory of the King we pass on to the glory of the
angelic choirs attends Him. Jewish Psalmody is to celebrate Him
Kingdom.
with fivefold exultation, according to the number of the law. God
Anticipate the Halleluyahs bursting forth when the Lamb's Bride
is King over all the earth. All the nations must own as King the
shall be seen in her perfection, her glory shining from on high,
Seed of Abraham in whom they were to be blessed.
her lustre filling all the earth with joy. She" has the glory of
The shields of the earth which belong to God may be either the
God." Hers is not a natural noonday brightness. Her splendour
earthly powers which submit to Christ or the Apostolic Thrones of
rises supernaturally out of the region of darkness, the powers by
the Church Catholic which were to be the glory of Christ, having
whom God was hid from sight.
their life derived from Him (Ps. 45.). Greatly is He exalted.
When the world rises up to assail, look for God suddenly to
Greatly must our hearts be stirred to make His glory known.
smite the rebellious powers. It is not human wisdom which will
smite the heart of unbelief. God will smite them with their own
THE INVITATION OF THE CHURCH CATHOLIC
folly, an unseen power, like the east wind. The danger of the
N ow clap your hands, yc people! earth's vast throng! Church is when she allies herself with worldly powers as
Shout ye to God, with ringing voice of song! J ehoshaphat with Ahaziah. .
2 For He, the Lord most High, with trembling own'd, What deliverances God has wrought for thee! Think not that
Is the great King, o'er all the earth enthroned. He did more fo~ men of old. He does for us according to our
The A ngel Host inuites to praise Christ, need. Look for His love. He will make thee feel its greatness.
His Name is unchanging love. The whole earth shall testify of
3 All peoples at His word beneath us bow: His righteousness and His power.
He speaks: their masses at our feet fall low. The unfaithfulness of the Church may delay His work but not
4 For us He would th' inheritance provide, set it aside. His purpose shall be accomplished. Her heavenly
Sign of His love unchanging! Jacob's pride! Selati! towers shall rise without fail. In thine own soul also no gift of
The C/u{.rclt continues tlte Evangelical inuitaiion,
grace shall be lacking. Take heed that thou. destt:oy. not by
5 'Midst the glad shout behold how God ascends! thine impatience what God seeks to accomplish within thee.
The trumpet's voice upon the Lord attends. The glory of thy sanctification cannot be wrought out save by
6 Sing psalms to God! With psalms unceasing sing I suffering. Thy faith must be tried by many an overthrow.
Rejoice with psalms! with psalms exalt our King! God guides to death. But what cleath? I t is the death i 11 which
7 For God is King: o'er all the earth He reigns: immortality shines out, the claar of endless life.
Sing psalms of prudence in profoundest strains! THE CITY OF GOD IN THE COMPLETENESS OF HER
8 Yea! God is King, whose power the Gentiles own: PREDESTINATION
God sits in glory, on His holy throne.
The Glory of tllc Heavenly jerusalem
Chris: ascending 'will reign over the Ch-urch,
2 Great is the Lord! His be high homage still,
9 The nobles of all peoples! Here they meet, In Goel's own City, on His Holy Hill.
And Abraham's God a new form'd people greet. 3 Hail, loveliest steep, that fill'st all earth with glee!
IO To God belong the shields of earthly might:
Hail, Zion-hill, the North's true brilliancy!
He reigns exalted on the heavenly height. Built by the King of boundless sovereignty!
Tlte Church gatlrered out 0./ all nations. Ilfessialt ti,e glory 0/ tire !/oly City. Heathenism subdued to grace.
 HUMANITY RESTORED
The World trembling. at the Manifestation
His Church
4 God in her palaces so fair
Is known-high Tower and sure!
5 See kings so proudly mustering there,-
See how they march secure!
6 A moment's gaze! Then blank despair,
Dismay, discomfiture.
7 A sudden shudd'ring seized on all,
As pangs on one with child:
8 So ships of Tarshish helpless fall,
Wreck'd by the east-wind wild!
Man's pride ouerthroum,
The Glory of God in the New Jerusalem
9 We heard of it of old, and now we see!
The Lord of hosts, our God, here deigns to be !
God makes this city firm, to all eternity. Selah.
Faith. Itifected in sigh.!.
The Spread of the Cat/lOlic Church
10 0 God, we call'd Thy mercy back to mind,
Within Thy Temple's cloister safely shrined.
II God, as Thy Name, so doth Thy praise abound:
To earth's remotest ends its hymns resound:
And full of righteousness Thy Hand is found.
The Accomplishment of the Promises to Zion
12 To Zion's Hill let constant joy belong!
Let Judah's daughters raise th' exulting song!
Thy judgement shall confound each hostile throng.
'Jltt various national Churches.
God's Faithfuincss to His People
13 Encompass Zion! Walk in circuit well !
Count all her towers, her perfect state to tell !
14 Give all your heart, her matchless force to view!
Explore her palace-glories through and through,
To tell your children that the tale was true!
15 See what God is, our God for aye to be !
'Tis He will lead us on to-immortality!
TIIep<1:/i:cti01l assured in tlze end. Lit.-"
PSALM 49.
of God's Presence in
PSALM 49.
RELIANCE UPON DIVINE REDEMPTION
To tlte Precentor. A Psalm of the Sons of !\'orah
A PROCLAMATION to all the world! Take part in it with thanks-
giving. The Divine guidance is the only safety in death. The work
of the Son of God is what no mere man can do. Redemption of
the soul from Satan's power surpasses all human capacity.
Messiah leads His people through death to immortality because
He is the Lord of life.
See how God's wisdom works for its great end. Then no
power can make thee afraid. Thy past sins may compass thy
path with many troubles, but thou hast a security in God's love to
bring thee safely out of them which is far better than any present
worldly prosperity. The wisest, the wealthiest, of the world must
die. None by worldly power can help thee in the moment of
death, but they who come to Christ shall not be found naked when
they die. Men think to perpetuate their glory by landed posses-
sions, but it is in vain. Death is the shepherd of shame and they
must submit to him. God leads His sheep forth to pastures of
;oy.
The Resurrection morn will see both flocks come forth, one to
life, the other to everlasting contempt.
Man in his splendour hath no standing, and alas! no under-
standing. How little do the accidents of this life matter in the
presence of eternity! The brutes come to an end in death. That
is the law of their creation. If man, like them, comes to an end, it
is a different end, for God created Man for a life beyond. Oh
that men would consider their latter end!
The true wisdom is to look to God. I look for Him to take me
as He took Enoch. Then though I pass through death, I shall
not see death.
Far from me be all thought of worldly glory? Let me live to
the glory, to the love, of God!
This Psalm, setting forth the worthlessness of worldly power,
prepares us for the great Psalm of the Theophany. There God
Himself calls us to the blessedness of abiding with Him in the
power of the covenanted sacrifice.
to death;"
r86 HUMANITY RESTORED PSALM 50.

THE DOOM OF ALL TIlE NATIONS OF THE EARTH 19 Though he were wont in life his soul to bless,
( Congratulations praising such success),
2 Hear what I speak, ye peoples, scatter'd wide!
20 His soul must go to generations past,
List, all who in this transient world abide!
No longer to see light while time shall last !
3 Sons of the soil, and sons of nobl~ birth!
21 Yea! Man's high boast, so senseless in his pride,
The rich, though strong! The poor man in his dearth!
Leaves him but like the beasts in doom to hide.
4 My mouth shall wisdom's varied wealth outpour-
My meditative heart deep truths explore.
S I stretch mine ear through parables to learn,
PSALM 50.
And with the harp tell forth what wisdom may discern,
6 Why should I fear in days when wrongs abound- TUE THEOPIIANY OF TUE CONQUEROR
Supplanters with iniquity surround-
A Psalm of A sapt.
7 Who trusting in the force of worldly schemes
Vaunt their vast wealth, with hymns to bless their dreams. THE fiftieth, the jubilee, Psalm. "Out of Zion goes forth the law,
8 No brother-man can man's redemption win, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isa. ii. 2). Ps. 100.
Nor give to God the price to purge from sin,- will call all nations to rejoice in the covenant. Ps. 150. bursts
9 (The ransom of their soul is far too high! forth with the consummate Halleluyah of a redeemed universe.
Yea, man stands bankrupt to eternity! ) Man could not redeem his brother. The law was weak through
10 The price for him perpetual life to keep, the flesh. Now God Himself comes to proclaim at once the
And ne'er to see the chasm of the deep! reality and the sanctity of the covenant of life to which He calls
II Ev'n so! He sees that wise men come to death:
mankind.
So too the fool, the brutish, perisheth. The Godhead, the Personal Sovereign, the Covenanted Lord of
His force he leaves to him that followeth.
life!
12 Their heart is set to build eternal homes: He speaks to thee. The Only-Begotten, the Redeemer, who has
The ancestral dwelling to fresh masters comes, done what man could not do, yea! has triumphed over death, now
Their names but mark the soil where'er one roams: comes for judgement to sift those who have outwardly accepted
13 But man's fair show no lodgement can provide:
His covenanted blessing. .
I t leaves him like the beasts in doom to hide. God acknowledges our sacrifices. But have not our SIl1S m~rred
them? We must ever say, Pardon the iniquity of our holy things.
14 This is their way! Stupid self-confidence! We are not to think that the sacrifice is a substitute for our own
Well-pleased, their heirs repeat the vain pretence! Seiah, self-oblation. As God is life, His covenant gives life. As God is
IS Like sheep, they're penn'd for Sheol! Death proves their love His covenant requires love. God requires a perfect heart.
king! My life must be a thank-offering to Him, praising H.im ~or the
Th' upright shall drive them down when morn shall spring. redemption which He has given, seeking to lose m~self Jl1 HIS lo.ve.
Sheol wastes their form, and sends them wandering! All I can do is to present to Him in Holy Euchanst the oblation
16 But as for me! 'Tis God who from Sheol's hand which He Himself gives me to offer, and I offer it that He may be
Redeems my soul. He takes me, bids me stand! Selah. glorified in sanctifying me thereby. .
God's covenant avails not without holiness. God may keep
17 Fear not, though man may rise to wealthy pride, silence for awhile, but He will show His indignation against the
Though glory in his house be multiplied. ungodly. We were not worthy of GO,d's .fa~our, but as I-Ie has
18 N ought can he take when forced by death to go : called us into His covenant, we must walk m ItS power. .
His glory cannot follow him below. The first portion of the Psalm ca\1s us to praise. God herem
 188 HUMANITY RESTORED PSALM 50. 189

welcomes His saints to the heavenly Jerusalem, built up by Him 10 Mine are the beasts in wildest forests fed:
in perfect and imperishable glory. The second Fifty of the Mine are the herds on thousand hills outspread.
II I know each bird in hill-side covert found:
Psalter opens with David's great prayer of penitence for the build-
ing up of Jerusalem, the holy city, wherein the sacrifices of I watch the flutt'ring of the meadow ground.
12 For hunger's food I would not thee implore:
righteousness shall be offered.
The world is Mine and Mine is all its store.
THE SACRIFICE OF THE JUBILEE 13 Say, shall I eat bull's flesh when I would feed?
Or drink the blood of goats to sate My need?
14 Sacrifice thanks to God! With thanks draw near!
The Theopltany With vows well paid to the Most High appear!
15 To Me when sorrow comes, thy cry shall be !
The Godhead, God/ the Lord, is speaking yet: So will I set thee free! So glorify thou Me !
He calls the earth from sunrise to sunset. All tltat tve can give to God comes/rom God.
2 From Zion's steep, so perfect in delight,
The Light of God 2 shines forth with radiance bright! IV
3 Our God 3 shall come, nor silent can He be :
Before Him burns a fire devouringly, Sacrifice to be offered in Righteoumess
And mighty storms around His march we see. 16 But hearken !-To the wicked man God spake-
Tlte three titles do not imply tlu doctrine 0/ the Trinity, but the three/old" Cod" How shalt thou My decrees thine utt'rance make!
probably does. Tlte Father speaks. TI,e Son appears. The Holy Glzast is tlte /ire 0/
His 11I0uth.
Or dare My cov'nant in thy mouth to take?
17 Look to thyself! Instruction thou dost hate:
II My warning words thou dost repudiate.
The Call to Ju(l.gnJlent 18 Seeing a thief, thou art in him content:
And with th' adulterers is thy portion spent.
4 The heavens on high, the earth in audience vast 19 The utterance of thy mouth is but for wrong.
He calls to hear His people's sentence past, The guileful machinations of thy tongue.
5 "Gather My saints before My Judgement Seat, 20 How gladly was. thy brother's fault discuss'd !
Who once my cov'nant c1aim'd o'er victims meet." Yea! To thy mother's son thou gav'st a thrust!
6 The thundering heavens His righteousness declare, 21 Despite thy deeds, did silence still prevail?
For God is He who comes in judgement near. Selah. Thought'st thou that, like thyself, My words might fail?
Sanctity o/7Jocatioll. Israel a nation <if saints, Christians not O1lly separated I warn thee now! Behold thy doom's detail!
but supernaturally sanctified.

III V

Repudiation of merely Material Sacrifices Promise to the Faitliful

I· 7 Listen, My people, I Myself will speak- 22 Consider, ye who heed not Deity,
)
I
To thee, 0 Israel, My witness make, Lest I, as spoiler, come! Then none shall free!
God, e'en thy God, am I ! To worship wake! 23 Who sacrificeth thanks, My glory shows!
8 Not for defective sacrifice I smite: And whoso on life's way with firmness goes,
Nay! constant are thine offerings in My sight: To him will I God's saving power disclose.
9 I will not take a steer thy sheds might hold,
Nay, nor the goats that leap within thy fold.

THIRD QUINDECAD
PSALMS 51.-65.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
THE SON OF GOD THE CONQUEROR OF DEA77£
Trilogy 0/ the Sin-Bearer
THE First Quindecad (Pss. 3.-17.) gives what may be
called the ideal or moral view of Messiah's struggle in
its principles of action and the character of the
Champion.
The Second (Pss. 18.-32.) gives the transcendent
heavenly view of that struggle in its relationship
the Powers of Darkness and the heavenly issues of the
conflict. .
This Quindecad gives the earthly or practical view of
the struggle, for the Son of God appears in earthly
form, gathering round Himself a Church upon earth
as the extension of His Incarnate Being, called to share
His sufferings, bear His Cross, and rise to His glory.
Ps. 51.- The Son of God is here seen bearing the
likeness of sinful flesh, the Child of David and Bath-sheba,
which makes Him to be the inheritor of man's original
guilt, but born after the illegitimate child has died.
is the Prince of Peace, for the marriage union of David
and Bath-sheba symbolizes the possibility of sin being
190
T H I R D QUI N DE CAD 191
forgiven and covenanted peace with God being restored.
He has a Divine Nature, for He is the Wisdom and
Truth of God, by virtue of His Eternal Personality.
This Personality, weighed down by the burden of man's
sin which He has to bear, is the Divine glory of the
Word which opens His human lips, and enables Him to
offer Himself as the Sacrifice of Righteousness (declared
in Ps. 40.), and by His merits the heavenly Jerusalem,
His own Extended Body, the Church, the Second Eve, is
to be built up. Solomon thus appears as His type.
Ps. 52.- The Son of God was" made under the law"
(Gal. iv. 4). This Psalm speaks of Him under the type of
David when he went to the house of Ahimelech, the
priest. Doeg, the Edomite, accuses David to Saul. So
the carnal Jews handed Christ over to the Roman
priest, the natural man. Then the spiritual character
of Judaism perished, as the priests of N ob were slain.
Henceforth the true priestly character of Israel was
identified with Jesus Christ.
Ps. 53.- This Psalm corresponds with Ps. 14. God in
or the former Psalm looked down upon the children of man
to to see if there was anyone whose character met the
requirements of Ps. 15. As there was none, He sent
His Son. The present Psalm is more judicial. He
looks down and sees mankind in their wickedness, and
they oppress His people. He therefore scatters the
boasts of the besiegers. The refrain is taken up to
show that the dispensation is Divine in its avenging as
it was Divine in its origin.
Trilogy of Persecution
He Ps. 54.-David hidden among the Ziphites represents
the Son of God hidden by the Incarnation. He is the
object of universal enmity, but He relies upon God's
 192 T HE CON QU EROR OF DEA T H
I I
protection. His life is a continuous sacrifice, a free-will
offering of love, to the Father, amidst all suffering.
Ps. 55.-Christ in His own Person, and still abiding in
His Church, bears the antagonism of Antichrist. He
longs for the wings of a dove, the manifestation of the
Spirit's power, whereby in the Resurrection He shall be
glorified as the Son of God.
The wickedness of mankind meets Him not only in
open criminality, but in those who were associated with
Him in the worship of God, but whose hearts were using
that purpose for evil ends. Nevertheless, Messiah lives
in prayer to God. He relies not upon human appear-
ances. Smoothness and civilization hide the antagonism
of the world which is as hateful as ever. The righteous
is safe amidst all persecutions if he cast his portion on
r the Lord. The seed of the serpent, the murderer and
the liar, shall perish.
Ps. 56.-David is seized in Gath. This is the final
open assault of the world against Messiah, casting Him
out. "We will have no King but Cesar." They distort
His words. So the teaching of Christ in His Church
is made a matter of misrepresentation from age to age.
Nevertheless, the Soul of Christ cannot die, nor can His
feet stiffer hurt. He will pass through death to the
glory of the Resurrection, the Light of Life.
Trilogy of the Crucified
These three Psalms are headed "Destroy Not," and
thus represent Messiah as being immortal in the midst
of death. The serpent cannot bruise the Head of the
Redeemer.
Ps. 57.-This Psalm recalls Ps. 22., calling upon God
for pity, although for a season Messiah must be left
alone, forsaken outwardly, but still abiding under the
T HI R D QUI N D E CAD 193
.)
shadow of God's wings. The time is not yet come for
these wings to bear Him triumphantly away. His soul
is among lions, the Powers of Darkness. The sons
of men are as firebrands, a sharp sword. But God's
glory will exalt Him over all the earth. His heart
is firm. He will endure the shame of the Cross, looking
forward to the joy which is set before Him.
Ps. 58.-Here the enemies who boast of their justice
as if they were doing more good than Christ, are
reproved for their wickedness. They are the seed
of the serpent, and will not listen to the charm of
Truth.
They will be convicted by the suddenness of the
overthrow, showing that God is judge of the earth.
Ps. 59.-David in the house of Michal is watched by
Saul's emissaries, but escapes through the window. So
the Jews sought to destroy Christ when He was wearing
the goatskin covering, the likeness of our sinful flesh,
but He escaped by the other mode of exit, rising from
the grave in spiritual power. The Jews are to be
scattered, not destroyed. They are to be consumed,
not by destruction but by conversion to Christ.
Trilogy of the Kingdom
Ps. 60.- The victory of Syria is followed by the
slaughter of Edom in the valley of salt. The world has
become Christian, but the Jews have to be subdued.
They are now the Edom. Their covenant is the barren
valley of salt.
Christ has set up His .Cross as the banner of the
Church militant. He exults in the approaching victory
over Judaism. It is the power of God which will
be manifested in the final conversion of the strong
city.
VOL, II. N
194 THE CONQUEROR OF DEATH PSALM 5 I. 195

Ps. 6I.-The cry goes up from the ends of the earth, gressiolls. God's mercy, by its co-extensive compassionateness,
the Church Catholic. Messiah looks to be lifted up to obliterates the traces of our sinful actions. Our bodies bear the
the Rock that is higher than man, the Divine Rock. mark of every sin we have done, and the Incarnation communicates
to the members of Christ an obliterating virtue. We are born in a
The Kingdom, thus established before God, shall abide
state of corruption or iniquity with tendencies leading us to evil.
for ever. Our whole being needs to be cleansed from this innate corruption.
Ps. 62.- This sure salvation comes from God alone. Our nature therefore must be thoroughly washed (not merely
Christ's Kingdom is not one of worldly wealth. All that cleansed externally) by the communication of the Body of Christ,
is of man is vanity. We must not look to triumph which thus thoroughly cleanses our body. It penetrates all the
tissues of our frame, making us anew. The Blood of Jesus infused
by human power. God is Almighty. God is merciful.
into us removes the darkness of our original sin, restoring the
All must be judged before Him. bn;t;htness of Cod's Presence which Adam lost in the moment of
the Fall. Only thus can we be brought back to the brightness of
Trilogy of the Resurrection the Divine life, as the children of Light.
The Incarnation effected for the substance of humanity as a
Ps. 63-- The King will rejoice in God in the morning whole, that which is effected for individuals by their separate in-
of the Resurrection, and they who seek the hurt of His corporation into that indivisible renovated substance.
soul shall perish in the earth. In order to receive this renewal there must be sincere confession
of individual transgressions, and continual penitence.
Ps. 64.- The wicked aim to destroy the righteous,
The terribleness of sin is because of the rupture of our relation-
trusting in worldly schemes. The judgement of God s/zip with God. His indwelling Presence is a Personal loving
will burst out suddenly upon them in the day of Presence looking upon us, and not a mere power which we have
resurrection. misused. He is interested in each one of us, having created man
Ps. 65.-The processes of nature bringing forth the in His own image to be His child.
God's Word, by which man was created as a moral being, is
rich crops from the earth must waken our joy. Why?
manifested in its rz:r;hteous1lessby H is unchanging law of moral
Surely because they symbolize the great works of God government, and no one can reproach Him when He asserts His
to be manifested in the day of Resurrection, when the claims against sinful man.
shout of joy shall rise from all the saints. The nature out of which was taken the Flesh of the Incarnate
Son was hopelessly corrupt. Although He was conceived by the
power of the Holy Ghost, nevertheless He could not but participate
PSALM 51.
in the external bondage of sin under which all mankind were con-
THE CLEANSING VIRTUE OF THE INCARNATION demned. The nature of mankind is a unit, and the Incarnation
PENITENTIAL IV. would have been purposeless if He had only taken to Himself that
material portion of our nature which became His Personal Body in
7'0 tile Precentor. A Psalm 0/ David, when Nathall, tlte Propllet, tuen: to
Mill, what time he went to Batll·slteba such manner as to be a separate entity from the unit of man's
collective nature. He became of one substance with us all, taking
CONSIDER this Psalm simply word by word. upon Himself the outward form of a slave, for human nature, as a
Plead for grace. God's mercy is the source of grace to His whole, was by the Fall enslaved to Satan. Thus He was" made sin
creatures. H is compassions, by reason of the Incarnation, are co- for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness
extensive with our human feelings. The substance of our natural of God in Him." In this mass of sinfulness, then, He was conceived,
being is written over with the condemnatory marks of our trans- so as to take upon Himself the sins of all mankind, not as a
 196 THE CONQUEROR OF DEATH
separate substitute, but as an identified representative, our Brother,
although doing what no mere man could do (Ps. 49· 8).
God delights not in sacrifices, however costly, su~h as ,~ere
offered under the typical dispensation of the law. Christ's delight
was to fulfil God's pleasure, that is, God's delight, even. Truth and
Wisdom hidden but operative as the foundation principle of our
humanity. This Wisdom is the Presence of Him who. is tl:e
consubstantial object of God's Love. God created man in HIS
own image, and cannot delight in man unless that image have
the fulness of His own living substance.
The hyssop of the earthly sanctuary was an instrument of cere-
I· monial purification. Original sin was to be expelled from human
nature and Christ conceived in human completeness by the power
of holiness , not by any antecedent merit of humanity. . Earthly
emptiness, symbolized by the hollow reed, was to be ~he instrument
of Divine fulness in the purifying act of the Kenosis. So should
man be bright with the brightness ~f God. ::~at th.orough pene-
trative waslling by the Blood of Christ, Blood living WIth the power
of the Holy Ghost,.would make His mem.bers 7,~hite~than snow,
worthy to be the children born from on high. Their robes are
washed in the Blood of the Lamb," not the red blood of a mortal
existence but the white blood of resurrection life.
The Resuri:ection of Christ wakens the ear of our renewed
humanity to rejoice in the voice of God which to Adam when ~le
sinned was a cause of terror. Now human nature through Christ
can respond exultingly to that call, having obtained freedom from
the crushing penalty of earthly life. . privilege by such self-oblation to hold communion with God.
Hence the prayer, Hide Tlty Face from my sins. Behold .me,
not in the misery of my corruption, but according to the glonous
welcome of Thy predestinating love in the kingdom of grace where-
into Thou upliftest me. It is in effect the same as Ps. 39· 14·
Obliterate all traces not only of my transgressions but of my
inherited iniquity and corruption. Create in me a clean heart, not
soiled by any defiling traces of its origin. . Do good unto Zion in token of Thy favour to me, in that I have
Thou didst give me a steadfast spirit, breathing the Holy Ghost
into my original nature, but Adam forfeited it by self-will. Renew
it now witllin me, that being partaker of the Holy Ghost by whom
Christ was conceived, I may no longer be under the tyranny of
past bondage. . Light thereof."
Thou didst drive Adam away from T/I)I Presence .. Driue 110t
me away, and take not from me Thy Holy Spirit as Thou did'st
take it from him.
PSALM 51. 197
Give me the joy of Thy Jesus, the joy of Salvation. Yea! let it
. be my joy to offer myself to Thee according to the princely spirit
of self-oblation, the spirit of freedom, for thus it is that Jesus makes
us to act with the joyous freedom of Sonship. Establislz me therein
by Thy Personal indwelling, the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is
the Life of the Body of Christ. So shall I become a teacher to
those who are transgressors lost to TII)I 7t1ay, and those who are
oorn in the estrangement of original sin shall be brougltt back to
Thee.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, Thou, the Personal God,
for Thou art the God who workest out my salvation. The God-
head of the Son is one with the Godhead of the Father, and acts by
the power of the Holy Ghost in all His members. As I have
experienced Thy restoring power, so let me bring others to Thy
grace.
The lips of Jesus are the opened lips of humanity which lead the
Song of Halleluyah. This song of praise is the true sacrifice of
the risen life, for God the Creator of all has no dcligllt in sacrifices
by reason of material value. Thou hast 110pleasure in burnt-
offering.
The sacrifices wl/ich God requires are the constant presentation
of a spirit that is broken, and therefore incapable of entering into
this world's delights. Such a spirit offers itself wholly, lovingly,
and therefore joyously to God. Sacrifice to such a spirit is no
longer a penalty as if it involved the loss of something that was
dear. God's acceptance surpasses all possible value. It is a
A heart, broken and crustied, and therefore no longer participat-
ing in earthly passions, may be despised by man, but 110tby God.
Thus does the Psalmist lead us to the final prayer of Christ,
which is necessary to give effect to all that has gone before. He
appeals through the yearning of His own elect Humanity for that
yearning to be satisfied by His predestined Incarnation.
offered to Thee this my self-sacrifice which my people are to share.
Build tile walls of the Heavenly Jerusalem with their living stones.
We plead Christ's Intercession when we pray to God as His
members. "That city has the glory of God, and the Lamb is the
Then slzalt Thou deliglit in the sacrifices of riglzteoltsness, sacrifices
full of righteous life, not needing now to pass through death in
order to be accepted of God, but living with a life superior to death
198 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F D EAT H PSALM 52. 199
and dear to God, the joy of Christ's people offering themselves along 13 Drive me not forth, an outcast from Thy Face:
with Him in Holy Eucharists, burnt-offerings which ascend to Thee Take not away Thy Holy Spirit's grace.
with the Fire of the Holy Ghost, all jeifect with the perfections of 14 Restore me Thy salvation's gleesome day:
the Body of Thine Only-Begotten Son. Then shall Thy people I A willing spirit be my constant stay.
offer themselves as living sacrifices on the Mediatorial Altar of ! IS I to transgressors will Thy ways make known:
His Divine Personality, that Incarnate Personality which is the A race restor'd from sin Thy Truth shall own.

I
true Altar, elevating and sanctifying the gifts which are laid 16 God, free me, Saviour-God, from blood's distress;
thereon, itself the true foundation-stone of the heavenly city. So shall my tongue ring forth Thy righteousness.

GOD APPEARING IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH Sacrifices (If Ri;;hteoumess in tlte Heavenly Jerusalelll
Cryfor Mercy , 17 0 Master mine! Thou shalt my lips unseal:
3 God, give me grace! Thy mercy let me urge! So shall my mouth Thy holy praise reveal.
Countless transgressions copious love shall purge! 18 Victims delight Thee not, or I would bring:
Thou tak'st no pleasure in burnt-offering.
4 Wash me till no iniquity remain,
And make me bright from ev'ry sinful stain! 19 A broken spirit is God's sacrifice:
5 For I indeed will my transgressions own! A heart, crush'd, broken -God do not despise I
20 Do good to Zion as Thy pleasure will'd :
My sin still haunts me with perpetual moan.
6 Against Thee have I sinn'd, yea, only Thee! Jerusalem's lofty ramparts haste to build.
21 Then righteous sacrifices-Thy delight--
At each wrong-doing Thou wast near to see:
So be Thou righteous in Thy Word's decree, Then steers whole burnt-shall deck Thine altar's height.
And pure from harsh reproach in judgement's plea.
11fessialt sptaking as the rejJn:soztafivc 0/ /tumanity 7.uitll. 7.ulticn He is suhstantially
one.
PSALM 52.

Sinfulness of Fallen Humanity DEFIANCE OF THE WORLD THROUGH CONFIDENCE IN

CHRIST
7 La! Nature by iniquity defil'd !
. A sin-stained mother knew me as her child! To the Precentor. IVaskil of David. 'VhCl1Docg, the Edomite, carne and
8 Lo! Truth delights Thee, quick'ning nature's source: tofd Saul, and said to him, David is come to the house of Allime/ed
In secret depths Thou giv'st me Wisdom's force. SATAN is a murderer and a liar both in one, for he lies in order to
9 Cleanse me with hyssop, brightly thus to glow: kill. He is the antagonist of the Word of Truth, the Life-giver, to
Wash me, to be more white than dazzling snow.
whom appeal is made in Ps. 5 I. Jesus builds: Satan destroys.
10 My breast with joy and glee Thy voice shall fill :
nut the building of Jesus fails not. Satan may work outward
The bones Thou. crushed'st feel th' exulting thrill. overthrow, but that does not mar the spiritual growth of the
I I Secrete Thy Face, my sins no more to see, heavenly City. We feel Satan's false and murderous tongue
Wipe out all trace of past iniquity. assailing the Church day by day: nevertheless, God gives us a
Tlte I,UII/fln naticrc 0/ Cllrist dcriued from Adam, TIll' Eternal IVisdoJJl con- blessing in return for Doeg's slaughter as for Shimei's cursing.
stitutcs His Person aiity arui lifts lIlt impeJ"sollalll1(}utlllily out o/its sin.
We must not be surprised at any power of speech which works
against the Church of God. I t is but a form of the struggle going
The New Creation in Chris:
on between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.
12 Create me, God, a heart all bright from sin: Power gained by Satan's widespread influence will not stand. All
Renew a spirit of firm strength within. evil words must recoil on them that utter them.
200 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F D EAT H PSALM Sl 201

Anticipate the joyous song of the redeemed, when the accuser of Ps. 14. was for the comfort of Jehovah's covenant people amidst
our brethren shall be cast out. the evil of the wicked. This Psalm is an Elohistic repetition, with
I n vain does Babylon trust in any worldly appearance. Her some slight changes.
power shall be taken away. The everlasting covenant will be Ps. 53. follows upon Ps. 52. with warning to the ungodly, that
revealed, but it is for us to accept our time of probation, that when God cares for His people, and will avenge them, if not speedily,
it comes we may rejoice therein. yet suddenly.
When the terror breaks out, the bold scoffer is full of fear. On
TIlE OVERTHROW OF ANTICHRIST the contrary, God's people must look in time of trouble for deliver-
ance to arise.
Denunciation oj Antichrist Satan by manifold falsehoods rules the course of this world,
3 Thou man of might, why make such boast of wrong? organizing society so as to bring reproach upon the people of
Godhead's great mercy tarries all day long. Christ, and hold them in bondage. The faithful must wait for the
4 Thy tongue is like a razor sharply ground, judgement. Then shall every man receive what is due to him from
Devising ruin, guilefully to wound. God.
5 Thou lovest wrong much more than good to own, The word" God" occurs here seven times. In Ps. 14· the word
And falsehood more than righteous benison. Selah. " God" three times, and" Lord" four times.

His Inevitable Doom TI-lE DESCENT OF THE JUDGE

6 Thou lov'st all whirlpool words, thou guileful tongue!
7 Godhead shall tear thee out eternally,
U prake thee, drag thee from the tent to die,
Uproot thee from earth's living progeny. Selalt.
8 The righteous when they gaze shall be aghast,
And burst in laughter at the sight at last.
Thanksgiving jor Final Deliverance oj the Churclt
9 La, not in God his stronghold sure that mighty one would place,
But trusting in his wealth so vast, grew strong in his disgrace.
10 Whilst I like a green olive-tree that grows in God's own floor,
The Corruption oj tlre l¥orld
2 The fool's heart bids him boast, "God there is none."
Corrupt, abhorrent, malice have they done.
No! There's not one that doeth good, not one.
This Elotristic Psalm refers to tlu Church in tile urorld,
TIle Scrutiny oj God
3 The sons of men God from high Heaven survey'd,
To see if but one heart, by prudence sway'd,
With suppliant love would sue tow'rds God for aid.
God watctirs over indi'lJit/urr.1 souls like A "t;pas.

Shall in God's mercy place my trust for ever evermore. One and all Perverted
II For ever will I give Thee thanks for that which Thou hast done,
And hope in Thine all-glorious Name with saints in union. 4 But all are backward turn'd, a fetid whole!
Read forth the names of men !-on all the roll,
There's none that doeth good, no, not one soul!
PSALM 53. Eoery one 11171St C011te to ./lIdgeJllCllt.

THE FOLLY OF TILE WICKED WHO SET GOD ASIDE TIle Voiceoj God
To the Precentor. Oil lrfahalath. j]faskil of David 5 Since all work villainy, is knowledge fled?
THE fool is Satan's dupe. He would slay men. He would deny They eat my people simply as their bread,
God. By denying the Godhead of Christ he would bring the God- And God meanwhile have not solicited.
Man to death. Ilerod's massacre 1,'101..- place at t/u: (. l l o u sc oj" Bread. "
 P SA L M 55· 203
202 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F D EAT H
f
i
Philistine inroad. God will deliver thee in times of danger by
The Judgement coming suddenly ways of which thou canst have no knowledge. He rules all, and
6 There did they fear great fear, where fear was none! He cares for thee.
As Christ was "an alien to His mother's children," so, alas,
See! The besieger's bones, how God hath strewn!
Christians treat the life of faith as alien from them while they
God has refused them! Thou their shame hast done!
live for the world. Let us be dead to the world and true to Christ.
TI4C Church in fur nffiic:liull 'Will /1£ a cause 0/ sliam« to her /Jt.:rst'cutors.

The Deliverer appearing in Zion CARNAL OPPOSITION TO CHRIST

7 I srael's salvations! Now from Zion speed ~ TIle Cry oj Distress

When God shall turn to turn H is people's need,
Then Jacob shall be glad, Israel rejoice indeed! 3 God, save me in Thy Name;
IJrobably 'we 1nny n:fi:r tltis oerse to tlte conversion (1/ Israel at tl,e etui 0/ tlu. My cause with might redress;
world.
4 God, hear Thy suppliant's claim,
The prayer my words express:
5 For strangers 'gainst me rise,
PSALM 54.
The fierce ones seek my soul to be their prize,
THE CONFIDENCE OF THE FAITHFUL AMIDST THE • They set not God before their eyes.
ASSAULTS OF SATAN
Tntstjul Self-Oblation
To the Precentor. Oil Ncginoth. IIfaskil 0/ David. When the Ziphites
carne and said to Saul, Does not David hide himself with us (I Sam. 6 La God my helper will remain!
xxiii. 26.) The Master is with those who do my soul sustain,
7 He turns th' aggressors' wrong, themselves to enthrall ;
THE Ziphites represent formal religionists who deny its spiritual
Oh! in Thy truth o'erwhelm them all !
power. They look upon the true faithful as bringing them into
8 With willing heart my sacrifice I'll bring,
danger from the world by claims which they reject. They do not
For, Lord, 'tis good Thy Name with thanks to sing;
treat the Divine strength as a reality.
9 Yea! From all sorrow this shall set me free:
Rise above all such debasement of the natural heart. Rise out
Mine eye looks fearless on mine enemy.
of thyself to God, whenever thou art tempted to look to natural
power as the Ziphites looked to Saul.
. Look for Jesus to help thee. If His Presence be hidden, yet it
IS powerful. Thou must not betray Him, but trust in Him. PSALM 55·
Temptations may beset thee. Thou seemest to be left to thyself.
Do not think that God hides Himself from thee. He would have THE WEARY BURDEN OF TilE BESETTING SIN
thee hide thyself in Him, and He will protect thee.
To the Prcrentor. 011 Negillotll. A !/Jaskil oj David
. All who treat the Divine Name as powerless shall feel its power
In vengeance upon themselves. THE soul in its weakness feels the power of Satan. Even though
Accept the difficulty of thy position as an occasion of true self- regenerated by the Holy Ghost, it feels itself wei~h~C\ down by
oblation to God in the power of His free and princely Spirit (Ps. the corruption of the flesh. ".We ourselves ?roan within oU~,sclves,
5 I. 19). This is the opportunity for thee to show thy true relation to waiting for the adoptIOn, to Wit, the redemptIOn of our body. The
Him. .
weak flesh gives power to Satan's tyranny.
God saved David from the danger of Saul by rumour of a
204 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F DE A T H PSALM 55. 205

Our nature seems to be in travail with child. It is with us Reason was man's companion in Divine worship. It should
individually as our Lord spake to the Apostles. They as repre- have trained us in the love of God. Now it is ever ready to assert
senting His Church were to travail in birth with the heavenly any of the conflicting claims of the world, rather than point onward
offspring. So St Paul travailed, bringing the Gentile Churches to that peace which pas seth understanding.
into existence. Such is the travail of the soul in its own individual How sweet to reason with devout meditation upon the things of
consciousness of having to present the Christ-life developed within God! How miserable to have a perverted reason pleading for
itself for the Divine approval. heresy and unbelief! Reason backing up the self-reliance and
Such were the efforts of Saints. Are they ours? corruption of the natural heart is but folly! It must go down to
How we must long for the wings of the dove, the blessed Spirit, hell there to find its foolishness and be perpetuated in the sin of
to carry us hence. Oh I we must long to be with Jesus in Paradise. blasphemy.
We cannot be "as pure on earth as on that spotless shore." Yet Our only security is in prayer. God, if He knows our trouble,
the Holy Ghost has been given. He is bearing us on His wings .. will not leave us unaided. God will hear the cry of the faithful
Not yet to Paradise. First of all to the wilderness! soul; and the heart which relies upon earthly outward power must
There Jesus contended and conquered. We must retire into the perish. Satan will use the flattery of the world to wound the soul.
wilderness, and find peace in retirement with Him. Still must we cry unto God, and He will deliver.
So we renounce the world in our Baptism that we may die to it. . So also is it in the outward struggles of the Church.
Are we renouncing it in our hearts as those who know what being The intellect of the day may be ailied with sensual and social
dead to it really means? elements of antagonism to Divine Truth. Nevertheless God will
Babylon is the world. Do we feel ourselves exiles in this overthrow all enemies. David may be driven away for a wlule,
Babylon, and are we longing for Jerusalem on high? Are we but He to whom the kingdom belongs will come and claim it.
living in the inward experience of our citizenship, so as to have The issue is sure. We must not be fearful. But the intermediate
foretastes, such as we may have, of the" joy and peace in believing," struggle involves much soreness of heart. We must be faithful to
which make up for every forfeiture of the world's delight? the cause of God, watching for the help of the Holy Ghost, abiding
How the various ambitions of the world solicit us and vex us! in the wilderness until the tyranny be overpast, looking for the
David knew that the kingdom was sure, by Divine appointment, Wisdom of God, the manifold Wisdom of God, which shall be
to Solomon, but he loved Absalorn. Probably this made him revealed in the final triumph, when the government and peace of
negligent of his duty to the one, as he was also partial in his the promised Redeemer shall be seen in their eternal manifestation.
affection for the other.
Perhaps we in like manner have confidence in God's grace to
CHRIST AND ANTICHRIST
bring matters to their proper issue, and so neglect the stern moral
discipline by which the treachery of this Absalom in our own
ApjJeal to God in extreme Sadness
bosoms ought to be checked.
Alas! there is a traitor whose council serves to strengthen the
2 God, hear my prayer!
cause of rebellion. Absalorn, the father of peace, is the child of
Stay not conceal'd while suppliant I draw near!
our affections, wayward and long indulged. Ahithophel, the
3 Hark to me! Answer me !
brother of folly, is with him, and that folly is none other than'
I fret and toss myself perplexedly!
the wisdom of the world, the carnal reason. The peace of the
4 The foe's dread voice I hear;
world is opposed to the true Solomon, the Prince of Peace, and
The pressure of the wicked wakes my fear;
the world's folly is the antagonist of the Divine Wisdom.
'Gainst me with villainy they gather near:
Reason ought to have been the guide of our affections, but now
Such angry animosity they bear!
that it is subservient to our wanton inclination, it becomes our
Chris/fie ling' ttu: burden ofdcatlr. wldel, rests UPOJl /nlmd)! nature,
greatest enemy.
206 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F DE A T H P SA LM 56. 20 7
Confidencein God
Human Nature longin.r:for tile Gift of the Holy Ghost ~.
But as for me, to God I cry!
5 My heart within with travail pangs doth quake: The Lord to save me makes reply.
Death's pressures overtake: 18 At eve, at morn, at noon, I muse and moan,
6 Such fear, such shuddering, o'er me came; And He my voice will own,
Terrors enwrapt my frame: 19 He who my soul from threatening war redeern'd,
7 Then said I, who can dove-like wings provide? And gave me peace, though numbers hostile seern'd.
I'd wing my way in sheltered peace to bide! 20 The Godhead hears and answers from on high,-
8 Far would I flee, Enthroned primevally,-Selait-
A lodger in the wilderness to be :-Selah. Waits though no shock of change their pride defy,
9 I'd haste some place of rescue to procure, Though still they have no fear that God is nigh.
From wildering blasts and wasting whirlwind sure.
Continued Lift is C011lJ1I111Z,iolt witlt God. God is tfig/l to sinner and to saint to
Ht! cannot exert His Divine pO'lUcr to sllakt: it off. lit d7.uells in the Bosom o/Cod ansu/er praJlcr and to c.xercisc judgenrent,
by the J/oly CllOst. F.m·tlt is to Him only a lodging.

TIleJudgement Coming
Tile Plots of Enemies
2 IOn him that was at peace he laid his hand;
10 Master, with swallowing wrath divide their tongues! He cared not to his covenant to stand:
I see in city strife and cruel wrongs. 22 His mouth like butter! Hatred fills his heart!
1I By day, by night, they compass every part- His oily words wound with a dagger's smart!
Mischief and villainy that city's heart! 23 Cast on the Lord thy lot! He'll help thee out;
12 See! in her heart nought but distraction reigns. He'll save the righteous from eternal rout.
And in her markets guileful grind remains! 24 God, Thou to death's foul well-hole hurl'st them down
As in II" days 0/ Pdeg, so now. Earlhly pn·de -uroxtd again build Babyloll. 1'1" Ere half their age these guileful murd'rers own!
llL-lot/ed (flll find no rut in tIle city a/flu 'luor/d. But as for me, my trust shall be in Thee alone.
T/ufinat A n tictirist wilt probably auoto a specious Christianity,

Tile Apostate Apostle

13 For 'tis no foe's reproach! That could I bear! PSALM 56.

No open hatred lords it o'er me here;
THE CONFIDENT THANKFULNESS OF THE
I could secrete myself, if so it were.
TREMBLING SOUL
14 But thou, a man that by my side hast grown!
So closely link'd! So intimately known! To the Precentor, On the Silent Dove oj thejar-I'iJ regiolls. "fiktam of
15 Oh! what sweet hidden fellowship we found, David when the Phil£stincs seized hilll ill Gat/l
God's House our goal with buzzing throngs around!
16 athen, let desolation be their end! "THE Dove of the· far-off regions!" Such is the Title. Ps. 23.
Whilst yet alive, let them to Sheol descend! was the utterance of one far off. In Ps. 55. David longed for the
Wrongs fill'd their homes, their hearts! Let these their doom wings of a dove.
attend! Whilst here on earth we must feel ourselves far off from God.
Neither Gath nor the earthly Jerusalem can be our home.
Fur/Iter Liji: is only conrinun nce in sin, Proon tion to 111f1ll socr« profitless.
H cncr our Lord's words to j udas, As the Christian belongs to another world, he must always be a
208 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F D EAT H "

. P SA LM 57. 209

terror to the people of this world. They know his aims cannot be 6 All day my words they torture, and at me
the same as theirs. Their thoughts are but for wrong continually.
The Holy Spirit may be silent within us. He may not give us 7 They band.together : they set spies for strife:
the sensible comfort which we desire. He seeks to develop our These watch my heels, hoping to snare my life.
faith. We must learn that God though far off is none the less S Is rescue theirs, with villainy thus known?
nigh. He is closer to us than any nearness. He is within us. By o God, in anger cast the peoples down!
His covenanted indwelling we must praise His word. Perhaps T~lC SOIt o/God lias come to our laN(i o/wanderings, but fie is 1I0t cut off/rollt CeJri
as C arn 'Was.
the silence is of our own doing. If we would speak to God in the
power of the Holy Ghost, we should find the Holy Ghost
speaking within us. 9 a Thou who dost my wancl'rings well recorcl-
David's taking refuge with the Philistines only brought him into Oh! in Thy bottle let my tears be stored!
fresh trouble. God lets us experience the trouble which follows Does not Thy record careful note afford?
upon earthly reliance. He is watching us, not negligently but 10 Thus when I call, my foes shall backward flee;
lovingly. He keeps record of our wanderings in His Book and This know I well for God is pledged to me.
He treasures our tears in His bottle. The tears of penitent love 11 In God abiding, I will praise the Word!
feeling the anguish of earth's exile, treasured as they are by Gael's I praise the Word, abiding in the Lord!
love, shall be restored to us in floods of holy joy. It is for us .to 12 In God I put my trust; I will not fear
take heed that there is in those tears no bitterness of carnal re- What man may do to me in rude career.
bellion. "Through God I will praise His Word." If we speak The substantial Word sjuaks. lie corctrasts Cod, ill wlLOIJI 1ft..·d1udls, witlt man-
kind, anlOIl&' 1.(l1'01JI lie d1uells.
thus, and mean what we say, we shall not fear man. If we are
rising up to the life of God we shall be dead to the accidents of
time. Others may mistrust us. We must trust in God. We must
13 a
God, the vows I made Thee, Thou shalt claim;
make our vows to Him, and thank Him for the discipline by which Thank-offerings will I render to Thy Name;
He accepts them. Our vows must have an element of difficulty 14 For Thou hast freed my soul from death's dark night;
Thou freed'st my feet from thrust of baneful spite,
while we are far off; otherwise they would not be worthy of the
There before Gael to walk in life's pure light.
response which shall welcome us when we come to our Father's
Tlu Lncarnru e SOIt lorJ/.'sto dealh as/Yt:t'doJII, II,at lIe IIlay return to t/u: Fa tlu:r.
Home.

THE DIVINE WORD THE CAUSE OF FEAR TO THE

PSALM 57.
PEOPLE OF THE WORLD
THE SOUL UNDER THE OPl'RESSION OF TIlE
2 Be gracious, God! Frail man stands panting by, POWERS OF DARKNESS
Fighting all day so fiercely to defy.
3 The aggressors, panting after me with rage- To the Precentor. " Destroy Not." JIliktam of David when lIt

Vast throngs in fight-with lordly boast engage. fled from Saul ill the cave '
4 Yet when I fear, I look to Thee with trust!
5 In' God, I will H is Word with praise -revcre ! WITH Jesus in the cave! Flying from Saul, the world's esteem I
I n God I put my trust; I will not fear The world trembles at the faithful and would fain get riel of them,
What flesh may do to me in rude career. The life buried with Christ in Baptism is a life of forgiveness.
Abishai would have killed Saul (r Sam. xxi.), but David suffered
The absence 0/ Divine glory during: the time of Ch rist:s humiliation. Th~ interior
Presence o/tlu Divine nature. TIre ind'lUdling Word not removing outward difficulty
him not. If we rely upon the Divine promises we shall not wish to
but ensuring uictory, carry out the Divine threats. Any power that troubles us must
VOL. II. 0
210 THE CONQUEROR OF DEATH P S A L M 57. 211

be left to God's own Hand for vengeance. Jesus was crucified that
CHRIST LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RESURRECTION
we might not be destroyed. The world sought to destroy Him, but
His Cross was a place of victory. So do we learn the law of 2 Be gracious, God! Be gracious unto me :
meekness, "Forgive and ye shall be forgiven." Jesus came not to Behold my soul seeks refuge but in Thee:
destroy but to save. The Powers of Darkness would seek to For refuge to Thy sheltering wings I flee,
destroy Him but could not. By seeking to destroy Him they Till ruin's blast pass over harmlessly.
destroy themselves, for His death is to Him but victory. It 3 To God, yea! the Most High, my cries ascend--
is their destruction. Godhead, who brings my cause to its true end.
Christ enters the cave of death? Those whom He would not 4 Behold, from Heav'n He sends, and He will save,
destroy in this world perish there by their own destruction. They Though still the panting foe reproachful rave.
have sought to destroy mankind. Now Jesus exerts towards them Mercy and Truth God sends. Such help we crave.
the power of God. [The music represents their overthrow in the Selah.
nether world.] In the midst of it comes forth the sweet assurance
Christ dying connncnds Ilis soul /(1 tlu: Fotticrs 1,,';1/..·. TIlt I/o!)' GIr:1St procc •.:diJl.!?
of the Comforter. God's mercy and truth will not fail. The breath- /rom tile Father COJJlCSas tilt p07ut.:r o/Cll1"ist's resurrection,
ing lions are spirits of evil. The sons of men are busy with their
evil tongues. Be not dismayed. The refrain calls upon us to look
My soul is in the lion's lair.
for God to show His glory above the heavens. The cave of burial
I Jay me down where flaming hosts appear.
opens spiritually upward, that we may escape and they who
Men's gnashing teeth -spears·-arrows-gird me rouncl,--
opposed God's servants perish by their own machinations. [The
Their tongue a sword made sharp to wound!
music represents the sublime sweetness of Christ's deliverance.]
6 Exalted o'er the heavens, ascend, 0 Cod!
The same deliverance is for us also; but we have to bear the same
O'er all the earth Thy glory cast abroad I
enmity which followed Him in the same love which He exerted, if
7 A net before my feet they throw,
we are to know the same sweet welcome.
My soul he would bend down with woe.
Before the death of Christ, who could give thanks in the pit?
They scooped a chasm before me, where I go !
Now if we die with Christ, we must give thanks. Our heart must
But see how in its depths they fall full low! Se/fili.
be fixed. "The Hind of the dawn" calls from the pit to wake the
dawn of Divine manifestation. It is time for the resurrection to Soul 0/ Clzrist ill 1-1adcs. i:.'vil spirits alld wicJ.:I.:d men, A II pll'l.uer in I tconcn ar ..d
cartll g-i71t.'1l to Christ as A/cdialor. 'Flit-' l,.ium}l! ill l Iruies,
burst forth in brightness. All nations must share in it. I t is as the
morning spread upon the mountains. The grace and truth which
are come by Jesus Christ shine forth from His risen Body, exalted S With heart firm fixt, 0 God-firm fixt my heart--
to the Right Hand of the Father. The true Light now shineth. In songs and psalmody I'll take my part.
Our hearts must be firmly set while we behold Him. The ascended 9 Now let my glory wake!
Saviour is a principle of firmness like the Sun amidst the planets. Psaltery and harp in wakeful joyance break:
J oyfuUy must we join in the refrain. Jesus Christ is glorified on With jocund strains will I the dawn awake.
His heavenly throne, glorified in the saints around Him. IO Thee, Master, will I thank where peoples meet,
Man's predestination was to receive the Divine brightness above Thee, 'midst the masses, with glad psalm will greet,
the heavens (Ps. 8. 2). J Ie enters upon that predestinated glory II For great Thy mercy spreads from highest heaven,
by being lifted up upon the Cross. So He descends to assert His And to the clouds Thy truth's glad light is given.
victorious power that He may ascend in H is triumph. So shall the 12 Exalted o'er the heavens, ascend, 0 Cod!
glory of His redeeming grace fill all the earth. O'er all the earth Thy glory cast abroad!
Christ's hu nt a n IICfl1't fixed MZ (;od, Ilis Divinc glory rcueatcd. TIle: ASCOlSioiL
o./Clzn'st prejJaring/or thc .('orld·widt' EUc/laristJ. Christ's IlPiJlCdom cslahlis/lCd.
 PSALM 59· 213
212 THE CONQUEROR OF DEATH

PSALM 58. 4 The wicked from the womb as aliens ris~ :

From very birth they stray: they utter lies. .
THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD AND HIS FOLLOWERS
5 Their poison'd speech betrays the serpent's bl~e ;
REBUKED
Their stubborn deafness shows the adder's spite,
To the Precentor. "Destroy Not." Jl.fiktam of David. 6 Which heeds no magic voice of mutter'd spell,
THE seed of the serpent are asserting their hatred of the Seed Though the skilled charmer ply his art full well.
of the woman. Messiah appeals to them, whether they have i·ltey arc tlte seed of the scrpmt.

righteousness in their hearts. They complain of God's govern-

ment as if the cause of righteousness were neglected. Whence 7 Smash Thou their teeth within their mouth, 0 God!
this eagerness? It is only a veil for their own greed, that Those cubs! Lord, wrench their grinders with Thy rod!
they may act with violence under pretences of legal exactness. 8 0 let them waste as streams in constant flow,
Their reformation has its origin from below, not from above. Like headless arrows, worthless for the bow,
They will not listen to the voice of Truth because there is no truth 9 Or like a snail still wasting as he goes,
in them. Woma~'s abortion, which no sunlight knows!
The words echo back, as it were, from the Cross against the God's vengeance 1tpott thcnt,
multitude, and chiefly against the chief priests who had got Jesus
put to death when He came in God's Name to call them to 10 Before your pots have felt the thorn-flame play,
Divine righteousness. He would not pretend to enforce an ex- The wild simoom sweeps th' uncook'd meal away!
ternal morality that had no life or issue. He had come to II The righteous joys to see such vengeance meet!
communicate the grace of righteous life to a new generation. Blood of the wicked one shall bathe His feet!
"Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice." 12 And men shall own what fruit the righteous gains:
Their teeth shall be broken in their mouths. Running waters, Truly o'er all the earth Cod's judgement reigns.
broken arrows, wasting snails, loathsome abortions! Such would Tlui1- sudden overthrow. CIL1"istglorified in. Ilis Cll1trc/l t/"'{Jug/lOlIt flu ':..vorld.
they be. The commission which God had given to them had
failed of abiding power; it had missed the mark. It was crawling
away in the slime of earth instead of lifting them to Heaven.
PSALM 59·
It was given as a germ of Divine glory, but it never attained the
perfection which God intended. Thus had they misused their TIlE SOUL LIFTED UP IN CHRIST ABOVE TIlE MACHINA·
trust. They were striving to dress a meal for themselves with TIONS OF TIlE WORLD
thorns of their own kindling, but the simoom of Divine wrath would
carry them away. To the Prarentor. "Des/ray Not." Miktafll of David;. nuhcn Saul sent,
a1Zdthe)1watched the h01lseto killlzim (I Sam. XIX. II)
The destruction of Jerusalem would be the very symbol upon
all men's lips of the certainty of Divine vengeance. THE cave (Ps. 57.) implied the nether-world triumph .. The escape
How careful must we be that we are not looking to our own through the window symbolizes the Resurrection .. ThIS last PS~I~l
plans but only to God's righteous judgement! . or de'I of composition , perhaps the earliest of all DaVId s
was first 111
THE JUDGEMENT UPON JERUSALEM Psalms. . . .
But why" Destroy Not" if Christ IS risen? Th~ rise.l1 Saviour
2 What? speak ye, Godheads, truly righteousness,-· . t d b the Church militant. The symbolism IS twofold.
With upright judgement man's poor race to bless? IS represen e Y .' "Y' d d -itl
There is the lifeless image lying \11 the ~ed.. e ale ea \\ ~ 1
3 Surely in heart ye work maliciously, CI . t" There is the Bride watching beside It. Her love IS With
,Your hands dispensing world-wide cruelty! H~~\ilat has fled from earth unharmed. The image with a cover-
Tlte fews perverting tli. law.
 214 THE CON,QUEROR OF DEATH PSALM 59. 21 5
let of goat's hair spread over it represents not only our spiritual Jewislt Antagonism to Christians
lifelessness, but our carnal sinfulness. He has fled, not by the
7 At dusk, like dogs, in growling troops they come:
door of earthly departure, but by upward flight.
The city rings all round with snarl and hum:
Think of thyself wedded to Christ. Thy life is with Him that
8 Their mouths o'erflow with vile malicious words!
has escaped. Thine earthly being is only like the image. The
Who hears ?-What random talk that boast affords!
world seeks to destroy thy heavenly life. I t cannot follow so as
TIre time o/tl[e Evening. .
Sacrifice. . close ()/
The Jtl. ie fe-wish dis~cnsatioJl.
~
to seize upon the heavenly inheritance.
Saul represents the Jewish nation from which the Church God Ready to Avenge
(Michal) took its rise.
9 But Thou with laughter, Lord, art looking down,
We pray that all Jewish hearts may be driven to wander, so
And mock'st the Gentiles from Thy lofty throne.
that they may find their rest in Christ alone (verse 12). The Jewish
JO 0 Thou, my Strength, I lift mine eyes to Thee,
nation were to be scattered, "not slain." They must be "brought
For God my lofty Tower shall ever be. .
to an end, and be no more." They cease to be Jews and are
grafted into Christ. II Praise God! His mercy shall my footsteps guide :
God shall reveal how vain th' aggressors' pride!
So must all our carnal thoughts of religion come to an end. . At. o'wer r securit)' in the conflict, lJ{ercy
]Ji'lIim: strengtlt by tire Lncarnatron, t'J
We must see that we ourselves rise to our own heavenly portion, in ti,e R esurrcction and reward.
while we pray for the ancient I srael to have their blindness taken
away. Scattering of liteJews tltrougliOut all Nations
So in the morning of the Resurrection we shall chant of God's 12 Slay them not, lest my people should forget! 1
mercy. God is our Tower, and the pursuing enemy cannot follow Drive them by force as wanderers, wandenng yet.
us. Dogs ran snarling through the earthly city. Not so in the Thou, Master, as our Shield wilt still b~ set.'
heavenly. All evil is far away. "Without are dogs." [3 The word they utter fills their mout~ WIth. s,? \
Let them be trapp'd by their own pnde wj thj n .
Their lies and curses well such doom may WIn !
CIIR1ST AND HIS SUFFERING PEOPLE
[4 Consume in wrath! So let them cease to be !
The Cry o.f God's People God's rule in Jacob let them learn to see--
Rule reaching to the earth's extremity! Selalt.
2 Deliver me, my God, from enemies! TIlt Jews exiled but 110t destroyed. "Vr~tlt belongs ~o loue. It is 1I0t I.
ia trc d, 1'1"
Raise me from reach of rebels as they rise! JeWS lose !Iuir st.'jarate cluiracter b), conuersion to flu/alllt,
3 From villain-workers, oh, deliver me !
The Satisfaction of tile Resurrection Morning
Save me from this blood-thirsty company!
4 For, 10 ! their ambush lurks my soul to slay: 15 At dusk, like dogs, in growling troops they come:
A stalwart band they are that vex my way: The city rings all round with sn~rl and hum.
I sinn'd not, nor transgress'd! Lord, near me stay! [6 These craving crcatures tramp In quest of meat,
5 I'm blameless! How they run to choose firm ground! And, if unfill'd, they will not q~it t~e street ..
Rouse Thee to meet me! See them standing round ! 17 But I Thy strength in song WIll still proclalm,-
6 Lord God of hosts! Thou, Israel's God, awake, Ring forth at morn to praise Thy mercy's N amc.
Thy visit to all Gentiles now to make! To me Thou wast a Tower, for aye the same,
Such masks of villainy no grace can take. Selah. Asylum sure as oft as trouble came.
Ch rist appeals Jor the Rcsun'cc;t/O"!l. So //is Cf,ur,!: in tIle last days appeals/or [8 0 Thou, my'Strength, I'll lift Psalm to Thee, n:~
JIim to come arui be gloriJit:d in !-lis saints. Jews Ilave /Jt!COllte L-'ottill'S b), n:iecting- For God, my mercy's God, my lower shall be. .
Messiah. . t" t 0 th«,. end . TIre ntarning: oj th e R esurrrction to /ol101.u.
J eunsl: anta~onlsul COil I1lulng
 PSALM 60. 21 7
216 THE CONQUEROR OF DEATH
thousand are slain, they are slain that they may have, through
PSALM 60. that Blood, a better life.
THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CROSS AS THE STANDARD OF THE ROYAL BANNER SET UP
VICTORY God's People devastated by their Enemies
To the Precentor, On Sh1lJItall,edlltli. lIfiNalll of David. For 3 God, Thou hast scatter'd us, content to spurn ;
teaching. Whe» he contended unt]: Syria.lIfesopotamia, and Syria-
Thou hast been angry; grant us now return.
Zobah, and /oab returned and smote of Edom ill the 1!!!lJCY of salt,
4 This earth of Thine, how didst Thou shake and break;
twelve thousand men -,
o
heal its shiver'd fragments for they quake!
WE read that the Syrians of Zobah and Bethrehob and Ishtob 5 What hardness to Thy people didst Thou show!
sent large forces to help the Ammonites when David was at war Thou mad'st them drink the wine of reeling woe!
with them. David's victory and the plunder of Rabbah (2 Sam. The 7Jict01J' o/tlre Cross lItfl1zi/est in: lite Rt'SlIrYectim: after ttre threc Psalms 0/111&
xii. 29), are the occasion of Ps. 21. It was probably the great effort i/uu days' burial.
of this war which left the south country exposed to the incursions Tile Advent of the Promised Messiah
of Edom and the Philistines. Abishai was sent to meet this
distress. Probably Ps. 44. belongs to the same period. 6 To those who fear Thee Thou hast giv'n a sign,
We may perhaps regard this Edomite episode as a punishment A rallying centre whence the truth may shine,-Sc1al!.
sent upon David for the sin which marred the triumphs which 7 Yea! that Thine own beloved ones may go free!
were being accomplished in the north. The nation was not N ow with Thy Right Hand save! yea, answer me !
TIlL' Cross is tlte centre o/ti';;'olioll, tlu: pledge 0/7Jictmy, ttr« test 0/ t rn th.
g.uilty of any unfaithfulness to God's covenant, but the King had
sinned. The Edomite invasion was a great calamity. Never, Ttte A'inK spea/~s,recalling l/ie Divine Prolllise
theless God did restore victory to I srael, as the last stanza of this
8 God spake in holy pomp of heavenly train;
Psalm says. David was penitent.
I will exclaim allotting Shechem's plain,
This Psalm of victory evidently points to the Resurrection. The
And cast o'er 'Succoth's vale it my measuring chain.
Cross is set up as a standard round which we are to rally.
9 Both Gilead and Manasseh are mine own;
The Church militant is achieving great victories from age to age,
And round my head is Ephraim's stronghold shown ;-
and yet we have to deplore her weakness. I niquity abounds.
Judah, the sceptre of my royal (h rone ..
We must look to God nevertheless with repentance, faith, and
10 Attendant Moab shall my washpot bring ;
hope. "I-Ie has sworn by His holiness, and He will not fail."
My lordly shoe o'er Edom's realm I'll fling;
Edom is the carnal Jew. We may take this Psalm as pointing
With shouts of triumph let Philistia sing.
to .the conversion of the Jews in the last age, and thus it comes T/tis Psai"t sums up the three prccedittK ones in a stiou: 0.( 7 ictoYy: Its rt';ati01l
l

suitably in connection with Ps. 59. to thern is intensified f.y Psalm 108., wlzic/t. unites tlu: closing p~rbO'.ts 0/ / sahns
The Beloved sings a golden song of exultation. "The lilies of TIJ Vict01Y (1/ Calvary is lure celt:bratcd in its relatlO1ls/lIp to nIji.""Jlfll
57. all d 60 . te " R d H the three
the testimony" adorn His march. He subdues Aram, the lofty jJo1.uers. Tire rcpt.·titi01t sets it /ol'ilt as belonging to t se l~' renter, - ~rt: ~
Psalms oftlte grave f"ceed, it. TIt"re the Psalm of High Priestly exaltattOlIfollo1uslt.
powers of spiritual pride, Mesopotamia and Nineveh, the hellish
-----;-
1~h;-~ctory in the valley of salt over Hostile Edom contrasts with the Shepherd
power, ~amascus, the world. Salt tells of Divine judgement.
guidance through the valley of neath, amidst green pastures, where the Conqueror leads
The ancient people are smitten with its barrenness, as Lot's wife. "His flock. The only two places in the Psalter where valley oc~urs.
II II. .
Nevertheless Divine power shall raise them up. We are not to P~. 44. seems to belong to this same period. At any later per-iod before tbe extl~l It
would seem to have been impossible for the Psalmist to appeal as he does to the conunu-
be surprised that the conquest of this Edom is delayed. It waits
a nee of national faithfulness. (Ps , 44· lB.) . ..,
for Him that comes with dyed garments, treading the wine-fat. we learn from the Moabite stone that the war with l\'~o~bwas ~pec~all~ a ~'II1{.l1cat~on
The Blood of the Passion shall be victorious in the end. I n this of the Lord God of Israel, as opposed to Chemosh, their Idol god. I'his victory, like
the overthrow of Sennacherib, was a supernatural triumph over heathen blasphemy.
war the Victor's robe is dyed with H is own Blood. If twelve
 \

218 THE CONQUEROR OF DEATH PSALM 62. 2I9

Confidence in the Divine Victory The inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven IS sure to all who
Who'll
bring me to the city of strong walls? . N The Kina is eternal. Endless
II abIde in the Triune ame. ." h TI f God
Who leads me forth to Edam's stately halls? aenerations gather round Him. He SItS on t e Hone a .
12 Ah! Hast not Thou, 0 God, rejected us? ~vith the Father. Living truth is the substance, mercy the exer~.lse
God with our hosts no longer marching thus? of His rule. The response of endless praIse IS what I WIll "Ive
13 Give help against th' oppressors' rage to strive! to Him.
Salvation is hut vain that man can give. THE ETERNITY OF THE KINGDOM
14 Great force through God shall all our acts possess;
2 0 God, my ringing cry vouchsafe. to hear;
And He shall stamp them down who would oppress.
Yea to my supplication grant Thine ear.
Petra. EdolJl sold cflptive f cios as slaves. Plli/isti'a helped tlleJlI to do so.
3 Fro:n farthest earth, fainting, I call to Thee:
U pan the Rock I reach not, lead Thou me !
PSALM 61. 4 Thou art the Refuge which alone I know,
A Tower of Strength in presence of the foe.
THE INHERITANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
S For ever in Thy tent I'd be Thy guest-
To the Precentor. Oil Ncgilloth. David's Thy wings my refuge i-there secreted rest. Selah ..
Christ sjunks CVCIt.1W'lU through tlteftcblenus o/tlu: -urorld-ioide Ctno-cli.
JOIN with the cry of the Church spread throughout the world.
Jesus who humbled Himself to our lowliness speaks in our feeble- 6 Thou hear'st my vows, 0 God! Thou giv'st a claim
ness. Faint may be the voice, but it has the music of the Incarnate Of heirship blest to all who fear Thy Name.
Word, giving it tone and sweetness, so that our prayer, by reason 7 See the King's life through clays on clays endure,
of His fellowship, travels to the very ear of God. His years as countless generations sure!
For David the ends of the earth speak of exile. So in some 8 See the King throned with God eternally!
sense for us also. The phrase implies that God is in Heaven Mercy and Truth prepared His guards to b.e
and we upon earth. While we pray to our Father in Heaven 9 So to Thy Name my ceaseless psalm I'll raise,
that the Kingdom of Christ may come, we are bewailing the To pay Thee all my vows through endless clays! .
shortcomings of its present inchoate existence. The victory is Tlu inlu:ritancc 0/ Heauen, Tlu dC:1la IS. ons ""r
.••.0/ rChrist . lIis cansubsra ntial
God/lead. Ifis Diuin« actiuity. lfis media tonal oblation.
won, but the Kingdom of Grace has still to fight its way from
age to age. God is leading us through paths of discipline to
the Rock which our natural faculties cannot yet grasp, although PSALM 62.
there is in the Rock of Divine Sonship, whereon the Church is DIVINE STRENGTH PERFECTED IN HUMAN WEAKNESS
built, an attractive power which fills her with life, and draws
her onward to a glory beyond human reach. To tlte J> recen Ior. 7'0 J'T.ed1
'Ill
<
Ul1. .II Psalm of
'.I David

The valley of salt, where our great David has triumphed, is for THIS Psalm .IS .m many ways t It'ie win a f Ps ., 39 Both . are attri-
us a valley of desolation wherein we have still to fight with buted to J eduthun. Ps. 39. prepared for. the declara~l~n ~f the
powers of evil, but that which is the symbol of natural deadness Acceptable Sacrifice of the Perfect. 1\1~n 111 Ps. 40. 1h IS I salm
is also the symbol of Divine incorruption. The Church is the re ares for the Resurrection Morning 111 !'s. 63· . . .
salt of the earth, having the purity of supernatural life. P I~ both the Psalms we have the injunction of silence, sllen.ce 111
The ark now brought to Zion is David's home. There he would the resence of enemies, because they lead ~an's nature to sImple
r
dwell for ever. The Humanity of Christ on the heavenly Zion is angerP'I Sl ence t ow a r,cis Gael because salvation comes H' nom Ham 1111,
the tabernacle of our home. The wings of the Holy Dove, which ~he v~cal silence of trustful love, which looks up to irn to. acc. -
bear us hence, shelter us there in love, plish our hopes in ways beyond what our hearts can Ima~ll1e,
 220 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F D EAT H PSA LM 63· 221

Ps. 62. sets forth the silence of expectant prayer; Ps. 65. the 8 On God my safety, and my glory rest!
silence of ineffable praise. In God is my strong Rock, my Refuge blest!
r Whatever be the appearance in the world, Christ has triumphed. 9 People! In Him your constant trust repose!
.fhe standard has been set up, the standard of the Cross. The Pour out before His Face your heart's deep woes!
Issue is sure. The Accepted One has received exaltation, and God is for us a Refuge from our foes. Selah.
although J:1e seems t~ be feeble, like a bowing wall, yet the whole
thrus~ of sln~ul humanity cannot overpower the dignity which God 10 Surely they're vapour all! their lords a lie!
has given H IIn. Yea, born of vapour l Weigh them! They'll mount high:
1 I Trust not brute strength, the robber's vapoury gain!
Ps. I I. prepared for Ps, 12. There, as here the world is seen
mocking. a~ if all must fail. Individually and c~llectively, we have Howe'er thy force expand, unmoved remain!
to meet It in the consciousness of salvation coming from God. 12 Once hath God spoken! Heedful audience give!
"':'h? ar~ these men that mock us? Mere vapour! Any boast I hear the voice through echoing ages live!
of distinction which they may have is but a lie. All strength, all strength, is God's prerogative!
God's Word is an eternal power. He who comes now with the 13 And, Master! hail? Mercy Thy praise shall be,
message of God's love is the same by whom the worlds were For Thou dost pay whate'er man works for Thee!
Th c weakness 0/ man. Outward success 1I0t to be relied upon. COllfitiCIICf in
creat~d. "God spoke and it was done." 13y the same Word are Cod's Word. COlfs mercy as great as LLis power.
all thmgs kept in store. The laws of nature are but His utterance.
God so strong, as Creator! God so merciful in the Covenant of PSALM 63.
Grace!
TilE IZESL'RRECTION OF TIlE SOUL BY GRACE
He who raises us out of nothingness by His power, nevertheless
vouchsafes to rewar.d our acti~ns if we use His grace. Every gift A Psalm oj David, tulic): Ile 7IJas ill tile wilderness oj JI/daft (2 Sam. xv.
must be used for H irn, and enjoyed along with Him. ::!3,2g)

LOOK up to God, anticipating the Resurrection! The earth is a

TIlE SECURITY OF THE FAITHFUL IN THE KINGDOM wilderness, but it is the land of Judah, if Cod's Praise hallows our
WHICH CANNOT BE MOVED hopes Faith anticipates the blessing. The Church militant must
praise Cod, looking to drink of His Divine fulness. We thirst
2 Surely in Godward gaze my soul grows dumb! because we drink. The thirst is the very measure of our life, and
From His lone Love does my salvation come! not to thirst is to die.
3 Surely my Rock, yea! my Salvation He! The Resurrection was early in the morning in relation to the
My Tower! None now shall greatly batter me ! natural day. Supernaturally it is itself the very dawn of the
4 How long must one man feel th' impact of all? eternal day. We seek Him by faith, early, here on earth, who is
Ye think Him a frail fence, or bowing wall ! the very Sun of Righteousness constituting the brightness of the
5 Surely they counsel to thrust down His throne: Day of Divine life. It is dark night until we find Him.
Lies please them! Hark ~ their lips make blessings known: There is no water upon earth to refresh the soul. The only
Vet hatred's curse is all their hearts can own. Seiall. water of refreshment comes from the throne of Goe\. It is the
. 'l.'Jzcfoal/leY stlldi1t.~ lIre SOil. f esus tlie Rock 0/ Sn.;'Nr.tioll. TIle Holy Cllost very Blood of the Lamb spiritually COlllmunicated from the
butld",,% tlu Tourer. TIle: 'wt'al.:u(·ss o/IJu: Iflc:arllat~ a/>/JL'n.rllllct,.',
glorified Body of the Crucified.
The consubstantial fellowship is the life of Messiah, the
6 Surely to God, my soul, thou must be dumb I contemplation of 1-1 is external life, the substance of 1·1 is Divine life,
From Him my silent hopes accomplish'cl come! and so in IIim the life of all H is members. The Triune N a me IS
7 Surely my Rock, yea! my Salvation He! the vital power which gives efficacy to the triumph upon the
Yea, He my Tower! None now shall batter me? Cross. The Soul of Christ rejoices in the renewal of His
222 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F DE A T H PSALM 64, 223

Humanity from the power of the grave, so that His Bodily Nature PSALM 64.
exults in the heavenly Halleluyah.
THE BLESSEDNESS OF THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR
Thus shall we attain in the Holy One of Israel to see God's RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE
power and glory. The Divine mercy raises us up to new life in
the Resurrection of the Boely. The Word humbled Himself to To tlte Pram tor. A Psalm of David
become flesh and will exalt us in the power of His Spirit. KEEP watch, for the enemy seeks to destroy thee: but look up with
All our enemies shall pass from the possession of earth's power confidence to God. While He upholds thee, the enemy can do
to the hiding-places of earth's hollowness. thee no hurt.
The avenging angels, the ministers of God's judgement, shall They hide themselves. Sin lurks under many pretences and
give the prince of evil, and all who share his doom, to the sword of excuses to ensnare thee. Thou mayest be wounded at any
God's mouth. The evil shall be a portion for the evil spirits to moment unless thou hidest thyself in God's Personal protection.
whom they have given themselves. Messiah and His people , Thou canst not see, and they think that God cannot sec. They
shall rejoice in the Divine life. The Kiagdorn of Truth triumphs do not see how God is protecting, but thou must be ever looking
over all falsehood. out for His protection if thou would'st profit by it.
THE EXPECTED MORN It is with the individual soul as with Christ when the Jews
2 God, Godhead mine! To Thee at dawn I press, seemed to prevail over Him at His Crucifixion. Thy greatest
With soul athirst, flesh pallid with distress, emergency shall be thy moment of triumph if thou art faithful.
On earth so dry, so weary, waterless! So will it be with the Church in the final apostasy. The gates
3 Thus in the sanctuary I look'd to Thee, of hell will seem to prevail, but at that moment shan Christ
Thy strength, Thy glory, longing still to see. descend with His saints in glory, and the enemy sha\l be over-
4 Thy mercy's goodness lives o'er life supreme: thrown. God permits the evil to rise to a head in order to make
My lips' applause such glory must beseem! thee look more steadfastly to Himself. Their plans will turn to
Mercy, Goefs ltig/lest attributr. their own hurt.
While thou restest in God, knowing that He will bring upon
S Thus will I bless Thee, blessing Thee will live!
thine enemies the evil they have devised, thou must remember that
My hands uplift! Thy Name their power shall give!
He will as surely bring upon thee the evil of thine own doings
6 Thou rnak'st my soul with sap-like freshness spring,
unless thou look to Him with pen itence.
While from my lips Thy gladsome praises ring.
The righteous shall rejoice in the King, the Lord, our Righteous-
7 Upon my couch did I remember Thee,
ness, and those who are upright in heart, the true J eshurun, shall
With Thee still watching meditatively:
praise God when the dangers of the treacherous world shall cease .
.8 For Thou to me a constant help art found:
I shout with joy to feel Thy wings around.
THE ENDURANCE OF SCORNFUL UNBELIEF DURING THE
9 How cleaves my soul to Thee with converse bold!
SHORT-LIVED TRIUMPII OF ANTICHRIST
And Thy Right Hand sustains with constant hold!
·10 But those who seek my soul, intent to slay, 2 God, hear my voice, whilst musing on my woe!
Themselves beneath the earth shall pass a way. Guard Thou my life from terror of the foe!
II The powers shall give him to the sword to waste: 3 Secrete me from cabals intent on wrong,
Jackals shall swallow them as their repast. The villain-workers in their noisy throng,
TIle Godk'"d o.lllre Cruci/icd, Tire 11II1IIa",·Iy glorified. TIle Ily}ostillic tin ion-
4 Who whet their tongue with sharpness of the sword,
Sn ta n tIlt Ill:ad and all tltat be/OlIff 10 hint, utterly ouert/iroron,
And bend their bow,-their shaft a bitter word-
12 The King in God shall joy for evermore: S To hit the perfect One with secret aim!
Who swear by Him with praises still shall soar, Fierce they let fly, nor feel they fear of shame!
While every mouth is hushed that lives by lying lore.

I
I

224 THE CON QUE R 0 R OF
6 In plans of wrong they soon get fortified:
They reckon up how best their snare to hide:
They say, "Who sees? We shall not be descried! "
7 They think how best malicious deeds to dress
"We've cogitated that with cleverness!" ' Presence' but that Presence necessitates a greater harvest. The
Man's inner self, the heart's depth, who can guess?
Tlu plans ofthi Hilih Priests not to take f esus
8 Now on themselves God lets His missive fly.
How swift His arrow! See! In wounds they lie!
9 What stumbling! See! On them their tongues come down:
Men shake their heads! Each one that looks thereon!
10 All men shall fear, and own the work of God,
Now learning to revere His vengeful rod.
II The righteous in the Lord finds joy, and he
To His embrace for refuge blest shall flee:
And all th' upright in heart pour praises ceaselessly.
The fall if Jerusalem. The imprecation if Christ's Blood on their own htads.
The whole world rccog-nieing the v&nlieance 'fJllichfol/owtd.
PSALM 65.
PRAISE DUE TO GOD BOTH IN NATURE
To the Precentor. A Psalm of David.
IN prayer the soul must look up to God, hushed in adoration, to
receive from Him what His infinite Wisdom gives. So it is in
praise. His goodness surpasses our prayers in asking, and our
praise when we would give Him thanks. Yet we must come "even
up to" Him, and this can only be by living ourselves in Him who
is both God and man, our glorified High Priest who presents the
Eucharist of all creation to the Father in the oblation of His own
Flesh whereon we are called to feed. Our sins keep us afar off, but
His righteousness avails to bring us near.
o the happiness of being thus brought near to God in the
covenanted fellowship of the Church militant, the courts of the
heavenly Temple, which is the Body of Christ.
This is the only Benediction in Book 11., the anticipation of the
heavenly glory of God's holy palace.
The physical and moral creation testify to God's power, the
,') ,r.\-..
~: '
PSALM 65· 225
DE A T H
waves of the sea and the tumults of mankind are under His
control.
God visits the earth. The gentle processes of nature which
enrich the soil so that it brings forth harvests of plenty tell of His
Sower comes into the world to sow the seed of truth and immor-
tality. The stream of Divine grace quickening the new earth with
on the Feast Day.
righteousness, the corn of a renewed humanity, the showers of
manifold blessing softening the hard nature of man's heart, tl?e
furrows of penitence ploughed by severe discipline ~nd made fruit-
ful in the germination of holiness, the laughter, testIfy to HIm: but
His own essential goodness is the crown of all. The year would
end in vanity if it came short of Him. A song spri~gs up from
Creation. God Incarnate fills His Church with the VOIceof eternal
't'
,
song.
THE HARVEST SONG OF THE GREAT DAY
TIle Blessing of God's Covenant
Silence, 0 God, to Thee shall be the praise
2
Which Zion gives. To Thee her vow she pays.
3
o Thou that hearest prayer attentively,
Hush'd, hanging upon Thee, all flesh draws nigh.
Iniquities beyond our strength prevail: .
4
AND IN GRACE But Thou wilt purge transgressions we bewail.
Happy whom Thou dost choose and gather near:
A SOll,~ 5
Thine outer courts shall be his dwelling here:
And satisfaction blest our hearts shall cheer,
The goodness of Thine House, Thy Temple ever dear.
Silettt uronder at tlu: manifestatiM of Goas work in tlte Earuest of th« Resu rrection.
The Disciplinary Government 0/ God
Oft in dread signs Thy righteous answer came,
6
God of salvation! how Thy trusty fame
All ends of earth-sea's boundless realms-proclaim!
He in His power has fixt the mountain's height,
7
Wearing the girdle of resistless might.
The roaring seas, the billows' roaring swell,
8
Men's singing masses-H is grea~ power can quell,
9 Those from afar shall fear Thy SIgns to see:
The gates of morn and eve Thou wak'st to ringing glee!
A II created pO'W(1"S mbject to Goas controi:
VOL. II. p
226 THE CON QUE R 0 R 0 F DE A T H

The Abundance of Gracefor the Nourishment of SjJiritual Life

10 Thou visitest the earth, Thy joy to pour :
What overflow of wealth Thou there dost store:
Full waters stream from God's rich reservoir:
Surely Thy treasured grain shall greet the shower:
II I n oozy fields the riches drench'd subside:
, Such c?untless raindrops doth Thy power provide:
I'hy blessing makes the crops in prosperous growth abide. HEPTAD
God'sfeofle in lI,e CI,u,.c1,. JIlilitallt arc like the sad ltiddm in the ground.

PSALMS 66.-72.
The Fruits if Grace in tIle FillallJ111nifestation of God's Saints
12 Thou crown'st the year with all Thy goodness rife: INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The dripping of Thy wheels awakes fresh life:
13 Thy desert pastures drip with juicy green:
THE CHURCH UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY
The heights are girdled with exulting sheen:
14 Flocks in the meadows couch, a mantling throng: GHOST
The corn's gold drapery spreads, the vales along:
All nature shouts aloud: yea! all breaks forth in song! . THE Son of God coming into this sinful world has
~Jre clouds are God's chariot, So Christ slzall Come witlt tlu clouds 0./ Heaven. manifested the Divine Wisdom, and is now building up
Tlu)o)loJl,S S/tOlit 0./ harucs t flnticipatin/: tIlt: Resurrection Day.
the walls of Jerusalem, in the pO\.ver of H is Resurrection.
The Holy Ghost is carrying out His work upon the
earth, perfecting the number of the eJect, and so leading
onwards to the full development of Messiah's King-
dom, which is the consummation of David's prayers and
of the Divine promises.
Ps. 66. shows what the struggle is by which Goel
delivers His people, His Spirit striving with man amidst
the bondage of sin wherein mankind are held.
Ps. 67. is the outcry of the soul as it realizes the
Divine Presence making mercy manifest by using those
who have received it, so that they become the instru-
ments of evangelization throughout the worlel.
Ps. 68.- This magnificent Psalm, which is the great
perplexity of the merely literary critics, is the triumphant
ode of the Church going forth as intimated in the
preceding Psalm, so as to achieve the victory of Christ
in the power of the Holy Ghost.
22i
228 THE CHURCH PSALM 66. 229

Ps. 69.- The declaration of triumphant power IS Sovereign with Wisdom and righteousness. The Spirit's
followed by the appeal of human weakness struggling work is represented as the rain coming down upon the
against the enemy. He who is sunk in the mire, the grass .. The City of God is a city of life. The glory of
Representative of humanity waiting for God to display the life of this Kingdom surpasses all earthly symbols.
His power of deliverance, is the Redeemer to whom the In the glory of this Kingdom all the prayers of David
faithful looked, hoping for God's promise to be fulfilled. are fulfilled.
His brethren hated Him because of His steadfast alle-
giance to God, but He appeals to God to deliver Him PSALM 66.
from their fury and also from the powers of hellish dark- DELIVERANCE IN TILE !llIDST OF JUDGEl\IENT
ness which were seeking to swallow Him up. lIe appeals To Ille Precentor, A Song: It Psal»:
for the overthrow of the Jewish synagogue, because they
Turs Psalm is called by the Creek Church, in accordance With its
persecuted the people of God whom He would bring
title in the LXX, the Psalm 'of Resurrection. The allusion to the
to new life. The covenant of God's Name shall be Reel Sea indicates its use as a Paschal Psalm. So we may use It
transferred from the carnal Israel to the spiritual. In with refercnce to Easter and our baptismal deliverance.
the weakness of the suffering manhood He speaks with Judgements upon Egypt and subsequent enemies arc the tokens
of Divinc deliverance, and yet thc people of Cod are often thcrcb y
the thunder of the irresistible Godhead gathering up
involved in transitory troubles, These are permiucd for our pro-
for vengeance.
bation and purification. .
Ps. 70. is a fragment adopted from PS.40. It serves God's love leads us to joy through fcar. \Ve must fcar 111m
to unite the two books preparatory to the closing con- because of what J Ie is. H is holiness, JI i!5 love, cannot be known
summation. I's. 40. had proclaimed the acceptance of by us except in proportion as we know our own sinfulness and our
unworthiness of that love. Cod's love requires true hol inuss In the
Messiah in preference to the legal sacrifices which were
objects of His love. Vve must fear to lose it. His love is thc very
cast aside. The two previous Psalms (68., 69.) have life of life, and Iifc without His love, the knowledge of H IS love
illustrated this by setting forth the power of the Holy without possessing holiness so as to be worthy of it, would be
Ghost whereby God arises and asserts the triumph of intolerable.
the struggling' Humanity. The beast-power of the world seems to havc thc Church under
PS.·7r.-Here Messiah appeals to God that I-Ie may its control. That is the fault of Christendom giving itself up to the
intoxicating pleasures of worldly power. Neverthelcss, the Lord
not be ashamed. The enemy are watching for His
knoweth them that are His, and not one of them is lost. The
destruction. This points to His own descent into hell Divine life remains in thc Body of Christ as the promise of Christ
and to the feebleness of His Church. God may suffer the remained with Divine power amidst all the vicissitudes of the older
shame for a season, but He looks forward to exhibit the covenant.
Arm of the Lord, His triumphant Humanity and the >- The Psalm closes \\'ith individual acknowledgement. I t may be
a king who speaks, or the individuality of expression may be thc
Spirit of might by whom He shall be raised from the
outburst of individual feeling. Such individuality Illigllt be tinder
dead. the Old Covenant, and it is indispensably necessary tinder the new,
Ps. 72.- This is the Psalm of the Kingdom. The work The corporate life of the Church does not supersede, but it inspires
of the anointing Spirit is exhibited as filling the the individual consciousness of thc faithful.
 THE CHURCH PSALM 67·

Individual Self-Consecration
o So. be it with thee in reciting this Psalm. Join with all in the
pe~lng strophes. Consecrate thyself individually to G d . the 13 Holocausts to Thee I'll bring,
closing ones. 0 111
Vows with truth accomplishing-
14 Which mine open'd lips did make,
THE DELIVERANCE OF THE CHURCIl FROl\I TilE Which my mouth in trouble spake-
WORLD POWER 15 l-lolocausts of fatlings blest,
With the ram's rich fragrance drest,-
Choric Praise Bullocks-goats-at Thy behest. Se/a/t.
Tile duty lif praise to tile em!tltaut God. O//o-iugowrscLzfu as livi;:t: sacrifices.
Shout 1 to God! Yea! All the earth
2 Psalmodize 2 His glorious Name! '
16 Ye that fear God, all come near!
~Iory as His praise proclaim :I !
All His deeds will I declare.
3 Say to God, Thy eleeds we hear'
17 Prayer to Him my mouth shall raise
Cringing foes Thy strength must' fear.
And my tongue bring lofty praise.
4 All the earth, in hornave bent
P I b' 18 Look'd my heart to villainy,-
sa ms shall bring, yea, psalms to Thy great Name present
Deaf the Master then would be.
Se/alt. .
19 Well God hears whate'cr I say,
Tlte f( iugdo)J{ 0/ Clzrist O'lJL'r all the 'World
'WI/It alllllfl.llkiJId. . Tlu Name) i.e. tIlt coucnn nt 0/ God Prompt to answer when I pray.
20 Thus to Cod shall blessings be,
5 ~ome and see what Gael has wrought: Hearing prayer so lovingly,
Sons of men by fear He taught. Keeping mercy still for me !
God's 1"((ufim:ss to a nstucr tlic/nitlifJ(.l p1'a)lc1' (J/tllC indi1.,j.l:ml.
6 Land He showed where seas were spread.
Footmen troel the river's beel.
'I,'hus with joy through Him we speel !
PSALM 67·
7 Evermore He rules with rnivht .
Gentiles cannot 'scape His ~gh;! TilE LIFE Of FAITll STIMULATING TilE SONG OF PRAISE
Stubborn rebels i-Vain their fight! Selah.
To the Precentor. Oil Neginotl«: A Psaint. A So JIg'
TIre pasragc 0.1 tl,.: Rcd Sea.

" My prayer and His mercy." So the last Psalm ended. God's
8 Therefore, peoples, bless our God: infinite mercy is received by us according to the intensity of our
Send the voice of praise abroad. prayer. Our faith and our desire are the only measure of its
9 He our soul in life assures:
communication. In itself it is infinite.
11e our foot from slip secures Now follows the prayer for grace. It comes forth in the glory
10 God! The furnace proves us :rhine . of the Resurrection as the song of world-wide praise.
Thou as silver dost refine. . The risen soul wakes to the eternal day of the divine manifesta-
11 Thou to watch-tower dragg'dst u d
~,'. s own,- tion as the body wakes to the sunlight.
Mad st our loins sore burden own: God sends lIis grace by His Only-Begotten Son. Our High
12 V~le men rode upon our head; Priest gives us blessing in the Name of the Lord. The light of
F'irc and water safe we tread, H is Face is the Spirit of Grace coming forth from the I ncarnate Son,
Thou to plenteous boon hast leel ! who is the image of the Father. [The music strikes up that the
Israet uias GOlfs uiatc/i-tourcr. iVOW Ilu 'word' , or . soul may make an act of adoration, contemplating the Triune glory.]
Ollly 11a'c. IS use, 0.1 ty ra n ts (1j>jJrcssi:lK thern.
 232 THE CHURCH P S A LM 68. 233
This Revelation is a trust which we must communicate to those
who are afar off. The whole world is to share it. It is as limitless PSALM 68.
as the light is in the natural world. The Aaronic Benediction,
hushed for a moment when the Fore-runner was promised, becomes THE POWER OF THE DIVINE INDWELLING
the limitless Benediction of the Church Catholic, now that Christ is
risen from the dead. To the Precentor. David's. A Psalm. A Song

All are to praise God! A world-wide Judah! All are to offer the THE Church of God goes forth on her missionary march through
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving in --;;;ion with the ascended the world. The blessing of God" making both one," uniting Jew
High Priest. The dum bness of fallen nature gives place to the Song an,~ Gentile in the new covenant of grace, rests upon ber with
of thanksgiving. assurance of victory. "Goel shall bless us, and all the ends of the
This song of praise is not only to commemorate the past. It world shall fear Him."
brings forth fresh blessings from God. His blessings develop in I.-We must feel that we are now, as ever, the Apostolic Band,
exhaustless fulness while we praise Him. "The ground shall give and that God is "working with us, confirming His Word with signs
her increase" (Zech. viii, 12). That increase shall be a Divine following." If we do not see the signs, the fault is our own. "Ve
increase, the inexhaustible treasures of Divine fulness. All the must confess that we do not ordinarily look for them. This Psalm
nations of the world are called to share in the blessings of the must rouse us to faith. We cannot scatter our enemies. God
Divine adoption. will. We must not look to our gifts of political power, wealth,
genius, zeal, earnestness, piety. We must simply call forth the
THE CHURCH TITE EVANGELIZER OF THE WORLD co-operation of the Holy Ghost.
II.-The joy of God's Mission, the gladness of Cod's face
2 May God 1 be gracious," bless h us evermore, manifest in the Incarnation, the glee of the Holy Ghost's inspira-
And from His Face His light with joyaunce pour.s Selah. tion must fill our hearts. Messiah rides through the wilderness
3 So shall Thy way through all the earth be kllown,- of the world. We must prepare the way for JAH, and praise Him.
To all the Gentiles Thy salvation shown. llI.--He will not leave us orphans now that He is gone to the
Father. The orphan and the widow do not lose His care. Their
4 0 Cod," let peoples raise the voice of praise! condition pleads for it. Only such as these can receive Cod's
Their praiseful voice let all the peoples raise! bounty. Weakness is the normal condition of the Church 111 the
Let joyous masses shout with ringing strain world. God bath chosen thus to confound the strong. He makes
For upright judgement crowns Thy world-wide reign, solitaries into an household. One by one must hearts be drawn
Who lead'st the masses peopling earth's domain. Sflall. away from the world to be built up into the Body of Christ. He
leads from the Egyptian bondage of sin to prosperity. The hard
6 0 Cod," let peoples raise the voice of praise, and worlelly may have this world's sunshine, but it only parches
Their praiseful voice let all the peoples raise! them.
7 Earth shall o'erflow with gifts by Thy kind power, IV.-See the powers of Nature waiting upon God's will at tl,le
And God, our own God, bless us in that hour. Exodus. [The music summons us to a reverent sense of. Goel's
8 God in rich blessing shall to us draw near, Majestic Presence]. Earth and Heaven announce the exhibition
And all the ends of earth shall own H is fear. of Divine power as the Cod of Israel comes forth. It IS Christ
who comes forth at the head of J J is people from the grave. The
infernal powers of the earth quake. The heavenly powers drop
down to earth as the sphere of this victorious demonstration. 1t
is the beginning of a yet greater convulsion when Cod will shake
not earth only but also Heaven. The whole created universe shall
234 THE C I-IU R C H P SA L M 68. 235
be so shaken that nothing remains but what is true to the original darkness to devour the slain on the field of death. "Not by power,
Word of the Eternal Creator. Sinai and the wilderness of the nor by might, but by Illy Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
world are shaken. Zion remains as the Home of Peace for God's VI I 1.- The mention of Salmon suggests the contrast between
children. the peaks of Bashan in their pride and the lowly hill of Zion, strong
Y.-Nature could not support God's people on their march. in the pledges of Goel's presence and power. The people of God go
God rained upon them bread from Heaven. Moses did not give forth in faith, a flight of feeble doves, age after age. The Church
that bread. It was a type of the greater gift when the Church. of in the world is the Zion which seems outwardly so insignificant.
God should go forward on a greater march. THOU refreshedst. IX.-Nevertheless "they are more that are with us than those
Christ now gives to us from His Father the true Bread from 'the that are with them." An innumerable multitude of angels surround
true Heaven. I-Ie waves it as an oblation before God as well as the Church. They wait around the throne whither Christ has
the nourishment of His chosen ones. He offers it as the wave- ascended. They minister while He sends down the gifts of grace
sheaf of the great Harvest of the Resurrection, and then He gives upon His Body, the Church militant, for His Divine glory dwells
it to His people. in man, and this is the object of their worship, the Incarnate Cod.
The congregations of Israel are Cod's inheritance, the spiritual The Patriarch's vision of the ladder to Heaven is accomplished by
Israel, gathered from all ends of the earth (Ps. 2.). The faithful the Ascension.
individually are God's favoured herd. The difference is somewhat X.-We must praise the A, :ended Mediator. Death cannot
like the neuter and the masculine in the Preface of St John. hinder His power. I-Ie carries along with Him the spirits of the
Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, who dwell III Cod's just who were the captives of Bashan's gods in Shcol. [Perhaps
inheritance so as to receive the out-poured blessing. the first outburst of music may signify the resurrection of the dead
"The poor One" is that Humanity which belongs to God's along with Christ when He rose, ancl the second may signify the
First-born. Israel of olel was blest by prevision of Christ, who resurrection of the faithful at the last clay.] "He that liveth and
should be born of them. H is poverty still claims for us as His believeth in Me shall never die." Death cannot separate us from
true members the true riches. His life, His love. He does not break away from Zion. He is
VL-\Ve are with Jesus in the heavenly Canaan. His Name still the God of our salvation. He leads our continual Exodus.
makes the people of the land to quail. His victorious Presence He does not save from dying, but through dying He saves us from
is to be proclaimed by the Churches throughout the world. There the state of death.
are the women who meet the conquering army with songs. So XL-He will smite our enemies. "The Lord upon Thy Right
must we sing the Psalter, the triumph-song of Christ. We must Hand hath smitten him that was head over all the earth." This is
look to receive our share of the spoil when the Church militant is the chief of all Bashan's false gods. This carries us on to the
all gathered into the heavenly Jerusalem which is the mother latter days. The" hairy scalp" seems to refer to Antichrist, for it
of us all. has apparently a reference to Absalom, who was a type of Anti-
VI 1.- Meanwhile we must follow the Ram of God in H is battle christ. The enemies are a united body in antagonism to Christ.
against the world. They are not worthy to be His sheep who The head may be taken in a social or literal sense, himself as head
lie among the sheepfolds in the quietness of earthly indulgence, over the nations or his own head smitten in death.
like Reuben, content to be unmolested on the other side of J ordan. The Messiah will bring His people from the overwhelming power
The Spirit of Peace is the Spirit of Power. We must fight now, if of evil as I-Ie did formerly from Egypt. The mysterious region of
we would share the spoil along with those at home. We in our Bashan with Jordan anel the Dead Sea constitutes a type of the
weakness are the instruments of Shaddai, the Almighty. The world of darkness, our present state in the deadness of nature and
doves must be seen whitening the slopes of Salmon. We are the future state of the departed, until the last enemy, Death, shall
doves, a heavenly armament, not horsemen, acting in earthly be destroyed. Then Cod's people shall be raised in glory. Even
power. But we must not shrink from the battlefield. We are t he Powers of Darkness carry out God's vengeance. They are
doves by whom the Divine victory is to be won, not eagles of Messiah's dogs, lapping up the blood of the rebellious. Dogs
 THE CHURCH PSALM 68. 237

probably imply human agency as bulls imply angelic. The God is the strength of Messiah, and we appeal to Messia~l that
ungodly shall perish in terrible visitations of wars in the last days. His strength may be ours. "Be strong in the Lord, and 111the
We may take the fall of Jerusalem as a primary accomplishment power of His ~ight." The work was ~is beginning, an~ It shall be
of this announcement. The place of God's feet -should indeed be accomplished 111the end by the unfailing strength W~llCh He has
washed in blood, and the Roman armies would be the dogs of war commanded with the fulness of blessing on ZIOn. I'he Tem?le
avenging His death. is the security of Jerusalem. That Temple is the Body of Christ.
XII.-We must think of the procession in which David is That I30dyexalted on high is the true Temple from whence the
conducting the ark after his return from the other side of J ordan, blessing of Christ proceeds confirming the words and. wO.rk of
and feel that it is still going on, for the type rises to life and His Servants. So shall all nations be brought into subjection to
lives on in the anti type. We are all in procession, advancing Christ.
towards the heavenly Zion. The promises of God belonged to XV.- The hippopotamus, the bulls, and the calves, represent
the earthly Zion only as an initial stage of the spiritual glorification. worldly powers, chiefly Egypt, ;IS a comprehensi~e symbol. They
The Powers of Darkness are subdued. "Who is like unto Thee, must prostrate themselves with gifts before MeSSIah. .
o Lord, among the Gods, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, All the glory of the world is to be given. to the people of Chnst,
doing wonders?" (Ex. xv. I I). not, we may be sure, in its present condition of lifelessness, but
The procession is of warrior-worshippers, singers (perhaps in some manner beyond our imagination, even as the glory of
prophets of bygone ages) and minstrels, those who have yet His Temple raised above Jerusalem is what ~ve cannot understand.
to carryon their warfare in the body. Maidens with timbrels The old world is not to be swept away, but It WIll be transfigured
round about, dancing on each side, are virgin souls exulting in so as to have part in the heavenly glory of the redeemed umverse.
contemplative ecstasy. The appeal of Ps. 67. is thus accomplished. Jerusalem. as the
XI I I.-Go forward along with this multitude, rejoicing in the City of Cod is raised to supremacy in all. .
waters of refreshment, the gift of the Holy Ghost; the river of the All worlelly powers are to be overthrown If. they oppose them-
Water of Life, proceeding from the throne of God, and of the selves. They that would not have Him to reIgn over them must
Lamb. The pool of Siloam symbolized this, but none knew its be slain in presence of the Conqueror. The beasts probably
power until the day of Pentecost. Now we must drink thereof represent the evil angels who hav.e charge ov.er the countries. of
continually. It comes to us with all the merits of Christ's Passion heathenism, worshipped under animal forms 111 those countl ~e;.
in the power of the Holy Ghost. He drank of the brook of sorrow Egypt and Ethiopia, as being the enemIes best known \l1 David 5
in the way of humiliation. We must drink of this brook of mystical time, are singled out. . ..
glory in the way of our heavenly march. He is Himself the 'vVay : Probably it is implied here that while the evil spurts who ~eek
His blood the heavenly stream of life whereby we are enabled to infuriate them against Christ, are to be destroyed, the nations
to lift up our heads. themselves will be redeemed from their tyranny, and WIll become
The brave tribe of Benjamin was gIven to Judah when the worshippers. . . .' .
It ought to encourage us in prayer for \11~sslons and 1111111SSlon-
others revolted from Rehoboam. Probably the mention here is
with prophetic allusion to St Paul as the chief Evangelizer of the ary work, to think that evil angels are. holding the heat!lcn do\~ n.
We have not merely to contend WIth human prejudice. 1he
world, while most of the other Apostles came from Galilee, and so
are signified by Zabulon and Naphtali. demon-power will give way to prayer at last, and when that IS
cast out the ransomed people will be ready to accept all truth.
XIV.-Kings are to bring presents to the world-wide sovereignty
So in th~111 shall be fulfilled the type of the demoniac, clothed and
of Messiah. But how? What they bring is from the heavenly
Temple to the heavenly King. They bring what they have them- in his right mind. ..
XVI..-Thus must we look for the earth to w.elcome WIth
selves first of all received from J-I im. Goel gives us gifts of the
acclamations the sovereignty of Jesus. [The music represents
Holy Ghost; but expects to receive the same from us with usury,
the tranquillity which follows upon the overthrow of the evil
as talents given to us wherewith to glorify Him.
 THE CHURCH PSALM 68. 239
hier~rchy.] We should remember also particularly that the
III
comIng of the Seed of the woman was in order to wage war against
these. infernal spirits and crush the head of the serpent. This
God ddiveri1~r;the Captive
promised Conqueror, the Second Adam, is the Lord from Heaven.
He was in the beginning with God, ere He came in the flesh. Now 6 Father of orphans! Widow's Guide!
H.e comes a?ai~ into the world. At first He came riding in the In mansion blest doth God abide.
Wilderness, r.e. 111 a state of humiliation. Now He is to come 7 God homeward loves the lone to lead-
riding upon the clouds of Heaven with the glory of the holy angels Brings bondsman forth in wealthy speed-
and all the angels of God are to worship Him. But still the stubborn dwell with sultry need.
XVI I.-Thus the Psalm brings us to the glorification of Messiah God is delivering His jeojle/rom a worse bondage than that 0/ E!{)'}t.
th: In~arnate Go~, upon ~he eternal throne. He is glorified i~
HIs saints, for their glory IS what they share with Him. I t is the
enthronization of the l'rince of Peace. IV
T.his . Psal~ thus po~·trays the spiritual, triumphant history of
~hnst In H IS Church, In her Pentecostal march from age to age. God's People marching tllrollKIztile Wilderness
fhe Church must next be seen suffering amidst the hostility of the
wor.ld. in ~)s'. 69· At length we reach the kingdom of peace as 8 Before Thy people's face, 0 God,
exhibited 111 ItS integrity in the culminating Ps. 72. Thy marching power Jeshimon trod. Selah.
9 How quaked the earth with fear o'erthrown !
Before God's Face the heavens dropp'd down:
THE CHURCH'S MARCH OF PENTECOSTAL POWER God's Face, yea! Israel's God must Sinai own.
Natural convulsions at tltcfirst l....
·xodus.

The Appeal v
2 Rise, Cod, and quell the foes' proud boasts:
God's Care for 1-lis Inlceritance
Thy Face shall fray their hateful hosts.
3 Drive them as smoke's frail drifting cloud! 10 The wealthy shower Thall, God, did'st wave,
As melts the wax .vhen fire hath glow'd, Strength to Thy fainting birthright gave.
So perish from God's Face the proud! II There bode Thine herd! There to the poor
IVit11 llzese 'words Israei began. tlu:ir marches in tIlt wildernrss. Thy goodness, God, brought stay most sure.
TIle gift o/malllla.

II

VI
The Proclamation of the Coming God
4 But righteous souls exultingly Tile Welcome of tile Congregation awaiting lite Warrior
Find God their joy, their ecstasy!
12 The Master's speech! Hark, how it rang ~
Sing ye to God! Psalms suit His Name!
Women in crowds the victory sang!
Pave ye the wilds where drives H is fame!
13 Kings flee-their hosts flee-fast away:
}AH is His Name! To Him exclaim!
At home the mother sorts the prey.
First the <viMe,.""s o/Sin"i. Then tilt voice 0/ Jolin tlu Baptist in the wild'nless.
Early -uictorics ceieoraftyl as i)'lt's 0ICllri~" C{}lIfjut.Ting ill J lis Clmrctr,
 THE CHURCH PSALM 68.

VII
Xl

The Spirit if Power rebukillg Fail1t-lleartedlless
14 Why lie ye thus the folds between,
Ye, the dove's wings, whose silver sheen
Should sparkle high with golden green!
IS Shaddai by her fray'd kings in fight!
Glitter'd the snow on Salmon's height!
Th~/aitlifltt1Jlust rise above earlMy plea",re
Ghosl. The doves on the dark Itill-side.
and fight in th~ power o/the
Overtltrow of tile P07lJerof tile Enemy
22 God surely smites each head that hates,
Rough scalp of miscreant runagates.
23 The Master speaks; I bring thee free
From Bashan and the abysmal sea.
24 Smite with thy foot thy bleeding foes:
Holy
Thy dogs shall lap the blood that flows.
Christ smiting Antichrist. As frollt tlu sea of old, so frollt Bas/urn, WliitJur

flavidjled/rom Absniont . Basha« a type o/tlle nether ruorld,

VIII

Zion and Bashll1l XII

16 A mount of God is Bashan's mount: The Religious Procession of the Universal Church.
Mount Bashan many a peak may count.
2S Men watch Thy march, Thy march Divine,
17 Peak'd mounts! Why scowl thus enviously?
Godhead, my King, through holy shrine 1
The mount where God desires His seat to be,-
26 First singers, minstrels last, are found:
There dwells the Lord to perpetuity.
Maidens with timbrels dance around.
Hashan, the world. Zion in her drougld and Ilftlllility has a greater strength for ener, God's jco}!e (Ire a spcctrzc1eto tiu: world.

IX XIII

God dwelling in His People and surrounded by AlIgels
I8 ~od's chariots, countless hosts in line!
There Sinai's Master claims His shrine.
19 Ascend the height! Lead captives bound!
In stubborn men Thy gifts redound,
For God,-for ]AI-I-a dwelling found!
Christ's Ascension and the gift o/the
Tlte Psalmody of Ihe Holy Ghost
27 l n gather'dthrongs bless Cod! Recount
The Master's power from Israel's fount.
28 Small Benjamin is there, their cry!
And Judah's princely company, .
Princely Zabulon, princely Nap~tah !
l/oly GllOsl. The Apostolic ministry- St Faltt and tlu Galilean Apostles.

X XIV

Safe Passage through the Vale {if Dealll ll-fessiall streJIgillening His People
20 High blessings to the Master raise! 29 Thy God, Thy strength! God, ~o\~ for us
He bears our burden all our days, Make strong Thy work accomplish d thus,
Our great Salvation's Godhead praise! Selah. 30 Bless Thou from Salem's Temple-Crown:
21 Godhead, Salvation's Godhead, ours! Kings shall to Thee with gifts bow down.
Aposlft-s witli
Lord, Master, Thine death's passport powers! Selah. C/irist in tlu: l/e(l.vtll/y jerllsa/OIl c01sjirmill,![ tlu word 0/ l iis
Christ streng'thens I lis people to bear tll,· world's liatrrd. Iriuinc power.
VOL. II. Q
 ,~.

THE CHURCH PSALM 69. 243

XV thou must be prepared to enter into the abyss of darkness along

Final Judgement on tIle Powers of Darkness with Jesus. This great Passion-Psalm follows the exultant strain
which we have just been considering, because the Passion supplies
31 Rebuke the beast from reedy lair:
the law of the progress. I t is not a mere casual coincidence
Bull-troops and calf-like people scare,
of expression which binds the two Psalms together. The one
With silver nuggets crouching near!
celebrates the Divine ·power. The other portrays the human
If war delight, disperse * them there !
suffering in which that power is manifested. I n truth there can
32 See, peers * approach 1" from Egypt's land!
be no manifestation of Divine power in the world but in the
And reach to God the suppliant hand!
fellowship of the Passion. Outward strcngth and prosperity serve
. ~gypt, !/zc sJIJIl~ol of the jJ(J'wer 0/ Satan ilt tIre world. Tile bulb and Ul!7,CS;
spl1"rts 0/ ~rl or tlUIY pro,![eny. Ttre 'Wealth 0/ tIle world is given to Ch rist as 'ZUlu
rather to hide than to reveal the inward strength of Divinc
Israel spoiled tI,e J-.g-ypfians. Those who oppose 1J1I1S!pe17'slt. ,1t life.
The saint has to struggle, and in so doing he has to confess the
XVI
helplessness of human nature, summing lip all thc experiences of
Tlte HomaglJ Of tlte Universe earth in the intense cry, "Save me, 0 Cod, for the waters are
33 To God let earth's wide Kingdoms sing- come in even unto my soul."
The Master praise with tuneful string I Selah. Thou hast to contend against thine own flesh. The mire of the
34 On heavens, since heavens first moved, He rides- abyss is the accumulation of thine own earthly life. Tilc·re is no
A voice, a voice of strength provides. substance, no firm footing, so that thou canst rely on anything
Christ IrlrOllpltant over all tIlt: earth. that thou hast done. The watery depths of spiritual evil are such
as to overwhelm thec.
XVII
Look up to God in thy distress. Think how thy sins arc more
ClosiJ~gDoxology than the hairs of thy head. They are Powers of Darkness dragging
35 Give strength 1 to God, with anthems loud! thee to evil which thou must conquer in the po\\·cr of Christ.
O'er Israel spreads His splenclour proud: As for outward foes! do any hate thee, treat thee coldly,
His strength 2 is borne on car of cloud. disparagingly, without cause? Think how thou deserves; more
36 Let God be fear'd from this Thy shrine, than all this, because of thy conduct towards Cod. Accept hatred,
Godhead of Israel's chosen line I scorn, coldness, misrepresentation, as a great blessing, if thou art
With solid strength 3 His people shine: thus enabled to realize union with Christ.
o God, all blessing still be Thine. How God searches through thy heart I He" knows" thee.
The streltg-tl, 0/ ti,e "ternal Father, 0/ tl" exalted manhood all { of tA H / Pray that thy faults may not turn to the injury of the Church of
Ghost d'lUcliing in the Church. ,( U ,0 Y
Christ. We must take to ourselves much self-reproach, with
shame-faced penitence, because of the injury we have donc,
PSALM 69. making the enemies of Cod, seen and unseen, to blaspheme.
THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL IN CONFLICT .WITIl ITS GREAT Think of J esus, accused as if He were mad, and that too by II is
ENEMIES nearest kinsfolk. Think of Him bearing all the violence of the
Jews for Cod's sake. Fear not to fight against the world. Shalt
To the Precentor, On lilies. Dalll"d's
not thou glorify God, by accepting for His sake, if He permits it,
THE soul that has pressed onward in its Pentecostal march has what thou hast in truth deserved for thy sin?
yet a severe struggle to pass through ere it can reach the kinvdorn Let thy earnestness of devotion to Cod in pri vatc be com-
of peace. If thou hast joined in the Triumph Song just concluded mensurate with thy public endeavours before men. l l umblc
* Only here. thyself with fasting. Fear not if even this, as in David's case,
t Only here in Psalter. The word is found ill Deut. xxxiii. 2, l sa, xli. 5, J er. iii. '22. bring thee to blame. Men in station may reproach. The world
•
THE CHURCH PSALM 69. 245

may deride. This shall turn to thy good. Look up to God. He the Lord is." His precious blood is the fruit of a Vine whose holy
will rescue thee. inebriation shall transport thy soul with the ineffable calmness of
Perhaps thou art sheltered from such public assaults. Never- Divine joy.
theless, remember the gate of death through which thou hast to The world can give thee nothing but disappointment. Think
pass. The powers of evil will assail thee there if not before. what was the return which the world made to Christ. Do not
Thine only security will be in Cod's protection. Satan would think to reap the fruits of any Divine service while thou art in
swallow thee up. He is himself the very abyss whose well the world. God will reward !-I is people in this world more often
threatens to close upon thee. H is own wickedness is the doom by suffering and reproach than otherwise. Accept all pain, wl~eth~r
wherein he shall be cast, and all whom he has enslaved in sin shall in body or mind, as an instalment of the glory of Christ, which IS
be cast there along with him. to follow. If we suffer with Him, we shall be glorified together,
Do not think that God despises thee because FIe leaves thee to and the glory shall be proportionate to the suffering. How small
Satan's assaults. He desires to prove thy faithfulness, thy hatred does suffering seem in the light of the future glory!
of sin, thy reliance upon His love. If He seem to hide H is face That which will turn to thy blessing if thou duly accept it, w: 11
from thee, yet thou art not hidden from Him. How the self- turn to the curse of them that would bring evil upon thee. They
surrendering prayer of Daniel closed the lions' mouths during are blind in their assault, but palsied in their attack. The fire of
that night in the den! Such be thy prayer! So let it close the God's wrath will pursue them.
mouth of the great lion! So claim the redemption which One The Passion is a battle-scene, I ts purpose is the overthrow of
mightier than Daniel has obtained! Live in the power of His evil. God does not will that thou should'st endure suffering
prayer, as being one of His members; but pray with all the merely for suffering's sake. The Heel must be bruised of Him
earnestness which His grace imparts, as being one of His living who should bruise the head of the enemy. The bruising shows
members! Thou must struggle in the power of H is life, if thou the Divine life which remains unharmed, and triumphs in the
would'st know the glory of His Redemption. end. So with Christ. So with His people.
The sympathy of men will not enable thee to obtain an answer The imprecations which follow are the utterance of the Great
from Goel. Their violence, as it calls fort h thy faith, will bring the Judge. While suffering on earth, He pleads for the re~ot1 of l l is
answer down. sufferings upon the guilty, that God may be glortfi~a, and the
Indeed there is no human heart which can know thy need so as victory of the Cross may be perfected. The enemy suffers nothing
to comfort thee. Jesus has sent down the Comforter, and those but what he himself has sought to inflict upon the Seed of the
who would comfort can only comfort thee in His strength, and woman. But every blow that he strikes against the Body of
they must know the consolation wherewith they are comforted of Christ must recoil upon himself. It recoils upon him from the
God, if they are to comlort thee. No earthly sympathy can reach invulnerable Body of Christ, with all its force unspent. 1-1 e must
deep down to soothe the soul in her greatest struggles. Enemies feel its fulness, and thou, as living in Christ, shalt have Thy
gave gall to Christ and vinegar. The best of earthly affection is reward.
nothing better than gall and vinegar when the soul is suffering in Satan's slaves strive to drive God's people from tbe Horne
anguish for sin. That which troubled the soul of Christ was not which God has provided for them. They must be driven from
the vinegar from the soldier's bowl, but the bitterness of the wild their own tents. Take heed that thou abide in God's l lousc.
grapes which He found, where He had planted a vine that should' The tents of earth shall give no shelter to those who sinfully
yield grapes of sweetness.
take refuge in them. , . .
Think not to have thy sorrow mitigated by any earthly refresh- Recognize sllfferings as a token of God's loving discipline,
ment. Give thyself to Jesus as sharing in Ilis Passion, who Him- whether for thyself or for others. Speak not of them contemptu-
self has conquered thy sinful adversaries. We give ourselves to ously, but rather rejoice if thou rnayest share any suffering along
Him, as gall and vinegar. He gives Himself back to us, all with Jesus. .
sweetness and nourishing delight. "Taste and see how gracious Live in holiness, that thou mayest be more holy still. Avoid
 THE CHURCH PSALM 69· 247

all sin, for he that is unrighteous must become more unrighteous, servants shall serve Him, not in the oldness of the perishing letter,
~f he break not off his sin. There must be a continuous growth but in the newness of the filial spirit of grace. The Church glori-
In evil, unless we welcome with thankfulness the riahteousncss of fied in Heaven, is the ancient Home predestined for the elect,
God. o before the foundation of the world.
. Th~ Seed of the woman is come to conquer death, and so to The name of the Holy Trinity is the regenerating power wherein
give life unto the world. They who will not come to Him that we find admission to our Father's House. We must abide in His
they may have life, must be blotted out of the Book of God's love. As we live in the Spirit, we must also walk in the Spirit
Predestination. They are the children of perdition not b setting our affections upon things above. So shall we ever be
M essia. I'1 s neg I'igencc, b ut by their own inherent
r
'
antagonism. Y with the Lord.
fake heed to overcome by faithfully confessing Christ before o my God, I give myself unto Thee a living sacrifice, know~ng
men, that so He may not blot thine own name out of the Book that Thou wilt accept me in the Beloved. Grant' me so to cling
of Life. to Him, that He may dwell in me and I in Him for ever. .
. Th~ls m~lst thou follow Christ. Drink of the cup of His agony Remember in saying this Psalm, that all its imprecations must
In st:lfe Wltl~ the evil one. So shalt thou find the power of Jesus rest upon thy carnal nature, if thou would'st rise to its benedictions.
manifested In thy salvation. Praise God for what thou hast to The outer man, the old Adam, must be conquered, if thou would'st
suffer here. Thankfulness is the true offering which He requires rise in the inner man to the call of grace. No half measures!
of thee. Death to sin! Life to righteousness!
God woul~ deliver t~lee from this evil world. Do not complain As Psalm 68. sets forth the triumphant march of the Divine
of the suffering by which He is working out thy deliverance but Sovereign, so this Psalm speaks of the struggle of the Humanity
humble thyself in penitent confession of sin. ' in which the Son of God, as the Divine Agent, suffers at the hands
Thou I~ast to combat t~y sins. Think not that God will accept of men. The two Psalms arc related as Pss. 2[" 22. The Incarnate
any sac~'lfice as a substitute for thankful love. The sacrifices of Son is in the mire of man's sinfulness, and that not merely as an
the Jew.lsh temple were types of Christ. Thou must give thanks external condition, but as a form of existence with which He ~s
to God In t~~ power of the Spirit of Christ, as being one of His livingly associated. The waters were not merely aroun~ HIS
m~mbers: I ake up thy Cross and follow Him in the likeness of Body. They came even unto His soul by the sympathies ?f
H IS Passion, Lea:n of :-1 irn to be meek, seeking simply to draw human life. Thus" He was made sin for us," and He felt the SIl1
near to G?ci as ~)ell1g HImself thy perfect satisfaction. So must with which He was thus identified with all the intensity belonging
thou ,chensl: a lIfe hidden witl~ Christ in God. Thy poverty will to His own vigorous health, as "the Holy One of God" in th~ flesh.
~ppeal to. Him. He sees thee 111thy bondage. He who sent His He bears the sins of all, but prays that there may be nothing 111
Son to WIl1freedom for thee will not despise thee because He sees Him to put to shame those who seek God. He has. come. to make
thee bound. But thou must show Him that thou dost hate the God manifest, and the hatred which He encounters IS against God
bondage. and not against Himself. . ..
The Seed of the woman has won the victory and all the I I His own people rejected Him, and turned even HIS relIgIOUS
I '" . . . ' leaven y
iost JOIl1. WIth man In praismg God Contempl~te the ,t t' exercises into a matter of reproach against Him (verses 10, I I).
" . "Ies ora Ion
of all things WhlC~l IS thus being accomplished by the redemptive The Divine power left Him alone in His suffering, but He looks
power of thy Crucified Lord. All creation is to be made bi t for its help to vindicate Him when His suffering is complete. In
Z. su Jec
~o man: IOn, s~ parched and barren upon earth, is to be exalted the struggle against sin, He must conquer as man, although sus-
In glonous salvation. The hymns of praise are to resound through tained by the immortality of His Divine Person. When He enters
th.e heavenly Jerusalem, Look forward to stand along with the the o O"rave, He will triumph by the manifestation of His .Divine
triumphant Lamb of God, among the hundred and forty and Nature, so that the deep cannot swallow Him up. He (lIes., ~ot
four thousand (Rev. xiv.). to satisfy the Divine anger, but to show Himself as the DIVlI1e
The birthright of Christ belongs to all of His members. His Lord.
 THE CHURCH PSALM 69. 249

By death, which is the punishment of sin, fallen man is removed 7 Master, Thou Lord of hosts,
from God. By death Messiah is welcomed out of the distresses Let none who hope in Thee find shame in me ;
which crush Him, so that I-Ie leaves the world and Roes to the God, in whom Israel boasts
Father. Confound none for my sake who seek to Thee!
The Jews have dishonoured God in His Servant. Their table, 8 'Tis for Thy sake, that I reproach have borne,
their altar, is therefore to be a snare to them. They cling to its Confusion covering my face with scorn.
traditions, but have forfeited all claim to its privileges. Their
peace-offerings do but contrast with their enmity against God. 9 I am made strange e'en in my brethren's home,
Darkness was to shroud their Paschal Festival, while the true An alien where my mother's children corne.
Lamb of God, unrecognized by them, was achieving the Redemp- JO Zeal for Thy House devours me. See! it burns!
tion of a new 'race upon the Cross. Signs of Divine wrath were Reproach for Thee design'd, on me returns.
to make their temple a home of dismay. I I I wept and fasted. Thus my soul was moved:
Their city was to be utterly overthrown. And those rcproachers but the more reproved.
Instead of pitying one who was sharing the suffering life of
12 I gather'd sackcloth round me, sorrow's :est,
fallen man along with themselves, they pursued Him as if He
And they that saw me, made my life their Jest:
were an object to be specially hated. They did not know that
13 Men seated in the gate discourse of me,
His sufferings were voluntarily undertaken for the Divine glory
The song of drunkards in their revelry.
in struggle with Satan. They would not wake to their own sinful-
14 But Lord, I pray, ere Thy pleased smile be past-
ness from which Messiah by His wounds was to redeem them.
Thus was their covenant broken and brought to an end. The
oGod, with mercy manifoldly vast-
In Thy salvation's truth let answer haste!
Book of Life would be opened for others. A new covenant was
to be set up in the name of the Holy Trinity, the Covenant of Holy IS Rescue me lest I sink in footless mire!
Baptism, and the sacrifice of thanksgiving at the Heavenly Altar. , . I' I I
Rescue me now, ere hate's deep floods use llg ier .
This oblation of Christ would be.pleasing to God, the Sacrifice of 16 Let not the drowning waters o'er me play,
Righteousness, the undying Sacrifice. By this sacrifice in the Nor swallowing deep demand me as its prey,
Christian Covenant, the Heavenly Jerusalem should be built as Nor the well's mouth stiff-closed around me stay.
an Eternal City of Life.
17 Answer 1 me, Lord, in mercy good and great;
THE JUDICIAL CHARACTER OF THE PASSION Turn 2 with Thy copious love to view my state.
18 Thy Face secrete not 3 from Thy servant's need;
2 God save me! For the waters reach my soul. Distresses crush me i'let Thine answer speed.
3 Sunk in th' abysmal mire, I touch no ground, 19 With claim avenging 1 to my soul draw near! 2
The deep well's drowning waters gurgling round! Redeem 3 me! See, what mighty foes are here.

4 I faint with calling, till my throat be dry i 20 Thou knowest my reproach, confusion, shame;
Mine eyes are spent, awaiting God's reply. Th' oppressor's violence before Thee carne.
5 Countless as hairs my causeless haters rise, 21 Reproach doth break my heart: my strength all gone!
My serried foes that would o'erwhelm with lies. I long'd for pitying glance; such glance was none.
What ne'er I took they claim as robberies. Oh for a comforter! I found not one!
22 They gave me gall as esculent to take,
6 But Thou, 0 God, dost know my senselessness: A draught of vinegar, my thirst to slake.
Nought hides from Thee the guilts which I possess. Tltis docs 1101 imply a rupture o/Ih_physical organ,

t
t
fI'
 THE CHURCH PSA LM 70. 251

23 Ensnare them by their table set before them; In Ps. 39., we saw the weakness wherein Christ came. In Ps.
Make it their trap though nought but peace be o'er them. 40. He is found accomplishing the will of God as the. Acceptable
24 Let darkness shroud their eyes, no light to see, Sacrifice wherein dwells a power which the Jewish sacrifice did not
And palsy shake their loins unceasingly! possess. This closing portion of Ps. 40. pleads that power.
25 Yea, now pour out on them Thy foaming might, Ps. 68. celebrated the glory of Pentecost, and the power of ~he
Thy scorching anger, to o'ertake their flight. Holy Ghost was set forth in Ps. 69. struggling against the corrupt~on
Th e / t7.uisk attar becomes their pride i'1lStC(U( OJ their dciiucrancc. of humanity and the Power of Darkness. Weakness of Divine
strength! So here, as before, from the condition of wea~nes.s we
26 To desolation be their homesteads thrown,
rise in 1'5. 70. to claim our participation in the Acceptable Sacn~ce.
With no inhabitant their tents to own:
The indwelling of God has to be tested by our st~'uggle agrunst
27 For whom Thyself art smiting, these assail:
the world, the flesh, and the devil, during the cont1l1uance of t~e
Wounds of Thy pierced ones furnish forth their tale.
Church in her militant condition. We have to struggle as Chnst
28 Still let them in iniquity progress,
struggled. So may we have confidence in Christ's victory.
And never come into Thy righteousness.
The devil and his angels "seek after our soul." Fleshly
29 In Book of Life be they no more enroll'd, appetites "desire our hurt." The world cries out scornfu1\y
N or with the righteous let their names be told! " Aha!" but the world and its prince sha1\ both of them be P~lt to
30 For me !-Affliction, sorrow, fill my cup, shame and the corrupt pleasures of the flesh must be mortified.
But Thy salvation, God, shall set me up ! "I keep under my body and bring it into subjection." . Thus this
31 I'll praise the Name of God with song most true, Psalm ca1\s us to triumph by being crucified with Christ, calling
And magnify with thanks which are His due. the imprecations of Ps. 69. to destroy our worldly nature, that we
may attain to the freedom wherewith Christ makes us free.
32 This more than ox or steer the Lord will love, Oh, the joy of the Communion of saints as they fin.d anyone. of
Whose horns and cloven hoofs no mercy move. us pressing onward to this victory! We are not seeking salvation
33 Beholding this, what joy the meek receive! in selfish isolation. As we press onward we must call others to
o ye who sue to God, your heart shall live. partake of our joy, and feel their joyous sympathy as a sti~1Ula~ing
34 The Lord will always hear when poor men call ! power in our struggle. The whole Church waits for us individu-
Yea, He despises not His bondsmen's thrall.
ally to be perfected!
35 Him let both Heav'n and earth adoring praise, Come, Lord Jesus!
Seas, and each tribe that moves in watery ways. THE CRY FOR VENGEANCE
36 God will save Zion; Judah's towers He'll build:
2 0 God to work in truth that I be freed!
There shall they bide, with birthright-hopes fulfilled. , . dI
Make haste, 0 Lord, to help me 111my nee .
37 His servants' seed their ancient home shall claim,
3 Blush they with shame who would my soul destroy!
And all dwell there secure who love His Name.
Base flight be their's, who make my wrong :heir joy!
4 Be those turn'd back to bear the shame their elue,
PSALM 70. Who shout Aha! aha! my fall to view!
. I
THE SVMPATHIES OF THE BODY OF CHRIST 5 Let glee and joy on all who seek T Itee wait !
To the Precentor. David's. To bring to remembrance Salvation's votaries speak how Gael is great!
6 Afflicted sore, and poor, I can but bow!
TH IS is a fragment from Ps. 40., turned into an Elohistic Psalm. o God, make haste to me! Thy help bestow!
Like Ps. 38., it is "for remembrance," and this title associates it I look to Thee! My Rescuer art Thou!
with meat-offering as a sacrificial Psalm. o Lord, I pray to Thee! Delay not now!
 252 THE CHURCH PSALM 71. 253

. THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH MILITANT

PSALM 71.
I Lord, Thou my Refuge art! Shame ne'er be mine!
THE HIDDEN LIFE OF THE SOUL IN EXPECTATION OF 2 Come to my rescue! With deliverance bless!
FUTURE BLESSEDNESS Stretch forth Thine ear! Save by Thy righteousness!
3 Be Thou my Mansion-Rock, where oft to go !
THIS meditative Psalm corresponds with the Psalm of the sick 'Twas Thy command to save me! Surely Thou 1
sufferer (Ps, 41.). There Antichrist was rejoicing. Here the Art my sure Crag, my Fortress-Watchtower now.
faithful is found abiding in the hiddenness of Christ. * TIre Humanity o/Cln'ist summoning th e co-rpcrntion of His Godhead,
Ps. 70., was" for remembrance," pleading with God. \Ve must
remember what we plead before God-Christ's past dealings, His 4 God rescue me from hand of wicked power,
Passion, the help whereon we rely. This Psalm is gathered up Grasp so malicious, enmity so sour!
from previous Psalms. So our calm joy in Christ while we wait 5 0 Master, Lord, my constant hope art Thou:
for His Kingdom to come (Ps. 72.) must be developed by grateful My ground of trust from earliest youth till no\~.
recollection of His love shown amidst the past perils of Christen- 6 Yea, from my birth, on Thee have I been stay'd,
dom through which God has led His Church when all seemed Loosed from my mother's womb by Thy sure aid :
hopeless.
My oft-repeated praise to Thee be paid!
David in his weakness, when Adonijah rebelled, rises thus out of Th~ pO'lUcr o./tltc cui! O1U.

himself by thinking of God's continual care and the purpose of His

Providence which cannot fail. The kingdom is pledged to Solomon. 7 I'm like a mystery to the crowd around,
Any outburst of Adonijah's power can be only for the moment. But Thou my Refuge of full strength art found.
David was a mystery to the world around with its transitory 8 Fill'd with Thy praise, my mouth its song shall pour,
views. He looked through Solomon to a future that could not fail. From morn till eve, Thy beauty to adore.
People thought God had forsaken him. He knew how true God 9 Cast me not off when times of age o'ertake !
was to him. The kingdom of Solomon expanding to Messiah My vigour spent! 0 do not Thou forsake!
would be a kingdom in which he himself should share, a kingdom The 'World does not u ndcrst arui t/u: Church, soji:t!blt' and yrt so slrol1l:.
of resurrection-life, wherein to behold God's glory for ever.
So must we be looking forward to the glory of Christ. "Of His 10 For hark! my foes their mocking jibes prepare
government and of His peace there shall be no end." What happens
And make conspiracy my soul to snare.
upon earth must not disturb us.
I I They say, God has forsaken! Let him .be ! 1
"Our life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our Pursue and seize him! None can set him free.
life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory."
12 0 God remain not Thou far from my need:
* The sacramental life of the Body of Christ is exhibited in Ps. 40. and echoes in
My God, to help me,--come, 0 come, with speed.
PS·7°. l'robably A doni/a', s rebel/iol/.
The hidden life of Christ is set before us in Ps. 41., as the object of scorn to the unbe-
lieving heart. This hidden life is the subject of Ps. 71., the experience of the feeble
Sufferer Himself. We suffer with Christ. 13 My soul's antagonists let shame consum.e : 1
As David reverted to his old Psalms, so must we go back to consider the way :t!ong Reproach, confusion, clothe them as ~helr doom.
which God has been leading us.
14 But as for me, with constancy I'll wart ,
Pss. 40., 41., and Pss. 70.,71., have their common issue in Ps. 72., which closes the first
half of the Psalter. With added strains Thy praise to celebrate--
The first two Books have a common prelude in Pss. 1.,2., the Son of 1\1an, and the Son IS Thy righteousness recount in daily speech.
of God. They have a common climax in P::. 72. The Son of David is upon the heavenly
throne, in whom the promise of Ps. 2. finds its consummation.
Yea! Thy salvation, which no count can reach. .
Tlte /".titlIcc of 111esaints, 'Their SI~(li:rillg-s"cld 10 lite stvr» o./Chnsl.
254 THE CHURCH PSALM 72. 255

16 So come I, in the Lord, the Master's might! the serpent can no longer tyrannize over the Seed of the woman.
To tell Thy righteousness, my tongue's delight! The oppressor is crushed, and his victims are saved.
17 God, Thou hast taught me from my youth's first days, Messiah reigns on high. His sovereignty is the consummation
And still will I declare Thy wondrous ways. of all unto the end of time. His power descends from Heaven
1S 0 God, forsake not, though old age bow down, upon mankind in gifts of the Holy Ghost. The shower is the
Till I Thine arm, Thy strength to coming times have shown. symbol of the Divine Gift. The grass is the symbol of perishing
humanity. - Human nature flourishes with Divine power. Hostile
19 God, how high-praised Thy righteousness must be, powers fall down. The afflicted One whom the world persecutes is
Who dost great deeds! God, who is like to Thee? His very Self. He has redeemed them by His power, and lives
20 Thou mad'st us see much sorrow--wrongs most sore, unconquered. He has triumphed over the grave. In risen life
But now, returning, wilt our life restore,- He pleads for His people. The Heavenly Kingdom is full of joy.
Yea, from earth's depths wilt raise us evermore. Majestic harvest! The corn of Heaven! The life-giving Name
21 My greatness Thou'lt increase, turn round, and comfort give. of the King brings eternal security. The bright Sun of Righteous-
ness infuses light and strength for ever. All nations are blessed in
TIu:r;ghteollsllcss 0/ Christ gl()rijird in //(avttt, thouglt Ilis Ch urcl: b( s1~tfcri1f.g
"jolt earth, Tlte resurrection of Christ:« people by His power. Him. He alone worketh great marvels. The prayers of David,
the son of Jesse, are consummated in the reign of the Beloved One,
the Son of God. This is the sum of all our prayer," Thy Kingdom
22 Then I with psaltery will give thanks to Thee:
come."
My God, Thy Truth my harp's sweet Psalm shall be.
Thou, Israel's Holy One eternally!
23 With ringing shout my lips Thy Psalms shall sing, THE KINGDOM OF PEACE
My soul in Thy redemption glorying.
1 God, on the King Thy judgement-power bestow:
24 I'll meditate Thy righteousness all day,
Grant the King's son Thy righteousness to know-
Till those who seek my wrong, shamed, blushing, flee away.
2 Thy people to redress with righteousness-
With judgement Thine afflicted ones to bless.
3 Peace let the mountains for the people bring,
PSALM 72. The hills in rig hteous harvests glorying!
4 Th' afflicted people let his judgement right,
THE SOUL REJOICING IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF CIIRIST
Saving the poor man's sons, crushing th' oppressor's might!
Solomon's IIfcss!'alt reigns by Db/jut birthrigllt. Tlds Psaim looks forward to Ilhll tllyouglr.
Solomon as His certified ancestor. Peace tlu result o./rigltteollsllcss.
LOOK forward to Christ's Kingdom. Christ is the King, the
King's Son, King by birthright for He reigns in consubstantial Thee let them fear while shines the sunlit day,-:-
glory with His Father. Ps. 2. finds its consummation in Ps, 72. While moons fresh generations shall survey!
"The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord 6 Let Him descend as rain on grassy sward,
and of H is Christ." The disordered state of the world will be set A shower in countless drops on earth outpour'd !
right. The true Melchizeclek is seen reigning in the true City of 7 The righteous in His days rich fruit shall boast:
Peace,- Peace triumphant through righteousness. The mountains Peace shall abound till moons their light have lost.
that bring it are the manifestations of Divine power on which the S From sea to sea shall His wide rule extend:
Church is founded. Heavenly mountains, symbolized by the clouds And from the river spread to earth's remotest end!
of Heaven I The righteous that were suffering in a state of oppres- The power of ttte Holy CltOsi. Tile new people born agailt to rigltteollslless. Tlte
sion while Satan ruled the world are now redressed. The seed of eternal day of tlu: (.;omi1lg ](ingdollf, Tlu.' Catholic Churclt.
.r
i

BOOK III

PSALMS 73.-89.

THE DIVINE SONSHIP: CHRIST IN US

PREFATORY PSALM

PsALM 73.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

As Ps. l. spoke of happiness in doing God's will, and

Ps. 2. of the happiness of taking refuge in Messiah, so
this Psalm speaks of God as being Himself the joy of
the soul. He is the Refuge of the soul. As Messiah
records His own Sonship which is the foundation of
human happiness, so here the faithful child of" the
covenant records the blessed experience of Divine love.

Trilogy of the Holy Name

Ps. 74.-Faith must be tested by difficulty. Trouble

forces us to take refuge in God, that so we may learn the
power of His covenant, assured to us in our baptism.
We must share Christ's weakness if we would experience
His strength.
Ps. 75.-This is a "DestroyNot"Psalm. It points
therefore back to the Trilogy of the Crucifixion (Pss,
VOL 1I, lZ 257
 t .
258 THE D IV INE SON S HIP
I 57.-59.). We are baptized into Christ's death. The
assurance of triumph in the Holy Name anticipates the
promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against
the Church.
Ps. 76. is the acclamation of the faithful.
Trilogy of Probation
Ps. 77.- The Divine life thus assured must be
appropriated amidst trial. The Psalmist seems to long
in vain for the glories of the Exodus! The Right Hand
of God is as powerful as it was. The Shepherd is surety
for His sheep. Therefore he casts despondency aside.
Ps. 78.-How they rebelled of old when God showed
His wonders! Their rebellion must make us watchful
in submission to God's discipline.
Ps. 79. is the cry of the faithful amidst the great
apostasy. All God's promises seem to have failed,
but even in that last hour we must look for God to show
His strength and bring deliverance.
Ps. 80. follows as an Easter song after the three days
in which the grave seemed to be triumphant over Christ.
It follows upon Ps. 79. as Ps. 60. follows upon Ps. 59. It
is the deliverance of the Son of God out of the Egypt
of the world of death.
Trilogy of the Divine Word in Judgement
Ps. 8 I.--God speaks in warning to His people that
they must be faithful. If they are faithful to Him He
will make them victorious.
PREFATORY PSALM 259
Ps. 82.-God rebukes Israel, and warns them that the
predestination of Divine Sonship is forfeited by their
want of justice to the poor. God has visited them in
the form of a Poor Man,and they have rejected the Divine
life which He came to bring. Now Messiah will be
seen reigning over the Gentiles. God's promise does not
fail, but the carnal Israel cannot be the instruments of
the world-wide blessing promised to Abraham and
made sure to David.
Ps. 83·-The victory over Midian was a type of the
overthrow of Messiah's enemies. Now Edom and Ishmael
and the allied tribes represent the spiritual occupants of
the Holy Land, defiling Goel's covenant with their
carnality. Under these names we must recognize the
carnal Israel, united with the great powers of the world
in unbelief.
The Tnlog), of Grace
Ps. 84.- The tender songs of the Korahites follow upon
the mighty utterances of Asaph. From the severity of
judgement we turn to the sweetness of grace. "The
joy of God's House." belongs to the Body of Christ,
the new Temple which takes the place of the earthly
one which they destroyed by their sin.
Ps. 85·-The new covenant is celebrated by a return
to J ehovistic Psalms. Earth and Heaven are united in
the Person of the J ncarnate Redeemer.
Ps. 86. is an Adonaic Psalm. Christ is the Master
whom we are called to serve in the new Covenant by
the power of the seven-fold Spirit. It is the Psalm of
Him who was conceived by the power of the Holy
Ghost. The covenant of the Catholic Church shall be
perfected throughout all Gentiles by the power of the
Holy Ghost.
 P SA L M 73. 261
260 THE DIVINE SONSHIP
PSALM 73-
The Trilogy oJ the New Birth JOY iN GOD CONTRASTED WITH PROSPERITY IN THE
WORLD
Ps. 87.-" Except a man be born again he cannot A Psalm of A saph
enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." This Psalm sets
THE faithful soul, distressed and amazed at seeing how evil
forth the individual regeneration in Christ of all the
prospers in the world, finds comfort not by accusing God and
children of grace. flying from Him, but by flying to Him. Know God experimentally
Ps. 88.-ln order to be born anew in Christ we must in Himself as He makes Himself known to the pure in heart.
die with Him to the world. "We are buried with Him Then will the wisdom of His Providence be manifest. Seek to
by Baptism into death." The grave was a place of utter experience God's love, and thou wilt find how surely love is the
animating principle of all His government.
darkness to the Old Testament worthies. They looked
Does the worldling boast of his freedom? Boast thou of thy
forward to a life and a light beyond it, but they could dependence upon God.
only look to descend into the darkness and wait until Cod gives us what we set our hearts upon, this world and its
Messiah should come. Messiah contemplates the dark- emptiness, or Himself and His fulness.
ness and the spirits of darkness into which He leaps Cod lets men prosper with sin unpunished, in order that their
sin may be more manifest. He does not lead them into sin by their
when He leaves the world. But that which was darkness
prosperity, but their prosperity shows what they are, even as the
ere He went thither is changed into light by His descent, troubles of the righteous show in him the faith which worketh by
and we, being baptized into His death, can no longer fear love. He proves each one singly. All seek happiness, but with-
the thraldom of the enemy if we are faithful to Him. The out Him, and therefore unblest, or else in Him and eternal.
pains of death cannot drag the new-born people under Dost thou seek happiness in God, or apart from God? Cod is
good. Cod is the only good. Seek II im.
their dominion. Death showed Christ in His triumph.
Is happiness the true end of life? What, then, is the world's end?
Death makes manifest the new birth of the faithful. Learn in the sanctuary of God to look beyond present appearances.
Ps. 89.- Thus we pass on to the Kingdom of the H ow suddenly will destruction come upon them. Their life was a
Incarnate God, and share the victory whereby He has dream. They wake up in death to find they have been striving
bruised the serpent's head. after nothingness. But how is it with thyself. I f Cod is thine
end, learn every day how I-Ie is leading- thee onward to the
This glorious Christmas Psalm celebrates the invin-
fruition of Himself. Day by day seek nothing else but God, and
cible character of the Kingdom or Life, the security of thou shalt find the all-sufficiency of H is joy throughout eternity.
the Divine Word. Many calamities seemed to threaten Hide thyself in Him, and His glory shall fill thy heart with
David's throne, but the faithful know whom they have praise.
believed. They recount the perils to which David's
TIlE GOODNESS OF TlIE nrVINE FATHERHOOD
throne has been subjected, but only in order to
Cod's Cllil1l,£;-elessLove
strengthen the appeal of faith, looking forward to the
blessedness of eternity. David's son shall claim God All good is God to Israel!
as His own true Father, and in the covenant which He The pure in heart can tell !
2 But I-ah me i-so nearly tripp'c1 '
will establish, the regenerate people shall have the lift: My steps had all but slipp'd !
of God.
 THE DIVINE SONSH[P
"
P S A L M 74.
TIle Proud Security oj the Wicked
The Answer
3 I envied braggarts their release;
I watch'd the wicked bide in peace. 19 Wait but a twinkling! How they're spent!
4 No cramps their death prolong; Swept! Done for i-Strang: bewilderment!
Their fat, round, forms are strong. 20 As fades a dream from waking eyes,
. I
5 No pain of mortal mischief theirs! So, Master, these wilt Thou despise '
They are not plagued by human cares! 21 Oh! If I still were sour at heart-
6 Their neck by pride is stiffly bound; Stung through my veins with angry smart-
And cruelty enwraps them round. 22 Then I a senseless brute must be,
A hippopotamus with Thee.
Their Pojmlarity
7 Their fat with foulness stares; The Satisfied Soul
Their heart's vile project glares.
8 Mocking, they speak oppressive wrong- 23 But I with Thee will constant stand:
Speak with disdainful tongue! Thou holdest my right hand.
9 With mouth assailing heav'n's own throne, 24 Thou guid'st me with Thy counsel now:
Their tongue makes earth their own. Thou tak'st me !-All my glory Thou!
10 Thither the people turn, to catch the strain: Oh! What has heav'n for me?
Full streams of watery words their folIowers drain! And earth has no delight to add to Th ee. I
II/ow I/{I,)' drain IIIi' smutty jlow 0/ worldly prom/st, thereafter t!ley will (b-aix lite 26 My flesh, my heart, consumed shall rot: I
.rpiccd cup 0/ D/i)lll/! 'Wt'l.lih,
But God is my heart's Rock, my endless lot.
The Taunt 0/ Ille Scoffer bewailed
II What! say they, how should Godhead know! eral,ju/ Experie7lce alld Hope
What knowledge can the Highest show! . w I10 a: .e far from Thee ,
For lo! they perish
12 See these, the wicked, prospering aye.
T'hou whelm'st al\ wand'ring harlotry ..
A growing force their years supply. But oh ! for me how good near God to. bide->
13 Surely I cleansed my heart in vain,
For' refuge, 1\1aster, Lord, in Thee to hlde~
And washed my hands to know no stain.
And to record Thy works with praises wIde,. '1
14 For yet all day my plague remains:
l1/e cannot know God's ~~"odJlcSS nntcss 'We l..'no7U II"trn a sour Rtji((>"t,./or
0 alL o u ts u e
Each morning some fresh smiting gains. 0/ I {ins is alii.

The Enquiry
IS Such record mine! If thus I spake PSALM 74·
I should Thy sons' high claims forsake.
'ON VIDENCE TN GOD'S NAME TIm~UG IT LO~., G CON-
16 I thought I would the secret find;
C TTNUEl) I'ERIODS OF OUTWAkD DISTl{LSS
It seem'd Stich miscbiefto my mind I
17 To Godhead's sanctuaries I go, MOURN for the WIt. I1CI"rawa I of. God's outward tokens not com-
Fain thus their end to know. " . rlv lut humbly and penitently. .
18 All's clear! Thou sett'st them slippery steeps,- plaining
Th CI), )ch of to-day IS '11 tl
. stru tne Church which Jesus redeemed.
So rnak'st them fall in ruin'd heaps. e lur -, died upon the Cross. We must
To d k' l an's part to USle . LI'
I'Ir.i/oso/)/z), l.'xplaif'S not the secret 0/ the Universe. Faltlt c.t-Plains all. 10 0 a insrn .' , d Redeemer thankfully sharing L IS
claim I-Iim as our Kinsman an ,
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP P S A LM 74.
sufferings. Think how He battled in loneliness against all the 4 How roar th' oppressors through Thy chambers now,
powers of evil which assailed Him. Refuse not to battle against Their signs the only signs which they allow!
like assaults. He is with thee.
5 Surely it seem'd as when men lift on high
God's truth is ever sure. Varying watchwords may be set up to Through some thick wood their axes' industry.
disparage the Creeds of the Church. The mark of the beast may 6 These now, intent to lay her sculptures low,
seem to have obliterated the mark of Christ's Cross. Fear not. Wield saw and hatchet, dealing many a blow.
Amidst all the evils of Christendom, God will not suffer one of His So it is when the cant 0./ Ihe day takes the place 0./ the articles 0././aitll.
little ones to perish. Be humble. Bewail the devastation of
God's sanctuary. Bewail the mischief which thine own sinfulness 7 Thy sanctuary give they to the flame,-
brings upon the spiritual fabric. The loss of outward glory and Profane to earth the House where dwells Thy Name.
power would matter little if our sins did not enfeeble the spiritual S " Down with them all" !-Such was their hearts' command.
action of Christ's Body.
They burn all Godhead's chambers in the lanel.
Our dulness holds us back from God's Love. Outward per- TIlt: Cliurch trcattd IlS fl IJIL''-Ccartltly institution in dl:jiallCC o/(;od's Namc. TIlt:
fection, if we had it, would intoxicate us. God lays us low in very t ru c dwellillg'-flace o/Goas N":/~~t:is lIte Rody o/CIlrist.
love. See H is power though all be weak. Look to be among His
redeemed ones in H is glory. Else shalt thou be among His 9 We see no more our signs once helel so dear:
adversaries in the day when He is manifested glorifying His N a prophet-voice of promise do we hear:
Church with all perfection. N one with us knows how long" we have to fear.
Solomon's temple was a type of Christendom. The" thicket" 10 0 God how long must vile reproach be borne,
carries the mind back to Abraham's sacrifice. The ram was While still the foe treats Thy great Name with scorn ?
caught in the fence of the law. That thicket is cut down that the II Thy Hanel, Thy Right Hand, why dost Thou recall? .
ram may be set free by Divine acceptance. So also in the Baby- From 'midst Thy bosom, make an end of all !
lonian devastation. The thicket had to be cut down that the TIre Di'llille "rinistry seeming /0 be powerless anridst the evil, C/rri.ft is ~/lc Hi.!:ltt
Sprout of Judah might arise from the root of Jesse. J/and 0/ Godl and'lull{:n. lIe comes back /roJ/t tIre Fatlur's Bosom lie 'lullI destroy
A nticlzrist.
It was said of the old vine, Cut it down, why cumbereth it the
ground? The vine, however, was to be renewed by the Blood of
12 But God from ancient times lawn as King,
the Incarnate Son, whom it foresignified. Now a corrupt
In earth's abyss salvations fashioning. "
Christendom must be cut down that the elect may rise up in
spiritual acceptance with God. 13 THOU by Thystrength didst once the sea divide,
Diclst break the dragons' heads upon the tide.
'4 THO U hast Levi'thans' heads asunder riven,-
THE OUTWARD WEAKNESS OF THE CHURCII IN THE ... "
Him to the desert hordes as food hast given.
Ctsrist saves h),going donsn into the torucr parts 0/ tlu ca rth, lli~ tie,:tlt is rr-./>h'~'gt:
, WORLD
o/safity to tlu CI,urcll 'lUIIOt slU' is laid iour /il.·c Ilim, TIlt! CJltpllabc ll-JOU IS IJJlI~-
./old.
God, why dost Thou reject us ever thus?
Thy folded flock !-Thine anger smokes at us ! '5 THOU mad'st a cleft! A fount, a river, rise!
2 Think on Thine household gain'd so anciently, TH au
c1riedst lip the channel's full supplies.
Thy birthright-tribe, by vengeful power set free, 16 The day belongs to THEE: To THEE the night:
Mount Zion, this Thy dwelling call'd to be ! THOU with the sun hast firmly fixt the light.
3 Lift high Thy steps to these perpetual heaps: 17 a
"1'H U hast set up all borders of the earth:
The foe through all Thy shrine rude riot keeps" Summer and Autumn-THOU hast plann'd their birth.
The 1110011, is tlu: lig·/ti-bearer attendant upon tlu: sun. So the Ctrurctc 'With Christ.
Th" delivcr"nce'/roJII Egypt 7l'1lS ti,e act tifth" Druine Goel.
Moon and C/rurcllji,.m/.J'jixt a/lllOug/l st:oJlitt,l;." It! sujJ;:r til:Cfl), as limes PIlIS /')1,
 266 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 75.
18 The foe's reproach-be mindful, Lord, of this! The Powers of Darkness have not yet been cast into the abyss,
The foolish people scorn Thy Name of bliss. but they will be. Then those who have served the Powers of
19 'Neath the beast's rage let not Thy turtle die! Darkness will be cast into the lake of fire along with them.
Forget not Thy sad beast eternally! It seems as if some threatening power might arise out of the
20 Regard the cov'nant! Earth's dark nooks we see North which is in Holy Scripture the home of evil powers.
Are simply fill'd with homes of cruelty! Possibly Antichrist is here intended. Christ shall smite him with
TIll.:Cllttrch is tIle turtle dove. Oppressed as s/u: is, sh c Sl'CIIIS to bL'a: mert: beast of the breath of His mouth.
t/u: earth, but she is God's beast; and all her s/~Q'i:ri1:g 1I1C1IIbcrs arc 11is.
As Christ drank the cup of H is Passion to redeem us, so must
His enemies drink the cup of His fury, and then the righteous
,2 I Let not the crush'd one dread confusion's days:
shall be delivered.
Th' afflicted and the poor Thy Name shall praise.
This Psalm presupposes the state of overthrow which is the
22 Rise, God, at length in Thine own cause to strive:
subject of wail in Ps, 74. The gates of hell will seem to prevail,
Mind the reproach the fool doth daily give.
but then God will interfere with His Word" Destroy Not."
23 Forget not Thine oppressors, how they cry,-
Thy c1am'rous rebels' howl which goes up constantly.
GOD UPHOLDING TilE CHURCH
Thanks give we, God, to Thy great Majesty;
PSALM 75.* 2 Thanks give we, and Thy Name is very nigh;
THE TRIUMPH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN ETERNAL LIFE Thy works record its truth, wrought wondrously!

To tIle Precentor, "Destroy Not." A Psalm oj A saph. A Song'

G~odSpcai:».
WHATEVER be the destruction around, the faithful must give
thanks to God. 3 "Surely when I the great, great gathering take,
Myself in equity will judgement make;
This Psalm is a "Destroy Not!" As the trilogy" Destroy not"
4 Earth and her populations melt at length;
(57·-59·) spoke of Christ upon the Cross secure against His foes,
'Tis Mine to measure out her pillars' strength. Sell/II.
triumphant in the grave, so this Psalm speaks of the heirs of eternal
5 I said to braggarts, Cease your boastful scorn,
life while outward things seem to be in ruin. Our souls must
And to the wicked, Lift not up your horn !
magnify the Lord for His presence with us in the covenant of grace
6 Nay! Lift not up your horn to boastful height
who will be the Judge of all, when the dispensation of earthly
With stiffneck'd utterance of abandon'd spite."
powers is passed away. .
God here announces Himself to His watchful saints as being
7 No aid can moon or eve,
ready to appear in judgement. In Ps. 58. we saw the ungodly
N or desert mountains give.
taunting God because His judgement was delayed. This Psalm
speaks of the final judgement. All the people of the world are to 8 God is the Judge who sifts:
be judged. He levels: He uplifts.
Tht: desert in tln'Soutlt. lid/> to /srtu/ against 1/1( NortllCrll Oppressor comes
.• This Psalm is commonly referred to quite late times by modern crit ics, but upon very on Iy froul C~(}d.
arbitrary grounds. It may have been written after the desolation of the Temple by
Shishak. When he had taken all the fenced cities which pertained to Judah he took
away the treasures of the Lord's House and of the King's house. Ps. 74. may have been 9 The Lorel in hand a cup doth store,
used by the congregation when they humbled themselves before the Lord (2 Chron, Wrath's spicy wine, full foaming o'er;
xii. T2). The chambers of God are nor to be considered as Posr-Maccnbean synagogues
erected for man's convenience when the Divine glory of the Temple was irrecoverably
Surely its dregs while He doth pour,
lost. They are evidently places of Divine appointment, connected with the home of Earth's wicked ones drink, drain, and leave no more!
prophecy and Divine rnanifestat ion. "/'/ll' Lord s Vt'JI,g-cnncc.
 268 THE DIVINE SONSHIP
PSALM 77·
10 So I the deathless tale will raise
GOD'S PRESENCE IN HIS PEOPLE THE TERROR
To Jacob's God,-the psalm of praise.
OF THE ENEMY
II All horns of wicked ones I'll hew!
But mark the Righteous One! His horns uplifted view! 2 In Judah find we God's true fame:
And great in Israel shines His Name.
3 H is booth in Salem shall ye see;
PSALM 76. In Zion shall His mansion be.
4 The archer's flashes there He foils-
GOD VINDICATING HIS COVENANTED PEOPLE Shield, sword, and war's destructive toils. Selall.
Godglorified in His Saints.
To the Precentor. On Neg"illoth. A f'sa/m of Asaph. A Song
5 Thy Light more brilliant is than hills of prey!
JUDAH is the Horne of Praise. Israel is the Hero of Prayer. By
6 Spoil'd be the puissant-hearted enemy!
praise and prayer God is known. The Psalmist anticipates Isaiah
In slumber lost they lie.
in proclaiming God's victory in its independence upon earthly Those forceful men grasp nought but vacancy!
weapons. So must we from age to age rise up to the confidence Great Jacob's God! Before Thy thrall
of faith. 7
Chariot and horse all helpless fall !
Not only in material conflict, but in intellectual controversy, God descends witk clouds, (LS it 'lVcrt:, tIle bright !rills 0/ l i caueu, '.he ''fJ~'~-!Il.\'~i~!~,
we must not depend upon human power, but upon Divine inspira- /tills. Tlu puissance 0./ tlte nether-urorld opposed to ttre Itcavod)' PU/SSllUU.S. J I,t;

tion in the use of whatever powers God may give us, whether great powers 0/ man IlClplcf.s in llis pn'scnce.
or small.
8 0 Thou! How dread Thy form! ,
r The brilliance of earthly display is not to compare with the Who then can stand when bursts Thine anger's storm!
~ !dazzling light of God's Presence which scatters the enemy. They
9 From heav'n Thy sentence sped;
fly as frightened cattle before the lightning flash.
I
, Mount Zion resting in God's Almightiness is stronger than' all
Earth saw, all hush'd in dread.
Cod rose and judgement gave,
10
~world-powers.
The meek of earth to save. Selah.
The enemy think themselves strong, but it is only a dream. Earth's terror at ttu: mrtl1iji.:station o/Cod.
They wake. They thought they had power in their hands. They
, find themselves grasping nothing. II The wrath of man shall own Thee now;
c· God was invoked to rise in judgement (Ps. 74.), He promises to do Girt with exhaustless wraths art Thou!
t so (Ps. 75·)· Now the judgement is come. The meek are triumphant 12 Vows to the Lord your God be spread!
\. upon earth. All round, bring gifts to I-Iim, the Dread!
[Music celebrates God's Presence as the confidence of His 13 Princes' proud breath He snaps away,
people. Then again it bursts out to celebrate the overthrow of all Dreadful to kings of earthly sway.
that is on earth.]
Those who rebel against God find His wrath more than a match PSALM rr.
for them. H is people must praise God accordingly. M ore than
1'1'FI' \RATION TO FOLLOW CIlRIST AS REDEEMING
that. They must see that they glorify God according to their \., 1 US FIWM TUE WORLD'S OI'PRESSION
power and their duty. His wrath is not exhausted. He is girt
with a residue of wrath in manifold ways ready to burst out upon To tlu Precentor. OilJeduth1t11. A I'salm 0/ Asapli
all who fail in their vows. If H is people do not respond to I-Iis 'f I t it be thy very life to cry out continually to
goodness, that wrath will fall on them with equal fury. CHILD 0 man, e I " TI' k f (I
God-s-as thou are taught to say-" Our Fa:her. . 11n' o. ie
voice of the Incarnate Son rising up in the midst of ll is sufferings,
 ,
, ;

THE DIVINE SONSHIP P S A L M 77·

270
8 Must then the Master to eternities
This Psalm leads us on to the Exodus. Then the nation of
Reject? And ne'er again well pleased arise?
Israel was born by the institution of the Mosaic polity. The
9 What! Has His mercy reach'd its final end--
Exodus intimates a greater Birth, the Incarnation of the Eternal
H is promise ceased-though ages still extend?
Son in the seventy-seventh generation from Adam.
10 Has Godhead now forgotten how to bless,
God's purpose is changeless, however long delayed. Thou must
I n anger cutting short His tenderness? Selah,
experience the weary trial if thou wouldst share the consolation.
The lemplalion 10 Iltillk o/(;od as IUlVillg descried Eirn,
Think not that Cod withdraws His compassion in anger. See that
thou withdraw not thyself from His compassion in stubbornness. II Then said I, Mine is this infirmity:
" I t is my own infirmity! Yes! Both the fretfulness and also the But think! The H.ight-Hand-years of the Most High!
sin which necessitates the long delay!" 12 J AH's exploits I in mind will hold;
The Exodus was a memory to cheer the sons of Jacob and Yea, I will mind Thy wonders wrought of old.
Joseph. Much more must Calvary cheer thee? The way of God 13 Thy deeds I'll meditate;
is in holiness. He conquers death by dying. He will carry thee And muse Thy mighty exploits to relate.
through the great water floods to eternal life and pardon. Israel I "ears of sorroto (llld W('r.kl1f'SS art' gi'ucll ill order tlia! 'We may experience tilt: /'01.1't')"

of God in sttstainin,s" and ddi'iJcriu.i:" us.

passed through the waters in the virtue of the Paschal Lamb. A
greater Redemption is thine. The Son of God is the Father of I4 0 Cod, in holiness Thy way is known:
thy new life. Earthquake and thunder told of Israel's new Birth What Godhead is thus great, but Cod alone?
at Sinai in covenant with God. The convulsions of a mightier 15 Godhead that workest wonders everywhere,
universe unseen belong to the travail pangs of earth when the Son Thou midst the peoples didst Thy strength declare.
of God passed through the grave out of this sinful world, providing 16 With vengeful arm Thy people Thou didst claim,
a true Divine regeneration for His covenant people. Those travail Yea, Jacob's sons and Joseph's, freed from shame. Se/fllt.
pangs are still going on, while the organism of the Body of Christ God's 7J.JonticJ:/ul dt:livcrallcL'.
is being perfected for the final regeneration. His treadings are
invisible, but H is guidance is sure. 17 The waters saw Thee, God, in that great night;
The waters saw, pang-stricken through Thy might,
THE SECRET PREPARATION FOR GOD'S APPEARANCE Yea, the depths trembled in their dread affright!
18 The clouds their bulk in drenching downpour ga\'e ;
2 Godward my voice! Yea, loudly let me wail! The skies with voice of gathcr'd wrath did rave :
God ward my voice! H is ear can never fai I. Thine arrows on all sides their pathway clave.
3 In sorrow's day I to my master sued,
With hands, all night in prayerful attitude. 19 Thy thunder's voice in rolling whirlwinds spake:
My soul refused all comfort! Sad the mood! The lightnings o'er the world in brightness brake:
4 Mourning I turn to God with mindful moan : In wild convulsions how the earth doth shake!
I muse, but my faint spirit's power is gone! Se/ali. 20 Thus through the sea Thy way was open'd wide:
,linn's lolt/;illg/rJr God in ioncty defection, An avenue for Thee through watery pride.
And still Thine awful heel-prints didst Thou hide.
5 Ah me! Thou clost not let mine eyelids close. At tire Incarnn tion Satan km:'W 110t the lucl a/flu Sad 0/ the rooman, It 'was to
r n my vexation prayer brings no repose. oruisc his hcad. / lis Ita/wit:) /liddcn fl.! tile FX(Jr/us. II is 11I'ddt.'JI. still in lIte stru.rg1t.·s
6 I think of days of old, 0./ Ilis Chu.rc/r, always Iliddol, ahufl)'s 'victorious.
The years that to th' eternities have roll'd.
:! I Like sheep Thou led'st Thy people on their way,
7 Night's former songs with musing heart I mind,
By Moses' hand and Aaron's, day by day.
My spirit roams in cogitations blind. il1 uses and /l a.ron ?vill gi'lJf 'way 10 tIle Beloved.
His lulple:ssncss in his cravings if Cod Ieau« hint,
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 78.

4 These from our sons we hide not in our days,

PSALM 78.' To future time recording the Lord's praise,
His prowess and the wonders of His ways.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIVINE COVENANT 11is tory and natur-e arc }it/I 0/ parables.

Maskil of Asaplt Yea, He in Jacob raised a witness sure,

And set a law in Israel to endure,
RECALL with humble thankfulness the memory of God's wonderful With strict injunction to our sires of yore
works. Of old the people perished because they forgot what God To show their sons its words of doctrine pure,
had done, and distrusted Him when new changes threatened them. 6 That future time, sons freshly born, might learn,
Ephraim failed through not rising up to God. So Joseph and Rise and record, to teach their sons in turn.
Benjamin after him were set aside. Then God gave His promise 7 So these their confidence in God shal1 set,
to David by an everlasting covenant. The promise, sure in itself, And Godhead's exploits never shall forget,
was, however, conditional to each subsequent generation. Their But His commandments keep for memory yet;
sins delayed' the fulfilment. So the promises of God in Christ are 8 Not stubborn rebels like their sires to be,
sure. Yet must thou be faithful if thou wouldst share therein. A race whose heart stil1 lack'd stability,-
Consider God's wonders even vouchsafed to the fretful prayer of Their spirit dealt tow'rds Godhead faithlessly.
rebels. But if He answered their fretfulness it was with anger. 9 The sons of Ephraim, arrn'd , an archer host,
Seek not to force God's will, but submit thyself to His Providence, Turn'd back when battle's summons tried their boast.
that thine own will may be sanctified by conformity to Him. So 10 They would not keep the covenant of Cod,
shall thy prayer be full of blessing. But wandering from H is law, perversely trod.
\Ve must acknowledge our responsibility amidst God's blessings I[ Yea, they forgot His exploits wrought of old,
ere we can safely enjoy them. Israel failed of worshipping God The wonders which Ij c made them to behold.
in the wilderness. The newly circumcised Israel fell into idolatry 'Flte dut), of Irflildill.!.r d(J'Wfl tIle })f,;mOJY o/(;od's b!{.:ssill~Ys. Our.fat/ler's sm s a rc a
in Canaan. So Shiloh became a curse. The ark was taken captive. 7Urtnti."g" to OIlYS{.'/7'I!S. Ephraim is ('ou'llted as J'Fpn:sL'lltillg' t sraci until j)m:.'id Wf1.S
chosen,
Its sacredness spoke out rather in awe than in love. God punished
the heathen for their profaneness. He punished Israel also.
12 His work in woneler to their sires appcal'd,
Ps. 77. spoke of deliverance. Ps. 78. speaks of that deliverance There in the land of Egypt, Zoan's field.
\ being perfected in spite of man's sins. Earth could not rise to
13 He clave the sea, and led them through the deep,
God. God comes down to earth by a sure promise to David.
And piled the waters as a solid heap.
That promise was to expand in heavenly power. No earthly
14 I n form of cloud by day He led them on ;
Zion could satisfy its scope. In singing this Psalm we must rise
And all night through in fiery light He shone:
up to the Heavenly Hill where the Divine Shepherd leads His
15 There in the wilderness the rocks He clave:
flock.
And copious drink as from deep lakes He gave.
THE DISCIPLINARY GUIDANCE OF GOD'S PEOPLE AMIDST 16 He made ful1 torrents from the crag to flow:
THEIR REBELLIONS In gushing streams their waters downward go.
TIlt: blind'i.uiifu/l1l'SS n/ Isrnci. J'lll.'/ieJY cloud. 1'11I..·.{,
..i/t a/wllter at Iforeb aNd
IHearken, my people, to the law I bring: Kadeslr.
With outstretch'd ear list what my mouth shall sing.
17 But still 'g ainstll im their sins they multiply,
2 My mouth in parables I open now:
Riddles of old shall in my speech o'erflow, I n that e1ry land the Highest to defy.
[8 There in their heart they tempted Godhead's ire
3 The things which we ourselves have heard and known,
In asking food to fill their soul's desire.
Things which the records of our sires have shown,
VOL. II. S
274 THE DIVINE SONSHIP
P SA LM 78. 275
19 Thus did they murmur against God. They said,
36 But with their mouth in flattering guise they wrought,
Can Godhead in this wild a table spread?
And with their lips 'twas only lies they taught,
20 Behold, He smote the rock and water gush'd ;
37 And still no firmness did their heart possess,
The sudden streams in drowning fulness rush'd,
To keep H is covenant with faithfulness.
But can He furnish bread to meet our need,
[Said by tlte fl-1asori/es to be tl" central verse 0/ lilt Fsall.:r.l
Or here with flesh His starving people feed?
21 Thus heard the Lord! Forthwith His fury brake, 38 But as for Him, compassion is His joy,--
Fire blazed in Jacob for the sinners' sake, To purge iniquity, and not destroy.
Anger sprang up, that Israel might quake: 39 His anger turn'd He backward many a day,
22 For when God spake they will'd not to believe,
N or roused His wrath in wild, destructive play.
Nor His salvation trustfully receive. He call'd to mind that only flesh were they,
23 He issued orders to the clouds above: A spirit going hence, that cannot stay.
The doors of Heav'n were open'd by His love. 40 Oft in their wilds to rebel strife they broke,
24 He rain'd upon them manna, thus to eat: Constant in that waste region to provoke.
The corn of Heav'n He gave them round their feet.
25 Thus man the bread of puissances did eat. 4' They tempted Ccdhcad thus again, again,
He sent them down abundant .store of meat, And Israel's Holy One they put to pain:
26 He made the mighty east-wind move through Heaven, 42 They did not call to mind His H and, the hour
And by His strength the southern blasts were driven. When He rcdecrn'd them from th' oppressor's power,
27 He rain'd on them like dust the flesh they sought: 43 The signs which He in Egypt once had made,
Birds like a cloud of seaside-sand He brought. In Zoan's field the marvels He display'd.
28 He brought and 'midst their camp the creatures fell, 44 He turn'd the courses of their Nile to blood,
On every side around them where they dwell. Streams all undrinkable, a putrid flood:
29 They ate, till sated, with a wild excess: 45 He sent the fly, in hungry myriads found,
Their long'el-for food He ga ve in copiousness. The frog to spread destruction all around:
flfanlla awl quails. SOU/II-MS/ wind/rom Guifo/ Akaba. 46 He gave their harvest as the locust's spoil:
The sateless grasshopper consumed their toil.
30 Then ere from longing they had turn'd asiele- 47 Their vines He smote, with grievous hail o'erthrown :
While yet for fooel their mouths were open'd wide- Their sycamores with pelting ice broke down.
3 I Then elid God's anger rise against their host: 48 He gave their cattle over to the hail:
He slew of those that had been fatted most, And the forked flashes made their flocks to quail.
Hum bling the choicest sons of Israel's boast; "Put to paitl," literally. TIleY crucified, "mar!.'t,.'d with (l cross," 1St pin~:;u£'.
4th plague. -md plague. 8111plague. 7111plague.
32 But, for all this in added sins they broke,
Nor would believe though loud His wonders spoke! 49 He sent on them H is anger's scorching blast,
33 So He consumed their days in empty breath, Fierce wrath and foaming rage and sorrows vast:
Their years, to pine away in swoon of death. Such evil-angel plagues on them He cast.
34 He slew them thus, and then they sued anew: 50 Thus makes He clear a track for anger's glance,
They turn'd and made their morn with Godhead true. Sheltering their soul no more from death's advance,
35 They bore in mind that God their Rock must be, But gives them pris'ners to the pestilence.
Godhead most High, their own Avenger He. 5' All Egypt's eldest born He smote at length,
A do-urn o//h'nitcnct:. Amidst Ham's tents, the first-fruits of their strength.
stlt}/ngul.:. I o tIt j!(l)".'rt'.
 THE DIVINE
52 Then, shepherd-like, His people thence He leads,
And in the desert, like a flock, He feeds.
53 He led them trustfully: no fear arose:
The sea through which they passed, o'erwhelmed
54 He to H is holy border brought them on,
Yea, to the hill His own Right Hand had won.
55 The Gentiles from their face with power He drave,-
With measuring line and lot the birthright gave:
Thus were their tents a home for Israel's tribes to have.
I" tltis place tile mounlai" is lire wltOle of I"e promised land,
a lowland, Dullo lire cry offail" Ihe Hill afGod.
56 Then, rebels still, they tempted God most High,-
Kept not His testimonies faithfully--
SONSHIP
PSA LM 79. 277
68 Then Judah's tribe 'He chose wherein to dwell,
Yea, Zion's hill for love unchangeable.
their foes'. 69 He built His sanctuary like heav'n on high,
Like earth establish'd to eternity.
70 He chose His servant David to remain,
And took him from the sheep-folds there to reign.
71 From following ewes with lambs He brought him near,
To feed His people Jacob with due care,
Yea, Israel, His birthright ever dear.
I ••earlMy speeclt
72 Even so he fed them with a perfect heart,
And guided them with hands of matchless art
}Wessinh is Adonai, lite strong' man risinl? from tlte slt!ep 0/ Ihe g-ravt'. Tlu a).~ re-
stored to A"irJatll/earil1l. Rphraim set asideiunicially, nol a,·hilraril)l. ludal, rhoss n
For euer .. The, natural law failed as Ephraim's trior were proved 1I111.t10rtll)l. (;(1(/ ~~

57 But slipp'd, and, like their sires, with treachery came,- chose Daoid wztlz th~ promise of tire /Jiphu Seed. 1hat jn-oJJlise is ullcll(r.Jlg~·ab/e.

Turn'd like a bow that falsifies its aim.

58 With their high places they provoked His ire,
And with their stone-gods roused His jealous fire. PSALM 79.
59 God heard: and bursting wrath in torrents fell :
Yea, He refused His people, Israel. THE TEST OF PERSEVERANCE
Ldolatry under Ihe Judges. A Psalm of A sapk

60 So spurn'd He Shiloh's chosen dwelling-place, THESE three Psalms (77.,78.,79.) seem to set before us the Incarna-
His tent of dwelling midst our mortal race. tion, the unfaithfulness of God's people, the desolation following,
61 He gave away His tent to captive scorn, They may be used of the Church COllectively, or of the individual
soul.
His beauty in th' oppressor's hand to mourn :
62 He gave H is people over to the sword, The Powers of Darkness, as the fowls of the air, devour the
And on His heritage His wrath He pour'd, corpses of God's servants, souls now dead, once consecrated to
63 The fire devour'd the sons that were their pride: Cod ir: Divine life. The beasts of the land, our earthly passions,
No songs of greeting rose to bless the bride. t~rannlze over us. Our blood should be hallowed by the regenera-
64 Slain by the sword, their priests in battle fell, tl11g blood of Jesus. It is poured out like water, as if it were a
Nor could the widows weep in funeral. common thing, because we live as if we were common men forzet-
ful of our new life in Christ. ' "
Tire a"k laken caflivefi'om Skiloll. S!dlolr gi7Jen ourr 10j>rof">fation oecause of
Lsrael s sin. TJr~jir~ O/1.1,ar.
. Yes!. we are in Jerusalem, the communion of saints, and yct
live as If our home were in the world! Yet we have been buried
with Christ. If we die to Him, we have none to bury us. Our
65 The Master rose, like one from slumber springing,
corruption is Icft for all to see. The world reproaches us with being
A man of might, with wine's glad frenzy singing,
~o better than the unredeemed, God's Name thus suffers profana-
66 The proud oppressors smote He in the rear-
non through us.
Gave them reproach eternally to bear.
How long? God waits for thee. God's jealousy is not vindictive.
67 Then Joseph's tent He bade His wrath refuse,
It is retributive love, He cannot punish thine enemies until thou
Nor would He Ephraim's tribe for glory choose.
humble thyself in penitence.
278 THE DIVINE SONSHIP
Do we desire for Christ's Kingdom to come? Hasten His
coming by calling forth His presence in thine heart. Let God·
hear thy cry as a true bondsman bewailing thine absence from
Him.
The seven-fold glory of the Spirit shall be thine.
But if thou neglect it, the seven-fold reproach due to God's
enemies will fall upon thee. Avenge God upon thyself, and God, .
who has conquered thy tyrant, will call thee to the eternal thank-
fulness of His glory.
THE PENITENT RACE APPEALING FOR VENGEANCE
God, how the Gentiles tread Thy birthright down,-
Defile the holy Temple Thou dost own,-
And leave Jerusalem in heaps o'erthrown !
2 Heav'n's fowls upon Thy servants' corpses feed;
The beasts of earth make flesh of saints their greed?
3 Blood round Jerusalem like water shed!
Yet none for burial waits upon the dead!
4 Our state-while neighbours with reproach abound-
Left a lewd laughing-stock to all around!
Present calamities. Ajpeal to God.
5 How long, Lord, wilt Thou show Thy constant ire,
Thy jealousy ablaze like wasting fire?
6 Pour wrath on Gentiles where Thou art unknown,
Kingdoms where none Thy Name 1 of glory own,
7 For these have eaten Jacob in their haste,
And laid his homestead desolate and waste!
To/al tlt~wmth/ttl j(Ywo· 0/ God's N'lnte is /0 fie! tlu hoje 0/ restoration.
tlu despair of/he lost tht Name o/GO({ is nnlsnoum, IV. 1II11s1 fie! it in proportion as
OUt live by it.
8 Remember not our sires' iniquities;
Haste! Let Thy tender mercies greet our eyes!
I n utter weakness lost Thy darling lies,
9 0 Saviour God! help' for Thy glorious Name 2!
Rescue b I Purge out c our sins! Thy Narne " we claim.
God sees tI,e afar off, and 'Wt 1IIusl s~e Hint
pt'/ti:'I..'Jlf cOIning to mcrt us in lIlt
Person o/CI,,-is!. TIre tllra/old lI'nllll.
PSALM 80. 279
10 "Where is their God?"- The Gentiles mock: but why?
Make known before the Gentiles in our eye
Thy vengeance for Thy servants' bleeding cry!
J 1 0 let the bondsman's sobs before Thee rise!
Now with the greatness which Thine arm supplies
Claim the lost race, ere the last remnant dies.
Insolence (If'he Enemy,
12 Pay to our neighbours' bosom seven-fold cost,
Their vile reproach, at Thee, the Master, tost !
13 So we, Thy people, we, Thy flock most dear,
Will still with thanks eternai hail Thee near,--
'4 And still record Thy praise, for future times to hear.
Cry for Vengeance,
PSALM 80.
PENITENTIAL DESIRES AWAKENED BY THE l\1EMORY OF
SAINTS
To the Precentor. Upon Lilies 0/ Testimony. A Psalm of Asaplt
THE" lily" Psalms (45., 69., 80.) speak of the Incarnation, the
Passion, the expected Divine Redemption.
The Psalmist here goes back in memory to the times of Rachel's
supremacy. This is done in no spirit of ill-will to David, but he
knows that the true David is not yet come. He 1001,s for the Son
of Man typified by Joseph. That Son, though born of David's line,
triumphs by a greater inheritance than that of David. He is the
Son of God after the Spirit of Holiness. God will strengthen with
His own Divine life the Son whom He will bring out of the Egypt
of the world. The Church of Messiah is the true Rachel, the
In
well-beloved. Her spiritual children shall be owned afresh by
incorporation into the Son of David, when the mere carnal sons
of David's promise shall fail through unbelief. David's promised
inheritance is not set aside but glorified, by H is great descendant
embodying in Himself the ancient glory of Rachel's predestination,
according to the heavenly fulness, of which her natural offspring
were the primary type.
The lilies of the Molten Sea and of the two pillars, Jachin and
Boaz, tell of the cleansing penitence and the established strength
wherewith God accepts us. The Beloved will come to gather
lilies. Among the lilies He feeds His flock (Cant. vi. 2,3). Alas!
 •

280 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 81.

how is the vine wasted, and the lily is among thorns. "Beware 12 Her produce to the western wave she shows;
of the little faxes which spoil the vines." The day shall break Her suckers reach where the great river flows.
and the shadows shall flee away. 13 Oh! Why then dost Thou thus her fences break?
God will visit the stock which He has planted in the covenant See all the passers-by! What spoil they take!
of grace. David's predestination did not empower him to be the 14 The forest boar comes rushing to uproot:
Restorer of Israel. David himself failed through earthliness. And all that roam the fields devour her fruit.
David's flesh and Rachel's love shall be gathered up in the 15 a Goel of hosts! Turn unto us, who pine!
Incarnate Son of David, the Well-beloved, from eternity. The Regard from Heav'n! On us thy gaze incline!
Son of God shall come in the flesh to be the Restorer of the Visit with constant love this wasted vine,-
eternal covenant. He comes to bring no mere earthly restoration 16 The stock Thy Right Hand planted, once well-grown,
but resurrection to eternal life, by incorporating the faithful into The Son Thou madest strong to be Thine own.
Himself. 17 It lies a fagot heap, laid waste by fire!
Yet shall-they perish when Thou look'st with ire!
18 The man of Thy Right Hand, Thy Hand shall claim,
THE SON OF GOD, THE RESTORER OF THE VINE OF
The Son of Man, so strengthen'd for Thy Name.
ISRAEL
19 Then shall we not turn back from following Thee,
2 Shepherd of Israel, now to us give heed, Thou mak'st us live; Thy Name our hope shall be.
a Thou, who Joseph as a flock didst feed, 20 Lord God of-hosts l Restore us ! c Let the light
On cherubs throned, in dazzling light proceed. Shine from Thy Face and bring salvation's might!
As the grou1Id is clctln:rI 0/ stones he/t1re platt/in&, tire vine, rt1 th e Gentiles a rr
3 Where Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh, rest, driven out be/07~e Israel. The Vine,ji:",inine as abstrnct Iru1JIrtnity. It g-erllli1latt's
Stir up 1 Thyself, in might made manifest, in Afnsialt, the S01l 7..U/lOlIt God 7flould send into ihe tnorld, Enemies waste the Vine by
And come 2 to us, in saving glory blest. God's permission, but tluoy will t/icrnsciucs I", destroyed
4 a God! Restore us ! a Let Thy Face with light
Shine forth," and we shall find salvation's might.
PSALM 81.
The camp <ifjostph westward of the ark in tl.e unldcrnrss,
GOD'S GIFTS HELD BACK BY DISOBEDIENCE
5 Lord God of hosts, how long by anger hid To the Precentor, Oil Giltith. Asaph's
Dost Thou with smoke Thy people's prayer forbid.
ISRAEL'S Paschal Song must stir a deeper elevation in us than the
6 Thou giv'st them nought but tear-bought bread to eat,
children of the Old Covenant could know. Of old God went forth
And for their drink a bowl with tears replete.
to slay the Egyptians. Our Easter triumph tells of the overthrow
7 Thou mak'st us as a prize for neighbours' strife:
of Satan and an Exodus into the heavenly glory of eternal life.
Our foes with laughter taunt our luckless life.
The Word speaks indeed a language which the earthly heart
8 aGod of hosts! Restore us ! b Let the light
knows not. We must he taught by the Holy Ghost to sing this
Shine from Thy Face and bring salvation's might.
Psalm with understanding. Away with earthly desires and strange
Smoke, II" symholofGoas 'Wralh, a.' IIzr bright fire is of llis L01'~.
Gods. Heaven is our home. God, our Father and Redeemer, calls
us. Let H is words abide in us, and we may ask what we will and
9 A vine from Egypt once Thou didst remove,
And thrusting Gentiles out, didst plant with love. it shall be done.
Wonderful forbeara nce l Still God calls though we are so dull.
10 Thou c1earedst ample room before her face;
He who has so loved us loves us still and wants our love. Look
And, rooted well, she filled the earth with grace.
up to the hills where the corn of Heaven grows for thy nourish-
II See how the hills beneath her shadow rest;
ment. Bees sent by I-lim fill even the barren rock with sweet food
Her branches climb the cedars Godhead-blest!
 282 THE DIVINE SONSHIP P S A LM 82.

gathered from gardens far and wide. He gave Himself to be Hear, people, what I witness well ~
9
swallowed up of the eater, and He whose love is stronuer than If thou wilt hear Me, Israel,
death is the Spiritual Rock which provides for thee in His Own No alien Godhead shalt thou own-
10
sepulchre, the sweeter sustenance, full of all heavenly delights, where- To no strange Godhead bow thou down.
by thou ~ayest partake of His merits and have thine eyes opened to The Lord, thy God! 'Tis surely I,
II
follow HIm as He goes forth conquering and to conquer.
From Egypt's land who brought thee nigh!
God called Moses into the cloud. God has provided for us a Make wide thy mouth! I'll grant supply.
better Mediator. He requires us to glorify Him, the Incarnate My people heard not when I spake;
12
~ord, by proved faithfulness in the supernatural life which He Israel of Me no heed would take.
gives. We must cling to Him as our only God. He makes us to I left them to their hearts' self-will,
13
ascend, bring.s .us up out of Egypt, lifting us up with Himself upon In their own schemes to wander still.
the ~ross, ralsmg us from the dead, uniting us with H is own self- What if My people would but hear-
14
oblation as our Burnt-Offering so as to ascend to Heaven. The If Israel in My ways drew near-
Burnt-Offering was literally" the Ascender." Thus He " makes us Soon on their knees their foes I'd bring-
15
to ascend" from the land of Egypt, so that we may receive all our Thick blows on their oppressors fling-.
prayers, having been brought nigh to God by the blood of Christ. See! The Lord's haters cringe in vain,
16
We are His offspring, the branches of the heavenly vine. But these eternal welcome gain.
THE DIVINE CALL TO ISRAEL AS THE FIRST-BORN
17 Fatness of wheat their food shall be,
Rich honeyed stores I'd raise in rocks for thee.':. .
REDEEMED FROM EGYPT
Th e loil 0/ the brickJ1ard. Deliverance demands obedience. Disobedience delays
Chorus predestination.

2 To God, our Strength, with ringing voice, PSALM 82.

To Jacob's Cod, with shouts rejoice!
3 Lift up the Psalm! The timbrel bring! DIVINE PREDESTINATION WORKING OUT OUR PROBA·
Sweet-sounding harp, and psaltery's string! TION IN ALL TTIE RELATIONSHIPS OF LIFE.
4 At new moon sound the trumpet's call, A Psalm of Asaph
At full moon, for our festival!
Ps, 81. was God's voice speaking to His First-born, redeemed
I'aselral/oy a pledge o//II/un deliverance. P"obably Pas souer.
from Egypt, restoring the vine (Ps. 80.).. No.1V God warns them
5 To Israel this decree was shown, that they have forfeited their right to be H IS FIrst-born. .
Judgement by Judah's God made known. God delays, but He will come. When He com~s to avenge H~s
6 He gave to Joseph witness sure, people will they recognize Him? They. want Hm1 to srnue their
Driving through Egypt's land of yore :_ enemies. But His people must know Him before He. can avenge
I hear a lip unknown before. them. The sheep know the Shepherd's voice. He W11l test them
Tlu Psaimisr suddenly hears God's voice. whether they are living true to that covenant of love whereby they
hope to be avenged. If they are not true to that covenant lie
God Speaks
cannot give them its benefits. Are they loving all men as they
7 " I eased his shoulders from the freight; hope themselves to share God's love? Are they oppressors?
H is hands forgot the basket's weight. Oppressors must perish with the oppresso~. ~ one bu~ the loving
8 At sorrow's call I set thee free: can live by Gael's love. If they are to ga~n I1f~ by H IS love, they
I spake from thunder's secrecy, must be acting towards all men in conformIty. wI~h It.
Still at Meribah proving thee. God will not help us contrary to truth and JustIce. He makes us
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP P SA L M 82.

This Divine life has been given to us as members of Christ. We

promises. We must fulfil the conditions. We are to be as Gods.
must remember that God is love. To fail of love is to' cast our
We must be like God. Adam desired God's wisdom. Lucifer
Divine life away. We must love the suffering. We must love
seems to have matched his power against God. The Divine
them by suffering for them. We must love God in spite of suffer-
supremacy which God's children must seek is the supremacy of
ing. We must love to suffer for God. Unless in our daily conduct
love. Love is the life of justice. Justice is the lifeless image of
we fulfil this law of love, we cast away that covenant of love which
love. Power must be used by love in helping the needy. Other-
wise it is a curse. Wisdom is the law by which love acts. Wisdom is eternal life.
without love were only folly. Wisdom teaches us to recognize God's
TilE DIVINE JUDGE
image in our suffering brethren. Unless love is acting in our
weakness by wisdom, wisdom must hold back the Divine love from Tile Heavenly Court
acting towards us in its power.
See God enthroned with Godhead all around!
The Jews used their power against the Son of God, because He
In very midst shall God, as Judge, be found!
came as a poor man seeking their love. If we fail to recognize 'Cod/udging man in tlte ordinary relations o/Iift.
Him in weakness, we call down upon ourselves the vengeance of
His power. Tile Dhlille Couun anri 10judge lile Poor
They were called to be God's children. The Son of God's Rig'ht
Hand came to restore the Vine of Israel. No one but the Son of 2 " Malice your judgement code? How long?
God could raise them to be partakers of the life of God. He came Still partial tow'rds the wicked throng? Sclall.
with the messag~ of God's love to those who had loving hearts. 3 Nay! Judge the weak! The orphan hear!
They should have Divine life. But those who lived for self could Th' afflicted, destitute, make clear!
not receive Divine life. They set aside justice in dealing with a poor 4 Rescue the weak, the poor indeed !
man, not knowing that He was the Son of God. It is just that Free him from wicked grasp of greed!
Psalm '41. spoke 0/ tlu oh-sscdness a/seeing L'llrist in Ilu}oor. Psalm B~. s~;~a;"so/
they should perish, for they have rejected the love, the life, of God.
~hc curse 0/ despising tlu />oor.
God's love comes now to 'call the nations of the world. Are we
living true to the image of God's love, one towards another? If
Israel jorfeilillg Ihe Divine SOllslllp
not, then that love must repudiate us. Otherwise God will have to
set His own wisdom aside. He cannot love that which sets love "Ah! none discerns! !\h! none can know!
aside. It were the folly of love to love that which repudiates love. In darkness walk they to and fro.
We must love God apart from all thought of God's power. All earth's foundations shake! Their power laid low!
Otherwise our love is only a selfish desire of what God's power will
grant. Hence it was morally necessary for us that the Son of God Israel's Doom
should seek our 10\'e in the utmost form of weakness. That is no 6 " I said, Gods are ye, one and all !
true love which loves God for any other reason than H is own Sons of the Highest by My call!
inherent goodness. 7 Yet shall ye die, as Adam fell,-
," Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" As one from princedom, f~ll1to hell! "
"Many good works have I showed you of My Father." ],J(ci/er /i:II. Ada nr dit:d, '0111 II( reccincd tilL' promise 0/ Redel1lptimt.
If we do not love Christ unless He does great things for us, our
love must be empty and false. He showed His love by suffering. JI,fe.rsiqll lJl7Iol,rd to 11I1
..e .)'07 r)'cignly oj tile Gellliles
J

We must show our love by 'suffering.

8 Rise, God! yea, come to judge the earth!
Divine life was promised to the Jews. It required a Divine
Heir to all Gentiles, claim Thy glorious birth!
Messenger. They would not believe in His Godhead for they
A /I nations are ea/It.'d 10 Ilu promise 0/ /J/vint: lifo.
saw His weakness. They lost the promised life.
286 THE DIVINE SONSHIP
PSALM 83.
SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD WHICH IS LEFT TO
PERISH IN ITS SUCCESS.
A Song. A Psalm 0/ David
TROUBLES must strengthen our prayer not in hopeless terror but
by quickening faith.
The world hates God. Whatever we suffer at their hands must
make us love God more. Loyalty without love is worthless to God
who is love. We must have love proved by endurance. ' 'Gainst Thee, in covenant join'd, their ranks engage.
The tribes here mentioned seem to point to the enemies as
having a religious element, but a false one. Edam and Ishmael are
the carnal Jewish heart. The sons of just Lot are the leaders irn-
p~ying a religion of sensuality, corrupt itself, although based upon
high claims of morality, but setting God aside. The Philistines, the
strangers, from Egypt and the Tyrian merchantmen perhaps re-
present philosophies incorporated into the faith. Asshur is the
great world power. Christ will triumph over the intellectual foes of
the times of Antichrist as He did over the heathen powers in the
days of early martyrs. As Sisera, and Oreb the raven, the symbol
of nature's darkness, and Zeeb, the wolf, of Roman Empire, Zebah,
the bloody" sacrifice" of superstition, and Zalmunnah "the dark
hills" of demon-power, perished, so will those perish who think to
take to themselves what God has given to His Church, the home-
steads of faith.
The Jews will be converted amidst the convulsions which God's
power \ViIIeffect in the last days, and probably bring with them as
of old, a mixed multitude of those who were enemies to the faith:
We must not be surprised at having to encounter hostility.
That is the very condition of our triumphing over Satan. We must
pray for our enemies. The ultimate victory is certain. "This is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
THE OVERTHROW OF GOD'S ENEMIES
The Appealfor God's Word
2 0 God, no longer silence I be to Thee!
Not bush'd.? not heedless 3 let Thy Godhead be!
3 For lo! Thy foes their fretful murmur spread,
And they that are Thy haters, lift their head.
PSALM 83.
4 Conjoin'd in craft, Thy people they would snare,
And 'gainst Thy hidden ones their schemes prepare,
5 Come, say they, root them out no folk to be !
Let Israel's name be lost to memory.
God's silence would cease by flu Incarnation. Then the Word would eOl1U, sulcosc
coming- to flu prophets 'was only external and preparatory. II Not to be a nation or
gens." Tne world treats God's jJeople as a mere Gentile unit. It dots not recognize
their distinctive supernatural character as the/amily o/God.
The Gall/ered Hosts of the Enemy
6 How with united heart in schemes they rage!
7 There Edam's tents and Ishmael's sons are seen:
See Moab there: see there the Hagarene !
8 Gebal and Ammon there, and Am'lek's host,
Philistines with the troops from Tyrian coast!
9 See midst them all how Assur joins the fight!
So lend they to Lot's sons an arm of might. Selah.
10 Do Thou to them as once to Midian's ranks,
As Sisera, Jabin, fell by Kishon's banks.
II At Endor were they utterly consum'd,
As dung upon the soil, ignobly doom'd.
12 Like Oreb, Zeeb, destroy them, chiefs and all !
Like Zebah and Zalmunnah let them fall !
13 List to the plund'ring pride their words have shown :-
" The homesteads God hath claim'd, we'll make our own."?
In /lit time 0/ Jehoslzapltat J ahazial., all A saphite, encouraged tI.e P,·opk.
The Resistless Power of GOlfsJudgement
14 Let them in rolling restlessness be borne,
As driven stubble by the breeze uptorn !
15 As fire devours the forest with fierce glare
As flame licks up the hills till they are bare,
16 Ev'n so pursue them with Thy whirlwind's play,-
With sweeping tempest drive them to dismay!
Be withering scorn upon their faces pour'd !
17 So let them learn to seek Thy Name, 0 Lord.
* The victory over Midian is the chosen type of Messiah's victory (lsa. ix .• ). It was a
special victory of faith. The victory over Sisera and the Canaanites was a victory of
Divine power, but not to the honour of Israel's general, because he was wanting in faith.
We must co-operate with God in faith if we would share the glory of His victory. He
will triumph whether with us or without us.
 I
288 THE DIVINE SONSHIP
PSALM 84.
God to be Glorified by the Homage of His Enemies
with expectant joy. The joy of the Lord which is the remuneration
18 Shame and dismay on all their legions pour, of the far-off land is the strength of the way as we progress to it.
To blush with shame and perish evermore! We here, and they there, are all one in Him. Christ is the man
19 So let them learn, a
Lord, Thy Name to own, "whose strength is in God," for He is God. He is the Head of the
Thou over all the world most High, yea, Thou alone! Body. He is the Heart also. All in Him are of one Heart and
'FJu cancitcding: verse shows what Ihe Psalmist intends by the confusion (1f I,is.
so th~re are highways in the manifold Heart of the One Man. Each
enemies. It is tluiy conversion.
~f us IS le~ by an individ~al discipline. Christ is the One Way of
life, wherel.n al.l are c.ombll1ed, and all live in the Unity of His love.
PSALM 84. :"Ie mU,~t live 111the JOY of that Heart. We must know its sorrows
111~he vale of weeping," and feel the glow of Almighty Love
THE BLESSEDNESS OF ABIDING IN CHRIST
whiCh. comes to us on the way of sorrows from Him, our Head,
To the Precentor, On Gittith. A Psalm of the SOIlS of Korah w~o IS exalted now at God's Right Hand, and draws us to
Himself.
THE exile of earth longs for the heavenly home. The former
thirst had more sadness in it. Ps. 42., the weariness of being on So do we find streams of mysterious blessedness springing up
from t~e dry earth whereon we tread. The life of suffering must
the deadly side of Jordan. H ere the "swooning" contemplates
be a .lIfe of prayer. Christ pleads by His Holy Spirit in His
not the present sadness, but the joy of the Divine Home, the
suffe~lI1g members, as He pleads for all by the merits of His
sweet dream, the reposeful reality of the Divine Presence
Passion on the Heavenly throne. Showers of blessing come
Chamber.
d~wn. So are we strengthened to go forward on our way. That
In saying this Psalm, have I a real desire, such as can be
~OIlsome journey does not wear away our strength. Nay! Christ
kindled by its inspiration? The thirst amid the toils of earth
IS f?rmed within us, so that we are strengthened more and more
tells of nature's need. The" swooning" in delightsome expecta-
tion is the ecstasy of grace. I must die to all that would bind me until w.e co~e .to the manifestation of God's Presence, to be per:
fected 111HIS likeness by the Beatific Vision.
to earth, if love, pure love, manifold love, all-absorbing love, is to
shine out before me and draw me to the heavenly rest. True love The Lor~ GO.d of I~~sts, the source of life, the object of worship,
to all who live, IS waiting for our individual perfection. He hears
to God is responsive to the love which comes from God. It
partakes of the strength of God. It nourishes with the life of our praye~. He is ~he God with whom Jacob wrestled in prayer
an.d prevailed. While we are on our journey, we must wrestle.
God. It enlarges the faculties to reach out after the greatness
HIS answer shall not fail.
of God.
[~he mus!c expr~sses the happiness of the pilgrimage on which
The servile soul may look to Heaven for strength in the fulfil-
God s blessing abides. Nevertheless, the pilgrims are passing
ment of earthly duty, but the loving soul rises out of the very
through a dangerous country.
anguish of earth's struggle to the transporting vision of the home
Jacob after his blessing saw Esau coming with an armed force.
so far away, and yet to faith so near, where the true treasure is
S~ ~ow Ps. 83· told of Edom anel his allies coming against the
safely stored. The heart and the flesh lift up to God a ringing
Divinely chosen people. Goel's blessing must not give us false
cry of joyous confidence, entrusting to His fond care all the issues
peace, but strengthen us for the encounter of faith. )
of present painful experience; and in the Divine glory of Christ's
We are strong, because God is our Shield. We call upon Him
meritorious intercession, the exhaustion of this world's travail is
to ?e~olcl, not us, but Christ in us, "the Face of His Anointed."
transfigured into the thrilling welcome of His embrace.
This IS our security against the assaults of the profane. The "jo
[The music of the interlude steals upon the ear, as if the doors . be I'levlllg
. " are the fruit of Gael's Holy Spirit. y
an d peace.lI1.
were opened in Heaven, to let us share in the endless Halleluyah
" Ha~py It IS to wait all night at the door of God's House!
of the saints.]
Until the clay break." We are strangers and pilgrims lipan
The happiness in which they are gathered animates the pilgrim
earth.
VOL. II. T
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSA L M 85.

o how good it is to open the gates of the sanctuary, morning The Happiness if Glory
after morning, until the great Morning comes, when t~ey from
10 0 God, our Shield, look down!
within shall suddenly open to us and call us. "The Bridegroom
Regard the Face of Thine Anointed One!
cometh! Come ye to the marriage! "
II Years bring not joy as in Thy Courts one day,
God is our Sun, the centre of light and power. God is our
On threshold of God's House I'd choose to stay,
Shield against all assaults of the enemy.
Rather than range through tents of wicked sway!
"Happy is the Man that trusteth in Thee." It is the eternal
12 For sun and shield is God the Lord:
joy of Christ, glorified in all His members by the power of the
Grace, glory, from the Lord are pour'd.
Holy Spirit. It is our joy as belonging to Him, trusting in Him
He crowns the perfect walk with full reward.
as our Head, knowing the love of Christ which passeth knowledge,
13 0 Lord of hosts, our song shall be,
so that we are filled with the fulness of God.
Happy the man that puts his trust in Thee!
T/re fine da)' 0./ eternity. TIle on1),place in wIdelL r:od is ca//l'd a ,(,'111', Cracr to
THE JOY OF GOD'S HOUSE the fil~'7i11l; glory to tfll' f"'fi'ct,

The Happiness of Grace

The Elohistic Psalms began with the cry, "My soul is athirst for
2 How manifold with love's pure light God." They close with l's. 84. The wanderer appears before
Shine, Lord of hosts, Thy mansions bright! Cod in Zion. He who is the living Cod Incarnate presents His
3 For the Lord's courts my soul with sighs Church as partaker of His own Divine life and consciousness.
Swoons sadly,-heart and flesh with cries- This Psalm therefore closes the series by asserting the true
Bidding the living Godhead rise. Divine character of the Covenant of J ehovah,
4 Yea, here a bird finds home most blest, Christ is the Door of the Divine life. The faithful, the true sons
The swallow finds herself a nest-- of Korah, enter in. The very Bosom of God is the Home to which
Here lays her fledgeling cares to rest- they attain, who made their earnest cry for home when they were
Thine altars, Lord of hosts, of homes the best. in the humiliation, the land beyond Jordan, the valley of the
My king, my God, confest ! shadow of death. '
5 0 happy they who to Thy House belong,
Thy praise their ceaseless song! Selah.
TIlt soul o/'t/u·l'salmist is tlu bird pilling Jor God, b,,1 even here on tarlltfindinJ: PSALM 85.
its ,-cpOS( in the l ncarnate Snoiour uihose Body i.s God's TCl1tple.

THE DIVINE FAVOUR ASSURED TO US

The Happiness of Discipline
6 Happy the man whose strength Thou art!
What highways are within their heart!
7 These, as through Baca's vale they tread,
Make the dry earth a watershed.
Blessings all round the rain doth spread!
8 With growing force in march they move,
Till God in Zion shall approve.
9 Lord God of hosts, attend my prayer!
Thou God of Jacob, hear! Selalt.
Cf. Berach nl: ill connect io n willI tlte uictory
10 belong·.
to 'lv/licit ttie preceding
To the Precentor. A Psal»: of the Sons of Aoralz
THE J ehovistic series of Psalms begins again. We praise the
Covenant Lord for renewed grace to I-Iis chosen land, H is Church.
If we have kept the door, which is Christ, how must we rejoice to
be admitted into the fuller vision of His covenant. He calls us
to enter in and rejoice in the freedom into which our captivity has
been changed.
"This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." The
benediction rests upon us as H is members.
Psatnr scans
[The music tells of sin forgiven.]
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 86. 293

The Psalmist asks for conversion of heart so as profitably to The Word of the Lord brillgin.r: Salvation
accept the renewal of grace. 9 I list what Godhead speaks,-the Lord above!
"God our Saviour." If Cod is to turn to \IS, we must turn to
Peace to His people, bound in saintly love:
Him. Christ effects this double turning. He turns us to God by
These must not turn in foolishness to rove.
coming to us in God's Truth. "Grace and Truth." Human
10 Nay! H is salvation bides with them that fear,
nature using God's gift of love so as to love God Himself, which
Thus in our land shall glory dwell to cheer.
without the gift of the Holy Chest, we cannot do ! God conies in the fieslt. TILe IVord Incarnate is Ilu: object {)./(;od's dcligllt, and
I n saying this Psalm, realize that Christ is the true Mediator, Ife is Ihe voice o/(,od speaking-peace 10 1IIa1l by t!lCgift o/t!u Holy G!,ost.
all sufficient, being both God and Man.
The Word of God comes in the flesh. Listen to Him. He is God and Man Reconciled by the Incarnation
our Peace but we must not turn back unto perdition. The angel II Mercy and truth in loving concord greet,
of God's 'Presence must be reverenced as bearing the Divine And righteousness and peace with kisses meet,
Power and Majesty, however hidden. 12 Truth joyous from the earth shall heav'nward grow,
Our land is the Mount Zion of God's covenant, of which God And Heav'n's own righteousness look down below.
says, Here will I dwell. He turns to us to .d ~ell for ever. The 13 The Lord with plenteous goodness shall renew,
Godhead and the Manhood are never to be divided. And earth responsive yield the increase due;
The righteousness which shines forth from His Face must I4 Righteousness in His presence shall proceed,
transform us, so that we may be like Him, walking in His steps. And makes H is steps the way for men to heed.

THE COVENANT OF TRUTH PSALM 86.

Tile Divine Promises fulfilled TlIE DIVINE STRENGTH COMFORTING US

2 Lord, on Thy land Thy pleasure smiles once more: A prayer of Da'llid
Now deign'st Thou Jacob's captives to restore. ALMOST entirely a cento from preceding Psalms. A summary of
3 Th' iniquity we mourn Thou dost remove. David's aspirations. So let it be of ours.
And all Thy people's sin dost hide in love. Selah. "Adonai," a specially Messianic title, occurs seven times.
4 Thy streaming wrath Thou wholly dost restrain, According to the Jews, access to Jehovah was through Aclonai.
And from Thy scorching anger turn'st again. We may use this name here in the power of the seven-fold Spirit,
Jacoh who 'Wrestled 'with God may 'raft/or a season, but ltis blessing- is sure. enabling us to speak as members of the elect Servant to Him as
our Head, and through Him as our Mediator.
Prayer for Conversion so as to accept Them The Servant is Cod's true Saint, the Saint of saints.
5 0 wholly turn us, God of our Salvation! He is our mouthpiece. We are in His Body, not losing our
Break off from us Thy spell of indignation! personality but sharing His life. We cannot act nor speak save
6 Wilt Thou be angry with us evermore, as His life in us enables us, but it rests with ourselves to use the
And stretch Thine anger out while times endure? power of life which lIe communicates.
7 Wilt Thou not turn-ev'n Thou -to make us live? II is mediation extends to all nations. The three-fold mention
For to Thy people Thou true joy shalt give. of God's Name points to the baptismal covenant. The new-born
8 0 make us to behold Thy mercy, Lord! are to glorify Cod's Name. Adonai has delivered us from the
On us let Thy salvation be outpour'd. depths of Sheo!.
TIle T'arg-urn renders tlris, U Turn to IfS." Cod turns ItS by turning to us so as to
The elect Servant is the Seed of the woman, the handmaid of
dwell ill us. the Lord, that is, ,huillan nature assumed in its abstract form.
 \
'.

294 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 87. 295

Personally He is the Servant, but He did not derive His Person-
ality from a human source. He brought the Godhead into flesh.
We are partakers of the manhood thus renewed by His Incarnation.
So can we also serve in newness of spirit and not in the oldness
of the letter.
He who has begun the good work will perfect it in us. He.
gives the Holy Ghost to be the Help and Comforter of His
people.
TIlE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST AS THE
NEW COVENANT
Prayer for Comfort to the Affiicled
Stretch forth Thine ear, 0 Lord, and answer me !
Afflicted, poor, I wait in misery.
2 Keep Thou my soul, for as Thy saint I rest:
o save Thy servant, Thou, my God all blest!
Only to Thee my trust can be exprest !
3 0 Master, let Thy grace upon me fall,
For I throughout the day to Thee would call.
4 0 let Thy servant's soul in Thce rejoice:
Master, to Thee my soul uplifts her voice.
S For, Master, Thou art good, with pardon free,
In mercy rich to all who call on Thee.
6 Lord, let my prayer find in Thine ears a place!
Hark to my voice, so oft uplift for grace.
7 I n sorrow must I call on Thee above,
12 Master, My God, heart-thanks I'll give to Thee,
And glorify Thy Name a eternally.
13 For great Thy mercy is which rests on me:
My soul from nether Sheo! Thou hast set frce.
A 1/ tift.' GOlliles art to ~c galht'rt'd info Cod's coua.nnt,
Appeal for God s Interference against tlte ~V£doi
14 God! see the proud! against Thee how they rise!
They seck my soul ill troop'd ferocities.
HEAD OF' THE They set not Thy great throne before their eyes.
15 Thou, Master, Godhead, tender, gracious found!
Thine anger halts. Thy mercy, truth, abound.
16 0 turn to me Thy face! Thy grace bestow!
o make Thy servant now Thy strength to know!
And to Thine hand-maid's son salvation show!
17 0 work with me some sign of good unblamed !
My haters then shall see and be ashamed,
Be Thou, Lord, as my Help, Thall as my Comfort named.
1'1" o/>/>ositio"of the world. wlziel, trusts ill self, not ill God. The Seed of Ihe
7.U{1I1t(tn
'was to t1'iumpit. The -u-eak ncss oJ II/e fit'Sl! is 0./ the 1111man n at ure, llis
Diuine Person is A /IltTgllty. TILe Cross 0/ outward nuea encss is the s(~Jl 0./ illlzerent
power.
PSALM 87.
TIlE JOY OF TilE COMl\IUNION OF SAINTS
Psalm of the SOilS of Koralz. A SOllg

For Thou dost answer with unchanging love. THE pilgrim looks up for the help and comfort of the Holy Ghost,
;lfcssin/t. /lcC01ltin,t; partaker 0/(110' ltumilialirJ1t, pleads for rccognirion as tIle elect
and beholds the throne of Messiah established upon thc Holy
Scrnant 0/ JcllO.!ah. fie is tIle Saillt as bd1t.~ s,:paratetlllnto Gnd in love. Ie Adona,"
occurs seuen times in lIds Psalm. I-1ills. This is the true Zion. The gates of hell cannot prcvai I
against the gates of the Heavenly City. The dwellings of Jacob
Divine Almighti11ess amidst the vicissitudes of earth cannot equal this consummating
8 None midst the gods is like Thee, Master mine! glory.
Unmatch'd Thyself, as all the works of Thine! The Catholic Church is not founded upon hills of Bnshan.
9 All from all earth-the Gentiles thou hast made- Zion's earthly lowliness is seen rejoicing in her Divine prerogative
Shall come with homage to Thy Presence paid. upon the heavenly hcight. Messiah's Codhead is the foundation,
Thus, Master, shall Thy Name I be aye obey'd : the Divine Rock, sustaining all. He builds upon Himself the
ro For Thou art great-Thy work in marvels known : glorious city which will appear in the end, having Himself as thc
Yea, Thou in very deed art God alone. Lamp of Light filling all with lustre (Rev. xxi. 23).
I I Show me, 0 Lord, the way that Thou dost bless: In the next Psalm He brcaks His way through the gates of
Then in Thy truth I'll walk with watchfulness--- death to this eternal thronc. The city has the glory of God.
Yea, with sound heart Thine awful Name 2 confess . [The music pours forth the fitting hornage.]
•
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 88. 297
Nations of the earth have passed away, becoming incorporate
in the One Mystical Body of Christ. It is not a national aggrega- PSALM 88.
tion, but an individual regeneration. This Psalm is a Psalm of
welcome to each of the faithful. The Old Priest said a Nunc Dimittis CONFIDENCE AMIDST THE PAINS OF DEATH
leaving the earth. Now the Divine High Priest welcomes one
A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the Precentor. O,Z lIlahalath·
by one those who are reborn to Heaven. It is the Good Shepherd
Leannoth, A lIlaski! of Heman, the Ezrahite.
calling His sheep by name.
[The music celebrates the joy of the Redeemer's welcome.] THE vision of the glorious city is followed by the plunge into the
We must long for that day of perfected regeneration while ~~ darkness of the grave. That vision must strengthen us to follow.
sing this Psalm. The King invites the multitudes, as they have So when Stephen saw Heaven opened he commended his spirit
drunk of the brook of sorrow, following Him upon earth, to share to Jesus whom he saw welcoming him. "Death cannot separate
the ecstasy of heavenly delight, rising up to enter into the joy of us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This
Himself their Lord. Psalm is not despondent. He who has trodden the winepress
alone upon earth, now looks for the Divine interposition to set Him
THE REGENERATE LIFE OF THE CITY OF GOD free by death. He has conquered. Upon the Cross He now
claims the fruit of that victory.
The City founded not upon Eartlt but upon God
His soul has borne all the antagonism of the enemy. Men
His Home is stablish'd on the Holy Hills. think Him conquered. They suppose that He is cut off like the
2 Loved of the Lord, see Zion's gates rejoice! rest of men. Not so. God sends Him into the pit of darkness.
Above all Jacob's dwellings, these His choice I There He must accomplish God's work. There He is a free-man.
3 What words of Glory celebrate Thy fame, More than free. He is a Conqueror to set others free. There
City so blest, which God delights to claim I Selah. was no despondency in Gethsemane. Nor is there here. Neither
Tlte K'lorious promises of Cod to Zion fulfilled. must we allow ourselves in despondency, however much we may
feel God's anger against sin pressing upon us. We do not in fact
The New Birth in Christ lifting Man out of all Antecedents begin to despond until we begin to lose our sense of the personal
4 Rahab and Babel I memorialize, holiness and love of God. Abstract fatalism brings despondency.
Philistia, Tyre, and Cush, my votaries, The more we feel our sin, the more we feel the security of God's
"This was born there,"-a voice of welcome cries. tender care. It is only thus that we can pass safely through the
Hpsti/e nations brouK'ltt into tit, covenant. Egypt ami Babylon; tlte two world deep waters. God makes one way of Exodus for us, and that is by
ptnuers. Mankind. Commerce. Bodily welfare. One by one we are born again into tit, walking straight forward in faith, knowing assuredly that He will
covenant. Individually tltey Itave to for!{ei lIteh' own people, and so be new·born· into
tlte Heavenly City. bring us safely through the deep.
So here we must notice the emphasis of the words" in the night
Regeneration an Individual Gift -berore Thee." We should pause between the words. They can
only be adequately rendered by an additional sentence. "The cry
5 Tell Zion, man by man, a new-born race I
goes up by day. Not only so, by night. Yes: for there is no
He, the Most High, makes firm her changeless grace.
darkness to hide from Thy love." "Let my prayer come to Toy
6 The Lord whose writ the peoples' names must bear,
Face," revealed to liS in Christ, ever present to His all-holy Soul.
Records how truly this too was born there.
He calif to be heard, that the Father may save Him out of death
(Heh. v. 7), that is the subjection to death which belonged to His
A nthem of Heavmly Exaltation
life upon earth, [from which there was no Exodus but by dying).
7 In whirling troops of dance how swells the song So with ourselves. We have to thank God who delivers us day
I .. The springs of all my bliss to Thee belong. by day out of the death which is our natural condition as sinners

'1
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 88. 299

(2 Cor. i. 10). "Our life is touching upon Sheol," that is the "far from God's remembrance." Death cuts them off from God's
natural condition of the soul after death, receiving its due penalty. Hand, but Christ commends His Spirit into the Hands of Cod,
Christ's soul was touching upon Sheol not by penalty but in and we only know death as taking away that which separates us
mysterious self-oblation. His Divine life was inalienable. There- from God's embrace in Christ.
fore He could not know Sheol as a place of death. We have to cry God had appointed Christ for the nethermost pit am?ll? the
out, as having a Divine life which may be forfeited, "Suffer us not darknesses and depths. He was not to go down as the victun ~f
through any pains of death to fall from Thee." "A man, a warrior darkness but as its conqueror. All the spiritual powers of evil
that hath no strength." It is not merely a man whether high or must admit Him, for He is the Lord, mighty in battle. lIe docs
low, but a strong man that He seemed to be, and now they think not go down in submission to a Providence which I-Ie could !10t
His strength is gone. He seems to be a Samson blinded and avoid. He goes down in accordance with the Father's appomt-
only fit for mockery. So we may seem to be, while yet we know merit but bv His own will. All men have to bear the pressure
that God who has delivered will deliver. We must never allow of th'e pains of death by reason of their sin. He wil.lingly en-
ourselves to feel as if God had forsaken us. We may forsake Him. countered death, that He might lift up the burden which would
Though we touch upon Sheol with our fleshly nature, tasting have been too heavy for us to bear, had not His saving Hand made
death, as our Lord Himself tasted death, nevertheless if we are the way clear for us.
. .
III Chnst, we shall not see death with spiritual
'
vision. Christ Christ says elllphatically-" Upon Me how heavily doth Thy
tasted death all the years of H is earthly life. Dying filled His wrath press!" It is because He has taken up the bunlen of
soul with the sweetness of Divine refreshment, for which lie man's sinful race. By Ilis Incarnation He took up the whole race
thirsted. So be it with us! Oh that we might taste death more and its whole burden. If we cling to I I im He will carry us safely
in penitence, feel how we are touching upon Sheol! Then shall we through the final death- struggle, and the pain of de~th sha~1 not
not go down into the pit, but shall rejoice in the life of our Father's harm us. The sinful flesh will drop off. None fall of HIS re-
welcome. demption because Christ has left some spiritual enemies un-
In truth, death to those who are in Christ is freedom. "Free conquered. Cling to Him, He will carry thee safely through the
am~ng the dead," like a slave liberated from the bondage of earth. lifelong battle. We must not fall back under the domlllion of the
Or It may be, "let loose," as if no longer of value for earth's service. foes from whom we were set free. There is no subsequent
The double meaning gives the double view of death-what it redemption available for any if they refuse the day of grace. .
seems to the world and what it is to the faithful. "Thou hast afflicted me with all Thy breakers." The Psalmist
Christ was wounded for our transgressions. Shall we refuse to sets before us the image of a strong man swimming in a stormy
be wounded for His love? The world mocks at us if our religion sea. It is not that God seeks to drown Him by raising up a
does not make us thrive in the world. We must rather count it storm against Himself individually. Rather must ~e thin." of
joy to be wounded in any way for Him. Those wounds are the the Father watching Him as He goes forth upon HIS appointed
marks of the Lord Jesus, wherein we may glory. task to rescue man's perishing race from the wrecked vessel wl~en
none but He could save them. The idea is as of a father watching
The world can only regard them as the wounds of sin. The
real wounds of sin make the world glory. Men think themselves his son in the performance of a perilous feat of heroism. H is glory
is to he vindicated against rebels! Safety must be provided for
triumphant when Satan wounds their spiritual life. Their very
those whom I l e desires to have rescued from their grasp! The
slavery to sin makes them fancy that sin's wounds are tokens of
aggrandisement. breakers, the sufferings with which Christ contended, are not
The world scorns the faithful who will not be wounded by sin, abstract difficulties, the anguish of impersonal pain. The breakers
here arc the personal powers of evil raging around the vessel .of
but are thankful to be woundedfor sin, knowing that the healthful
humanity. Jesus leaps into the whirlpoul, safe as having the life
wounds of the Cross bring the freedom of immortality.
Blessed are the wounds of a friend, but sad indeed are the wounds of God.
God rejoiced to behold II is Son battling with these powers.
of those whose whole life is of earth, so that they lie in the grave
 300 THE DIVINE SONSHIP i
I P S A LM 88. 301

He knew indeed that by reason of the Godhead those powers dependence was the necessary correlative of the quickening power
could not touch His life, but when He saw the humanity struggling 'of the Divine Nature in its sovereignty.
against sin with all that intensity of suffering which showed a The Cross follows. "I stretch forth my Hands unto Thee."
hatred of sin equal to the Divine hatred of it, then Cod saw that This is the consummation of the Personal ohlation, spiritual dark-
the work of creation was justified. Had there been any suffering ness, human isolation, bodily exhaustion, unceasing prayer, lifting
in the struggle with the sinful powers, whose hateful bulk had not up upon the Cross.
broken upon the Incarnate Saviour, then there would have been \Ve must take up our Cross and follow Christ, not with the self-
some" residue of wrath" wherewith God hated sin in which Christ deceiving hope that a half-hearted intention will avail with Cod,
had not attained to co-operate. The Seed of the woman was to but with a perfect readiness to have the intention accepted in
conquer the serpent, and therefore all those breakers of evil in whatever form of sacrifice Cod may appoint. "Ve must shrink
which the madness of that spiritual sea tosses itself in boastful from no suffering, if we would reach out in loving sacrifice to Cod.
rebellion must dash upon the Deliverer ere He can sav that His The soul contemplates the Cross. Can it be that there is no
work is finished. . triumph to reward such a life of devotion? The Human Soul of
[The music representing the storm sets forth the violence of His Jesus rises up to the wonders of the reward which has always been
spiritual struggle.] present to His consciousness. "For the joy that was set before
The Psalmist now turns to the consideration of human antagonism. Him, He endured the Cross." Nevertheless, wonder is an element
The Seed of the woman was to feel the enmity of the seed of the of human nature, and the Divine glory so far surpasses all created
serpent, and not merely the spiritual malice of the serpent by possibility of experience, that even the Soul of the Incarnate Son
individual assault. cannot contemplate the glory without wonder. Without such
"Cod has put His acquaintance fat from Him." Not by wonder there would have been no capacity of receptivity, for there
providential interposition but by the moral law of nature. It is a would be no merit. Without this there would be no intelligence, no
law of nature that the sinful being must shrink from the Holy exaltation, no remuneration. He has finished the work which the
One. This is a necessary condition of Christ being truly one with Father gave Him to do. Now it is for Cod to fulfil His promise.
the Father. "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father." "Wilt Thou then perform wonders for the dcad ? Shall the
"Ve have to remember now, that" the friendship of the world is shades rise up? 0 shall they thank Thee?"
enmity against Cod." Even His nearest kin thought He was He came to conquer Satan and redeem mankind. Is this work
beside Himself. At His betrayal they all forsook Him and fled. not to be accomplished upon the outer globe amidst living men?
He was" shut up" in II is own Personal Being, and of the people Are the dead to feel its power? St Paul says, He is declared to
there was none with Him. "I cannot get forth." There was no be the Son of Cod with power by the resurrection of the dead. So
Exodus for this solitary Man, the Cod-Man. All earth was a here. He cannot contemplate H is own individual Resurrection
prison-house, and all its inhabitants were absolutely strangers to apart from that of His faithful people. He was 1I0t merely a Man.
His Divine Personality. Only one way of Exodus was before He became Man, and therefore all mankind that are to have hope
Him. That door of life was death. in God must have that hope through H im, and so shall they share
His Body, though not liable to death, was exposed to the suffer- in H is reward.
ings which belong to mortal man. His eye was wasted with His Yes. He was a Solitary upon the earth. He is to rise from the
bodily Passion. Alas! have we any sense of sin correspondent dead as the Head of a new race. And not only now shall the
with this? We are too apt to feed the eye with that which prisoners of hope rise along with Him, but in future time none can
ministers to our evil nature. His Soul was occupied crying unto share I lis glory but those who have died.
God all the day. Although the Divine life was His by indissoluble He that ascended is the same that descended first into the lower
unity of Person, yet would His Human Soul have been incapable parts of the earth. !lis death is the first step of !lis glorification
of union with the Divine life, had not His Human Will continued in Heaven. We must die in oreler to learn what it is to live in llim.
in unceasing prayer. This clinging of the Human Nature in its [The music celebrates here the accomplishment of the Passion of
302 THE DIVINE SONSHIP P SA L M 88. 303
Christ in its human relationships, whereby He draws mankind after same word as in that Resurrection Psalm of Eucharistic appeal
Him with a mighty Hand of redeeming power.] (Ps.43). "Thou art the God of my strength: Why hast Thou put
Having carried on the mystery of redemptive struggle to the me from Thee? Why go I so heavily while the enemy oppresseth
moment of the Resurrection, it remains for the Psalmist to contem- me?" "Why hide Thy Face from me?" H is soul was acting in
plate that wonder. Recognize this as an act of mercy and faithful- the strength of the Divine vision, but He longs for the complete-
ness-mercy because man had forfeited all right to any renewal of ness of the human bodily organism, so that His lower nature may
life, and faithfulness because this eternal life was the original experience the joy which belongs to Him as the Eternal Son of
covenant made with man. In the Proteuangelium which announced God.
a conqueror to subdue Satan, this restoration of man was not These verses set forth the intense violence of the conflict. Satan
promised, but it was implied. If man was not to rise out of the who has done his worst must now be crushed by the dying Saviour.
serpent's slavery to eternal life, the overthrow of Satan would seem He has been" ready to die" all through life" from H is youth."
to be purposeless. God's glory would not be vindicated unless His N ow the moment of death is come. "I bear all thy terrors." 11 e
primary intentions when He created man were completely and has to put forth an energy equal to those terrors. When He has
gloriously carried out. The Redeemer must bring Divine Life to done this, they will cease, for their doom is already uttered. The
man who had lost it, and He who would bring Divine Life must be serpent's head must be lowered. The next word is found nowhere
Himself Divine. The Seed of the woman must therefore be the else. Nowhere else could such a crisis occur. The meaning is
Son of God, as our Lord said to the Jews when employing Ps. 82. doubtful. It expresses an effort in which human nature loses
to vindicate His own claim to Divine Sonship. itself.
Abaddon is a name which evidently points to the Revelation We must observe how this struggle is full of will and of activity,
where it is used as the equivalent of Apollyon (Rev. ix. II). He is like a swimmer in a stormy sea, not like one on whom the fires of
the Prince of Darkness. The Lord of Life must destroy him. He wrath have descended by a superior and destructive power. I t is as
cannot overthrow the faithfulness of God. Redemption is the a fireman fighting the flames, not a martyr having to submit to
struggle between Christ and Abaddon. Christ has conquered them. Messiah has, as it were, to gather up these flames of
Satan here. Now He descends to crush him in his own domain. demoniacal fury in which God's wrath burns. He must gather
"The land of oblivion" is the land of those" who are remembered them up in His human grasp. He does not now, as during the
no more, for they are cut off from God's Hand." So verse 6. But previous time of struggle, ask to have them taken away. He is
now God's Right Hand will pluck the faithful even thence. Christ Master! It now remains for Him to hold the strong man bound
is the Right Hand of God. The grave indicates the bodily until the time of IIis loosing for a while shall come, and then lIe
resurrection; the land of oblivion indicates the restoration of their will cast him into the lake of fire.
souls to life in God's favour. ' The scorching blasts of Divine fury rush' over Him. But the
Messiah goes thither in the Spirit of Prayer. He is to carry Psalmist even uses this word of what He has Himself to bear. His
out His work of atonement, but prayer is His power, now in His enemies are scorched by that flame! He, never! He shows His
triumph, as it had been in His struggle. "As for me, unto Thee, Divine life by remaining unharmed. H is human nature felt the
o Lord, do I appeal, and in the morning my prayer anticipates agony of the struggle while He was wrestling with Satan's assaults
Thee." It is the morning of the Resurrection. The Divine call in this world of human enslavement. Now His freed soul acts
finds the Psalmist praying with confident expectation in the dark without suffering. He crushes the enemy, as bearing in Himself
abyss. The time is come, but He prays. His prayeris the means the Omnipotence of (;od. He knows, indeed, the horror of God's
of bringing it to pass. whelming fire, but He is the Agent, no longer the Sufferer. He
"0 Lord, why dost thou reject my soul and hide Thy Face from says, the floods of Belial filled Him with horror. It is His hatred
me?" r n the outset He had cried, "Why dost Thou leave me to of evil. The zeal of God's House overwhelmed Him when lIe
struggle alone?" (Ps. xxii. I). Now He cries," Why clost Thou not cleansed the Temple (Ps. 119. 139.). So now, when He is
call me near to Thyself, now that I have conquered?" It is the cleansing the world, He does it by experiencing the nothingness
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 88. 305
4 Sated with wrongs most sore, how sinks my soul:
of created existence in such a manner that He acts simply In
My life is touching on the shades of Sheol,
Divine power.
5 Men think me the pit's prey, like all the dead,
Thus does this stanza describe the final single combat between
A warrior, whose persistency has fled.
Messiah and Satan whereby He crushes the serpent's head.
lIe kaps into ttre pit, sUJ/lill~ like other mt'n to die.
Remember, God calls us in some degree to carryon the same
fight! We must in our measure experience our own nothingness. 6 Among the dead a wand'ring freedman now,
We must feel the same horror of the Evil One, yet be tranquil in Like those that, wounded, in the grave lie 10IV,-
faith and love. Querulous controversy shows little faith or love.
Those whom Thou bidd'st from Thy remembrance go!
The evil spirits have been round Jesus all the day, all His life, There from Thy Hand cut ofT for evermo !
specially during the three hours of Friday's noontide. All His But others die by Divine pellflll),. lIe dies voluntarily at God's command.
earthly friends left Him alone. He bids farewell to all that nature
might claim as near and dear to Him by earthly association. They 7 Thou sett'st me for the nether pit to hold,
stand afar off. But still the Father calls Him farther away from l n darknesses, abysses, manifold.
them. He must descend into hell that they may not have to 8 Thy wrath lies heavy on me, unrelieved,-
descend thither. Now He is to go where all His acquaintances are The plunging breakers by Thy storm upheaved, Selah.
darkness. Those powers which He has known as His antagonists In dyi,,/{ l ie takes a/ull measure o./dt.'atlz. I-Ie h as to conquer Sru an, in tulto nt th c
on earth are waiting in their darkness. He, the Lord of Light, tu ra th: 0./ Codfi,tds itsfid' c.xcrcisc.
comes to be their destruction. The faithful ones of olden time who
waited for Him were held in the tyranny of darkness. He knows 9 Thou putt'st them far away that know me here:
them. He is going down to deliver them! Yet is there no ray of Thou sett'st me their abhorrence still to bear!
light in that realm until He descend thither. Iif
is the Light. All Close bound in clay, I find no exit here.
round about Him are darkness. 10 Mine eye with sad affliction droops away:
At the end of this Psalm the Soul of the Saviour passes from the oLord,' I cry to Thee throughout the day,
fellowship of earth into the realm of darkness. Here He was With hands to Thee extended while I pray,
hidden in the flesh. There He shines forth as the Light of Life, His relation to earth, Abhorred 0/ »nanleind. Im}n"soncd in our natural COlt"
dition, Wnstcd in bodily pail!.
the joy of those who looked for Him in faith, the terror of demons.
He descends to crush the serpent's head, for now the serpent 1I Say! Wilt Thou work in wonders for the dead?
has wounded His H eel in the conflict of earth. Shall these rise up and thank Thee,-shades long fled? Sc!rl!l,
Now He will bind the strong man and spoil his goods, carrying 12 Say! Shall Thy mercy in the grave be told?
captive in joy the faithful whose souls till now were held in Satan's Shall Thy truth triumph in perdition's holel?
bondage. 13 Say! Shall Thy woneler cheer those clark domains-
In the next Psalm, the Soul of Jesus comes up from the grave, Thy righteousness-where colel oblivion reigns?
resuming His Body which was in the grave with the voice of thanks- Ihs dcatlt apn'nci/>le of rcsurrcctron to tIU:JJI fltat died b,:/tJYc,for lIe is tlu Giver
giving. 0/ rigltfctJusncss.
Be the Lord's mercies mine eternal song!
r 4 I, Lord," to Thee my loud appeal have sent:
TIlE INFERNAL ENCOUNTER OF LIFE AND DEATII My prayer at morning shall Thy watch prevent.
2 I look to Thee, Lord God of my Salvation: 15 Why, Lord,t dost Thou reject my soul? And why
Daily I wail! Night lacks not adoration. Secrete Thy Face, when I, Thy suppliant cry?
3 0 let my prayer into Thy Presence rise: 16 Lo, here afflicted, gasping from my youth,
Stretch forth Thine ear, to heed my ringing cries! I bear Thy pressure with bewildering ruth,
TIll Ecsur-rection to take place at early JJlorni!1,!."-,restorinK llis Illanhood to Divincjoy.
Ttu fou ntains n/ ~""aa ill /'s. 37. /lo'W /rom Ihe grave 0/ Christ. Hae fl!(Ssialr
looks Ihrough I/u darkness 0/ tire c>'ave 10 /lit ligllt beyond. VOL. II. U
 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 89. 307
17 O'er me have passe,d Thy floods of scorching ire: care that our life shows forth the reality. of our utterance by the
I feel the horrors of Thy whelming fire. sublimity of our aims.
18 All day, like waters, they enclose me round:
I t was the original decree of man's creation that II e should attain
Conjoined in hostile circle they abound.
to the likeness of God. I t is God's good pleasure that we should
19 Lover and friend Thou puttest far away,
attain to this. He will exalt us by His living power in the end,
Who are they now that know me? Darkness they I
screening us amidst the temptations of earth, and ruling us from J I is
TI" ./foods 0./ Cod's enemies hflve dashed over Him-fire like -mater: Hu",,,,, heavenly throne.
/ri~nds far away. Himself flu only Ligltl amidst the universal darlsness.
God revealed the coming of the Son of David by a vision to
Nathan. We must accept that vision with perfect faith. I lis
unction was to be a heavenly power, the power of the ll oiy Ghost.
PSALM 89.
That power abides upon Him. God's Arm supports Him, and us
DIVINE PROTECTION PREPARING FOR THE also in Him, if we live true to that power, acknowledging I lim as our
KINGDOM TO COME Head. We must not expect that the powers of the world will draw
back. They will assail, but they will be vanquished. We mean-
Maskil of Ethan, the Ezrahite while have to glory amidst all persecutions and tribulations that we
endure. This will be "a manifest token of the righteous judgement
WE must recite this Psalm as those who have entered with Jesus of God, that we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of Cod for
into the darkness of the grave, and are looking for the glory of the which we also suffer," looking to enter into" rest when the Lord
new life to be revealed in heavenly power.
Jesus shall be revealed from I leaven with Ilis mighty angels, ill
Meanwhile we have to bear the reproach as Christ's people. flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not Cod and that
The hope of Christ may be sweet in the mouth, but in the belly obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Ch rist » (Thcss. i. 4-8).
it is bitter. That is no discouragement to us. We know that the The Church of Christ will go on triumphing Irorn age to age, and
promise given to us in Christ assures to us the Food of Immortality. we must rejoice to know how, when it is beaten down in one
The promise to David is sure. country, it asserts itself with Divine life ill another country.
[The music in a firm strain sets forth the changeless truth.] God acknowledges Christ to be II is Son, not IJY popular
The Host of Heaven are watching to see the manifold wisdom of acclamation, but by I I is own Divine manifestation.
God accomplished in the Church. He who redeemed Israel of old We must glory in the inheritance of that life which helongs to
will deliver us from the tyranny of the Satanic world. We must Him, the Son, the Incarnate Word, of Cod. We must fight man-
have our own faith stablished by remembrance not only that God fully against the world, the flesh, and the devil, not by earthly craft,
can act now as He acted then, but that He is the same God. His but in the power of this imperishable life.
law of action is the same. What He did then was the very initiation The warning to us is as sure as the promise to Christ.
,.
/
..
of that deliverance which He will work for His people now. He is If we draw back from Cod's conditions, accepting some lower
the Lord of the Universe, and will carry out His purposes in a law of social reform, and not acting true to the judgements by
universal triumph over evil. , He will not rescue us by brute power, which the prince of this world is condemned, content with our 011'11
but by righteousness enthroning H is people in His own glorious views of religious requirement instead of living faithfully up to the
life by the power of the Holy Ghost, and by judgement dooming requirements of God's Church as a supernatural institution, then
the prince of this world and all his offspring to endless woe. He will we must experience God's discipline.
raise His people up by mercy, considering our infirmity, and stablish Alas! as we sing this, how we have to deplore the earthliness
us in security by the eternity of I-Iis Truth. which corrupts modem Christendom, makillg it so different from
How we ought to rejoice in the illumination of this glorious the age of the martyrs, and necessitating the withdrawal on
covenant I We have been baptized into the Name of Christ, and Goel's part of those manifestations of Divine power by which we
as "we are made the righteousness of God in Him," we must take might triumph over the kingdom of darkness if we were faithful.
 308 THE D IV INE SON S HIP
PSALM 89. 309
There is but one means of rising out of this state of decay. We
must turn to God with perfect confidence in His abiding covenant. Divine life. There is none of us possessing such inherent strength
He will surely not allow H is truth to fail, pledged to the Son of as not to see death. It is the doom of all mankind, and no man
David for ever. may deliver his brother.
As the sun is the central object on which the planets rest, and as What are the promises to David. The promises are for a
the moon shining during the night bears witness that the sun, world beyond the grave, but is there to be no fulfilment of
although unseen, is shining still undimmed, so Christ shall reig n : superiority in this world also. Is the Seed of the woman to-leave
for ever, the true foundation of the Kingdom of Heaven upon the us in the weakness of our earthly estate? Surely the promise to
throne of God, and the Church upon earth amidst all the variations David implies a sovereignty here below, and not only a spiritual
of earthly appearance shall continue during the night-season of our deliverance hereafter.
present conflict with surrounding darkness. The daylight cannot The Psalmist speaks as being himself the king on whom must
shine in its fulness until the Church is built up in the completed fall the rebukes which arc uttered against the kingdom of David in
glory of the heavenly Jerusalem on high, but no darkness must its decrepitude. We must remember that we, each one of us, bear
make us doubt God's truth pledged to her. The gates of hell shall within ourselves the dignity of Christ communicated to us in our
not prevail. baptism.
[Music follows upon the Divine declaration. As it ceases, the \Ve must feel the weakness of our mortal nature, so utterly feeble,
Psalmist bows down with humble acknowledgement.] and yet the reality of high vocation in Christ, the same now as to
He bewails the withdrawal of God's favour. The Church is the saints who triumphed over the world in the N ame of Christ in
Body of Christ, but it is subjected now to God's wrath. The earliest times. While we call God to remember this we must stimu-
covenant tokens are no longer visible. The inheritor of spiritual late ourselves to rise out of our natural carnality to H is spiritual
power is subjected to earthly domination and contempt. Discipline predestination.
is destroyed. Her secular organization is made a ruin. [N B.- How long? It is not a question of curiosity or complaint. It is
This implies the carnality of the same while it existed, for the only the cry of penitence. This degradation must last until we rise to
place where the word occurs is in the description of Edom, and the obedience of faith.
Edom is the symbol of the Judaizing, earthlyheart.] What was the The promises made to our forefathers are fulfilled in Christ. We
earthly strength of the Church, now only affords opportunity for must rise up to the new birth of the heavenly Kingdom, and we
pillage and an occasion of scorn. Earthly powers tyrannize. shall find that Cod has" laid help upon one that is mighty," able to
In this season of decay the sword of the Spirit which was hard help us, to raise us, to carry us safely through death. /\11 life in this
as a flint is no longer able to strike a decisive blow. The spiritual world is subjection to death, but they who lo~k to Christ shall not
forces of the Church cannot hold up against the enemy. see death even though they have to taste its bitterness. Tiley
This state of things must not make us complain of God's shall be strengthened in the Spirit as they die more and more to
discipline, nor despond as to H is eventual interference. The the world. As they feel the world's emptiness, they rejoice that of
calamitous state of things must rouse us to efforts of faith. Our Christ's fulness have all we received and grace for grace. 1-1e took
expostulation with God must be humble and penitent. 'Ne must upon Himself the emptiness of manhood that we might have the
take the fault upon ourselves. \Ve must look up with a perfect fulness Of. Go.dhea.d. 1.'1ebecame poor amongst men that we migllt
assurance that this rejection is not a permanent condition. God is become rich m HIm WIth all the riches of Cod. The life of tile
waiting to be gracious. What is He waiting for? Surely our hearts SOilS of Adam is a life of vanity, but our life in the Second Adam
can say! He is waiting to see us penitent. is the glorious life of eternal power as partakers of the con-
H ow long shall this last? substantial Sonship.
We call upon God to remember what our earthly condition of
life is. We call upon Him to see the emptiness of our mortal clay.
Sinners we are, and we have forfeited the sustaining power of
310 THE DIVINE SONSHIP
THE ETERNITY OF MESSIAH'S
2 Be the Lord's mercies mine eternal song!
My mouth show forth Thy Truth all ages long!
3 I said, Be mercy built eternally!
Thy Truth Thou makest firm in Heaven to be.
The Kingdom 0/ etern al Tr-uth,
4 A covenant with my chosen have I made,
Yea, to my servant David sworn and said,
5 Firm to eternity Thy seed lawn,
To endless ages building up Thy throne. Selah.
Cod's oatlt to David.
6 Thy wonder, Lord,' the heavens with thanks proclaim;
In saintly throng they tell Thy truthful fame.
7 Who 'midst the clouds, takes rank beside the Lord 2 ?
'Midst Godheads who can image forth the Lord 3?
The IWlVf1Ily 1.icrarchy.
8 Godhead in saintly counsel awful found,
The fear of all that compass Him around!
9 Lord, God of Hosts, Great JAB! In potency,
Who is like Thee, Thy Truth surrounding Thee?
10 'Tis Thou who rulest o'er the sea's great pride:
PSALM 89. 311
THRONE 16 Happy the people, the glad shout who know:
Thy Face, Lord, gives them light where'er they go.
[7 All day Thy Name they praise exultingly,
And in Thy Righteousness are lifted high.
Regenerator.
[8 Thy beauteous Presence does their strength adorn :
Thou in Thy pleasure high dost lift our horn.
19 For the Lord claims our shield in loving ward,
And Israel's Holy One our King shall guard.
Man created in God's likeness.
20 Then to Thy Saint in vision didst Thou say:
" On one of might the task of help I lay.
Chosen o'er all to rule with lofty sway.
2 T David, My servant, have I found and blest;
My holy oil on him, as Christ, shall rest.
22 On him My Hand with firmness shall abide:
To him Mine Arm shall constant strength provide.
Messiah, the Son of God.
23 "Him shall no foe surprise with treach'rous haste,
Nor son of malice with affliction waste:
24 I'll pulverize th' oppressors in his sight,
And dash all those that hate him with despite.
Overthrow 0/ ilfessian's enemies.

Uplifted waves! Thou bid'st them all subside!

25 "Still shall he find My truth and mercy nigh,
[[ 'Tis Thou who crushedst Rahab like the slain;
And in My Name his horn be lifted high:
Thy strong arm strew'd Thy foes beneath the main.
;16 His hand I'll place with power to rule the sea,
Cld's /,u-sonal SOVlr(l:~J!y. Ruling tlu sea. The Egyptian deiiuerance is tU1J(r to
be/orgotten. It is more titan a type. It is the b~ri"ni"g o/thefinal Redemption. "I His right hand on the rivers gloriously.
have called My Son out 0/ Fgypt." Ex altation in power.

12 The heav'ns are Thine: Thine th' earth with every shore 27 "Hear how he calls Me :-' Father, Thee I own!
Thou stablishedst the world and all its store. My Godhead, my Salvation's Rock of stone.'
13 The North, the South,-'tis Thou createdst them: 28 And I, responsive to his claim of birth,
Tabor and Hermon ring to praise Thy Name. WiJlmake him reign most high midst kings of earth.
Creator 0/ I Icauen and earth. Tlte Consubstantial Sonship.

14 An arm is Thine that bears heroic might; 29 "To him I'll keep My mercy evermore,
Strong is Thy Hand; Thy Right Hand rules the height. My faithful covenant, still standing sure.
15 Righteousness-judgement-Thy firm seat surround: 30 H is seed with life continuing I'll raise-
Mercy and Truth before Thy .Face are found. His throne, as heav'n's imperishable days.
Red~el1l(r. The eternal Covenant.
 312 THE DIVINE SONSHIP PSALM 89.

31 "But if his sons forsake the law I give, 45 Thou mak'st his lustre cease from ancient worth,
Refusing by My judgement's rule to live, Toppling his throne in terror to the earth:
32 If they profane decretals which I made 46 Thou mowest down his days, ere youth be gone;
Nor care for My commands to be obey'd ; Shame is the vest Thou makest him put on. Sela/z.
The probalion 0./ J lis otfi/,,"inff. Dcalh.

33 "I'll visit with a rod when they transgress,

47 How long, Lord, thus secreted wilt Thou stay-
And their iniquity My plague shall press:
Thy wrath devour like blazing fire for aye?
34 But ne'er from him My mercy will I take,
48 Remember how my lifetime slips apace!
Nay, ne'er belie the truth of what I spake.
Cltastiu111enl (I./trrr.llsp'cssion.
With what vain hope createdst Thou man's race?
49 What man is he that lives, death ne'er to see,
35 " My covenant I never will profane, Strong from the hand of Sheol his soul to free? Selall.
Nor what My lips give forth, recall again. fl:xpostllIII tion,
36 My holiness is pledged by changeless oath,
No lie to David shall defile My troth. 50 Where, Master, are Thine ancient mercies gone,
Uncltan,feable promiu. To David in Thy truth by oath made known?
51 Remember what reproach Thy servants mourn,
37 "H is seed shall dwell to all eternity
Vast peoples, Master, in my bosom borne! .
And, like the sun, his throne before Me be.
52 Lord see Thy foes! Their vile reproach I WISt-
38 Firm as the moon be its eternal fame-
Reproach which dogs the foot-prints of Thy Christ!
The cloud-throned witness pledge the faithful claim." Selah.
Appeal./o,·II,,· rindication o./il1"essialt.
Posterity never to /ail, This inlp/ies fllat the earthly promise is to rise to lfl
luave11./y and supernntural consummation. It is no mere lint 0/ successors 1Ullich will
/itlfil ttus, but one great Successor possessing- tlerna/lift. 53 The Lord to all eternity be blest!
Amen and Amen.
39 But Thou rejectest and refusest! Thou
J)(lXO/(lt:y.
O'ertlow'st with wrath at Thine Anointed now!
40 Thou mak'st Thine servant's covenant of no worth;
His mitre Thou profanest to the earth.
Present oacrth roru, This couers II" ./allen state 0./ CI,nsltndOIlt, Ihe mrlh/y
nla1liftstation o./Cltnst's King-dolll as well as the Je'wisn oucrthrou» dun'ng tilt earthly
pre/>aration./or il.

41 His fence-work round about Thou breakest down:

His strongholds Thou in heaps hast overthrown:
42 All pillage him that walk along that way,
A vile reproach to all that near him stay.
Tlte numbers 0/ Christ are subject to the vicissitudlS 0/ moral prohation as well
as Cltn·st's ancestors.

43 Thou liftest his oppressor's hand on high,

And mak'st his foes to sing rejoicingly:
44 Thou mak'st his flinty sword its edge to turn,
Keep'st him not straight, the battle's tide to spurn.
TJu euentaa! glory 0/ lite Eternnt }(ing-dOIn remains op~rati7'~ as a prtS~)7'llti7.Je
and renrwinff power in hotl, dispensations.
 ,
I,

INTRODUCTORY NOTE 315

Trilogy of Enthronement
PS.93--Jesus is proclaimed as the Divine King by
the Resurrection, and exalted to the heavenly throne.
Ps. 94.- The God of vengeance waits upon His
throne that the rebel hosts may be brought before Him
for judgement. The pit is digged up for the ungodly,
BOOK IV and they who made power on the earth a means of
malice shall perish by their own works.
PSALMS 90.-106. Ps. 95.-Invitation to the faithful to enter into the
rest which the Conquering King has attained. Only
OUR LIFE HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD they must come with tender hearts and humble faith.
God warns those who come that they must not
NOVENA provoke Him as their fathers provoked Him in the
earlier dispensation.

Trilogy of the New S01lg

INTRODUCTORY NOTE Ps. 96.-AII·mankind are summoned to give glory to
the King who is coming in the fulness of His power to
THE CORONATION OF THE SON OF MAN
exercise judgement.
Trilogy of Redemption Ps. 97.-God the Father sets forth the King as the
object of worship to all the Heavenly Host. Mankind
Ps. 90.- The Eternal Bosom of God is the true Home are called to rejoice in the Kingdom of Righteousness.
for which man was created. In himself man is but Ps. 98.- The throne of Jesus, the Redeemer, is the
nothingness. Nevertheless God calls him to His own glory of the New Creation, wherein all are called to
glory, and will clothe him with glory as the result of the rejoice while His sentence blots out the evil for
work of Redemption. ever.
Ps. 9 I.-The Seed of the woman, abiding true to His
OCTAVE
Divine Sonship, comes forth in the weakness of the flesh
with the angels attendant upon Him, to conquer the PSALMS 99.-106.
serpent.
THE KINGDOM OF THE COVENANT
Ps. 92.-A song of praise to the Redeemer. Human
power and glory is but as grass. Jesus is the Most The Ter Sanctus
High, and He lifts us up to dwell in His Divine Ps. 99.-As Ps. 72. is the culminating Psalm of
Righteousness. Messianic royalty, so this is the central Psalm of Divine
814
316

sanctity.
OUR HIDDEN LIFE

In the preceding Psalms of the heavenly

r Saints.
INTRODUCTORY

The threefold Hierarchy

NOTE 317

of the Heavenly
Host are called to join in the homage due to the King.
Kingdom prepared for Messiah, all creation has been
It anticipates the homage paid by the Heavenly I-lost
summoned to acknowledge Him as the Lord the
after the sealing of the servants of God in their fore-
King.
heads.
We should notice the correlation of Ps. 51. and Ps. 99.
The three concluding Psalms of this Book go on
They are complementary one to the other, i.e. 5 1+ 99
to speak of the development of Messiah's Kingdom.
= ISO. The former Psalm is the deepest humiliation
Ps. 104. sets forth the work of God in Creation,
of the Divine Truth and Wisdom, taking upon Himself
preparing the outward sphere of its establishment.
the likeness of sinful flesh that He may build up
Ps. 105.- The Son of God is brought out of Egypt.
Jerusalem, opening the dumb lips of humanity to show
Joseph raised ou t of the prison is a type of Messiah
forth praise with acceptable sacrifice. This Psalm is the
raised from the bondage of earthly life to the throne of
Ter Sanctus, praising Messiah as reigning in the glory
God.
of the All Holy Trinity.
Ps. [06.- The Kingdom of Messiah waits for its final
manifestation which is to be celebrated in Book V.
HEPTAD Books II I. and IV. stop short within the limits of the
earthly proclamation. They tell of the life of grace and
PSALMS 100.-106. our Sonship ill Christ. Nevertheless, man's sin delays
the accomplishment of the call. This Psalm therefore
The Kingdom of Messiah has to tell of the continued rebellions of Israel from the
days of Egypt, so that the Babylonish Captivity was a
Ps. 100. proclaims the Catholicity of the New
necessary discipline.
Covenant.
They are carried away from Jerusalem, but wherever
God of old brought the chosen people out of Egypt they are, they are the objects of God's loving care
to be the cradle of the Incarnation. Now that the
His Kingdom is enshrined within them, for of them
Son of God is enthroned, all nations are called to
Messiah must be born. For this Kingdom they long.
worship Him as their Creator.
God's promise cannot fail. .
Ps, IOI.--His Kingdom is the Kingclom of Truth. The desire of successive ages was summed up 111 the
The moral truthfulness and love which is due from man question, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore the King-
to man must be the characteristic of all who abide in the
dom to Israel?
truth and love of God. Christ's Kingdom is the King- Book V. proceeds to chaunt of that Kingdom with
dom of Truth inspired by the unity of love. joyous consciousness of the heavenly security. Messiah
Ps. 102. is a penitential Psalm, setting forth the has conquered the Prince of this world. The new
remission of sins in the Kingdom of Messiah. Kingdom is not a kingdom . of earth, Egyp:, death.
Ps. 103. is the song of praise from mankind restored Zion is the centre of spiritual glory, where MeSSIah shall
in the Holy Catholic Church to the Communion of
 \
PSALM 90.
OUR HIDDEN LIFE

reign, the Son of David, at the Right Hand of God. CREATION SUBJECT TO VANITY
I t is the Kingdom of Heaven, of God, of life everlasting The Eternity oj God
in God.
Our mansion, Master, Thou ~ast been of old,
While generations in succession rol'l'd.
PSALM <)0. 2 Before the hills were born dwell'st Thou,~before
Thy power this earth or world with travail tore-
THE BOSOM OF GOD THE DWELLING-PLACE OF Godhead's eternal spring, eternal evermore.
THE ELECT ;/; J. -" - Tlie child 0' the C07J",,,,,1 d,,,ells in ttu: bosom a/God
Alan's outer I lje rer1s un.~. ~
wit" the Eternal Son.
A prayer of Moses, the mall of God
TIle Notlzingness oj Man
THE promise sure! The fulfilment delayed! So did the last
Book close. 3 Thou turn'st frail man with crushing to decay:
Now we turn to consider our own nothingness, the nothingness Still, still, Thou speak'st! Return, y~ sons of clay.
of our human form, although we bear within ourselves the imperish- 4 Surely a thousand years a:e in !hy ~Igh~
able substance of an eternal predestination. As the brief yesterday which wmgs Its flight,
Man, the final purpose of God's creation! Well may Moses A transitory watch of vacant night. .
t t rn to dust his Psalm tells the same story:
teach us the words for such a Psalm! Is man like the flowers of •
JJf oses wrote of man s aoom
J
0 re II •
N07U

the field? Not by God's intention. Man was made to dwell in

God, remaining true to God's Word, and preserved in immortality. Man's Life like Grass
Man dies because he has lost God. So he returns to his dust.
Thou drenchest them! Lost as in sleep they fall !
God's anger rests upon the race.
5 At morn their pride like feathery grass grows tall !
But our wisdom amid the shortness of life is to consider the im-
mortality for which we were intended. We have lost God's life- 6 At morn in feathery beauty see It grow~
But reap'd, at night, its wither'd form lies low.
giving presence. Our penitential fear must rise to the measure of
the loss that we may look for God to return and restore. So shall
we have a proportionate hope of God's compassion. Man born Subject to Gods Wratlt
o for the Resurrection Morning to break out with the manifesta- 7 For, spent beneath Thine anger we fall down,
tion of God's mercy I God returning in the Person of Messiah! Dismay'd beneath Thy wrath and overthrown.
We must satisfy God with hatred of sin, and He will satisfy us 8 Thou our iniquities in front dost place,
with mercy to sinners. Our secrets brought to light before Thy Face.
The Prophet whom Moses foretold will come to be the Mediator, TVlu:1Iwe rcl:~"" Ita7'e to gi'vt account for 0"'" sins.
'tIIf

and according to the burden of His Passion in struggling with sin

shall be the satisfaction of His soul in gladdening us with the joy
of Divine life and love. The glory of the Lord shall rest upon the
generations which shall follow.
In this world we see God's anger resting upon sin, but H is love
will rest upon the posterity of the righteous according to the promise
in the second commandment, and they who have served Him faith-
fully here will find the works which have been wrought by the help
of grace shining out upon them with the remuneration of glory.
9 For in Thy wrath our days come ~ound to nought:
Spent, powerless, fade our years like empty lh~ug~t.
10 Years, day by day !-Life seventy years may. glv?e.
What if our strength for ten years more :urvlve .
Earth's villainy and mischief make us gneve !
Proud life! Soon mow'd! Like birds let loose we leave.
1I'/tal has not in it 1/,,' St:bsla1tce ('fGud's Iooe is only a dream-
 \

320 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSALM 91. 321

Need of Divine Knowledge upon Him, while He claims the consubstantial life of God as His
II Thine anger's strength who reaches to discern ? refuge and eminence. The shadow of the Almighty is the protect-
Or, as befits Thy fear, Thy wrath to learn ? ing power of Him who dwells in the invisible light of the Divine
12 Our tale of days! So teach us Thy behest! glory. Our life is hid with Christ in God. His unseen angels
So bear we hence a heart with wisdom blest ! encamp round about us with ministrations to assist our pilgrimage
Wisdoru is eternal. To livefor 'What 'lilt must lose is/oily. below.
We have to struggle not only" against flesh and blood but
Bn:~·htness restored Iitrough the Resurrecuon of Chris: against principalities and powers of darkness." It is the Seed of the
woman, anel He alone, who is safe amidst the perils incident both
13 Turn Thee, 0 Lord! How long is mercy fled?
to the light and to the darkness of this world of Satan's dominion.
Thy comfort now on us, Thy servants, shed!
Times of darkness have their fears. Times of prosperity expose us
14 Make us at morn Thy mercy's fulness know:
to the special aims of the enemy. But they cannot prevail if we
Then songs and joy through all our days shall flow.
abide in God. God speaks: "0 grave, I will be thy destruction."
15 Now grant us joy! Thou didst afflict us long-
Dark powers may gather round the Cross, but the angels of God
Long days, long years, in which we witness'd wrong.
shall be found giving glory to the Tomb. Here we may taste the
~'ffl.n cannot furlt to rejoice in God. God by returning gir'ts us jvy.
bitterness of death beforehand, dying daily under the oppression
of the enemy, but when the shaft of death strikes us, the evil
The Patriarchs and Thdr Offspring ill Christ
form will disappear. Then we shall see it laying low the ungodly,
16 Now tow'rd Thy servants let Thy works be seen: and we ourselves in Christ shall be set free for ever.
Thy Majesty shall clothe their sons with sheen. Our true security is while we may claim Jehovah as our refuge.
17 The Lord, our God's sweet smile be ours to share! No powers of earth Iy surrounding can set us free. Angels wait on
Make firm o'er us the work our hands prepare: us while we are absorbed in Divine confidence, not otherwise.
Our handiwork fix firmly with Thy care. Angels wait upon the Son of Man, and upon us His members:
God "takes the fai/lifltl /Josuss tl,e results of their lift tlS a g/oriotls clothing· in 'lie but the obedience of man is man's own work. The angels will not
Resurrection, Their works follo1U them. TIleY socr« done in tire j){J'WO' of (;od and act as substitutes for man. Man has to conquer Satan.
sho1lc./orth with mdi"ti,,!: {ustrej;'OI1I th e rise" Body witl, the ~ni:hb,e.rs o./God.
The voice of the Father warns us that we cannot make l Iim an
occasional refuge. We must dwell with Him in sublimity of
PSALM 91. fellowship.
Alas! how apt we are to think that we may claim God's pro-
THE DIVINE GUARDIANSHIP tection in answer to some brief emotion of piety, content habitually
to live in earthly degradation as if God were far away!
WE must remember that our predestined glory in the Divine
If we would but live in the constant shelter of God as our
welcome is only to be attained by faithfulness in the struggle
Tower, we need not fear for the earthly tent of our natural life. Go
against God's great enemy. This Psalm belongs to Him who
where we may we shall be always walking in the ways of God's
dwelt in the Bosom of God before He entered upon the struggle of
appointment if we are true to His fellowship. We must not in our
earthly life. It belongs to us as being His members. The King-
ways wander from Him. His angels will not protect us in self-
dom of Heaven, which was to the Patriarchs a predestination, has
willed perils of presumption. There is many a stone of stumbling
become to us Christians an inheritance, and we must see that we do
which faith has to tread, relying upon God. "(;ive glory to the
not fall from it. Lord your God," says Jeremiah, "before He cause darkness, and
In Ps. 3. the Redeemer came forth with many enemies to before your feet dash themselves upon the dark mountains" (xiii, 16).
oppose Him. We have to share His apparent weakness. In The great trial must come. We have to "tread upon the lion and
Ps. 91. we behold the Redeemer with the angels of God attendant the adder," if we are to claim the inheritance of Divine Sonship,
VOL. II. x
 322 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSA LM 92.

God is bound in love to His redeemed. If He sees us to be C/lOir

bound in love to Him He will deliver us. If we have recognized
the heavenly power of His Name whereinto we have been baptized, Yea, in the Most High
then He will exalt us along with His consubstantial Son in the Thy mansion thou shalt make continually.
glory of H is Eternal Life. Our safety is in the appeal of that 10 No wrong shall reach thee with ill-timed event,
prayer which Jesus teaches us. And what shall be the end? And no destructive plague approach thy tent.
Fellowship in trouble, deliverance, glory, eternal life, the beatific II For, as to thee, He gives His angels word,
vision. I n all thy ways safe keeping to afford.
12 They with their hands shall bear thee safely on,
TIlE REDEEMER'S TRIUMPH
Lest thou shouldst dash thy foot against a slone.
Heavenly Chair 13 On griffin and on adder shal t thou go,
I Who bides in the Most High, secreted there, Trampling on lion cub and dragon foe.
T/I( stunt o/temptation. TIre grijfin and the drag-OIl, Satan. TIlt lion cub and
Shall lodge beneath th' Almighty's sheltering care: Ilu adder. Ill( seed 0/ tIlt' sl1-pent and AntiC/Iris!.
God is lIu trne !{onu 0/11Ian. Ry the Fail man lost it. /Jut III( Eter1lal Son
pet"sonally d1t1~l/in.!( in the Drnine Suilstance, has the Itr.v~r o./(,'od al'ways?tJi!ll Ilim in
Jlis earthly lodg'ing', So l,a7JC 7UC, if 'WL' art li11i1,/[ ill CI,ris! as llis rncmbers, Our The Eternal Fat/ler Speaks
l lome is undo' tIlt.' care 0/ Cod, and lIe dwells 'within ns. Tlu cartlrly lift o/Christ
is like a wnlel,-Iower in an enemy's country. lie needed 'he Diuine 'ift as Ilis rr/lIg'c, J4 " For Me he longs! With rescue see Menear!
but lie acts/rom th isfort ress witl, Divine security so as to destroy tIle t!!umy.
I'll set him high, who knows My Name to fear.
15 Oft as he calls, with answer will I speed:
llfessialt
Myself will be with him in sorrow's need:
2 I claim the Lord as Refuge,' Fort secure," Freedom and glory grant I as his meed.
My God 3! For Him my trust shall aye endure. 16 1-1 im will I satisfy with length of days
And My salvation show, to claim his praise."
The secret tf'iuclling-j>lacc Itidtlt-'Il froIJt IUlman .'iI:![llt icconrrs tIll' 1'isihlt: .!t/OYy 0/
sa/vat ion.
3 He from the fowler's snare shall set thee free,
From pestilence of sore malignity.
4 Veil'd by His feathers, lie shall bid thee lie, l'SALM 92.
And to H is wings for refuge shalt thou fly : THE MYSTICAL ETI-:RNAL LIFE IN TIlE GI{AVE OF CIIRIST
H is truth a mighty shield and panoply.
5 Thou shalt not fear for terror of the night, A Song-i'mlm /01' the Sahhath Day
Nor for the poison'd arrow's noonday flight,
THE Sabbath calls us to the grave of Christ. These three Psalms
6 For pestilence whose step no darkness stays,
set before us the. predestination, the conflict with Satan, the
Nor scourge unseen which mocks meridian blaze.
victorious return of the Conqueror to God, making the realm of
7 A thousand by thy side may fall down low,
. darkness a chamber of Paschal Song. That Sabbath day was a
And hosts at thy right hand to ruin go,
high day when Jesus in the midst of His redeemed was preparing
But thou, midst all, no touch of harm shalt know.
to lead them forth in the Procession of Easter triumph.
S Unharrn'd spectator still shalt thou remain,
Enter by faith into the blessedness of the buried life. The glorious
And see what full reward the wicked gain.
Resurrection shall follow. So in all periods of outward overthrow
llfessialt or retirement, in sickness, in want, we are to feel the reality of
blessing. The triumph of Christ begins in such experiences. We
9 Thou, Lord, My Refuge! have to feed upon the Paschal Lamb, not merely substantially by
 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSALM 93.
sacramental participation, but morally by the joyous surrender of r r Thou bidst mine horn the bison's glory claim:
ourselves to be dead along with Him to the world, so as to live with Thy fresh green unction moistens all my frame,
Him in the truth of His Divine Power. 12 Mine eye shall pierce the ambush men prepare:
The central utt~rance of this Psalm is praise to Jesus, as "the When men of wrong rebel, mine ears shall hear.
Lord, the Most HIgh for evermore." r 3 Like some tall palm grows up the Righteous One,
The enemy perishes. Messiah's horn is exalted in triumph. Expanding wide like trees of Lebanon.
That is the outward exaltation. The freshness as of green oil is Tlu calces 0/ flouy sucre to be moistened witlt oil.
the interior unction of spiritual life. He springs up like a date
palm amidst the dead waste. That is the solitude of His Personal 14 Planted in the Lord's House see how they grow,
Immortality. Spreading forth His branches like the cedar, He In courtyards of our God their bloom to show.
beholds the exterior of His Body, the Church, in its Catholic 15 Ev'n in their eld their fruitfulness remains,
glory. Such richness evergreen their strength sustains,
Similarly we sing this Psalm, assured that His triumphant 16 The Lord's uprightness thus to make men see!
power will be manifest in ourselves. As we are baptized into My Rock from every taint of malice free!
Christ's death so are we partakers of H is Resurrection. Tlte T1'CC 0/ Rtental Li/i.' is aiso a R(1('k /l("wing a lift:, ':.u/,,·c/! is not (if 1.:11;-//;, a
/h'iJTK stone.

THE EXALTATION OF THE REDEEMER

PSALM 93,
2 To thank the Lord! 'Tis good; 'tis ecstasy, PARTICIPATION IN THE THRONE OF JESUS
With Psalms to praise Thy Name, 0 Thou Most High!
3 Thy mercy to set forth at morning's light, According' to the LXX, a Psalm for I<i-iday, wltm tlte earth tuns settled
Thy changeless truth throughout the weary night! THE appointment of this Psalm for Friday seems to be almost a
4 Yea with ten strings, the psalt'ry's mystic speech, prophetic inspiration of the LXX like that other phrase, "The Lord
The meditative power the harp can teach! reigneth from the Tree." Friday is the day of our Lord's enthrone-
Thr trn .sf~·il1.(".fo/tnf nmral Irnn, The l'ontt'lIfplation of the 111ystical lifo. ment upon the Cross, The King of the Jews began now to show
His power over the realm of darkness, Easter Day is the ~Iay of
5 0 Lord, to me what joy Thy works do bring! His investiture, completing the Sovereignty on earth, which at
Yea, with loud voice Thy Hands' great deeds I'll sing. Ascensiontide is to be finally glorified in Heaven when Cod makes
6 0 Lord, in greatness how Thy deeds excel! Him both Lord and Christ.
Deep are Thy thoughts beyond what words can tell. The Word by whom Creation was formed now appears as Lord
7 Man in his brutish dulness fails to learn : over all H is works.
This truth the witless one can ne'er discern. Our hearts as we are H is creatures, now by grace huried and
TI:, Creator's I:rmdi'l1'ork 7Urt11(glllby 1/" Son and !l:e Ifol)' (;l:osl, Tl:e j>ierc,'d reborn with Him, must rise up in the joyful fellowship of H is Divine
"flnds o./llu Redeenll'r, ,/,llr mystcrions Intllt 0./11" hidden lift,.
Sovereignty, for as we suffer we shall also reign with Him.
The world unstable before, becomes fixed as the centre or power
8 When like the grass the wicked rankly grow- for Messiah's universal sway. His throne has its fixity at Cod's
Though like wild flowers the villain-workers show-- Right Hand, upon the l Ioly Hills, There is the Rock whereon
Tis that an endless doom shall lay them low, He builds His Church,
9 But Thou, Lord, art the Height eternally. The floods are the powers of evil which encompass this globe,
10 For, Lord, behold Thy foes, Thy perish'd foes! Their rebellion is to cease.
The host of villain-workers routed goes. The splendour of the ascent of Jesus to the heavenly throne
T/it peris!lins· o/t/u ~l.Iicla'd. ]Ilulltcrica/l,y ucrse 9= BEB in HebYI.''tu, outshines their brilliant outbursts,
 \
'.
326 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSA LM 94· 327

The House is the glorious Body of Christ the Ch h h PSALM 94·

heave I J I h . ,urc , t e
n y erusa em, t e City, having foundations which cannot b
shaken but re main. for ever. 0 ur hearts must nse
.' up t e PERSECUTION CONTINUING
ti
o I' frui . 0 an icrpate
ur g onous rumen of the Divine delight therein. Traditionally for IISe 01/ Wednesday, f.XX and Talnn«!

THE heavenly bodies shone forth, but they existed before. Perhaps
MESSIAH, THE KING, IN TIIE GLORY OF THE this was to illustrate the appeal of the new creation, that God would
RESURRECTION
no long-er remain uut of sight.
The Robc of the Incarnation in its Spiritual Glory In the kingdom of grace, as in nature, the shining forth of God's
power is gradual. He leaves His people for a while in the dark-
I The Lord is King, enrobed in stately pride, ness of a world which knows them not, even as it knew I-Iim not.
r~le Lord enrobed, with girdling strength allied! This Psalm is an enlargement of the prayer, "Thy Kingdom
. Firm stands the world unshaken to abide.
come."
dwelling-eternally
,J.lf~sslalt, ill 'he boson! oftlu fi' !J .
Ilu adder, and stablislus llis C;' h ~ II" al ier, has c01lq,urtd Ihe bon a nd God is forbearing, but will surely repay. It is no new thing for
t u rc UrOIl IS luavcnly throne.
man to cleny God's power of interference. Men will not cease to
deny until wrath comes upon them to the uttermost. The wicked
The Eternal S011Sllip
will not understand, but the gudly ought to unclerstand.
2 Firm from the very first abides Thy throne! God's forbearance should lead sinners to repentance, and it gives
Yea, from eternity art Thou alone. opportunity fur the true worshippers to increase in faith. "Though
It is tIre glory 1Uhich He had 1Uith tire Fatlrer be/ore 'he world was. He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."
First of all we must, however, welcome (;oc!'s vengeance exerted
The A1ttagollislIl of the World so lovingly upon ourselves to draw us out of sin. We must practise
3 ? Lord,
the floods have lifted high, vengeance upon ourselves.
Even Christ was perfected by the things which lie suffered .
I he floods have lifted up their cry.
.. The floods lift up their crushing majesty. Suffering developec! in II im the human capacity of holiness.
'l/ufi(l(1{ls o./dar!.:ncss, so bril/iallt ill their rag-e, are "ow sll/,du(d. Suffering must purify us from sin, so that we may act increasingly
in that Divine power of holiness which lie gives to us by grace.
Tllc Sovcrel:fjll!y Of God The evil will not go unpunished. The righteous will not complain
of any punishment which Cod has given them here.
4 Above the roar that tempests make,
Though brilliantly the sea-waves break MESSIAH, TIIE KING, WAITING TO EXECUTE VENGEANCE
.. The brilliant Lord the height shall take.
'lll/? err/Ill bn:~•.It"uss of the KingdolJl of Peace succeeds to tltei,. storm, The Cry of tile Oppressed appealill/: for jl({(r;e1l1cJlt
Godhead of vengeance, Thou the Lord,
The Holy Ghost the Sa1lctifyi",!;"Glory of the Church Godhead of \'engeance, shine I abroad.
5 H.ow f~ithful are Thy pledges still ! 2 Lift up Thyself," Thou Judge of earth!
Fit holiness Thine House must fill, Deal :' to the proud their work's true worth.
Lord to long days unchangeable. 3 Ilow long, Lord, must these wicked hosts,-
Tlu }{oly (;/1051 lifts up the people of IIIl'Ssialr 10 sharc Ilii t.'It.'rnrr.1 A'ing"d01lf, l Iow long-exclaim with wicked boasts?
4 Their villain-working, bragging brood
O'erflows in vile abandon'd mood.
'/'Il{' s!r;ninc: of (;od the j'lillter. TIll: II/wising': 0/ (;od lite ,";"n, TIle tlt'a/ill;;:
e/ Cod II,,' 1f~/)' (;1,(>.--1.
328 OUR HIDDEN
The Oppressive Power
5 They crush Thy people in their rage!
Lord, they afflict Thine heritage.
6 Nor widow's life, nor guest, they spare:
The fatherless they murder there.
7 But J AH, they say, will never see
Nor Jacob's God look searchingl~.
As true o./cOIn",ercial/ra1,d as it 'was a/wilder
Appeal 10 the Oppressor and Admonition to the Faitliful
8 Ye brutish people, search ye well !
Fools, when shall prudence with you dwell?
9 ~ar-plan~er,-:-hears He not aright?
1he ~ye.s 7klll'd framer-lacks He sight?
10 He disciplines the Gentiles' pride:
To teach men truth, shall He not chide?
II The thoughts of men the Lord doth know;
They are but breath of transient show.
Conjidmce in God's Loving Discipline
12
Happy the man, Thou, J AH, dost train,
!aught.from Thy law, and not in vain,
13 Tranqml to rest midst days of wrong,
( 111 the scoop'd chasm ~ngulph the wicked
14 The Lord spurns not HIs people hence-
Forsakes not H is inheritance.
15 Judgement shall turn to righteousness:
Th' upright in heart its power shall bless.
The Divine Support our Troe Joy i11all Troubles
16 ~h.o'll ri~e ~or me against the wrong,
Gainst villain-workers standing strong ~
17 Had not the Lord as help been felt . that believe to the saving- of the sou1." God's promises and the
Soon had my soul in silence dwelt.'
18 ,nut when I said, My foot gives way,
fhy ~lercy, Lord, was still my stay.
19 Vext II1ly by distracting thought
My soul's delight Thy comforts brought.
LIFE 329
P SA LM 95·
The Recoil of Evil upon the Wicked
20 Shall ruin's throne be leagued with Thee,
Fashioning mischief by decree?
2[ The righteous soul with hate they hem,-
The blood most innocent condemn.
22 The Lord my lofty Tower abode:
My Rock of refuge was my God.
uiolenc«,
23 On them .their villainy He'll turn,
By their own wrong o'erwhelm'd to burn-
The Lord, our God, in whelming wrath to learn !
They slud Christ's Blood. They will, in like manner, deal witll all Christ's peol/(·
PSALM 95·
THE CALL TO FAITHFULNESS
THE Rock of our salvation! This is the title under which we de-
light to know the God of vengeance, the Rock whence the water
flowed in the wilderness, the Rock whereon the City of God is
built for ever, the Rock of Ages. We must come near. and rejoice
in Him, so that we may experience the sweetness of HIS love.
We are still in the enemy's country, but we must remember that
all things come forth by the utterance of the \Vord, and all exist for
H is glory. The profoundness of thought and the streng~h ofempi:e,
the turbulence of the multitude and the dry land of daily life, WIth
throng.
all its possibilities of cultivation, are H is, and must be used to I(is
' glory.
So is all life to be continuous worship. All life is, moreover, a time
probation. God is trying us, whether we will live to H is glory, so
that if we are found faithful we may attain to live with Him in His
glory hereafter.
God has delivered us from Egyptian bondage, but they that were
delivered of old could not receive the promise because of unbelief.
We must not be" of those who draw back unto perdition, but of them
wonders of H is guiding- providence are not encouragements to
make us negligent, but responsibilities for which we must give
account and interpositions of Divine love, summoning us to the
obedience of faith, that we may work in loving correspondence with
Him as our Father.
 330 OUR HIDDEN LIFE P S A L M 96. 331

MESSIAH, TilE KING, CALLING HIS PEOPLE TO THE of those who are born anew unto righteousness in the name of the
OBEDIENCE 01' FAITH Holy Trinity. The Gospel message! Jesus! Salvation from a
world of sin and death!
Come! .To the Lord let songs ring out! The gods of the peoples were but emptiness. Now the Word
Our saving Rock! We'll raise the shout I made flesh comes again into the lower world, not hidden as before,
2 With thanks before Him now draw near' but with the Substance of the uncreated glory shining forth from II is
And shout to H im with anthems clear! ' Face as the I ncarnate Creator. He comes in the glory of the
A mil to srd.· /ur Sfllvatio" TJ. f>. >f/' •• , [ . Father. Brightness and glory are His. Strength and renewal in
snl~ t' h , . I . re to t. 0.1 sracl/adl.'d !'CCtl1(St' tl/("'y 5011(111 1I()1

rJ .,~ ~~:In: If Sllllf)' aCt'tplanCt'. Tlu'rt.-yf,rt.' tl't' Noel.: 0/ Sa/-;Inlion "n.:o/llt'$ 10' them II
the beauty of holiness are found in Him by those who are taken up
l\ OC~ ('./ 0J/f.'lIei'.
out of their own weakness and deformity as the members of II is
Body sharing His Life .
.5 The Lord in Godhead's greatness reigns!
God gives to us. We must give back to Jlim. Our experience
He o'er all gods great King remains!
of His goodness consists in reciprocating it. Love cannot be
<I Earth's secrecies His Hand hath shown:
known unless it is returned. The Triune Cod must have from us .
The toilsome hill-tops are His own.
the Triune acknowledgement of love. In that utterance of love the
S TI~e sea, H is own! By Him 'twas made:
soul finds life, whether in the secrecy of meditation or the collective
H IS Hands earth's dry foundations laid.
hymnody of the Church.
6 Come, let us worship! Kneel we down
We bring our Eucharist into 1-1is courts with the merits of II is
And. bless the Lord, our Maker's throne:
Passion glorified in heavenly acceptance and abidingly operative in
7 He IS our God, and we indeed
life-giving love to His people. The new sacrifice, the sacrifice of
His folk to feed, His flock to lead.
Righteousness, the offering of all nations, is but one. In Ilim the
. "To-day then to His Voice give heed!
whole redeemed Creation finds the joy of immortalit y.
8 rum n~t your hearts, Meribah-like, to stone.
As erst III Massah's wilderness was done.
9 How stubbornly your fathers tempted me : MESSIAII, TilE KING, COMING IN JUDGEI\IENT
Th~y proved me, when my work I made them see.
10 This generation loathed I forty years: J Sing to the Lord I a song of new delight!
o
people mine! A straying heart is theirs! Sing to the Lord 2! Let all the earth unite!
I n th~m no knowledge of my ways appears! 2 Sing to the Lord 3! Come near and bless His Name!
II SO said I, and I swore in angry doom :_ His great salvation day by day proclaim!
Surely, into my rest they shall not come!" 3 Record His glory where the Gentiles elwell :
The casling off 0/ Ihe jcws ~£ca1ise tlIC)' k,,-.v not Chrisl lit II· Through peoples wide H is wondrous works forth-tell !
/ollow flim i fl· S ' e fly. TIley could 1101
n IS 'ways. 0 also !/try could flat enter into flis rest, 4 For great is He, supremely to be praised,
The Lord above all gods in reverence raised!
For all the peoples' gods are good for nought:
PSALM 96.
The Lord is He whose power the heavens hath wrought.
TilE NEW SONG OF RIGIITEOUSNESS 6 Majestic brightness radiates from His Face,
And strength and beauty fill II is holy place.
VENGEANCE delayed! Faith enjoined! J I Tltl'y 0/ tlte Old Covenant /ai/c:d. l'v-07.0 aIL nations art! callcd. JJ1t'.uinl, is tit"
approaches. Now ur gement ~')~aviour, 11u: Li/rJzt 0/ tire Gentiles. Sa tlU' Vdl opened, Mcs.rin'!l enthroned in III(
glory 0/ the Fattier. Tlu /)n:l,'/l! pn:sena o/Ilu sncrcy-sea.t is tll( str(1t.~tlr (J/ till
When Moses led the people out of Egypt, he sang a song. Now worshippers.
we have the new song of a new heaven and earth, a threefold song
 ,
332 OUR HIDDEN LIFE I
; PSALM 97· 333
7 Give to the Lord,' ye kindreds of mankind! . Th f H ea ven has ceased. The
Give to the Lord? glory with strength combin'd ! / over all without hindrance, de wa: ~t the powers of hell. The
r l nowers no longer con ten agam .,
8 Give to the Lord 3 the glory of His Name! ange p d The Church IS tnumphant.
Come to His Courts, and bring the Bread they claim! demon powers are conquere . .. t" g in the warfare of the
9 Bend to the Lord in holy Majesty: We must see that we are so particrpa 111 .• k s of that g lory.
Present Church rm'1'itant,t th a t w e may•. be parta er of the Church
b
All earth with travail-pangs His Face must see. dur the contmuance
IO The Lord is King! To all the Gentiles tell ! The Lord preserves us UI mg I II be turned into joy. He is the
He fixt the world in Course unchangeable. militant. Our present. sorrows,s la, t f the Kingdom of Light.
Righteous One who wl~1 reap t re .la:ves 0
He dooms the peoples righteously and well. The upright in heart will share HIS JOY.
1 I Let earth exult, and let the heavens rejoice!
The wealthy sea resound with thundering voice!
12 Fields and their crops rejoice in jubilee! MESSIAH, THE KING, THE OBJECT OF HEAVENLY
While joyaunce rings through every forest-tree. WORSHIP
13 Before the Lord! He comes! Let all confess!
He comes, the earth with judgement to redress! 1 The Lord is King! The earth exulting s~iles,
Now will He judge the world in righteousness, While joyous concert fills her numerous Isles.
H is changeless truth shall all the peoples bless! CI d d bleak terrors rouncl Hi OJ roll for aye:
2 ou s an. . I 'firm stay
Righteousness, judgement, are H '~ t irone s c. •
IV, arc nourished tllt'rcby as 'W£" bri1tg tll( jJe."lcc-o./lt'ring, Ille Bn'nd 0./ God. 1'1,,:
'who/e earth is in. traiNzil 'waiting for II,e rcdcmplitJn 0,/0"1' bodit's. All ill II 'a7 en 3 A burning fire, proceeding from, HIS .Face,
L /
a:ld on carllt and under tlu carllt. Tlu product 0./ tartlt no lolt!:t.'" subject to deatlr.
" Tit)' }(in.r-do1!1 COllie." Licks up surrounding tyrants WIth ,(!Jsgrace. .
His lightnings o'er the world in brightness b~eak .
4 Pang-stric . k en at the sight , the earth dothI quake.
-d'
PSALM 97. The hills run down like wax before the _01 .
5 The earth's great Master, H e, h y all ador'd :,
THE LIGHT OF LIFE 6 The Heaven His sovereign righteousness displays,
WHEN Messiah rose from the dead, He showed Himself to His And all the peoples on H is glory gaze. __
disciples, but His return from hell was not to the earth. He was CII1'is! -htroosncss because lit' is gior;jit~d wltl,.
J •
lI"'e)n Ilis lutT7Jor/y tlt ronc. A '.1.; I A ionru: t lu: ,11cnianir:
'J

tlu Father. r
judgement bccansc nic enesn y is trodden aoum. ( .
in the spirit-world. We as Christians look forward to His coming
presentatioll of jt:/u(uaJ,.
again. It is His second Advent.
In His Sacramental Presence He lifts up that which is earthly
into union with His glorified Self, dwelling thus in His members
God, tile Fatlier, Sp{'aks
and feeding them with His Body and Blood. Now He is coming, " Ashamed be all who serve canoed idols ~ow ! ,
and brings His saints along with Him in the glory of His Body, 7 Whose hymns of praise to worthle.ss noth,l,ngs flow.
whereinto they have thus been lifted up by grace.
Yea, all ye gods, to Him in worship bow. _
Thus He comes again in Personal manifestation as He came '1.,
r W01 , .• Ilis first /lrillltill.t; 711n.,S» n
IJlt'.u;al" is IIOW being C I brol(gitt aglll1t• 'I into
• 1,1t!
Personally the former time, when He was hidden under the likeness Iousliness, This is in glory.
of sin.
As He is coming into the world which is subject to angels, the 8 Zion rejoiced to hear the mand.ate sound,
angels of God are to worship Him, acknowledging His Kingdom
And Judah's daughters exultation found, ,
wherein His saints are to judge angels, for the newly-constituted Because Thy judgements, Lord, were all around.
world is not subject to them (Heb. ii. 5). Man will be supreme. , L 01,'d ar t the Most High
9 1hou , o'er all the earth,
The King takes the kingdom which He received on high, and reigns Abo\'~ all gods exalted high JI1 worth,

~.-------
 334 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSA LM 99· 335

10 0 ye that love the Lord, hate ye the wrong! MESSIAH, THE KING, BRINGING SALVATION
Souls of His saints to H is blest care belong:
He will deliver from the wicked throng.
The Faitlzfttlness of Cod ill giving tile Promised Saluation
II Yea, for the Righteous One the light is sown, Sing to the Lord! Now let the song be new,
And by th' upright in heart the joy is known. For wonders which His Right Hand dcign'd to do.
12 Ye righteous! I n the Lord your joy confess! His holy arm salvation's victory knew:
Give thanks in memory of His holiness! 2 The Lord hath made His great salvation known-

The Li/,"!It ofille IVorld smutd I/'e lig-M ofrighleolls.',,·ss in our fallen !",manity by To Gentile eyes H is righteousness hath shown.
11is Passion. J/is slteav~s IMW shine in 11is A-'-".e'dom. Rejoice in lite (lpproac/dn~ Mercy and truth to Israel's house He told:
harvut, 'lv/tile 'we as children o/Iht: L'-Cltt cell'brale the Di'1line mysteries.
3 Our God's salvation all earth's ends behold.
l t ({ Ihe lyra,,! ",ho Iteld lite
The Rig-Ill !Iand oJ tlte cOllquen~lIg Lord ~~.(r)acs (~o~~S sahration " in lli!f,rew
. b d, T/;e Conq ueror IS f esus, u r .oc
world t n 011 age. I .r; 1", letters make Ihe nnrnoer 888.
PSALM 98. expresses IINlIlcrica//y tIre Greek nrane 0-,. CSIIS. t c (;

THE SONG OF SALVATION The Exultation of the Faillzful

A Psalm 4 Then shout ye to the Lord! yea, all the earth! .. I
Break forth! Ring out glad strains! Make fsalms of mirth .
P5. 98. sums up the joy of salvation. The Cod of creation will be Upon the harp make psalms unto the Lord.
manifested in the triumph of grace. Psalms to the harp be sung with sweet a:cord !
Salvation is a work of power. With His own Right Hand and 6 With clarions also, and the trumpet's VOIC~,.
with His Holy Arm the Incarnate God has conquered the enemy. Before the Lord, the King, with shouts rejoice.
The light triumphs over darkness. It is a triumph of righteous
endurance, not of sovereign vengeance. The vengeance will be Nature 'Willdlgroaned 711illlus rejoices witll us
hereafter as punishment upon the rebel and his host.
7 With thunders let the wealthy sea resound,
All the ends of the world are witnesses of this salvation, for in
The world and its inhabitants around.
spite of the world's opposition the grace of Christ triumphs with
8 With clapping han~s let da.shin~ str~ams flow 011,
sanctifying power in all nations. As we have been gathered into
And echoing hIlls nng out I~ unIs.on . I
this triumph of Divine Light by regenerating grace we must take
9 Before the Lord! Let all H IS praise confess.
care that we fall not back into the darkness of sin. "Keep me in
this state of salvation! " He comes the earth with judgement to redress.
Now will He judge the world in righteousness:
This Psalm completes the Trilogy of the Nell' Song and in-
All peoples shall H is upright sentence bless. . '.
troduces the Tel" Sanctus. The whole creation joins in the song. \Ve
TI,e it/entity o/ilte (erlllilltlflJIg . uerscs nrak·cs P 5S. 9·6 '98 . "definlfe frtlt>,ey·
know not how the lower creation shares in man's curse, but we see
them in their suffering. All that is round about us dies. We
cannot tell how they shall share in our perfected redemption. We PSALM 99.
may be Sure that in this new Kingdom of Christ, all shall be full of
IIOLY, HOLY, HOLY
life and joy and praise. Then we, as the members of Christ, the
Incarnate God and King, shall lead the song of praise, brought to .
THE natrons . hi e a t tl re manifest sovereignty
trern of Messiah:
. but
the very vision of God, and" knowing as we are known." it is the strength and tranquillity of Zion, the very foundation stone
. C' f Life That which lives in Cod cannot be sha~en but
of th~ Ity.o
rernams foi ever. "" W e 11111st praise His Holy Name whereinto we
have been baptized.
 336 OUR HIDDEN LIFE P SA L M 100. 337

The people of God, although partakers of H is righteousness are 6 Moses and Aaron midst the priesthood came;
not exempted from His judgement. They must live true to Him. Samuel with those that cal\'d upon His Name.
This was shown in the Patriarch Jacob, and in all his posterity. Upon the Lord they call'd. 'Twas He who answer'd them.
Even Moses and Aaron with whom God spake from the cloud were Moses, legislator •. Aaron, jJriest; Sa l1lt1d, prop/let.
punished for transgressing His Word.
He humbled Himself to walk amongst men, as man, but He is the 7 To these spake. He
The cloudy pillar glow'd :
Lord. God, and we must praise Him by acting in the Divine strength They kept the pledges by His cov'nant vow'd,
of HI3 covenanted grace. He came down to us that we might rise His ever sure decree thus giv'n them from the cloud.
to Him. The ordinances of tire old 11l7U 7Ut.'rt: Uininc, bollt Clremonial and moral.
The covenant of grace gives us access to God through Christ.
The cloudy pillar was a type of the more glorious form in which 8 0 Lord our God! h 'Tis Thou didst answer these,
God now welcomes us, having assumed our human nature. God Godhead whom pardon never fails to please!
gave them ordinances of outward appointment. He gives us But retribu~ion sure each self-will'd exploit sees!
ordinances of spiritual power. God spake to them from the cloud. God anS71JU'S prayer, tar-dOlling" His pC(1plc. But His greatest saints not exempt
He speaks to us now from Heaven. They were faithful, but they from jJtI1tiS/llfttnt.

escaped not retribution for their fault. M uch less can we escape.
We must worship Him in the midst of the Heavenly Zion, Him- Lift high the Lord our Cod," with heav'nward gazc !
9
self the life of the Holy City. We must set our affections on things Bend to His Holy Hill with solemn praise!
above and live worthy of the life which is in Him. He is the Lord our Cod, Holy through endless days."
Z ion is ideJltijiL'd willI 111cssiali hy II t:(l7 t:1lty J t.:xrr./tafioll.

THE TER SANCTUS OF THE PSALTER

PSALM 100.

The Lord is King: thcn let the peoples quake! TIlE EXULTATION OF THE CIlURCli CATliOLIC
Before His Cherub-Throne the earth must shake:
2 The Lord in Zion makes His greatness dwell : A Psalm oj l'haltksgivillg
High o'er all peoples doth H is praise excel.
"I BELIEVE in the Holy Chost, the Holy Catholic Church." .So
3 His Name, so great, so dread, with thanks be blest!
does this Psalm of the Church Catholic fitly follow the preceding
He is the Holy One/ by all to be confess'd.
homage to the eternal Trinity. . .
"'usia" enthroned on the Af~rc}-Seat bdwUl1 flu eller-ubim. Tlu I ncarn at ian
otginn;ug'in Zion and c.rtemicd to the Churclt. The Name 0/ Cod tI.'e/olllldlltioll oJ"
The day of the redeemed is come and the glad tidings are for all
Ihe reg'entrating- covenant. people. We must come before the Incarnate Cod with the shout
of praise. .
4 The King's great strength keeps judgement lovingly: He is our Maker, not merely the fashioner of our material frame.
'Tis Thou who giv'st firm rule to equity: He made us in His own irnace and for Himself. \Vc arc HIS by
Judgement and righteous acts through Jacob shine from Thee. personal relationshi p. \Ve ~re the flock an(~ He is th~ Clo~,i0us
jl(d~c'lft!nt against Ilu Prince of II,is world. Equity towards "rankine!. "'I I .l
.; lCP rcru.
\Ve must" come into H is gates With . thn nksg iving, the
I
RiglzleollSlllSs in lilt lif' 10IIIt/aillifll/.
gates of righteousness, the gates of Zion w.hlch He loveth. T lC
Eucharistic oblation is the gift which He gives us to bl:lIlg. We
5 Lift high the Lord our God' with heav'nward gaze! must feed thereon and take our place in the Church militant With
Bend to I-Iis footstool with adoring praise! Praise-Psalms. This title which belongs to the whole Psalter IS
He is the Holr. One." He lives through endless days. specially given only to the Alphabetical Psalm 145·. As we feed
Ti,t-,Dil'ine and IUlman na turrs ill Christ, upon Christ's Bolly, our souls must be united with HIS Soul 111 the
'"
VOL. II. Y
 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSALM 101. 339

use of the Psalter. Our mind must be identified with His. " Abiding true in love." That is the law of Christ's Kingdom.
Thanksgiving is the expression of grateful love to Him who makes Love is written upon the hearts of all Christ's members. So they
us partakers of His life. The dead cannot give thanks. We must "grow up unto Him in all things which is the Head."
see that our lives are thanksgivings as we have been raised from Firmly to "believe unto righteousness" will keep the eyes from
the de~d. Thankfulness must be combined with holy fear, for we resting upon any object of this contemptible world. The natural
are stJl~ dependent on His mercy, but that will noJ fail. All heart in its perverseness looks to the world because it is dead to
generations shall find Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the same God. We have been redeemed from the world, and brought into
yesterday and to-day and for ever. the household of God. \Ve must therefore die to ourselves and rise
.The Q'ri of verse 3 gives the purpose of our creation. This is up to the faithfulness and perfection of Christ's call. We must take
missed by the other reading. "He made us for Himself." our part in resisting the spirit of guile. At length shall the City of
God be manifested in triumph over all her enemies, the City of
THE CATHOLICITY OF MESSIAH'S KINGDOM Peace, having the glory of Cod. The triumphant Lamb shall be
the light thereof. His life, His light, His love must be the law of
Shout to the Lord, all earth as one I our individual sanctification.
2 Serve ye the Lord, a joyful throng! This Psalm is the vow of a King abiding in communion with
Come to His Face with ringing song. God, and finding his glory not in outward actions as such, but in
3 Know that the Lord is God alone: offering them to God, or, as it is said here, "singing unto Him."
He made us-claims us as His own. His conduct as Cod's representative was his glory as God's
His people, yea! His flock well known. worshipper. Being one with Cod, Christ did what He saw the
4 Come to His gates with thankful glee- Fatherdo. Prayer looks up to Cod to receive. Praise glorifies Cod,
H is courts with praiseful melody. by using what Cod gives according to the will of the (;iver. The
Thank, bless, His Name, with bended knee. Kingdom of Truth is the City of the Lord. Nothing can be
S The Lord is good, His mercy sure: tolerated therein which has any other law than the Divine Love.
His truth to ages shall endure.
Seue« imjJerativu. 'l'lu Fact is the mediatorial 1Iranifistatiolt 0/ God in Chris: TIlE SANCTITY AND TRUTH OF MESSIAII'S KINGDOM
TIle, Jwe~ve II Kates 01 0/ lIte courts, i.e. the Church "tililant. The II Name" sl:e'"ijit.';
tlr~r':': presence 0/ tire Slrekinalr. Goodness: Ihe essenrial beinl[ 0./ Cod. Af,,"cy:
HIS relation to sinful man, Truth.' tlu unchangeable law 0/ His coucna nt. Of mercy, Divinely imparted, and judgement's strong grasp
will I sing:
To Thee, Lord, enthroned in Thy glory, the offering of psalms
PSALM 101. will I bring.
2 Let prudence in perfectness guide me! I look for Thee!
THE SELF-DEDICATION OF THE PSALMIST When wilt Thou come?
With a heart that is perfect and loyal I daily will order my
David's. A Psalm
home.
3 I set not mine eyes to regard any matter that merits disdain.
~s Christ is come to establish the kingdom of the truth, mercy and
All looseness of action I hate! There shall cleave to rue
Judgement me~t together. His Person is the Truth: His govern-
nought that can stain.
ment t~e ex~rclse of the truth. Everyone that is of the truth takes
4 Let the heart by perverseness entangled abandon all claim on
part WIth HIm against all falsehood. The truth is a life which He
my care:
commu~icate.s . to ~I is members, the shoot flourishing out of the
Let it never be thought that wrong-doing my knowledge and
earth WIth DI~me life from the stem of Jesse. Nothing that loveth
or maketh a he can share this life. sanction can share!
 340 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSAL M J 02. 341

5 Wh~so ~Iasts his companion in secret, I'll drive overwhelm'd It is well to know that the food of earth is only ashes, incapable
In disgrace : of nourishing. Seek such food no more, but come and feed upon
The high look and the heart that is grasping, my pitiless wrath the life-giving Bread of Heaven. Jesus wept in s~mpathy v:
ith
shall efface. sinners. In saying this Psalm learn to weep for thine own SIl1S.
6 The faithful of earth will I welcome to bide in my tents as a He wept that thou mightest learn to weep. The sympathyof \·IIS
guest: tears who beheld thy misery, will help thee to mourn for thine own
Whoso walks in the way of perfection shall minister at my sins which occasioned thy misery.
behest. A's the Spirit lifted up the prophet of old, so was Jesus lifted up
7 None shall bide in the midst of mine house if in actions of by the Divine life within Him. As Moses .Iift.ed up his rod to do
guile he delight: the work of redemption for Israel, so Jesus IS lifted up to be an En-
Whoso utters the words of deceit shall never stand firm in my sign for the people, that the Gentiles might l0.ok to Him. He was
sight. lifted up in order that He might lift up thy gnefs and set thee free.
8 I will whelm all the wicked of earth, every morn as I wander He humbled Himself to bear with Divine hatred the burden of
abroad, Satanic onslaught, which would hold thee back from Cod. Dost
Until all villain-workers have ceased from the city so dear thou feel complainingly that Cod punishes thee for thy sin? or,
to the Lord. dost thou hate thy sin, associating thyself with the hatred of Jesus,
and using H is grace to shake off the tyranny of the evil one from
which He would deliver thee? Christ wiJllift thee up. Take heed
PSALM 102.
that thou do not cast Him down.
The days of earthly pleasure die out in darkness, anc~ wither like
INDIVIDUAL PENITENCE AND FAITH AMIDST GENERAL
CALAMITIES herbs. Remember thou that man was formed for a higher and a
more enduring day. Think how God says to His Only Son, This
PENITENTIAL V. day have I begotten Thee. Remember that He calls thee to be one
of the children of that Eternal Day. Seek not consolation for thy
A Prayer of the atfticted when hefaints, and pours out his illedita.
sins in any earthly deceit, but seek that consobtion which shall
tion before the Lord.
raise thee out of thy sins, even the renewing power of the Com-
THIS Penitential Psalm may well be our utterance in these la t forter, which is the Holy Ghost. .
days of the Christian Church when we see how sadly she has fallen Look up! Remember the prayer, Our ~ather ! He who ~ltS at
from her original glory. Cod's Right Hand calls thee to share HIS throne. He :vtll not
Amidst the general weakness of the Church do we feel the per- forget thee. Do not thou forget Him. Thi~k .how He bids thee
~on.al. misery of our own sin? Cod looks for the penitence of recall the thought of His Passion. "Do this 111remembrance of
II1dIVI~Uals now, as He looked for the individual conflict of Mes- Me." That memorial will never fail of Divine acknowledgement If
siah With th~ enemy. .Fait.hfully would He carry out His purposes thou feedest thereon with thankfulness.
of love to H IS Church If H IS Church were true to Him. Cod on high beholds His people with changeless love and po~er.
Jesus, ~attling with all the powers of sin, had to bear the loneli- He beholds thee as one of the living stones of the lloly City.
s looks forward" to see of the travail of His soul" when all
~les~ of this desert world, because He would not share with others J esu . I . J.
In Sin. Dost thou feel thyself in thy loneliness shut off from the those living stones shall be securely built on hlg 1 III 11s own
communion of saints, with none to help thee unless thou come to glory. ... .
The Psalmist turns from the conSideration of present rmser y to
Jesus as thy stay? If thou feel thyself to be like the sparrow on
the V ivine assurance which belongs to Zion, however mllch. now
~he housetop, seek thy true home, as the sparrow. Waste not time
In a waste world. Come for shelter to the altar of Christ. Thither devastated. We must never cease to bewail the state of Chnste~-
flyaway and be at rest. dom, but we must never be despondent. The gates of hell Will
 P SA L M 102. 343
342 OUR HIDDEN LIFE
. f i I .ding and eternal consumrna-
not prevail. Things must come to their worst in order to try the brief life, but life such as falls 0 Its am I
faith of Cod's people. There will be a sudden manifestation of tion in Christ. . I I lif are transient. They are a
Divine power in the end. All the circumstances In earth y ue t This includes, or rather,
A 11 nations shall acknowledge the Name of Christ, not neces- garment which the Incarnate God ~vear~ie lives as the Head. The
sarily at one and the same time, but in such way as to contribute it signifies, the elect peoplefovher w amI f Hosts which fills the
I " train" ate Lare 0
their portion to the number of the elect gathered from all parts. saints are t ie f. their earthliness, trans-
Every nation must yield its own portion to the complete
new race formed out of the substance
Man, the
of the Body of Christ, but
sanctuary.
Th

formed 50 as to Ive.
? re taken away 10m
awith' His eternity, changed fron~ glory t~ glory.
. I I life like the details of H IS own
extended so as to include all clements of human nature, however The sufferings of ~helr ea.1t 'tYI ' ith a perpetual evidence of
I, . n live on In rem \V •
they may be scattered and obscured. Persona I assion, H. I) . which He caused them to
.. I the grace of IS assron . f I
We must look forward to the great shout .of Halleluyah. That DIVIne gory, t herewith He will come art 1
word is here intimated for the first time. "A new-born people share. They are the dyed galrlmedn Stw · to the outrages which
shall praise }AH, shall sing Halle! to JAH." h ints whose ) 00 es t Ifies I
from Bozra , sat I I nee of which they also by t te
God hears the subs of the prisoners. He knows if we are really they have endured, by t ie enc ura ,
. I ave conquered Satan.
sensible of our bondage. "He that committeth sin is the slave of power of HIs grac: '. 1.11 never fail from the earth. The years
sin." We are born dead in trespasses and sins, but God hath The people of Chnst s ra I eter .t " So shall we ever
brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. of time shall develop into the glory 0 etei ru y.
We are born again in the Name of the Lord. Zion is the be with the Lord."
Church upon earth. }erusalern is the Church regarded in her
completed glory, resounding with the praises which the faithful give PENITENCE llURSTING INTO PRAISE
with one heart and one voice. Thus we look forward to all the
kingdoms of the world becoming consolidated in the heavenly 2
o Lord, I pray Thee, hear my prayer!
glory of Messiah's rule. . Let mine appeal to Thee draw near:
H ide not Thy face in trouble's day:
The death of Christ is not His removal from the earth, for He 3
Stretch forth to me Thine ear alway:
lives on in His Church. Humanly speaking, His work was to be
Answer my cry: do not delay. ,
finished in the midst of IIis days. That is the age when manhood
See !-Spent like smoke my days are bann d :
properly reaches its maturity. He was not to be "taken up" as a 4
My bones are like a cinder'd b.rand : .
sacrifice consumed by fire was" taken up" (that was the proper
Like withered grass my heart IS dry.
phrase of the whole burnt-offering) in such sense as to imply that
I leave my food forgetf~lIy;
He should be separated from the world which He had redeemed.
6 Wearied with long-contmu d g~oan,
The sacrifice was "taken up" in the smoke. He is taken up in
Cleaves to my fle sh th' unnounshed bone. .
the heavenly Fire that He may live with our earthly nature
, . . flab Ion, so must we say this },s~/m untIl a
glorified for ever in the fellowship of God. The redeemed people As Ilu Psalmist .felt the misery o! 'k:>'nt uc look.for spady del",emllcc.
shall be" caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." deep sense o.f our ear", 'I Y h011dare
b·
}-et li c t nt 1

His years live with Divine power through all generations. He

A pelican, the desert'~ chil.d, .
shall bring in Himself the souls which" never died " (John xi. 21). 7
A n owl, that whoops III rums IVlI~,-:-
He shall lift their bodies from the grave to live henceforth glorified
8 So keep I my sad watch, compl.al~IIlg,
in His own Body for ever.
Like sparrow lone on roof remaIll~ng.
We must be so living with Christ, that we may have our part in
All day, my foes reproaches pour .
this final ascension, the complete regeneration of mankind. Our 9
At me the fiendish braggarts swore.
own natural life is only half our days. To be taken away in our
TIre loneliness 0/ tlte Passion,
own earthly individuality is what we deprecate, not necessarily
 344 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSALM 103. 345
10 I feed on ashes as my bread, 24 He made my travelling vigour bend,
And fill my cup with tears I shed: And reap'd ere days had reach'd their end.
II SO foams Thy wrath with furious frown, 25 My Godhead ~ Take not up, I said,
Who lifting- up, didst cast me down. Ere half my days arc numbered:
12 My days arc like eve's lengthening shade, Thy years throug'h generations spread.
And I a herb through drought decay'd. f csns (l,£:,,'dIltirly-tllrct.· nlld a Irnl/ yra rs at Ilis Crllojixi,'JI. 'I Reali!'" IIfl'1l Ilu
~ The t~plifti;llt(J/ IS:'fTc/ I~I'prt'd/'s/il!fltioJl and flteu in ("11,.i,1'I/'Y Incfl.1"Jlate SOll.dup. Cross.
7 Ire casl!lIg"d01U1t tojl.eflt in /su nt a n -ruffO'IIlK ae ain s: Satan. /J1ft tIle resurrection
to the predulint'd 11,,'ollt: ;.1' sur-e,
26 Of old Thou stablishcdst the earth:
l l eav'n from Thy Hands receiv'd its birth.
13 But, Lord, Thy seat shall aye endure,
27 They perish, but Thou still shalt stay!
With blest memorial ever sure.
These like a garment wear a way!
14 Thou yearn'st for Zion, and wilt rise:
Thy robe Thall changest: changed are they.
'Tis time for grace: the crisis cries! ellris/ is not talccn III' 1,), hum a n d,'ntll, but li'les diz'''It.'ly t!trough nll.fulun ..
15 Thy servants, pleased, her stones behold, s-enrrat ions. '/'1.'" l lrrn-vns, inl" ",alr,.ia! a n.i "fi,.i/)(fl/, an' /",1 "[;,,,,"'011. '{'he
And grieve in dust to see them roll'd, l)i1li/1(: Personality ('}'Cll1"I,\'/is tlte Cli:rJlfll,\'t'('uril)' (if Ilis unc!Jal1/:w'tule'JIl'S,L

TlJis 'Was rrfpartlltly zurittcn 'lulu" tI,e crr.j>/ivt's knew tllat tlu Slventy rears sucre
l.Ut"·"1:~h concinded. Tlu S/01ft'S0/o,'erthro1U. 28 But Thou, th' Eternal, changeless,- II e
Whose years shall ne'er completion see.
16 Thy Name, Lord, shall the Gentiles fear:
29 Thy servants' sons shall dwell secure:
Thy glory all earth's kings revere:
Their seed before Thee firmly shall endure.
17 For now the Lord builds Zion's height:
TIre sacronrrn la/ ind7t'l.'lIillg. II lie d'wdletl, ill iIIt: flud I ill /lim,"
He shows Himself in glory bright-
18 Turns to the barren dwarflings' prayer,
Despising not the prayer they bear.
I'SA LJ\l 103.
Zit'1I brco1Nu flu Jlt'fl7'cn!;, jt'rtualt-"" The onerth roru 0/ 'crus(llr11t dors UfJt
in'/'(llidate tIll promises IIlade to Zion, J'lor does Ih~ con7ipliOll of CllrislelldoJlI nta r CRATITUDE FOR TIlE RESURRECTION
flu g-Iory of tlu city whicll Christ is building on 111:1:11, IIOWt'1't!r much it JlUlY cause
dr/a)'. Tlu 1U'W hirtll of tIlt coming kin,rdoJJI.
Dm,id's
19 For future times this writing bring: THE contrast of Cod's unchangeableness and our perishableness
J i\H'S praise a new-born people sing. would lead to despondency, but God has clothed H imself with our
20 He from His lIoly height look'd forth: nature and made us in II is renewed II umanity partakers of a
The Lord from heav'n regards the earth, resurrection to eternal life. Ps. 102. began with deploring- the ruins
21 To hear the sobbing bondman's cry, of Jerusalem, the failure of the race that God had. created f~r
To bring Death's heirs to liberty. Himself and the failure of its subsequent resuscitation. Now It
P.t"~itence i~ tlu nrot/rer "/ ",rai.fl'. Tllis illtroduc('s tlu Ifnl1elu)lahs" of Ilu
II
rises in ,Christ to perish no more. The throne m. '"H eaven "1'1 l~g 1
portIon O./t/IC "salter.
~-eJ~lftlnll1g God Itcard t/u P'Ofl1lj,I,e 0./ II is peoplein Fgypl. So
It IS always n.ffliction 7..ultich bn'JI.£:s llis dciincrance and blessin,e-. and lifted up" prepared of old for the Son of Man IS now oC:llpl~d
by the Incarnate Son. He sits upon the throne, J~I~lgmg. m
22 In Zion tell they the Lord's Name- righteousness. H is throne is prepared for Judgement. 1he stunts
His praises in Jerusalem, are partakers of His righteousness. The Powers of Darknes~ are
23 While peoples gather with accord- judged (1'5. 9.). It is the throne of the Incarnate Word, umung
Yea, kingdoms wide-to serve the Lord. to Himself His earthly Bride, the Church (Ps. 45.). The throne of
"l'lte 1't:~'('Ilt'rtltillff JYnl1u. TIle il/t,,"illn/t'd Iifi: of frais~. TIlt! Cathoiic Cllllrcli. the true David is the ,'ery SUIl of Righteousness, making the
 OUR HIDDEN LIFE
renewed world live with its brightness (1'5. 89.). The people of
Messiah are to sit with Him enthroned, even as He Himself is
in the glory of the Father (Ps. 132. 12).
The contemplation of this glorious destiny must fill us with fear
lest we come short of that enthroned sovereignty wherein God calls
us from the struggle of earth to share in H is promised rest
(Heb. iv. I). God rested from His work of creation. Man has to
carry out his work. The first Adam failed, choosing earth which
he had, rather than the holy rest which was promised to him.
The ancient people of God failed, for they had not faith to grasp the
heavenly power. We are now called by gift of Divine life to share
the rest which remains upon the eternal throne, although while
we are on earth we have to struggle to secure it.
TilE KINGDOM OF MESSIAH ESTABLISHED
HEAVENLY GLORY
The Lord Gracious in dealing with the Sinner
Bless thou the Lord I! My soul exclaim!
My heart! To praise His holy Name!
2 Bless thou the Lord.! my soul, nor e'er
Forget what all His dealings were.
3 He pardons thine iniquity,
In all thy sickness healing thee-
4 Avenges lest the chasm destroy-
Crowns thee with mercy's tender joy-
S Fills all thy gaiety with good-
Gives strength with eagle-youth renew'd.
The soul in its natural consciousness praises for external blessings.
rat, heart praiusfor /lu gift of neus lift.
The Lord Compassionate ill the Discipline of RighteouS11ess
6 How works the Lord in righteousness-
Gives judgement whoso e'er oppress!
7 He made His ways to Moses known-
To Israel's sons hath exploits shown.
8 Compassionate and gracious Lord!
With anger halting, mercy shower'd.
9 He will not strife erpetual wage,
Nor cherish it from age to age.
PSALM IO} 347
JO Not by our sins' due meed He smites,
N or our iniquities requites.
The exodus was the typical deliverance of Lsrnct, /,r,,/mriltg for Christ. TI/f'kt
I .r dcF~)(yaltce would cuer be a t uiorl: u nti]. C ".
erist S"IOIf U
(co me: It would WO}.
,aw OJ .f.. I. Jti "CI:17St'S members frorn
J1/0re pOJ»u:fully in lIlt ki1tgtfollt n/ ~race/or ttrc ac arerancc ".1 .
i th« assaults of Satan.
I The Lord Filillcrly in Ille Loftiness of His Bounty
r r As Heav'n o'er earth expands in height,
So on blest fear shines mercy's might
12 He, far as dawn from dusk of day,
Takes our transgressions far away.
13 Ev'n with a father's tender care,
So cares the Lord for them that fear.
14 For well He knows our feeble frame-
IN Remembers that from dust we carne.
The Lord Unc/umging in tile raithfulms.> of His Couenant
1S Frail man! His days are reap'd like grass-
Like field-flowers, gay--like them, to pass!
16 The hot wind breathes on them. They're gone!
Where once they bloom'd, no longer known!
17 But mercy which the Lord bestows
Eternal, aye eternal, flows,
On them that fear Him strong to bless!
Sons' sons shall own H is righteousness!
18 Still to H is covenant keeping true,
Mindful His precepts still to do !
God's brt:atlt blasts 'what is merely of cartlt,
TIlt ytfftne. The Lord Eternal in the Sovereignly of His Kingdom
19 The Lord! In Heaven firm stands HIS. t IHone. '
The universe H is rule must own.
20 All ye His angels, bless I the Lord,
Vigorous in might to do His Word,
His Word's great voice, so truly heard.
21 mess 2 ye the Lord, ye hosts of His
Whose pleasure rules your ministries.
22 Bless 3 ye the Lord, ye works around,
Where'er His world-wide rule is found.
Bless thou, my soul, the Lord with glory 3 crown'd.
Threifold app<al to creation. Tlu'ujo/d appeal to his sou] [r-erses r 2, 22.)
 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSALM 104. 349

PSALM 104. 5 Earth's basis firm established He,

MAN CREATED TO HOLD FELLOWSHlr WITH GOD Unshaken to eternity.
I-IALLELUYAH I. 6 O'er it the mantling deep He spread:
The w~ves o'er-topp'd each mountain-head.
THE world is the work of God, and testifies to a spiritual con- 7 Downward at Thy rebuke they flow:
summation as having been present to the Divine Mind from the Scared by Thy thunder's voice they go :
beginning. Man was to be the lord of all. All was subject to
8 Hills rise on high with fissures deep:
death, but out of death we witness continued renewal pointing our Where Thou hast fixt their home they leap.
thoughts onward to the resurrection.
9 Thou gav'st them borders ne'er to cross,
If we recognise this relation of man to God as the Creator, we N or turn their waves o'er earth to toss.
must feel the necessity of praising God for the gifts of creation, and 10 He sends the downward leaping rills,
then, further, praising Him with the gifts of Creation.
That run between the parted hills.
We must rise above Creation and feel the love of God as a power lIThe beasts come near their draught to take :
superior to Creation. We must feel that the creatures of time are Wild asses there their thirst can break.
wanting in their chief proper purpose if they are not instrumental 12 The birds of heav'n above them dwell,
towards the glorification of God.
Which sing in many a leafy cell. .
We cannot bow down to any created object as worthy to be the 13 The hill-tops drink from stores on high:
end for which we live. We lose it when we die. We must accept Rich fruit for earth Thy works supply.
all God's creatures as means of fellowship with Himself while we 14 Green grows the grass for herds around:
are here, and helping us to attain with grateful consciousness to a Glad crops for man's support are found:
higher fellowship with Himself hereafter. As He is the Giver of He makes the earth with corn abound. .., '
life to all, we can look to die to earthly things in the hope of a life d })ay The earth volcllHicallys l"la"~/n.g Of.!
ITth C'lUlll'rslhrrlover:f!01un{II,
c .. I Their
which is of a higher character with Himself. ~~ UPOIt .t It e eat ·t"It S slt1'ja
JJlohan .r: ccfixt hv Divine /(lWS.
J
Wh at 'Zl'{lS a deso/at'Wlt oe.:COI1I£S

a j;ri1lcijJle ojnoll-yisllJllent.
Our joy must therefore be to praise God in the contemplation
and use of all His creatures. All without Him were nothingness,
for all came out of nothing. All things shine with a heavenly light 15 He makes man's heart rejoice \\:ith wine-
when contemplated in the glory of His Love. Gives oil to make his face to shine :
Bread stays man's heart, lest frai.lty pine.
THE EARTH THE CRADLE OF MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 16 Trees of the Lord are well supplied:
1Bless thou, my soul, the mighty Lord! Cedars He planted, Liban's pride,
oLord, my God, exceeding great, 17 See, there the birds nest-building- come:
Majestic, bright, as robed in state! The cypress gives the stork a home:
2 He spreads the light as vest to wear: 18 O'er the high hills the goats will bound:
The outstretch'd heavens His curtains are. Marmots in crags have refuge found,
3 Waters His palace-heights sustain: 19 He made the 11100n, a festal guid,e:
Clouds are the chariot of His train: At eve the sun knows where to hide.
20 Thou sett'st the darkness: night is deep;
On spirit-wings He rides to reign.
4 Spirits as messengers He claims, Then forest-beasts for plunder creep. .. .
.11n
•
Va)!. Corn an
d'· 'WINe ~1111.
I 01,./ "-';
(juJJ/bo/s
,
J.rovidt'd
~'
ill ualun: to be .\'andljud In
With ministries of fiery flames.
gTncc. Cedars to be used ill but/tlnl.f{ the I t'I"pIL.
The out-ward "eav~ns a p"~/}(lrati(}1l for tlu 1Ilanifi'sltrlion 0/ flu l ncarnnte
. Creator. HI Drl)', 2nd Va)'. Tlu: tva ters abO"ilc the jirJlIt1l11tnl, (llld 1/1£' oajJli:;JJttll
·waf(l·s. TIle pm"tr ~f tlu /I{>ly (;llosl oJ' whom Christ is glorified. Tht created 21 The lion-cubs, that roar for prey,
a1lg-e/s o/lIlinislry in Itis cotsena n t,
From Godhead seck their hunger's stay.
 350 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSALM 105· 351
22 The sun arises: back thev hie
In jungle mansions gone to lie:
23 M~n spe.eds, his labour to begin, PSALM 105.

HIS service fixt, till eve set in.

THE PROMISE TO THE FATHERS
24 How great then are Thy works 0 Lo d _
Th . d . ,r , HALLELUY AH II.
y WIS.om m them all outpour'd ,
Earth with Thy wealth is richly stor'd THE Psalm of creation tells of the home prepared for man that he
25 The sea's great circling width behold' may glorify God. Now follows the Psalm of exodus. The Son of
Creeping with creatures manifold ' God must be brought out of this evil world. Joseph is the type of
Small forms of life and monsters bold Him. The exodus is the manifestation of the Divine Power in
26 The.re sail the ships with burdens fra~g-ht, Israel. Israel contains within itself the Humanity wherein the
Leviathan form'd there for sport' Son of God shall be Incarnate. The plagues, the wonders of the
Sflt Ilay, Levialhan tlze Iyj, 0/ diabolical ow' ..
Tll(s~ (00 aye subsrruicnt to Cod's POW(Ys. p ers l1t tlte slnn/ulll stormy SUlS. wilderness, were none of them for Israel's sake, but they indicated
the mysterious destiny of I1im who should triumph over the Prince
27 All creatures look intent to Thee of Darkness and bring the people with Divine power to the heavenly
Time after time as need shall be.' rest which remaineth. There God would welcome man, but He
28 Thou giv'st, and they collect the food: could not do so until man bad accomplished the work which God
Thy open'd Hand fills all with good. gave him to do. This could only be done by the Incarnate Son
29 Thou hid'st Thy face, and quick they quail: of God. Then He would bring His people into the Divine rest
Thou tak'st their breath: they gasp and fail which God had consecrated of old.
To dust returning, all so frail. ' St Paul tells us that Joshua did not bring the people to that rest.
30 Thou send'st Thy breath creation's dower' They failed through unbelief.
. The soil's new face attests Thy power. . We as we recite this Psalm must be careful to do so with a firm
jd,o-.JtlIt /{'VlS lit, /{oods 0/ ,arlh 10 II" creal
lit, /ood 0/ (/,rnallife 10 His clt'ld 7" . u~lS o/carllt. Afor,joyous!), f{el;ivlS spirit of faith, accepting the troubles of earthly experience as means
God quick(ns witlt a 1l(W li'< and/<' rcn.
'.I'
l1S t s a world
onus a nt!1l) world.
0/ dmtl,. TI" breatl, 0/ of appropriating God's higher gifts, feeling secure in God's love
while we also acknowledge that we cannot triumph over the earth
Doxology by the earth. Only by suffering can we so win God's favour as to
31 Glory for ever to the Lord 1 attain to the Kingdom to which He calls us in His only Son.
Joy to the Lord His works afford.
32 A~ His regard how quaked the earth: THE DIVINE SON BROUGHT OUT OF EGYPT
Hills at His touch in smoke broke forth
33 Through life the Lord shall claim my s~ng :
Psalms to my God for aye belong.
34 H.e'll own th' outpouring of my mind: Exordium
I.m the Lord my joy shall find.
1 Thank! ye the Lord' Invoke " His Name'
35 Sinners from earth shall disappear'
His exploits to mankind proclaim 3,
The wicked '-Look! They are no't there'
2 Sing! ye to Him! with psalms draw near" ,
My soul to bless the Lord prepare'
Muse 3 upon all H is marvels here'
HALLELUYAH.
l God dL'/ights in creation as tIlt., lI1flllifistaLion cV I'is . tcri. l
3 His holy Name with boast record'
gory wlti,1z His crenru rer Olt/;, re./lect. J oum rn enorc or)'. lie is flu Joy to the heart which seeks the Lord'
352 OUR HIDDEN LIFE
4 Sue for the Lord,' H is strength 2 to see!
Seek ye His Face 3 continually!
S ~ind ~e ~hat marvels I He has wrought-
SIgns --Judgements 3-which His mouth hath taught,
6 All ye H IS servants, Abraham's seed
His choice as Jacob's sons indeed. '
" 22 To bind their princes by his will,
Promise to Abraham
7 For Him, the Lord our God, we own!
His judgements through the earth are known.
8 lIe .keeps His Word, His covenant, fast,
While thousand g-enerations last
9 To Abraham ratified of old '.
And with an oath to Isaac ;old
10 To Jacob by decree made sure'
Israel's covenant to endure. '
II I give thee Canaan's land, He spake,
Your heritage by line to take!
12 Ye~ few in number then they were:
A tiny band, they sojourn'd there.
III
Patriarclra! IFmrdcrillgs
13 Midst.Gentile hordes their tent they change,
Left kingdoms, went to peoples strange.
14 He suffer'd no man to oppress:
He smote e'en kings for their distress.
IS" Touch not the anointed ones of mine
And wrong not my prophetic line."
16 Stern famine through the earth He woke
And all the staff of bread He broke. '
'7 He sent a man before their face:
Joseph was sold in bonds' disgrace.
18 They vext his feet with biting pain:
His soul endured the iron chain.
PSALM 105. 353
IV
Joseph in EgyjJt
19 The time arrives: The Lord's Word came;
His promise search'd him through like flame.
20 Then sent the king to liberate:
The people's ruler oped the gate.
21 As master o'er the house he reigns,
And ruler through his wide domains,
And teach their senate social skill.
23 Then into Egypt Israel came,
Jacob as guest in land of Ham.
24 He made his people fruitful there,
More serried than th' oppressors were.
JO.'it!I'/t'S drtiuerancc fro»r prison, a type 0/ Christ risi;zg/rolJl tlie gravt!. ji'SUS Oil
tIlt: 1/lrOlle 0/ God. The -world learns true civilisation from t/tc Ctn-istian Cllurcj"
llu Church IIlu/tip/yi1!K amidst pcrseclltio1t.f.
V
Egyptian Oppression and the Plagues
2S He turn'd their heart His own to hate,
His servants to exterminate.
26 He sent His servant Moses down,
And Aaron chosen as His own,
27 Dread signs they utter'd by His Word;
The land of Ham the wonders heard.
28 He sent them darkness, heav'n's dark shroud:
So they His sovereign Word allow'd.
29 He turn'd their waters into blood:
He slew their fish; so foul the flood!
30 Great swarms of frogs their land infest,
In halls for royal functions drest.
God's blessing- makes tIre world hale the Church. Tlzis leads to Ille exodus 0/ II"
Cll1l1"clr. We cannot desire Heat-en: unless ?uefiel earth's antagonism, TIle pla£lUS
I)'/>ical 0/ /ud"emenls on the unbelieving- toorld, 911, Plag-ut. 1St Flag'"r. -rnd
1'Iag·ue.
VI
The Plagucs
31 He spake and swarming beetles flit:
Gnats through their borders buzz'd and bit.
32 He gave them stony showers of hail;
Fires flaming through their land prevail.
VOL. 11. Z
 354 OUR HIDDEN LIFE PSALM 106. 355

33 Fig-tree and vine those tempests kill PSALM 106.

And shiver'd shrubs their borders fili.
34 He spake, and locusts fill their coasts, FAITH LOOKING FORWARD AMIDST TROUBLES TO
And caterpillars, countless hosts. THE PROMISED GLORY
35 The soil's green produce they devour HALLELUYAH III
Devouring fruit with sateless power. '
36 He smot~ their first-born, man and brute, BOOK I II. and Book IV., both of them, close with a sad recital of
The firstlings of all nature's fruit. man's sin thwarting God's good purpose. What return did Israel
-y-d PIa!:',.. 4tl, !,Iague. Sllr PIa!:,,,, lOti. PltZJi'ue.
make for God's marvellous interpositions? We as we sing this
Psalm must think of the unfaithfulness of Christendom. See the
Church in our own day! What idols of silver and gold, and of
VII
science and culture! How we subordinate God to various devices
The Journey through tlte Wiidcrness of our own! We are apt to wish to see wonders. Alas! we are
blind to the wonders of H is Church. An adulterous generation
37 His ~arching hosts with spoils abound: seeketh after a sign, because it is not reaching out after the high
No stumbling midst their tribes was found. aims of our faith, and consequently will not look to the hidden
38 Egypt rejoiced while they depart :- mysteries by which God is leading us onward. I-low little are we
Such terror falls on every heart. ready to destroy the Canaanites, the maxims of the world! We will
39 A cloud with sheltering care He spread not take possession of the world in the Name of God, and so the
And fire by night, its light to shed. ' world enslaves us. There may be revivals of a limited kind, as God
40 At their request the quail was given: raised up judges in Israel. H ow soon does the effort die out!
He filled them with the bread of Heaven Still then we have to be crying out Hosanna! Save us! The
41 He pierced the rock and waters flow'd: . cry will not be in vain. ")-1 e that shall come will come."
A river midst the drought He show'd. " Amen" tells of God's truth though every man be false! There-
Perlraps tIlt J"y 0./ Egypl may Iypify the '0 0./ th
witnesses arc slain. Shortlived)'ou' T!J !!Y{ e unf{odly .world when the two fore we can end with Halleluyah, looking forward to the jubilant
• . J' It C,OUf as the lruman,ly 0/ Ch . I It I
"'g' us In stll/ering'. The /ire as IIis Godhead illuminating' us in darkness. rts seier· strains of heavenly triumph in nook V.
This is the first of the eight Psalms with double Halleluyah.

42 He bore in mind His holy Word

MESSIAH'S KINGDOM THWARTED BY THE SINS OF
B~ Abraham, His servant, heard. THE PEOPLE
43 W.lth glee He led His people out,
H IS chosen ones, wi th ringi ng shout.
44 He gave to them the Gentile's soil Exordium
To hold what masses raised with toil :
45 So should they His decrees observe I HALLELUYAH
His laws, with heed no more to swerve Thank ye the Lord, for He is good!
H ALLELUY AIl. . His mercy stands as aye it stood!
The !{Yeal exodus, The 1'''''/0/ />"olllis' . /> I . 2 Oh ! Who the Lord's great might shall tell,
/411ld 0/ EgJ')/ /If( liplurl "I" )' t . tv, c Ir. rc scn S man s prill,al drstz"ny. TIre
. . . " • a a n s -yranny, The dr.Je{ojmrnl " It Or reach the truth His praise to swell !
eart h IS In so ure 7uaJ' prcpflrillf' /or 111()'01l 01"11, Ch 'h h 0./ timan natu,.,c 011
. ." './ u: un (Yea/ter. 3 Happy on judgement's path who press,
To work at all times righteousness!
ftfan's 7..U07-ds
cannot tell thc goodness snnrnrcd up in the eternal Wordc from 71,/iO))f

all comes. Ire Intist (;~odbad by carrying out llis IVord in obedience.
 \
1 .,
\
OUR HIDDEN LIFE
PSALM I o~6. 357
II
VI
Appeal for God's Alercy
Rebellion against Moses
4 Lord, with salvation visit me,
The smile of well-pleased memory, 16 They envied Moses' princely word,
5 To see what good Thy chosen gain, And Aaron holy to the Lord,
The joy which Thy blest race retain, 17 Earth oped: o'er Dathan closed the pit:
And boast amidst Thine heirs to reign. Abirarn's troop were gulph'd in it.
Cod'.)' g-oodness is flu COIJI1I10" inheritance o/Ilu saints, but ';..Ut ntu s t sllarc it 1'Y Amidst their troop how blazed the fire!
individual expcrien~es and grateful IJu1IlOry.
The flame devour'd the wicked choir.
Thci»: second sin, rhe priesthotJd (1/ Aaron's 70tH tllC central pri1tCl/,k of i:;}"tll'i's
III
hotincss as tlu Apostolic ministry witll Irift .r o./tllt' floly (;llOst is tht' ii';lin~1torgfl1. ..••'"
Confession o.f Sins 0/ sanctification to the CI,urch as CI,,.ist"s Body.
6 As sinn'd our fathers, so have we, VII
Iniquitously, wickedly! 7 Ile Golden Calf
7 They ne'er on Egypt's wonders thought,
19 In Horeb next a calf they made,-
But Thy vast mercies counted nought:
To molten metal worship paid.
At the Red Sea the rebels fought.
20 They changed their nation's glory, as
8 Yet saved He them, determined now
An imaged bull that eateth grass.
His Name to own, His might to show.
21 Their Saviour-Godhead they forgot,-
IV His deeds in Egypt heeded not,-·
22 His wonders in th' Hamitic land,
The Passage of the Red Sea
His terrors by the Red Sea strand.
9 He smote the sea: that it was dried: 23 Then when He threaten'd to consume,
He led through depths as deserts wide. Moses, H is chosen, stayed the doom.
10 He saved them from the hand of hate,- Before Him in the breach he stood,
On the foe's hand wrought vengeancegreat. And turn'd H is wrath's destructive flood.
II The waters gulph'd the oppressors' host: Their IJn'rd sin. God CllflllJ:l.·111 1101 His .J-1romisc but His Pt't'''!.: CIUIJl.!,'·,· 1,'10":'
(;I'd.

Not one remained: all, all, were lost! The earth: .<:Ilallbe ouerthrouni. Tlu: f(ill,gdo1JI 0.1 God is u1lsltal.·cn. '!",Ill' 0,'/':" ."/,·{O
in Psalter wlure tIle word occurs. (Pss: IS· 4, 46.3.) Israel n'sh'lt'd ,1/{Jst':... (;(~d
12 Then they believed the words He spake! Leard him. Controversy conoerts none. PraJ1er bn'llg's an ans un:r.
In songs of praise their joyaunce brake.
Vlll
v TIle Refusal to go Forward
Murmuring for Food 24 They're dull whate'er His Word inspire,-
'3 But soon forgat they what He did: Refuse the land of love's desire.
They would not pause, though He might bid: 25 With murmurs in their tents they stay:
14 Ev'n in the wild to lust they haste, They hear not what the Lord may say.
Tempt Godhead in Jeshimon's waste. 26 He raised His Hand against their host,
15 Just as they ask, He gives supply, In yon great wild o'erthrew their boast,
But fills their souls with atrophy. '27 Their seed midst Gentiles to o'erthrow.
7'luirJirst sin. Scif.willed prayer is dangerous. God willz/lolds ans-urcrs ilt love. Scatter'd through lands in world-wide woe.
A.'1. z'lIltdlcctual demand lI/'fJfl tlu: Irllt/, o/(,~(}(fs /(1l,'C is 1I0t ~o(1d nntcss it be s:tbordhul.!.:d
7'11{.'ir .I01n-tll sill. t( TIll.' lalld 0.1 tTl'.'iire" WIlS a tyft' nf l/ill1 1.11110 is /lIt desire
to tl" love o./t;od·s Trutl,.
n/all nations. Ifl.' is t/:e IVf,,-d w/tom t/,(,), 7l 0ldd not /'clic7JC -urhcn lIe Came Inl/foN.
1

tile Sronc tlult 'Was to be rcfusrd. R aisi"g tlu' /m nd JOY all oallt. T/,'(' ./,uture sur IItri,,!:"
in accordance 'willt lite dcn nnciations n.l Moses, (lccomp/isllf.:d IkrollKll ni(~t.'li".~·Cil1-iJt.
 358 OUR HIDDEN
IX
The Mt'dt'anitish Seduction
28 To Baalpeor were they wed,
And ate the offering of the dead.
29 So did they vex Him with their sin,
And thus the vengeful plague broke in.
30 Then stood up Phinehas and pray'd :
By him the vengeful plague was stay'd.
31 'Twas reckon'd as his righteousness-
For endless ages to confess.
Their: fifth sin. The High Priesthood was pledged to his ./a1."li6' alt/Mug!, ./Or a
short time hdd by Ithal1lar.
X
The Crag of Kadesh
32 Meribah's tide I There burst a Aame !
The wrong they roused on Moses came.
33 For whilst His Spirit they defy,
His babbling lips gave quick reply.
TII~ir ,\'/~rt/, sin, 'l'hey defied Gotfs Spirit in Afosts.
IIlillt'''; tr..t;tliIHt Id1llseif. (15:1. Ixiii 10.)
Xl
The Failure to destroy the Canaanites
34 The peoples did they not consume,
Nor work'd the Lord's commission'd doom,
35 But, lost amidst the Gentiles there,
They learnt from them foul works to share.
36 To idols bowed in service vile,
They fell ensnared by many a wile!
37 Their sons, their daughters, there they bring,
Victims to demons offering.
38 The blood they shed was innocent:
Their sons', their daughters', blood they spent,
Victims to Canaan's idols sent l
Through all the land the blood-stain went!
Tluy s•..·IIIi'd in Canaan I,), not destroying those WIL01Il God had doomed. Joining
ill Ilu idolatry. So iatitudin arianism leads 101Ilisbtlie/ and cl)I'/practice. JIO'lu has tile
CIIU1'C!l Jallen by acct'fting Ilu ma xims of flu uiorld t Civilization
Christianized, but it is also Ch,·istianity l"athenized.
LIFE PSALM 106. 359
XII
Oppression by the hostile Tribes
39 Thus in their works were they profaned,
In practices with whoredom stain'd !
Then blazed the anger of the Lord:
His heritage became abhorr'd.
41 He gave them to the Gentiles' hand:
Their haters now as rulers stand.
42 They felt the pressure of the foe,
Whose heavy hand thus laid them low.
43 Full many a time He set them free:
But still to rebel plans they flee,
Collapsing in iniquity!
XIII
God's Mercy ill the midst of the Rab)'lol1isll Captivity
44 He saw their plight when troubles press'd,
Hearing their cry when thus distress'd.
45 Their covenant claim in mind He bore,
Moved to fresh mercies more and more.
Moses took th c o..!lo:cc as COJ1l.
He gave them to find tender care,
Ev'n from their captors where they were.
XIV
Prayer for Restot:ation
47 Save us, 0 Lord, our God, we pray,
And gather us from Gentile sway,.
Thy holy Name with thanks to r.alse,
With joyous plaudits in Thy praIse. . .
•
1 prayer whIch r
ecuoes on fi rom t'ne li~s
r or
'./ tlzcfiatlters to make inrerccssion
. ;"'.
their dcscendavus, scattered as tltey were to be/o,- their last and greatest SUl.
xv
Doxology
48 Lord God of Israel! All blest be He
From timeless past and to eternity!
The people's shout one loud Amen shall be !
BALLELUYAH.
is worldliness
 INTRODUCTORY NOTE 361

in judgement as God. God's enemies are the objects of

His hatred, for they are wholly evil. They have chosen
Satan (the antagonist) to be their head, and they mu:t
share the doom which He, the Seed of the woman, IS
come to exert upon them. All judgement is committed
unto Him because He is the SOI1 of Man.
BOOK V These two Psalms illustrate the law of the Psalter,
that triumph and doom must always go together. The
PSALMS 107.-15°, Psalm of Messiah's victory is followed by the final
judgement upon His enemies. .
THE PRIEST UPON GOD'S RIGHT HAND This being thus ordered, Messiah is called to exercrsc
His heavenly Priesthood at the Right Hand of the
THE HEAVENLY SACRIFICE
Father. As Melchizedek blessed Abram when "re-
turning from the slaughter of the Kings" after he had
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
delivered Lot, so the Divine Personality appears invest-
P~. 107. is prefatory.-I t summons all to praise God for ing with priestly benediction the Seed of Abram, "the
HIs mercy to them in their distress, scattered throughout lofty Father," returning to the Heavenly Salem after re-
the world. They are now gathered by Messiah into deeming mankind, and crushing the powers of darkness.
"families," the various national Churches of Christendom. 'vVe have the thought of God as King in the Pss.
The precautions of the enemy cannot hinder the growth 93-, 95·, 96., 97·, 98., 99· Now in this opening series
of Christ's Church. of the ascended Priest, we have the idea of Righteous-
ness as the law of His Priestly Kingdom (Pss. 110.,
1I I., 112., 116., 118.). The King is a Priest ministering
Trilogy of Redeeming Power
righteousness. The Kingdom is a kingdom of righteous-
ness in which none but the righteous can have share,
Ps: This Psalm, repeated from Ps. 57. and Ps.
108.- and that righteousness is not merely a righteousness of
60., IS the utterance of the stout-hearted Conqueror natural observance, after the manner of the ancient law,
whose whole will is simply fixed upon doing God's will. but of spiritual and heavenly communication, according
In the strength of the Divine Benediction He looks for to the blessinrr wherewith Melchizedek blessed Abraham.
h
all enemies to be made subject to Him.
Christ is typified, as Redeemer on earth, and Priest in
~s. 109· delineates in terrible detail the judgement Heaven, by the two Patriarchs.
which must come upon those who reject Him whom Pss. 110., I 14., 118. seem to stand by themselves.
God hath sent. His will is perfectly at one with the They are not Halleluyah Psalms, but have a specially
will of the Father. He cannot draw back from the Divine character, and they enclose two Halleluyatic
impre3~:tions as man, which He will have to carry out trilogies as subordinate to themselves Thus they lead
362 THE H E A V E N LY SAC R I F ICE INTRODUCTORY NOTE

us up to the culminating Psalm of the Egyptian Hallel, seen how the alphabetical Psalms mark stages ~~ ma~'s
the Hosanna glorifying the Stone which the builders re- progress in the Kingdom of Messiah and the Divine life
jected, although it was predestined to become the head of moral order and eternal righteousness.
corner Stone of the Temple of God.
Ps. 110.- The Seed of Abraham, who is returning. Trilogy of the Covenant
from smiting the Kings, is called to God's Right Hand
upon the Holy Hill of the heavenly Zion. There I-Ie HALLELUYATlC
is to be a High Priest for ever, after the Order of
Melchizedek, fulfilling both the type of Melchizedek and Melchizeclek was the type of an everlasting Priest-
the promise to Abraham. He has" smitten asunder" hood. That eternity is the dominating thought of
the Prince of this world. He has won the victory by this trilogy (Ps. I I I. 3. 5, 8, 9, 10; Ps. II 2. ~; Ps. 1.13·
subjecting Himself to be bruised and humbled, "drinking 2). The King of Righteous~ess prese~ts I-lIS ob.latl~~l
of the brook in the way." upon the heavenly throne 111 the midst of HIs rc-
Ps. 110. is emphasized by the Halleluyatic Trilogy deemed ones with an endless Halleluyah. .
which follows, and this the more because of the two Ps.1 I I. praises the Lord, i.e. the enthro~cd :vrelchlzedek,
remarkable alphabetical Psalms. An alphabetical Psalm His greatness, His joy, His majesty, )lls nghtcousnes:,
follows the first Psalm of man's predestination (Ps. 8.) ; the abiding efficacy with which I~e perpetu~tes [I:s
then the Psalm of victory in the struggle with Satan wonderful work of redemption, HIs compassron, l l is
(Ps. 24.); then the new song of Divine life celebrating rich banquet, the covenant of grace from which. I Ie never
the Resurrection (Ps. 33-); then the Psalm of anti- draws back, lIis bounteous provision for HIS ~)eop~e,
Christian pride which must be overthrown by martyrdom co-extensive with l l is creative sovereignty, l l is dIS-
(Ps. 36). Now we come to these two Psalms following criminating exactness, J [is fidelity in all His. com~a~1ds,
upon the enthronization of man in Christ as the Royal His steadfastness in action, II is uprightness 111 prmci pic,
High Priest (Ps. 110.). These two Psalms intensify the His redemptive benediction to 1-1 is ~eople, His coven~nt
alphabetical character by their strict regularity, their of glory reserved for them eternally 111 t~le awful.sanctlty
brevity, and their similarity. They set forth the eternal' of His consubstantial Godhead. ITe IS the.W isdorn of
righteousness of the new dispensation. These two the Father, and they who fear Him are lifted u~ to
Psalms intensify the idea of righteous order by their share His life. They are illuminated in the fellowsh.lp. of
brevity. Ps. 119. expands the idea by the eightfold His sanctity. The endless llalleluyah of the DIVine
celebration of the law. This Psalm follows upon the glory is the joy of their life. .
revelation of manhood in the triumph of JAil, entering Ps. 112. sets forth the blessedness of this covenant ~s
the heavenly sanctuary (Ps. 118.). Finally we have all manifested in those who" fear the Lord." That .fear .IS
alphabetical Psalm following the grand new song of the the beginning of wisdom. Those who ~1:lIs abide III
Son of Man in His triumph, the human race exulting in Messiah's life show forth His likeness. 1he verses. of
attainment of the promises (Ps. 144.). Thus it will be this Psalm are closely correspondent with the preceding
 364 THE H E A V E N L Y SAC R I F ICE INTRODUCTORY NOTE

one. That was the Divine life, this is the Christ-life of honour" as the Son of God, victorious over the serpent.
the Second Adam. ' The covenant-people are exalted in the Divine Name,
God is great in Himself, working all things. The the threefold Name of the Lord. This Psalm of the
Second ~d~m i.s r:nighty upon earth, Himself the mighty Israelites coming out of Egypt formulates itself so
G~d. H~s JOy IS In contemplating the Father's will and as to comprehend the greater exodus of the Catholic
dOlllg ~IS commands. Wealth and riches are the Church. Jehovah is "high above all nations, from the
expres~lOn of .the. unseen Majesty, and all shall belong rising of the sun until the going down thereof."
to Christ. HIs righteousness is the righteousness of The type was set forth in Joseph, raised from prison
God. Th~ Divine mindfulness is the light of them to the throne. The spiritual reality was operative in
that ~re In darkness which the members of Christ the exodus. The law of God's government was fulfilled
expenen.ce. So He, the Head, manifests His covenanted to Hannah, when the Word of the Lord was again made
compassIOn. He who provides the banquet of Divine manifest in prophecy. In Mary, this exaltation of
love wor~s through His members with bounty to the manhood found the fulness of its truth when the Seed of
poor.. H IS words are carried out with an external the woman accomplished His predestined triumph and
secun~y, such as befits the creative Word who feedeth ascended to th9 Right Hand of the Father, calling His
all things. No enemy can harm Him, The ends of people to live with Himself, partakers of the Divine
the w?rld shall proclaim the sovereignty of His people. nature.
H: ,!tstens not to evil report but to the wisdom of
D~vllle Providence, and abides calmly in the Lord's TilE OCTAVE
falth,fulness. So He remains steadfast to the Lord,
AN HfSTORICAf. PSALM
l~okJn~ for .God to work out His Divine purposes and
~Ive Him victory Over His enemies. He who gave His Ps. 114. is a brief Psalm, separating two trilogies of
life with Divine power for man's redemption, gives to Halleluyah, and thus giving the greater importance to
the redeemed all that they need in order to profit those utterances of living praise, by recalling the
t~ereby. He sho.ws His own righteousness by the external features of wonder which accompanied the
n~hteousness which He accomplishes in them. As He people of God's covenant in their initial journey.
abides from c:ternity in the awful majesty of the Divine But it is itself a Psalm of special mystery; for it
Name, so HIS Manhood is exalted, making His people is the Psalm for bringing the Son of God out of Egypt.
parta~ers ~f His glory. He shall come to be glorified The great question points to the importance of that
Ill. HIs. salllt~, and then the wicked shall melt away. event. Why P What is there which calls for these
HIS saints rtse to the beatific vision, and the way wonders. Judah was the sanctuary of Jehovah. All
of the ungodly perisheth. creation recognized the presence of the elect humanity
Ps. I. 13·, the first Psalm of the Egyptian Hallel, is in the people of whom Christ should be born. So it
a Magnificat, a ~ymn of praise anticipating the exaltation was said to Pharaoh: "Israel is My Son, even My
of the lowly Child of Mary. "His horn is exalted with _· born " (1-'
1<irst- -~,x.IV. 22.)
 366 THE H E A V E N LY SAC R I F ICE PSA L M 107.

The Psalm which puts this question in so simple and of the glow of that Divine . lif
lie w h erem. to He as the
striking a manner, stands well as forming a Divine Head has entered. ' .
trilogy with Pss. I 1O. and 118. Ps. 118. is a Psalm of thanks to JAIl for .Hls wondrous
In these Psalms we have- vork of redemption, and it culminates 111 Hosanna-

I. The enthronement of the promised High Priest. ~'Save us"-"Be Thou our Jesus"-because the truest
2. His bringing out of Egypt. thanksgiving for the redemption which He has wrou~ht
3· His triumph as He enters the gates of righteousness. is simply to cling to Him. and press onward Wlt~
entreaty to gain admission 111tO the heavenly courts
Trilogy of Eternal Life. where His glory shall be seen. .
Fal ith is
I
the substance of that for which the patriarchs
.. .
I-IALLELUYATIC hoped. Faith is perfected in Christ :~ as to rejoice 1Il
the reality of the thing hoped for. Faith longs to lose
Ps, I IS· exults in the life-giving power of the Name of
God, as exercised in the new covenant of Melchizedek. itself in sight. . . .
Such is the character of this Psalm, nSlllg liP. 111
Ps. 116. testifies to the life of God, continuing even
continued earnestness of threefold power,. ~s IlvI,ng
when nature might despond. Love lives in the know-
in the glorious fellowship of the eternal Trinity. .1.he
ledge of God's goodness, and so faith worketh by love.
Son of God is the Head of the Body, and. the Dlv111e
Individual confidence is strengthened by the memory of
life wherewith JAil has triumphed is the It~e whereby
the patriarchs who "died, not receiving the promises."
His people are made capable of. giving H1Jn thanks.
They died with a firm hope that could not fail them.
They enter with Him to behold J Iis glory.
Death could not destroy the truth of God's promise.
Ps. 117·- That truth speaks out in Christ as the "When I see Thee as Thou art,
power of a present consciousness. All nations are 1'\\ praise Thee as [ ought!"
called to receive that better gift for which the patriarchs
looked forward.
PSALM 107.

Psalm of .llosanna ;\IEMORIAL SONG OF PRAISE

The Trilogy of the Covenant is followed by a lyrical T HE songs 0 f Redemption in Uook V '..begin with a review of God's I
. reminiscence of the Old Covenant which still lives on, genera I d ea liIn gs with mankind
,.... This Psalm IS rather expcruneuta
I I
and lives more gloriously; in the New. than typical, but it shows how God IS leadln~ HIS .peop e, the true
children of faith, by an upright way to the city W~llCh .hath founda-
Now the Trilogy of Eternal Life is followed by a .
nons, w h er e they shall
" abide for ever, although In this world they
triumphant ode of thanksgiving. Halleluyahs have found no satisfying home amongst men. .
praised God for what He is. This Divine Eucharistic God again and again hears the cry of penlt~nce. _ .
so 19 gives God thanks for that which He has done for Nature was diseased by sin. God sends H IS Word to heal. F 01
man. The Body of Christ speaks herein as partaking this we must offer Him true tha!lksgiv~ng, an.d so we must feed upon
the only acceptable oblation, and doing this, we are made clean.
368 THE H E A V E N L Y SAC R I FIe E PSALM 107.

He who became one with us, suffering in our nature, cleanses us 6 In trouble to the Lord they wail'd :
from sin and takes away our diseases. He saved when pinching pride prevail'd.
All life is a stormy sea. We cannot weather it by our own 7 By upright way, He bade them come,
wisdom. God permits the billows to rise for the trial of our faith. To reach the city as their home.
He protects us and hushes them in peace, if we look to Him. 8 Now then for mercy thank the Lord:
The earth, so fruitful by His creation, has become barren by our His wondrous works to men record:
sin. By the sense of need He leads us to penitence, and thus 9 The longing- soul He sates with food,
prepares His people for the city of abundance as their eternal And fills the hungry soul with good.
home. ]['SUS is the Coellt.:adillg Iris redeemed 10 the Izeavotly Jerusalem. Dark" is tlu
CI

IItbre-w word ./or tIre North. 'll,e sea rej>rrsmted tlte Souil., i.e, the coast 0./ F![J'/>I.
So He delivers us from the tyranny of Satan, and makes Churches A midst thc 'world's weariness, Jesus guides us in the way of IUllhtcss. TIll return.i'lI.E:
to grow up in all lands as sheepfolds, that His children may be exiles recall tlte 11lC1110ry 0/ the exodus, but they are thcnt sclues (J. type 0./ a grcllto'
at home under His manifold fatherly care. exodus. TIlt 'Way of tIre niandercrs may lie circuitous, 1I1Ii as tlu: 7Ufl)' %bcdiou:f,

The previous Psalms referred to Israel's history. This speaks of it is sfraJj:llt, ever onward.

the redemption of all mankind. The Egyptian story contained in II

wondrous type the law of God's further dealings when One greater,
Punishment following Transgression
than Moses should lead us forth from our bondage.
God's work is progressive, in nature and in grace. Each stage 10 Shrouded in darkness and deathshade,
points onward to what shall follow. In iron bonds afflictive laid-
The Son of Man is the judge of all the sons of men. They are II For they rebell'd at Godhead's speech,
called to serve Him from age to ag-e. Psalm 108. speaks of those Scorn'd when the Highest deigned to teach--
who were God's enemies, but are conquered, so that they find 12 Such mischief broug-ht them to the ground!
salvation as the people of Christ. Psalm 109. speaks of the old They stumbled and no helper found.
covenanted people who would not accept the Son of Man, and there- 13 In trouble to the Lord they wail'd,
fore must perish when He returns, having received the Kingdom. He saved when pinching pride prevail'd.
Thus does this trilogy prepare the way for the great Psalm of 14 From darkness and deathshade He brought
Messiah's Priestly enthronement (Ps. 11O.). And wrench'd the bonds in which they wrought.
15 Now then for mercy thank the Lord:
SUMMONS TO TIlE SONS OF MEN H is wondrous works to men record.
16 The gates of brass He breaks in two:
The iron bars His Hand can hew.
Redeeming Merc)' lVe arc delivered./ro", tI,e bOllda![c ofSnta« by the bursti1l![ 0./ tlte gates~./ bras.'
tl,rough Christ's Resurrection.
Thank ye the Lord for He is good,
III
His mercy stands as aye it stood.
2 The Lord's avenged must speak at length, 17 Senseless to tread transgression's way-
By vengeance c1aim'd from tyrant's strength, Driv'n through iniquities astray-
3 Gather'd from lands H is own to be, 18 All kinds of meat their soul abhors,
From sunrise, sundown, dark and sea. And now they touch cleath's very doors.
4 As through Jeshimon's wilds they come, 19 In trouble to the Lord they wail'd :
They found no city as their home. He saved when pinching- pride prevail'd.
5 By hunger sore and thirst distress'd, 20 He sent His Word with health to save,
Their soul in weakness sank oppress'd, To make them 'scape the whelming grave.
VOL. II. 2 A
370 THE H E AVE NLY SAC R I FIe
21 Now then for mercy thank the Lord:
His wondrous works to men record.
22 Yea! Thankful sacrifices bring:
Record His works with shouts that nng.
God's waJ' was ttpriglll/or their salvation. Their own way was perverse/or th eir-
destruction. From lite corruption or otcr sin/ulnaturtweare delivered by flu Incarnation
o/Ilu Word. There/ore we must o.!fir the sacrifice o/Illanksgiving
Hi)» 111tdfied upon !Iis Body, tlltlt 'we I1f{ZY be made clean.
IV
Dangers at Sea
23 Men launch their ships into the sea,
And plough the deep right busily.
24 These see what works the Lord hath wrought,
His wonders, in the ocean taught.
25 He speaks: the whirlwind's breath of night
U prears the billows' tow'ring height.
26 To heav'n they mount: to depths go down:
How melts their soul in troublous moan!
27 They reel, they stagger, as through drink:
All wisdom's powers within them sink.
"28 In trouble to the Lord they wail'd :
He saved, when pinching pride prevail'd.
29 He makes the whirlwind rise to peace:
The billows, hush'd, from wildness cease.
30 Great is their joy: their gloom subsides:
To land-lock'd, calm, delight He guides.
31 Now then for mercy thank the Lord;
His wondrous works to men record.
E P SA LM 108. 371
35 He turns to pools the desert dread,
And makes the drought a watershed,--
36 There bids the hungry settlers come:
A city strong they make their home.
37 Their fields they sow: their vineyards plant:
Full crops of fruit their labours grant.
in rememorance 0/
38 He blesses them: in hosts they spring:
Their herds He keeps from minishing.
TIre refrain ceases been use 1.tJllal/ol/mw; is prospl'ctilll', viz, tll' .•
ncissitudcs t?11.~(
enure!t militant, fllaliO/ud ('!lurelus fail IItro1lglt t/rc sins oj'llreiy mc nthrrs, Tlic.'
King-dom o/Gra('c tllOuglt foift'ilt:d by one conn iry 7vill ahuays sfn'l1K up in anott.r»,
VI
Dciitrerance front Oppressi7Jc .')'uojugati01l
39 If rninish'd, crush'cl,- to them belongs
A tale of anguish, griefs, and wrongs-
40 He who makes nobles much despised,
Their troops in trackless wilds chastised,
4' But from affliction lifts the poor,
In families, like sheep, secure.
42 Th' upright shall see it and rejoice:
Malice no more shall raise its voice.
43 These truths wise memory will discern,
The mercy of the Lord to learn.
Sa/ail's p07UCYS oucrtlrrourn, God's pl'opl.: disciplined /1)' 'lval1dL,,.,',I.'-:', Chu1'( ,'r;.....
.t:at1ttrt:d out n/ all nations.
PSALM J08.

32 Exalt Him where the people meet, CONQUERING AND TO CONQUER

And praise Him in the elders' seat I
For the trial 0/0111' /aill, we art ex/>osed 10 storms and dijJicIIlIies .iJhicl, baJ1le our: ,"J SOllg: ,.J FraIm of David
o'wn wisdom, but Ihrough Ihest troubles He brings us 10"lhe land o//>eace and joy. The
praise o/"Ihe day of resurrection amid lire saints and elders round aboul lit" ttcronc, THE songs of the Redeemed begin with the indestructible glory of
the Crucifixion and the power of the Resurrection. This Psalru
v carries us back to the trilogy" Destroy Not," and to the Banner set
up by the risen Saviour (Pss. 57.-60.). The Church militant must
Barrenness oj Soil rally in the power of H is resurrection and the fellowshi p of II is
sufferings. So go we on ward conquering and to conquer. We over-
33 He changes streams to desert land,
And watersheds to thirsty sand. come by the Blood of the Lamb. This Psalm of the faithful finds
its sequel in the Psalm of rejection, the wrath of the Lamb. Here
34 He turns a fruitful soil to salt,
lIe is leading His followers to the city of habitation. Vie have to
When its inhabitants revolt.
372 THE H E A V E N L Y SAC R I FIe E
PS A LM 109. 373
win a victory in the world, but not by worldly power. He enters by
the power of the Holy Ghost as Conqueror into the strong city, and II Who shall conduct me to the stronghold state?
by that same power leads us to conquer too. "This is the victory Who leads me forth Edom to subjugate?
that overcometh the world, even our faith." The victory of the 12 Ah! hast not Thou, 0 God, rejected us,-
Church is identical with His own, for it is the exercise of His grace, God with our hosts no longer marching thus?
operative through everyone of His members, and thus exhibiting 13 Give help against th' oppressors' rage to strive;
in them the details of heavenly power, which were all exerted in Salvation is but vain that man can give.
their originative completeness ill l-Iis own Person. We may 14 Great force throug-h Cod shall all our acts possess.
wonder that Edom remains so unmoved; but God has not cast off And He shall stamp down all who would oppress,
TIff final conocrsion 0/ tlu: f,'ws a/ler t/!C (;oll;/e ap(1.'itasy Itas Itift tIll' Cllltre/, in
II is Church. The victory is sure. As Jericho fell on the seventh
ji'L'blol£.'ss. !\t.:pealedfi·oIl1 Ps. 60. 1-14'
day, so shall Edom fall.

THE REDEEMER EXULTING IN VICTOI{Y PSALM 109.

2 0 God, with firrn-fixt heart, THE DOOM OF THE UNBEUEVING

In songs and psalmody I'll take my part;
My glory shall inspire mine art. WI': must take care that we use this Psalm in union with Christ.
3 Psaltery and harp in wakeful joyaunce break! It is the expression of the Word, made flesh, who has come to
With jocund strains will I the dawn awake. vindicate the glory of God against the ancient rebel, the father of
4 Yea, I will thank Thee, Lord, where peoples meet- lies. During His earthly ministry He was silent. The Divine
Thee midst their masses with glad psalms will greet; power did not exert itself round about Him, He was to conquer
5 For great Thy mercy spreads from highest heaven, Satan as man. He was to conquer by suffering. Satan would
And to the clouds Thy truth's glad light is given. exert all his powers to destroy Him, whether by violence or tempta-
6 Exalted o'er the heavens ascend, 0 God! tion. When He could say, " It is finished," then it was time for the
O'er all the earth Thy glory cast abroad! Divine Nature to manifest itself within 1-1im. He commended Il is
Rt:pt:atcti/rol:z I's. 57. 8'12.
Spirit to the Father with a Divine outcry which shook the realms
of darkness. His Soul went forth to triumph in Hades. Now
7 Yea! that Thine own beloved ones may go free ~he Divine power would vindicate His cause upon the earth by
Now with Thy Right I-land save and answer me. Judgement upon those who had resisted Him, the seed of the
8 God spake in holy pomp of heavenly train; serpent.
I will exclaim, allotting Shechem's plain, This judgement includes not only those who were upon the earth
And cast o'er Succoth's vale my measuring chain. during the years of H is humiliation, but all to all future time who
9 Both Gilead and Manasseh are mine own, rebel against the Elect Servant whom G.od hath sent into the world,
And round my head is Ephraim's stronghold shown; If those of old escaped not, much more shall not we escape if we
] udah the sceptre of 1\1 y royal throne! reject Him that speaketh from Heaven and count the Blood of the
10 Attendant Moab shall my wash pot bring; Covenant a common thing, so as to do despite unto the Spirit of
My lordly shoe o'er Edom's realm I'll fling,-- grace.
With shouts of triumph o'er Philistia sing. We must therefore say this Psalm in no mere spirit of historical
SI"c/rem, «trthiy, schismatical jow ers. Stsccoth, th e pi/gn'm lif.: 0/ tllt/ailhli",
condemnation, We must consider well whether its denunciations
(;iletld, tJu nuitness (1/ martyrdom, ~1fa'lasseh, deadness to tlte world. Ephraim. apply to ourselves. Think not that they are so terrible that they
tlu/"''''I/ubuss 0/ tIre Church. Judah, llu Divine Sovereignly, Moah, tlu sensnatity 0/ can have no reference to any actions possible and tolerated in
h urna n nature. Edam, tlte carnal religionism of unfaitliful f udaism, Phi/is/ia, man-
nominally Christian society. To despise or oppose Christ's Church
kind conqutn'n.t; in Christ hecause conquered hJ' Christ,
and His Sacraments under whatsoever pretence is the same thing
,I

374 THE HE A V EN L Y SAC R I FIe E PSALM 109. 375

own, they must be left to him. They have no one to strengthen
as if the act were done to Him. The Jews were not without
them so as to resist Satan's temptations or escape his judge-
plausible religious pretexts for rejecting Christ. In thisday we have
ments.
need to be careful that we cherish alleged extenuations of worldli-
We must remember how continually Satan is seeking to have us,
ness and unbelief, which are equally unfounded.
that he may sift us as wheat. We must be living in the power of
\:Ve must ourselves be prepared to suffer from the world with Christ
Christ's intercession, seeking His grace that we may not fail. \Ve
if we would not be condemned with the world for fighting against
fall under the condemnation of the devil if we rely proudly upon
Christ. « If they have hated Me, they will also hate you." The world
the integrity of our will, and so become forgetful of our entire de-
will never be Christian, Earth will pass away when the militant
pendence upon Christ.
character of the Church ceases. However the world treats LIS, we
Even acts of devotion avail not, if Christ the Redeemer is set
must meet all opponents in that spirit of love which characterized
aside. He came to maintain the cause of God and conquer the
the ministry of Christ. We are not to think that we shall thereby
world. None therefore can be accepted if they approach God and
win the world to our side. We may have hopes from time to time,
slight His redeeming love. "No man cometh unto the Father but
but they will always turn to disappointment. Love, as arising out
by Me." The bondage of sin is too strong for us. The penalty of
of love to (;od, wakens the hatred of the world, although the world
exclusion is not an added penalty, but a confirmation of the penalty
will often applaud and clamour for philanthropy and beneficence if
under which we are all of us naturally born, from which also we
only Cod's rights can be set aside. The more the world hates us,
cannot escape except by coming to Christ. "He that believeth not
the more must we learn to love. The love of the world, as a
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of
natural quality, destroys the love of Cod, but the love of God, as a
the Only-I3egotten Son of God" (John iii, 18). '
supernatural quality, necessarily puts itself forth in acting, all-
Christ "came unto His own and His own received' Him not."
forbearing', self-forgetful love to our fellowmen.
Therefore they must quickly be cut off from the covenant. The
Such love will rise up to God in prayer. Without prayer the
voice will be heard in the Temple, Let us depart hence. The cast-
fountain of love within the soul must become dry.
ing away of Israel was to he the life of the world. The Apostolic
The Divine Champion in this Psalm having borne the full
ministry would succeed to the Levitical.
an tagon isrn of the seed of the serpen t, hands them over to the
This was to have a special exemplification in the Apostate
Divine Justice. It is not that His love is wearied, but His enemies
Apostle.
have rejected Love. "Those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, ~nd
The penalty would not he merely one of outward poverty. j ud.ca
none of them is lost save the son of perdition." Their destruction
would sit as a widow. The earthly ministration on which she
is of themselves, but as they have refused the only hope of salvation,
prided herself was to be taken from her. She had not recognised
there is no longer any effort which Divine love can make. Christ
her true husband, the Cod whom that priesthoocl represented. The
died for all. "How often would I have gathered thee as a hen
human stay is gone. The children of the covenant cannot claim
g athereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not." They
the Fatherhood of Cod. They must go into exile and their ancient
who would not seek life through His death, must be accounted
home be left destitute both temporally and spiritually.
guilty of that death which they would not accept as their redemp-
The Jewish nation as they spread through the world would be
tion. The)' would not make their escape by H is death from the
the victims of continual extortion. All would oppress, none would
world. Therefore they must accept their portion as Satan's
compassionate,
bondsmen in the world. Satan must claim as his own those who
At the close of one generation, forty years after the death of
would not seek redemption, dying unto the world with Christ.
Christ their city was to be entirely obliterated.
The judg-ement is a continuous process, fulfilled in various
So ~v()uld our Lord's words be fulfilled, "Upon this generation
anticipatory forms, until it finds its consummation in the great day.
shall come all the r,ighteous blood that hath been shed upon
Satan stands as accuser, even as he accused job of old. When
the earth from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of
Satan accuses the faithful Jesus stands by them, ready to turn their
Zacharias." They had never repented so as to turn away from the
troubles into blessings. When he claims the unbelieving as his
 376 THE HE AVE NLY SAC R I FIe E P SA L M 109. 377
sin of their fathers. What is not cut short by penitence must go earthly retribution, whether in ourselves or in them. But we may
on with accumulating force and intensity by natural inheritance. be sure that the recompense in another world will be duly awarded
The mother who sought a blessing for the sake of carnal both to sinner and saint.
affection by means of deceit was indeed to have fulfilled in her the Let us remember Christ died for those against whom in this
words of the typical progenitor. The true Jacob would have the Psalm He utters the inevitable doom which, as the Righteous
spiritual blessing, but UpOIJ the carnal parent would remain the Judge of all, lie will hereafter execute. So must we seek the eternal
curse. Rebekah, by her st"ratagem, despised the true birthright as well-being of those who by their sins against us may have merited
much as Esau, for the true blessing could not be obtained by the Divine displeasure. There is no blessing so great as the
carnal trickery or falsehood. The true Jacob, indeed, must still blessing of those who really by outward effort and earnest prayer
receive the blessing which God had ordained for him, but Rebekah seek to win their enemies from the curse to share the blessing.
would receive her portion as the mother not of the Divinely born Blessed are they who" see of the travail of their soul," like J eSlJS,
Jacob, but of the earthly Esau. The natural family of Jacob being by bringing those who hated them to true repentance and the
now cut off, would henceforward stand in the sight of Heaven as the righteousness of faith.
accursed Edom. Hence the prophecies of Ed om settle down in their Jesus fasted and prayed. Let us learn from His example. Our
judgement upon the carnal Judaism into which the chosen people life may seem to be passing away in obscurity. Enough if we live
fell when they rejected Jesus, the true representative of Jacob's in the light of God's love. Ife will deal with us in mercy according
promised blessing. to His Name. "If when we were enemies we were n;concilcc1 to
As we recite this Psalm we must remember St Paul's warning: Cod by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, shall
"Be not high-minded, but fear." Carnal thoughts, instruments, we be saved by His life." nut then our life must be identified with
efforts, aims, must as surely bring a curse upon Christians, whether I J I is. A mere natural easiness of disposition will not avail to find

,I individually or collectively, as the loss of spiritual consciousness

did bring a curse upon the ancient Israel.
for us favour with Cod, but we cannot have that favour unless we
live in supernatural love, ourselves glorifying God and seeking to
Also amidst all judgements which may come upon the Church, bring all, even those who hate us most, to glorify Him also.
we must be looking for God's supernatural interposition to help, This is God's will. I\.s God overruled the selling of Joseph into
whether collectively or individually, those who seek Him in Egypt, so He made the unbelief of the Jews instrumental to the
spiritual truth. "God knoweth how to deliver the righteous out of accomplishment of the glorious oblation of Incarnate love on
temptation." We can none of us suffer for the sins of the age in Calvary. So IJe makes the vicissitudes of His Church conducive
which we live, if we are rising up with earnest faith to seek Him to the perfection of His glory in !lis saints. His blessing triumphs
whom the spirit of the age rejects. God chose individuals out of over all.
Israel. He will not suffer His final judgements to burst upon the The final day of judgement is coming. Then each will receive
world without taking care that the faithful few have His mark upon that which he has chosen. Those who are "of contention and
their foreheads to ensure their protection (Rev. vii. 3). obey not the truth, must receive anger and wrath, tribulation and
The judgements which will come upon the sinner are but the anguish, but glory, honour, and peace will be given to every soul
recoil of his own actions. God will deal with man as He finds man. that worketh good, to the J ell' first, and also to the Greek."
If man has perverted God's things for purposes of cruelty, he must Their casting away has been the reconciling of the world, but
receive the same, and if man acts liberally he shall find the liberality they are only cast away until they will repent. Cod looks forward
of God in his reward. to their restoration; and what shall the receiving of them be, but
All the sufferings we may have to bear at the hands of the ungodly life from the dead. "He will stand at the right hand of the poor
shall be abundantly recompensed to us. As Shimei's cursing to to save his soul from unrighteous judges." The judges of earth m;]y
David, so Israel's outrages against the Son of David, so the out- condemn the innocent Blooel, but the judgement of the eternal shall
rag-es of the world against God's confessors in every age. We are make Ilis glory manifest in the fulness of the Divine Righteousness
not to expect to see the result of our sufferings in the form of whereby lIe has accomplished the will of the Father.

lI
 378 THE H E A V E N L Y SAC R I FIe E P S A LM 109· 379

16 Yes! Mercy's work he had no mind to do;

THE WRATH OF TIlE LAMB Th' afflicted man, the poor, he would pursue,
And him of stricken heart his purpose slew.
1God of my praise! 0 keep not silent still ! 17 He loved to curse, and cursing now comes near:
2 Guile, wickedness, widernouth'd against me rise: Blessing he spur n'd , and finds no blessing here.
They speak towards me with a tongue of lies. I S A robe of cursing chose he to put on ;
3 With words of hate they compass me around, Like water to his bowels It is gone,
And for no cause in hostile ranks are found. And Jlenetrates like oil through every bone.
4 To meet my love they turn antagonists, 19 Be it the carrnen: on his shoulders bound,
But as for, me -in prayer my life consists.
They heap on me foul wrong, requiting good:
A sash fa;
constant use to gird him 1'00!l1d!
I O it:,{,tllldlu:ari:;
(JUI' sins tu ust t'rift/: upon us CO.f)Uttt~ punis,l1:lcllt. ~ u r own ( it ~
They meet my love with hatred still renew'd. g/-;Je;I.H'1:: to ou.r jnl1zis/l1llt.'ntl 110t a;"bitrary ,Jio/C1lCe/nJJ11 (rod.

1',", Word silent dun'Jlg- t/u earthly ministry. Tlu Divine power to lIt: 1JI(fi.ij't'stc?d
20 Thus mine antagonists the Lord shall pay,--
in His Iri;m1pllattl dea!ll. Tlte seed 0./ II,. serpenl liate till Sad 0./ lhe u-oman. lIis
lift I:;.:jr~~yc,.. Their '~ebdliOI! is a.~aiJlst (;o{{'s love. He must ext:t.:ule Divine Those who my SO\1Iwith wronging words would slay!
1N~z.c:('a.nee 7I/)Olt Cod's encrnic s, 2' But Thou, Lord, Master, do what fits Thy Name!
How good Thy mercy! Set me free from shame!
6 Make Thou the wicked one his taskmaster! 22 Afflicted 1)001' am I in very deed;
How does" my wounded heart with ., iu me bl ee d !.
At his right hand th' antagonist appear!
7 When judged, let him go forth with wicked stain, ::!3 I vanish like the lcnglhening shade at eve,
And on his prayer his sin's foul taint remain! Driv'n as the wind-horne swarms when locusts leave.
8 His days be few! By death's untimely blow 24 My knees through fasting stumhle as I go,
His trusty office to another go ! My wither'd flesh no vigorolls health can know. ,_:'
r I d I' , Itt· ,"-("od rnust bc (l,x}u:cd UPOIt t/WSl' 'w/taji;,:l,t (,.~,•. '.j't
9 The sons he smiles on-be they fatherless! !/~ 'lUIlO COJlICS (1 0 lie oa . (('..I ' • . .
(;od. Th e ,ll/:n {~f Sorrows. i t is c.rterna! 711l.'IlA·1!t'ss. l i is perso1ltlL drootion,
His wife left lingering lone in her distress!
10 Yea, let his sons in tramping beggary go,- 25 I, wretched weakling, their reproach .am made,
Sue far for food-their home laid waste and low! And they that look upon me wag their head.
TI,os( luna refus« Christ ("Itoose Satan, The Jews "lust sl~tfer tire denunciation of ::!6 0 Lord, Illy C;o<l, e'en now my helper be:
,lloses. As tite J('1/1S fill frosn their covenant, so Judas frons his APoslo/,,!e. ,lie
According to Thy mercy, save Thou lI1.e!
scattt.'ri,~r. of the Jews.
them know that this is but Thine Hand:
27 Y ea, let " _. I, 'I
Th all, I ,01-d, T'hysclf hast wrouvht
h,
what 1hou hast. p anu ( .
II \Vhate'er he has, let usurers ensnare, 28 Though they may curse, do Thou Thy ble~sl\)g gIve!
And strangers plunder a1\ his toilsome care! They rise to shame: Thy servant JOYs to live.
12 Him let no love with lengthening mercy bless, 29 Confusion wrap 111)'antagonists around!
N a grace for those whom he leaves fatherless! The shame they earn'cl, be as their mantic Iound !
13 Let his descendants to quick doom descend; TIt(: scorn/ul t rca t nrc n t, TIlc Ih71iJlt: 711I/diCtt/imJ. (;od giv/?Ig lifl t/l)"(1J(~t:/l Clll';'·.!':;
Wipe out their name ere one brieflife-time end! d,'ntll. TIlt-' n:.,ur,.~ct:·(')t (!fe/lrist.
14 Before the Lord his father's guilt shall stay,
30 Great thanks unto the Lord Illy mouth shall bring:
Nor let his mother's sin be wiped away!
I n midst of multitudes His praise I'll sing'.
15 Before the Lord let these be treasured yet,
31 For on the right hand of the poor He stands,
And let 1-1im wipe from earth each kind regret!
To save II is soul when judged, from hostile bands" ,
'!'Ire cstortions ,1,."ctised "pall thern . ./cn:ralr", dcstroyrd ill /orly yea-rs. 'r!." Tilt: j~'7Vs out (1.711((.)1, l'lte tl:« (;olliles own
lIuriti/ude 0./ l i im as '~,.'~.'SS/(r//. Ilf
s"ift of a 11past bloorlslud corn inp: upon tllis gl'1u:raiioJl. help
7.1.1/'11 Ilis jn:ofle in their distress and claim llis redeemed in tlte day oj JU(~f!'t:JII(:1lI.

,I
, I
I
PSALM I 10.
380 THE H E AVE NLY SAC R I FIe E
Son as Conqueror. I t follows upon the triumphant doom exercised
bv the Redeemer, as M elchizedek blessed Abram, " the lofty father,"
PSALM 110.
,;hen he had redeemed Lot and was returning from the slaughter of
TilE ROD OF POWER I ·' Hereafter he shall be known as the enthroned Abraham,
t Ile -lngs. ,Cl
A l'salm of David "the father of a multitude."

THE introductory trilogy has set before us the Son of Man as the
TIlE I'RIEST UI'ON ius TllRONE
Redeemer, winning to Himself a chosen people by the victory of
the Cross, and exercising the authority which .God has given Him The Lord inspires my Master: "On My Right Hand take Thy
to pronounce judgement upon all. Ps. 110. tells of His vocation
seat, "I {: '"
to the Right H and of God, there to exercise the Priesthood after Until I make Thy foes to be the stool beneath 1 ly cct : ,
the order of Melchizedek by which He will bring the redeemed to :2 Thy Rod of Strength the Lord shall make from Zion's 11 ill
dwell with Him in the Divine glory. to go!
This Psalm seems to stand alone in one respect. David by his Claim Thou the Sovereignty-Thine Own-in midst of every
inspiration is transported beyond the mere typical contemplation of foe. '1'1 I
Christ. Generally he sees his glorious offspring as the spiritual 3 Thy people in Thy forceful day-freewi\l'd the? come to lee.
development of his own personality in Divine power. Here he H ow glorious is their vested pomp of holy ll1aJ,e,sty !
contemplates Messiah as raised to a glory beyond what any typical Like dewdrops from the womb of dawn I hy youth rise
features of his own life could image forth. Ps. 2. is akin to it in '<\oriously. The •.nosc«
this respect. There we have the Voice of the Father speaking in the 'l'llC I~'t~'nnl Fat/,,:,- otlls .llis Lncn rnntr Son 10 tire l:cav(llly tlironc,
Pf."OP/c,u.arriors and prio"!.\".
mystery of the eternal generation. Here we have the correspondent
utterance of the same Voice welcoming the Incarnate Son from
4 The Lord a solemn oath hath marie, which He will not
the humiliation of earth and the conquest of Satan to take His
place in the glory which He had with the Father before the world gainsay, .
"Thou art a Priest whose ministry proclalills eternal sway:
began. The same Voice was heard in Ps. 91. speaking with en-
Me1chizedek Thy type shall be, for ages to obey."
couragement in the midst of the struggle. True ri!.~/,/LiJl(s1tess is illimorlili. Th is Pria//rood calf Ita71c no cn d,
Ps. 109. set forth the Divine vengeance which would rest upon the
Jewish nation for rejecting Christ. Here we have the Divine 5 So shall the Master take His place in power at Thy Right
welcome of the Conqueror who has bruised the head of the serpent,
Hand,
the Prince of this world, and His enthronization in the heavenly To smite in this His anger's day the kings that round 11im
Salem as the Priest after the order of Melchizedek who blessed
stand.
Abraham. The Aaronic Priesthood typified but did not inherit that 6 All Gentile hosts He shall redress and fill th' enfeebled
blessing. That intermediate dispensation was temporal and was
dead,
to pass away. The promise that He should be the Heir of the And smite the mighty power which once ruled earth's wide
world was given to a supernatural offspring that should be born
realm as head.
of Abraham, and that offspring would exercise a world-wide 7 He of the lowly stream shall drink, that flows so gentl~ by:
mediation as Priest upon the throne of God. He would establish Therefore His Head shall He uplift triumphantly on high,
the Kingdom of Righteousness with sacrifices of righteousness. I.' I ,tr.. 'JUt the ~roud leaders of 11laukind. 'FIll.' C()IU/u(.'sl 0./
iVot mere'YI h/ll.E{S(~1' O.J.IICt.,{J r .. .
The law could not give life, therefore it had no true righteous- Sru a n complde. Ilo17.'ozly b"/MY th e n:ward o/I.'n.rlltly /;Ulli/flntlOll arui sl;-u.!."J:l,:.

ness. The blessing of Melchizedek would rise up in Him who

should" bring in everlasting righteousness," and" give eternal life."
This Psalm is the victorious corollary to the conflict against
Satan which has preceded it. I t is the welcome of God to His
382 THE H EAVE NLY SAC R I FIe E PSALM I 12.

PSALM J I J.
3 (n) Brightness and majesty His acts display:
(,) His righteousness abides secure for aye.
THE EUCHARISTIC MEMORIAL OF REDEMPTION 4 (r) His wonders shall memorial fixt record!
(n) So gracious, so compassionate the Lord!
ALPHABETICAL V
5 (t:l) Food, rent in chase, He gives. Who fear Him, find.
HALLELUYAH IV (~) He keeps His cov'nant in eternal mind.
THE true Melchizedek is come. J eshurun, .( the upright people," 6 (::J) He to H is people vigorous deeds hath shown;
praise Him. The conquest of sin and death is the manifestation of (,) (;iving the Centiles' birthright as their own,
righteousness and life. Empty Jewish sacrifices pass away. The 7 (D) Truth, judgement, are the deeds His Hands have done:
sacrifice of righteousness abides in an eternal memorial. The () His precepts fixt in faithfulness stand on,-\-
Bread and Wine of the New Covenant do not merely accompany 8 (D) Precepts upheld for aye, eternally,
the lifeless oblation which Jewish priests could offer, but they con- (11) His deeds are done uprightly, truthfully.
tain the living oblation which the Son of God is perpetually offering 9 (El) Redemption sends He forth, His peoples prize:
upon the heavenly throne. Abraham, after his return from the (~) He bids I-I is covenant eternal rise.
slaughter of the kings, becomes the prolific parent of the faithful in (p) In holiness and fear His Name relies.
the new Manhood of Isaac. Melchizedek typifies the heavenly 10 (i) 'Tis wisdom's source, to fear the Lord alway:
power of the Divine Sonship. Lot rescued from captivity is the (~) Good understanding gain they who obey:
(n) H is glorious praise abides secure for aye.
representative of the redeemed race. "The veil" (Ps. 25. 7) of flesh
a 111)'slc'y jiw faitlt
Nedt!lIIp~ioll to COilte1Jlj>/a it.', lIt gi';It'.fi 1IS I!J: •• OWll Ii,;"i:I,!,'
from which the righteous man takes his name is done away. Lot n~"ll.teouslless. 'Flu Eucliaristic memorial, 'l'll~ .Jood 71111irlt l i e HOW gitNS l:/orifiol
lives with the life of Abram" the lofty Father." Moab and Ammon, from Heat/en. uias Il.IInltd 1,), Satan "pon earth, TIlt: Chlt'rcll Crtlholic. TIlt! 7tJl1r,!' (1/
his sinful progeny, rejoice in the overthrow of the children of Ilis flantis slrdcl,ed out U/'Oll the Cross. TIlt: 11O/.),and eternal issue 0.1"tIlt· :'\'I ;"
Concna.nt,
Abraham who redeemed their father. The children of Lot are the
children of the deadly veil which covers all nations with darkness.
They in after time lead the assault (Ps. 83. 9) against the heirs of PSALM 112.
righteousness.
Jesus has taken upon Himself the veil, 'the likeness of sinful flesh, THE OFFSPRING OF THE COVENANT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
so as to share our captivity and our redemption. He is the lofty
i\LPHABI~TICAL VI
Father who has set us free. He is the Divine King of righteous-
ness who feeds us with the Bread of Life. He was made sin for us, HALLELUYAH V
who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God
in Him. FROM the enthronization and covenant of Melchizedek we go on to
In this Psalm He is seen as the Personal Mediator feeding His consider the blessedness of the covenanted people. Their loft y
people. In the next Psalm we behold Him as their Head, living Father, the Father everlasting, is the mighty God, and His seed
in them and conforming- them to His own righteousness. are mighty upon earth. Abram would not take ought from
Sodom lest the king- should say, I have made Abram rich: but
THE ETERNAL COVENANT OF MELCHIZEDEK wealth and riches are in the house of the redeemed, even the riches
of the Kingdom of Heaven, the righteousness of Cod. \Ve belontr
I HALLEJ.OYAH! to the Kingdom of Light. lJ pon them that were in darkness hath the
(~) I'll thank the Lord with true whole-hearted song, true light shined. It is not of earthly origin. It is sown for the
(:1) In council of the upright, the gathered throng. righteous. The glory of the Body of Christ is given to us as the
2 (l) Great works the Lord hath wrought in boundless might, children of the Light by the power of the Spirit of Light. The
(,) Search'd out by all that find therein delight. righteousness of God spring-s up within them, so that they are
l
I
384 THE HEAVE NLY SAC R I FIe E PSALM 113-

gracious and compassionate as He is. The new Melchizedek is not

merely the leader, but Himself the life, of the new covenant. PSALM "3.
The power of evil is vanquished. As it was said in Ps. I., The
way of the wicked shall perish, so now it is seen that the wicked THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE COVENANT
one is the enemy of the promised Recleemer. Ps. 109. portrays
HALLELUYAH VI
the temporal doom which shall rest upon the rebel' race which
rejected the covenant to which they had been called. Here the THE new covenant is established in the Triune Name. The chusen
Prince of Darkness is seen gnashing his teeth. Or perhaps we people are cast uff, but now it is not one nation that is called to
may better understand the wicked one as signifying the final Anti- take its place. The covenant expands to all nations of the earth.
christ. Go ye into all the world. "Go into the streets and lanes of the city."
The Psalms of Divine exodus follow. The redemption of the Ps. 100. was a universal proclamation of the Creator. Now the
chosen people from the Egypt of the world is complete. proclamation is made of the Recleemer who has set man free
The correspondence between this Psalm and the preceding one and is seated at the Right Hand of God. The City is the Roman
has been pointed out in detail in the Introductory Notes. Empire. The" highways and hedges" of the Parable point to the
yet further extension of the Divine announcement to the heathen
THE PERPETUITY OF THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMED world in our own day.
Man was but dust. Nevertheless, God had for him a great
I JIALLELUYAH.
destiny. Ps. 2. tells of a Divine Person becoming man. Ps, 8. tells
(~) Happy the man that fears the Lord aright, of man becoming God. The struggle against the serpent and his
(:I) In His commandments taking great delight. seed is at length accomplished. Ps. lIC. exhibits to us the King of
2 () His seed on earth in might assured shall rest: Righteousness, the Son of David, called to 'the eternal throne.
(,) The race of the upright shall still be blest. There He reigns as Head over a new c~venant.
3 (n) Riches and plenty in his house shall stay: Two Alphabetical Psalms describe the blessing of the covenant
(,) His righteousness abides secure for aye. of righteousness ane! the doom of Antichrist. Now all nations are
4 (r) Light springs for the upright in darkest hour, invited to worship. Man, the child of dust, is to join with all the
(rn Gracious, compassionate and righteous power. company of Heaven. The race of man, which had been spiritually
5 (I:) Good be to him that lends with gracious will: childless hitherto, is raised to share the Divine glory. A Divine life
(\) H is words when he is judged shall triumph still. springs up within humanity, a fruitful life. It is the Son of God
6 (:l) Unmoved he shall abide eternally,-- who comes out of Egypt. He is to be to all nations' the Father
6) Live righteous in eternal memory. everlasting.'
7 (I::» Tidings of wrong can never make him fear: God instituted a new covenant with David by a sure promise.
(J) His heart is fixt. The Lord, his trust, is near. That covenant was to be consummated in the Person of Messiah
8 (0) His heart upheld by truth! No fear he knows: supernaturally born, the Redeemer of mankind. He belongs not
(11) He waits the doom of his oppressive foes, to one nation only, but to all nations. All nations are summoned
9 (E:l) He strews his bounty, gives when poor men pray. to rejoice in the blessings of His Church, the life of His Kingdom.
(1) H is righteousness abides secure for aye,
(p) His horn in lofty glory still shall stay,
THE EXALTATION OF HUMANITY IN TilE CHRISTIAN
10 (,) The wicked one shall wail to see that sight:
(~) He grinds his teeth in rage, but wastes outright: COVENANT
(n) Longings of wicked men shall perish quite. HALLELUYAH!
The Blrssrdness 0/ loving God. The seed 0/ J All redeemed from sin. 7'1"
Ye servants of the Lord, give praise!
Ble sscdncss o/Im'inc- man, IIfanhood t:lonjied in God. Tlte Kingdom 0/ flu Tr-uth,
TIlt g-/o,y 0/ the rig h tcous, TIlt doom 0/ A ntic/,rist and 0/ all the Im~·odly. The Lord's great Name I with praises raise!
VOL. II. 2 B
386 THE H E AVE NLY SAC R I FIe E P SA L M I 14.
2 The Lord's great Name 2 still blest shall be So must we sing this Psalm introductory to the great Hallel
Both now and to eternity. which was sung at the Paschal Feast. The returned captives from
3 From sunrise to the dark'ning west. Babylon looked back. They also looked forward; but the nation
The Lord's great Name 3 with praise be blest. at large could only look forward with earthly expectations. We
The three.fold Name, the.foundation o.f the Baptismal covenant. must look upward. The spiritual deliverance which has been
accomplished is the beginning of greater spiritual triumphs which
4 High o'er all Gentiles reigns the Lord: it has not entered into the heart of man to conceive.
His glory o'er the heav'ns is pour'd. How little could Israel when coming out of Egypt contemplate
5 Who with the Lord our God can vie, the I srael of God celebrating that exodus in songs of Eucharistic
Whose Presence bides enthroned on high? joy throughout the world. But the deliverance that av•.aits us in
6 His condescension can behold the heavenly Jerusalem is'greater than all which has yet been done.
Whate'er in Heav'n and earth is told. Earth and Heaven shall pass away. Jesus "shall come to be
Jesus, Ihe true lIfe!chizedek, personally ruling- His Church. The extra »t undan« glorified in His saints." "We shall be like Him, for we shall see
character o.f Ihe Divine Presence. His providential g-overnmenl o.f tllC created Him as He is!"
universe,

7 From dust He calls the weak to soar, NATURE TRAVA[LING WITH TI[E OFFSPRING OF GI{ACE
From dunghills lifts on high the poor,
8 To make him sit with nobles thron'd, I When Israel came from Egypt's groan,--
The nobles as His people own'd. Jacob from lords of tongue unknown,
9 He makes the childless sit house-queen, :2 Then Judah as His shrine was own'd ;
Mother of sons in joyaunce seen, In Israel's ranks He dwelt enthron'd.
Halleluyah.
}{is restoration 0/ man 1(1 share in tlu Divine glory. Th e rottenness 0/ earth,
The g-lory o.f tlu ang-els. 1'lte Gentile Ch,,1'clz is the true R ache],
3 The sea beheld and Red!
] ordan tum'd back with dread!
4 The mountains skipp'd like rams,
PSALM 114. The heights like sportive lambs.
THE NEW EXODUS
5 Thou sea, why hast thou fled?
THE covenant people are coming forth from the tyranny of Satan, J orclan, whence this thy dread?
as Israel of old from Egypt. The primary exodus was a step 6 Mountains, why skip like rams?
towards the greater deliverance. God was calling H is Son out of H eights, why like sportive lam bs ?
Egypt. God had marked out the place where He would set His
Name. I-Ie had marked out also the man who should bear His 7 Quake, earth, the Master now to see!
Name. Ephraim was outwardly the leader, but Ephraim was only Quake before Jacob's Deity!
on probation. God knew that He would fail. Already indeed the 8 Who chang'd the rock strange pools to know,
patriarchal blessing had marked out Judah as the royal tribe of And bade the flint with fountains flow.
Messianic hope. The promise had not been falsified. The
Redeemer of Israel was to be the Son of David. Now the prom ise
has its completion in the Child of Bethlehem. The promise rises
to its Divine dimensions, the heavenly and world-wide sovereignty
of the Incarnate Son of God.
388 THE H E A V E NLY SAC R I FIe E PSALM 115.

2 Why speak the Gentiles in disdain-

PSALM lIS.
" Where is their God? Their hope is vain! "
GOD TIlE LIFE OF HIS PEOPLE 3 Where? Aye in Heav'n our God doth dwell :
Whate'er delights Him works 1-1ewell.
HALLELUYAH VII

GOD created us for His glory. We must live for Him. lIis life is 4 Silver and g-old their idols stand,
the security of messing if we will but cherish it. So our Lord Forrn'd by the touch of human hand.
prays, Holy Father, keep through Thine own Name those whom S A mouth they have, but not for speech,
Thou hast given Me. Eyes which no joy of day can reach,
A lifeless, helpless God cannot be an instrument of elevation to 6 Ears that can heed no suppliant's prayer,
His worshippers. A loving", living God cannot but raise us up to A nose that incense ne'er can cheer,
His own life. 7 Hands that no helping power possess,
A power must operate upon that which is lowest in order to lift Feet tbat are idly motionless,
up the whole mass. So the power of God lifts up creation by the A throat that breathes no consciousness!
dust of the earth. He formed man out of the dust. 8 Such too the men by whom they're made,
Laws are mere emptiness, and can effect nothing without a Per- Yea, all who trust in them for aiel.
sonal Lawgiver. Science without the living Personal God is an TIll! juYs{l1lal ch aractcr oJ (;od con trastcd witlt the idols 0/ III{' l!t'fltlu:ll. 'j'/u
empty idolatry, as worthless as any fetish fancy of the savage. worshippers OJ idols shore their e1llpliue.H.

Man is formed with personal life to love the Personal God. Our
covenant with the living God is not for a momentary experience of 9 But, I srael, trust 1 thou in the Lord:
life but for eternity. The dead are those who have forsaken God. Their help, their shield, is He.
God cannot forsake us. He is not changeable in His affections. 10 Yea, Aaron's House, trust 2 in the Lord:
The patriarchs went to their Father, but they waited in hope for Their help, their shield.Ts He.
Messiah to come, who should give them higher life than they had I I Who fear the Lord, trust" ye the Lord:
here below. That life is given to us. Jesus is the Christ. Their help, their shield, is Ilc.
The Name of God is a living power of benediction. There is no (;cd Iw/ds I'ac/..- ill (Ii'der tltnt lit.· IIlfl), draw us to llilll!iCIJ.
blessedness save by participation of that life-giving Name. The
word" Blessed" is never used in the Psalter except as the preroga-
12 The Lord forg-ets not :-He will bless!
tive of God. God and His Name are to be blessed. The word
occurs thus fifteen times, and twice besides in Ps. I 18. 26. I t is He Israel's House will surely bless!
applied to Messiah as the Messenger of the New Covenant, Blessed He Aaron's House will surely bless!
be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. So here (Ps, I I 5·
15), they that fear the Lord are said to be blessed. Wherein does 13 He will bless all who fear the Lord.
their blessedness consist? Their blessedness consists, as the All, great and small, shall find His Word!
following verses show us, in their being able to bless God, for they
are partakers of God's eternal life.
14 On you the Lord shall growth display,
THE LIVING GOD
On YOLl and on your sons for aye!
Not ours, 0 Lord, not ours the claim, I S The blessed of the Lord are ye !
But give Thou glory to Thy Name, Maker of H eav'n and earth is l I e !
In truth and mercy, aye, the same: TILe bh-ssing' 0/ JIIdcllizedd.". 11 inciu drs ([/I flS ill lIis cart ..
390 THE H E AVE NLY SAC R I FIe E PSAL MIl 6. 391
16 The Lord in Highest heav'n abides:
He gave this earth where man resides. THE LIFE OF THE SAINTS BEYOND THE GRAVE
17 The dead no Halleluyahs I own- ./

All they who sink in silence down.

18 But we to J AH 2 will blessings pour,
I I love, yea! in my suit rejoice,
Henceforth for ages evermore.
For the Lord hears my suppliant voice!
HALLELUYAH."
2 Since He to me His ear doth bend,
The patriarchs went down to silence. 'Those who art! raised to new li/( in J AH
.,hall nro(r die.
I'll call till all my days shall end .
The Fathers rejoice at Christ's coming:

PSALM 116. 3 The cords of death environ'd me :

Sheol found me, bound me narrowly.
THE FREEDOM FROM DEATH Sorrow I found and misery.
4 The Lord's Name I loudly will I sing!
HALLELUYAH VIII Look, Lord, my soul delivering!

IN saying this Psalm we must rejoice with J AH, as He comes forth

from the grave bringing the souls of the patriarchs from their silent 5 Gracious and righteous is the Lord:
darkness. The love with which it begins is the twofold love, Compassion with our God is stor'd.
Human and Divine, which the Incarnate Son has for the Father. 6 For simple folk the Lord doth care!
No longer subject to death! We must come forth along with Him, In weakness lost, He saved me there!
• 'Tlu Name j a novx rt occurs fifteen times in tltis I'sal1JI.
rejoicing in His new life. Gracious, compassionate, and righteous,
His descent shows 1-1is compassion: His resurrection H is righteous-
ness. Let us not scorn His grace! What a cup of merciful salva- 7 Turn thou, my soul, in rest to dwell :
tion is the Blood of Jesus! The Jews could not drink of their The Lord hath dealt with me so well.
sacrifices for their blood was dead, leading to corruption. We come 8 Thou freest my soul from death's dark chain-
before God, drinking of the Blood of Jesus, for His Blood is Mine eyes from tears of bitter pain-
the very principle of eternal life. We can have no life except as My feet, lest aught thrust down again.
that Blood renews us from the death in which our own natural 9 Secure before the Lord I'll tread,
blood is suffering corruption from the very beginning of our Through lands where life's true light is spread.
\
existence, even since Adam fell. We join with all God's people, Union. will, Christ is eternal life.
for we all live with one and the same Blood. Our thanksgiving \
must have personal individuality, but collective life. We are all one I II

I
in Christ, and cannot claim our union with Christ except in virtue of
that corporate fellowship, owning Him as the Head. 10 Yea! I believe! With joy I speak-
We come out of the Egypt of death's dominion, praising the I, once in sore affliction weak,-
Name of the living Gael, and rejoicing to present the triumph of II I, who once said in hasty woe
Christ, our Head, as the principle of our renewal in the life of Cod's That all are liars here below.
love. Tlu connection 0/ clauses in lIds case is difficult to explail!. There sums fo v,' a
pllrallt'lislIl bd'Wl!e1t IIII011C" at tire beginning-and 1'1 believe" in fltis plrr.ce. Faitl!
?(IllS fit's/urin'IIK 1111'011,£[11»ran's deceitfulness. Fr(1111 man's deceit Iu rises 7fP 10 ask
IlOW lie call praise Cod/or Ilis Tr-uth,

392 THE HEAVENLY SAC R I FIe
12 Oh ! How shall I requite the Lord
For bounteous gifts on me outpour'd ,
13 Salvation's copious cup I'll bring:
The Lord's Name 2 loudly will I sing:
14 My vows I'll pay, the Lord to praise,
While all His people stand and gaze.
The CIlP 0/ o/t "cpcntcd sainations, N .Il.-- 'l'I,cI'c ",as
original Pa..fS07JCr by Dhinr Ordinance.
IS The Lord holds precious in H is eyes
The death of every saint that dies.
16 Me, Lord' Thy servant deign to own,-
Thy servant, yea' Thine handmaid's son'
My slavish bonds Thou hast undone.
The Lord 1m rch a sed lI;s Church with His own Biood frorn
tifAdtzlll.
17 The sacrifice of thanks I'll bring:
The Lord's Name S loudly will I sing'
18 My vows I'll pay, the Lord to praise,
While all His people stand and gaze.
19 To the Lord's House-blest courts '-I'll
Jerusalem, Thy central Home'
HALLELUYAH.
PSALM 117.
REJOICING WITH THE
HALLELUYAH IX
THIS Psalm, wide in its extent as it is brief in its utterance, calls the
whole world to faith and praise. Now the Lord, who winked at the
times of ignorance when man was enslaved under Satan, commands
all men everywhere to repent for He has conquered Satan, and has
set man free. As we yield ourselves to faith we must recognize
that faith as necessitating the endeavours on our own part to
promulgate it. Christianity is a religion of life, and therefore
necessarily it must have a missionary spirit. Things of earth
men like to keep for themselves. The things of the Spirit of
God cannot be possessed save by being communicated.
communion of saints is an article of the Creed and a stimulating
principle of life. As God never ceases from His Divine activity,
j ,
E PSALM I 18. 393
so we, if we live with His life, must be united in His activity. As
He created all mankind, so must we he active towards all mankind
in the fellowship of the love which we share and the energy of
that love whereby we live.
God is Love, the principle of love, the law of love, the strength
of love, the joy of love, the purity of love, the illumination of love,
110 ClIp proper to th" the object of love. \Ve must love all in Him and for Him. That
is no love which does not come from Him and seek His glory as
the object in everything, so that we may live eternally in His love.
TilE WORLD-WIDE IIALLELUYAII
I Ye Gentiles, join to swell the Lord's high praise!
Applause to Him, ye congregations, raise'
the ;nlw-itcd bondnge 2 Whose mercy o'er us spreads in might most free'
Yea' The Lord's truth abides eternally!
HALLELUYAH.
The Catholic C/IUYC/l tales tlu: place 0./ till' Pfltriarr:/la! lJispcn.wtion
PSALM 118.
come,
TIlE OI'ENIN(; OF TlIJ~ IlEAVENLY SANCTUARY
WE come with a procession from all nations to praise God for the
consummation of triumph. Israel leads the way. Returning
captives we! Not. now from Babylon but from the Empire of
Death. The straitness of earth gives way to heavenly freedom.
SAINTS This Psalm rises up continually in triple appeals. It is in the
power of the Triune Name that we follow Him who is building lip
the heavenly Temple. The Samaritans hated and hindered the
\ work. So the world does now. But God is on our side.
This Psalm springs out of the Song of Moses at the Red Sea.
J AH is the pledge of victory. The I ncarnate God is the corner
stone. He holds all the Temple in one. The foundation stone of
1 the heavenly Temple is the Altar, the quickening, elevating, and
! sustaining Personality of the Eternal Son. His Body is the Victim,
bound not for death but for life, bound to the horns of the altar, that
is, to the glory which He has with the Father. It is the Spirit of
life proceeding from Himself which binds that Body so that it
The cannot fall from the glory of the Eternal Love. The mood flows
from this altar, not to be drained down into earth as an abomina-
tion, as the Blood was poured under the altar of the Mosaic
'394 THE HE A V E N L Y SAC R I FIe E PSALM I 18. 395
Tabernacle, but to be lifted up to God with thanksgiving, as the 13 Sore didst thou thrust to make me fall !
transporting gift of Divine life which fills the worshippers with holy' The Lord has been my help in all.
joy. As we drink thereof, the glory of God takes possession of 14 My strength! My Psalm! let J AH be known,
every thought, and the heart is purified for the Beatific Vision. He, my salvation! He alone!
TIlE TRIUMPH OF JAH
15 Through righteous tents salvation rings:
The Precentor, Before the Procession starts The Lord's Right Hand 1 with force upsprings,
16 The Lord's Right Hand 2 is seen on high!
Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness' sake:
The Lord's Right Hand." works forcefully.
For eternal His mercy abides!

2 Speak forth I! Acclamation let Israel make: 17 [shall not die! Nay! Living on,
For eternal His mercy abides! ['11 still record what J AH hath done.
3 Speak forth 2! Let the House of Aaron bless: 18 J AH with sore judgements chasten'd me,
For eternal His mercy abides! But gave me not death's prey to be.
4 Speak forth 3! If ye fear the Lord, confess: 19 The righteous gates wide open fling!
For eternal His mercy abides. [ come! To J AH great thanks ['11 bring!

A s the Procession moves on A VOIC)-:

5 From narrow cell to J AH [ cried: Welcome at the Temple Gate

In widespread welcome J AH replied.
6 The Lord is mine: let fear be far! 20 This is the gate the Lord doth claim:
No touch of man my bliss can mar. The righteous enter by the same.
Christ enters and allliis JIl(.'mbers arc partakers 0/ !,tis rigllf~oIlSIU~·S.
7 The Lord is mine"': with help so great
[ gaze content on troops of hate.
8 The Lord for Refuge b! This is good, PRECENTOR CONTI~UES
Beyond all trust in multitude.
21 ['11 thank Thee for Thine answer sure,
Thou, my salvation, aye secure!
9 The Lord for Refuge bb! Good the boast The Stone, the builders set aside,
Beyond all trust in princely host. .\ 22
Now stands on high, the corner's pride.
10 All Gentiles came around to scoff: 23 From the Lord's side this comes to be,
In the Lord's Name C ['11 cut 1 them off! Strange marvel for our eyes to see.
Oft as their hosts around me came, TIlt Stone 0/ tritt.mj>lt. This foundation stone rests 011 "otJzing. It abides s~if-
II [ cut 2 them off in the Lord's Name to ! centred upon God. All creation rests upon it as p/aflds all t!It SUit. It is th e corner
They came-the multitudinous bee !-- stone not only sustaining- but binding all in onto

12 Like thorn blaze quickly quench'd they flee!

In the Lord's Name ['11 cut 3 them, and am free. 24 This is the Day the Lord 1 hath made!
The tn'umph of Messiah over all nations, incorporating-them in Himself. ••Cuttint; Exult we! Yea! Let joy be paid!
off," elsewhere used only of circumcision. By the circumcision of Christ tl,e sinful
world is cut off from the faithful. TIre Old Adam is cut off. Th,y who are united
25 Salvation grant us, Lord," to-day!
i"i'" Christ, lit-e with Chn'st's new lift. Grant, Lord;" prosperity we pray!
396 THE H E A VE NL Y SAC R I F ICE

26 Blest He who comes in the Lord's 1 Name!

From the Lord's 2 House your Blessing claim!
27 The Lord 3 is Godhead, giving Light!
The victim bind with cordage tight,
E'en to the altar's horn-crown'd height!
IVelL-o",e to lIfessiah, lIe is priest, and Ife is JAil. /1< is tIre Victim bound upon
the Cross 'with the bonds o/IUI111an nature, /IU/ 10 th e luavcnly Altar by tltt consubstan-
tial Spin·t.

z8 Thou, 0 my Godhead! Thanks to Thee THE WAY OF TI-IE REDEEM ED

My God, I will extol Thy Majesty!
29 0 thank ye the Lord, for His goodness' sake: PSALM 119.
For eternal His mercy abides!
/Ie leads tlu: Doxology ofredumtd Creation,
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Jewish victims were bound to the rings of the altar, not to its horns. Messiah is .bou~d,
not for slaughter. but for triumph, and therefore to the heavenly horns of mediatorial 71tis Psalm stands quite alone in tile Psalter Illrougit 1Ililny con-
power which the horns of the altar symbolized.
siderations. It is, infact, an Octave in itselj;forclldt section
is an o.g-dOlld, haviJlg- tl,e sante inilialletter for ez:g-ltl
ucrscs.

NOTE BY TIlE AUTHOR

Ps. 119. opens with a double blessing, the happiness of
In a small book entitled" The Way of Holiness," which is a commen- the perfect, who walk in the law of the Lord, and the
tary on the following Psalm, I have endeavoured to set forth .analytica~ly happiness therefore of those who keep His testimonies,
some of the interior bearings of Ps. 119. The two commentaries are qUIte
that is, His sacramental pledges of grace, enabling them
distinct, but they will be found to illustrate one another.
to walk in perfection according to the law of the Spirit
of Life.
1I9=7xI7· Seventeen is the mystical number
significant of God's covenanted people. This Psalm
sets them forth as walking in the power of the sevenfold
Spirit. The eightfold structure of the Psalm proclaims
the renewal of man's nature in the person of Christ by
the sanctifying Spirit.
Ps. I. spoke of the God-Man who could walk in per-
sonal self-sufficiency. This Psalm speaks of those whom
He has redeemed. The organism of humanity is
restored in them. This is indicated by the perfect
alphabetical development of this Psalm. The Second
Adam is Humanity' restored in Christ and quickened
with Divine life, a resuscitation as well as a restoration.
BU7
 THE REDEEMED INTRODUCTORY NOTE 399

This is intimated by the eightfold structure of each of the Father as He quits the world and goes to His
the sections. home in the Divine glory. Here the redeemed are
This is the Psalm of the redeemed, who have escaped found following Him, according to the renewal of
from the bondage of the old, sinful humanity. " Redeem grace. He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John
me from the oppression of man," that is, of the Old xiv. 6), by whom they "come unto the Father," "the
Adam (verse 134). way of truth," guided by God's judgements as opposed to
This Psalm describes" the way of holiness," of which "the way of lying" (verse 29), wherein the deceits of
Isaiah speaks. "The avenged shall walk there and the the world, the flesh and the devil ensnare the straying
redeemed of the Lord shall return to Zion " (lsa. xxxv. sheep, so that it may" perish in the way of the ungodly"
10). It leads on, therefore, to the Psalms of Ascent, (Ps. I. 7).
whereby the righteous enter in at the gate of the Lord Happiness is the aim of life whereby man is to seek
which is opened by the triumph of JAH. his own perfection and the glory of God by living for
This Psalm has always been specially treasured by that glory. This is the beginning, setting forth the
devout souls. Various names have been given to it in object of the way, the assertion of what constitutes true
order to express its mysterious bearing upon the spiritual happiness.
life. Three times the Psalmist speaks of the Divine Each section of this Psalm is an ogdoad, i.e. it
wonders, the mystery of God's works (verses 18, 27, 129). consists of eight verses, and each of these verses begins
This, the longest of the Psalms, tells in varying with the same letter of the alphabet. This stands
strains of the wonders of God's law. The Psalm which alone among the Alphabetical Psalm, as having eight
is nearest to it in length (Ps. 78.) tells of man's manifold complete alphabetical acrostics.
rebellions. As every letter in Hebrew has a numerical value, and
Ps, 78., the Psalm of rebellion, has for its com- numbers have a mystical signification, it is natural to
plementary * Psalm, the Psalm of the perfected suppose that each of these ogdoads will have a meaning
Kingdom of Messiah (Ps. 72.). more or less connected with the signification of the
The complementary Psalm of Ps. 119. is Ps. 3 I. number. This has furnished a key to the interpretation
There the Redeemer dies. He is the Man whose of the Psalm as given below.
"delight is in the law of the Lord" (Ps. I. 2), and It is not intended to enter further into this subject,
whose delight it is to do the pleasure of the Father. but those who are familiar with the mystical interpreta-
He came to be the Acceptable Sacrifice, having the law tion of numbers will readily see that the title prefixed
of the Lord as the vital principle within His heart to each section has been chosen with a view to profiting
(Ps. 40. 9). In Ps. 31. 6, He breaks away from earth, by such an intimation.
triumphantly commending His Spirit into the Hands of The Cross is the end. This is symbolized by the 1ast
* By the" Complementary Psalm" is intended the Psalm whose letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is Tau the cruciform
numerical position in the Psalter makes up 1 50 when added to the T. By the Cross we attain to God's glory, glorifying
former. Thus, 119 + 31= '50, 78 + 72 = '50. Him upon the earth. So it is that the sheep which was
400 THE REDEEMED
INTRODUCTORY NOTE 40J
lost attains to the restoration for which he longs. He
that "wandered" in self-will is, by the Cross, made PIQQUDIM: precepts, rules of conduct appointed for
observance.
"perfect in the way." By the Cross Christ triumphed
over the enemy who held us in bondage. By the Cross CHUQQIM: decrees/or statutes, ordained of God for
He appeals on our behalf to the Father. On the Cross some special obserw/nce of which He would have us
He unites us with Himself, that, bearing it, we rnay mindful, and thus developing the eternal decree of the
follow Him, and be glorified in His love. Divine Sonship, engraven, as it were, upon the very
substance of the Godhead.
MITSVOTH: special commandments.
MISHPATIM: judgements against sin, both disciplinary
In every verse except one (verse 122), the law is
for our perfection, and final for our eternal reward or
alluded to by some special title. We are not to think
punishment.
that these titles are casual or arbitrary. Each word
IMRAH :' promises of blessing. This word and the
is chosen for the proper occasion, and if we consider
preceding are in contrast, as when it is said in the
each separately, we shall find that the verbs, joi~ed
New Testament, "Righteousness, because I go unto
along with them, help to bring out their p~oper mean1l1g
the Father, judgement, because the Prince of this
in each passage. As we pass from one point to another,
world is judged" (John xvi. 10, 1I).
our whole relationship to the law is brought out, and the
DAVAR: Word. Specially the Word made flesh. All
law is thus seen in its varied bearings upon our inward
the true words of God are the words of the Word,
and our outward life. A verse which seems to be
wherein the Eternal Word is made manifest.
almost identical with one preceding it is thus seen
EMUNAH: faithfulness. The Divine Truth which
to be important for the fuller development of meaning. <
is the foundation of all God's dealings.
The ten words are as follows :-
God's judgements show us what is evil. His promises
TORAH: the law in its general aspect. There is the
allure us onward to that which is good. His Word
fixed law of the physical universe, and the moral law
is the outcome of His eternal Will. His faithfulness
written upon our conscience, and the varied organization
is the stay of our spiritual confidence. His decree is the
of law by which God rules the individual whom He
glory. of His Only-Begotten Son, His consubstantial
calls.
Word, for. whose glory all the law of created existence,
EDVOTH: or testimonies, i.e. the outward signs
both physical and moral, has come into operation
of God's covenant. So," the Spirit, and the Water, (Col. i. IS, (6).
and the Blood bear testimony upon earth" (I John
In reciting the 1 J oth Psalm in English, as we are
v. 8). In a large sense, they .a.re the sacr~ments, the
accustomed to do, there is some confusion occasioned
appointed witnesses of God's spiritual operations,
by the failure to distinguish the Word, the absolute
DERAKIM: ways. These are the habitual modes of
Word, the command, of God, and the Word as the
operation, whether of God, or of man, for good or for
object of the Divine promise. By the Eternal Word
evil.
the promise is spoken, and the promise is nothing else
VOL. II. 2 C
402 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19.
403
than the coming forth of that Eternal Word in the sub- willingly but by reason of Him that subjected the same, in hope,
stance of our humanity with the fulness of grace and for the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of
truth. corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God"
(Rom. viii. 20, :! r).
The word Jehovah occurs in this Psalm 24 times.
We look therefore for the triumph of JAH to assert itself on
behal~ of all the order~ of creation which are now subjected to
PSALM 119. suffering by r~aso~ of SIl1. Suffering is not God's will for any, but
ALPHA BETICAL VII the glory which IS hoped for shall be an abundant compensation
for the ~iseries of the present time. We cannot solve the.~mysteries
~ ALEPH of creation, but we can look for wisdom to be abundantly justified
Happi1ltss the End 0/ Afa1t'6 Predestination when the final perfection of Cod's purpose shall be manifest.
M~n is the supreme object in Cod's creation, the special object of
I. GOD is ever blessed in Himself. All God's works have the
H IS love, because His Only-Begotten SOil is become Man. 1\1an
happiness belonging to their several spheres. Whatever un-
was created in order that the Son of God might become Man. The
happiness we see in the world is the result of ~in. !he ~reature perfection of man is that for which all creation waits. All creation
is no longer what God created it. So we see mls.ery In this world
s~rv:s .man. Man in the mea~\Vhile has to be progressing in holy
of ours, because it no longer possesses the perfection of order and discipline, so that he may attam the j;eifectioll of Gael's ideal.
beauty wherein God created it at the first. All order, beauty, and The peifeclioll of man must be a real perfection, as the happiness
joy are the operation of law. The Divine I~w is the happll1ess of of his final condition is to be a real happiness. He has fallen from
all God's creatures, perfecting them according to the unity of the the truth of his nature. He must rise to the truth of that nature.
Divine life. Adam was created to find happiness according to the He cannot be admitted to the truth of the Divine purpose unless
law of his organic nature. That law was the true .and ~roper he fulfils the truth of the Divine will.
instrument of Goel's I mage. Man cannot find happiness \11 the This peifeclioll is set before us in the Perfect Man, the Incarnate
things of creation which he has. He must seek happiness in what God.
he is. He is himself, when he acts true to God's Image, the He, therefore, is the IVIlY. \Ve have to make progress in holiness
indwelling presence of God as a controlling principle. His acts by using the gifts of grace provided for liS in Him. He brings liS
are himself. They constitute happiness if they are true to God, to the Father. "lIe will present His Church in the end a glorious
perfect in the way of life. They drown ma~ in miser? i.f they Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Eph. v. :!7).
belong merely to the created world, for all that IS not God IS lifeless, \Ve ha~e S? to use His grace that we may attain to this jJo1c((io7l,
Sin is death. advancing 111the U'IY of eternal life, as II is redeemed ones.
The earth, when God's indwelling was removed, became without The true purpose of man is realized by the Incarnate Cod.
form and void, lifeless, disorganized, dark. Adam, who was to be Christian life is not a life difTerent from that of nature. Man rises
the principle of restoration to the newly organiz.ed world.' beca~e up to himself, to his nature, by rising lip to God, whose image he
himself a ruin when he disobeyed God's word 111Paradise. HIS bear~. As. he ,is fallen from nature by sin, he can only rise up to
organism was no longer true to himself. He became. dark as the happiness 111.(,?d by grace. He must rise out of the corruption,
world had previously become dark by the fall of Lucifer from the the disorganization, of the fallen Adam by being lifted up into
brightness of God's Truth. the perfection of the organism of "the Second Adam, who is
There could be no happiness for Adam, for he had fallen out of the the Lord from Heaven." Thus the progress of grace in Christ
way of life. We are not, however, to think that God's work is shall accomplish what the feebleness of Adam forfeited. We
irrevocably destroyed. "The whole creation groaneth and must act true to grace, and grolV in holiness. So shall the
travaileth in pain together with us until now, waiting for the revela- redeemed humanity attain, " to the measure of the stature of the
tion of the sons of God, for it " was made subject to vanity, not fulness of Christ."
 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19.
405
The state of salvation into which we were admitted at our 3· Personal fellowship with God is the secret of all perfection.
Baptism is not a stationary condition. We must be making pro- "Wal.k before me and be thou perfect" (Gen. xvii. I). This holds
gress in the way, not loitering. th~ fal~hful back from malice of every kind. "He that abideth in
We must walk in the law oj the Lord. Our progress must be Him sinneth not" (r John iii. 6). Only so can it be true of any that
that which God desires. Satan will tempt us to be satisfied with they do no malice.
progress such as we may ourselves contemplate with satisfaction. If we walk in. God's Presence, we 'walk in His ways. They are
No progress is real which is not according to God's law. "The all ~ummed up III the one Way. Christ is unchangeably manifested
righteousness of the law must be fulfilled in us who walk not after amidst the ch~ngeful accidents of this present life. We walk in His
the flesh but after the Spirit" (Rom. viii. 4). ways by plantl?g our feet in His footsteps. They who do no ill,
All forms of earthly progress, however plausible, are only like can. s~tfer no III, but as they 7IJaik in God's ways they find God
weary marches round the base of a hill. The Incarnate God takes their JOY.
us into union with Himself, that by the doings of the Spirit we may • 4· God has given us precepts th~t we may observe tltem diligently.
be enabled to march upward and reach the summit of Divine per- r~ese are ~he outward rules of Christian conduct by which we may
fection, where alone happiness is to be found. Man's home, man's br~ng our life ~nder the. contr~l of Christ's example. That example
happiness, is on that summit. Though his path around the base ~lIIts all occaslO.ns, but It requires particular precepts in order that
be strewn with jewels, it is only the floor of a dungeon. Though It may be practically brought within the reach of our imitation.
he deceive himself, he cannot retrieve himself. His only happi- 5· Our 7IJtrySneed to be made firm, that our footsteps slip not.
ness is on high. Aristotle spoke unknowingly but truly. Happiness If we are tru: to the outward manifestation of Christ, we shall live
can only be by living perfectly according to a living power of through the inward mystery of Christ's Being.
perfection, in M fV f314J nXd4J. The great decree which the Father has issued is the proclamation
Whatever difficulties may be involved in the progress, happy are of the Eternal Son, "that all men may honour the Son even as they
they who advance in perfection unto the end. They are made the honour th~ Father" (Ps. 2. 7 ; John v. 23). All Divine decrees, as
righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. v. 2/). "No good thing they a~e given through t?e Word, find their summary in this pro-
will the Lord withhold from them that walk in pf1jectioll." c1~~atlOn of the Word: I'o ooserue God's decreesis to recognize the
(Ps. 84. 12). J)1~lI1e character of Him through whom they are given. They are
That law wherein we are to 7Clall.~ so as to find perfection is "the as It were, engraven on the very substance of Cod Tl
.... . ley are H' IS'
law of the Spirit of Life" (Rom. viii. 2), which is at once a rule and predestmatmg will, op~ratlve by His Son in all creation, for the
a power. The Spirit of Christ makes us conformable to Him, and Word:,the So~, o~ G?d, IS the ~xpress image of His Person, and the
so we are raised to the perfection of human nature. word decree signifies what IS engraven. It is thus like the word
Christ in His own Personal life as the Son of Man is the perfect. "charact.er," used in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Heb. i. 31). The
Pattern. Christ as Head of the Body is the source of all grace Personality of God th~ Son ~s the Self-engraven, unchangeable,
whereby we may be raised to this perfection. eternal, all-comprehensIve, Will and Wisdom and Word of the
2. The Sacraments are the channels whereby the grace is con- F~ther. As He comes forth in human action among men, we see
veyed from Him as the Head to the various members of His Body. HIS ways set before us that we may walk therein and imitate Hin
They are efficacious signs of grace, visible signs or testimonies of But we cannot imitate Him unless we live in HI'm as 0 I)" 1.
. ur IVllle
God's invisible work. We are not to trust in vague apprehensions s?here of life, tlte Way wherein we must come to the Father.
of Divine favour, but we must use the authoritative testimonies of ::' h~ sacraments are the testimonies by which the necessary grace
God's gracious operation with faithful reliance. . IS ~I:en to us, that so abiding- in Him we may fulfil the law of the
Happy are they that keep His testimonies, and look to His per- SPirit as befits the Sons of Cod.
sonal love acting towards themselves therein, while they approach 6. Walking thus in the truth of the Divine life of the Incarnate
Him with 71;hole-heartedlove. We must seek God personally if Word, we know that we shall not be ashamed in paying r{'gard to
we would experience H is sacramental grace efficiently. all God'.rwmmllndmenls.
 THE REDEEMED
The incidental calls of the Divine Will, however they may be at
variance with our own earthly reason and judgement, can never
bring any disappointment, if we recognize them as coming from
God in the fellowship of His Son. "God forbid that I should be
ashamed of the Cross of Christ" in whatever way I may have to
share it! Those shall be ashamed who seek after any other god
with the idolatry of covetousness; but any shame which the
natural heart anticipates through obedience to some command of
Christian duty shall be changed into glory if we are faithful.
7. Thus will the happiness of our condition find its utterance in
thankfulness. I will thank Thee 7!1ithuprightness of heart in learn-
ing Thy righteous judgements: i.e. 'The experience of life makes
me always look forward to the end, so that I perceive how Thou in
Thy judgement wilt order all things for the reward of the faithful
and the punishment of the wrong-doer. This fills me with con-
tinual thankfulness.' Our thankfulness to God must not be an ex-
pression of surprise, as if God did for us something accidental in
any good thing that we may enjoy. It must be a habit formed by
experience which makes us always rely upon God, assured that He
is dealing with us for our good, whether in the discipline of joy or
sorrow. The faithful heart must seek no good thing but that which
comes by God's acceptance of our conduct towards Himself. He
has formed us to obtain happiness by obedience, and that can be
no true joy which comes to us apart from the personal discipline
whereby God is teaching us to know His own all- suffering and un-
changeable goodness.
His judgements are righteous. The righteousness of Christ the
Judge is manifested in His members who abide His judgement.
Righteousness is the originating principle, righteousness the guid-
ing discipline, righteousness the submissive joy, righteousness the
eternal reward. So that the soul can say exultingly, "When I
awake up after Thy likeness I shall be satisfied with it" (Ps.
17· 15)·
8. I will observe Thy decrees. 'I will never lose sight of that one-
ness wherein Thy Son dwells evermore with Thyself in glory. Vye
have seen Him left to struggle in the loneliness of Humanity (Ps. 22.),
that s.o His will might be perfectly tried while He bore the suffer-
ing of that struggle with Satan. For a while Thou didst outwardly
forsake Him, but in the midst of His human suffering, He never
failed of the consciousness of abiding in the unity of Thy Divine
love. He forsook not Thee, and Thou didst not forsake His
Soul, leaving it to hell (Ps. 16. 10). Thy Hand helped Him on the
PSALM I 19.
Cross with Fatherly welcome (verse I and 3). As it was with Him,
so be it with me. If Thou leavest me to act in my human will
when temptations seem to be too strong for me to resist them, yet
will I remember that Thou callest me to live in Christ, stablished
in Thy sustaining Godhead. So will I endure with confidence
assured that Thou wilt not suffer me to be tempted beyond what
Thy grace will strengthen me to bear. 0 forsake me not utterly."
The will that is disciplined by the endurance of temptation shall
be strengthened so as to rejoice at length in the fulness of the
Eternal welcome. The promise is unfailing.
From the consicleration of happiness which is found in Christ
the Way (verse I), the Psalmist proceeds to speak of the sacra-
mental grace which is necessary that we may abide in Him (verse
2), and the abstinence from the evil world which is essential to
spiritual progress (verse 3). We cannot keep from the evil of the
world unless we do what God has commanded (verse 4). 'Ve need
to live in the strength of the Incarnate Cod, and to have our feet
set upon the Rock which is Christ (verse 5). This fellowship with
the Eternal secures us against all shame from the judgement of men
(verse 6). We shall come to the thankful acknowledgement of
God's disciplinary goodness, whereby He leads us on (verse 7).
When our probation in the Way of Life is complete, we shall find
that God will not leave us to perish (verse 8).
J BETH
The IVard of God Incarnate
9. The perfection which God requires of us is manifested in
Christ, but the old Adam is corrupt and incapable of attaining to
the happiness for which man was formed. Human nature neecls to
be cleansed. The path along which we go is not tile way oj life
upon which God sent us forth. Had we continued in the original
tuay we should find Him our joyous end. We should have owned
Him from the first as our Master. Not so now. Our nature
having- lost the Divine life, is given over as a prey to corrupt
habits, engendered by our disorderly passions, and these constitute
the pa/lmlay of miry, slippery defilement along which we are
driven. There is "a law in our members warring against the law
of our minds" (Rom. vii. 23).
The perfect man, therefore, could not belong to the old Adam.
408 THE REDEEMED
A new race must spring up, cleansed from the inherited defilement,
and walking in the way of purity. This is the young man, the
Second Adam, the generation born anew in Christ.
These must cleanse the pathway of their life, by observt'ng to live
according 10 God's Word," the Word made flesh," from whom is
derived a new principle of life, healing the corruption of human
nature by the infusion of regenerating grace (Ps. 53· 5; 1 Pet.
ii.24).
10. That life of regeneration demands the whole-hearted allegi-
ance of those who would abide therein, a whole-hearted seeking
after that Word, who comes to us from God. The Word is a Per-
sonal Word, exercising a control over those who yield in faith.
That Word is not like the impersonal words written upon stone,
which men failed to obey. Those words could not enforce them-
selves. The faithful look up to Christ, that He may reign in their
hearts, and not suffir them to wander from His commandments.
He will give us His Holy Spirit to keep us in the way of obedience
if we abide in Him.
I I. The law of the Divine Word is a law of promise, not of con-
demnation (Gal. 3. 16). It must be treasured up in the heart. It
is the joy of the ht'ddm life which abides with God, assured that
the Word which reveals the holiness of God will lead us onward in
the joy of Divine fellowship. The old law could not restrain men
from sin by its threats, but the new law quickens us with its joyous
promt'ses, that we may be raised above the temptations of the evil
one. '0 that the joy of a life hid with Christ in God may so fill
my heart that [may not sin against Thee!' Love is the principle
of all action. Divine love is the only principle of true holiness.
12. The joy of the hidden life is the very joy of God Himself,
mysterious joy which the Father takes in glorifying His Son. This
is the unfathomable purpose of creation. " All things were created
by Him and for Him" (CoI. i. 16). God is Blessed for evermore in
Himself, and His Blessedness consists in His Love to His Only-
Begotten Son. He calls us to share His Blessedness. But we can
only share it by knowing the Father and the Son in the power of
the Holy Ghost, and thus rising up to the joy of the Divine Fellow-
ship. Hence we cry: Teach me, illuminate me with the knowledge
of Thy decrees. Teach me the glory of that predestinating love
wherein Thy Son dwells with Thee. We cannot know the Blessed-
ness of God experimentally, save by the power of the Holy Ghost.
He opens our eyes" to see the glory which the Son had with the
Father before the world began" (John xvii, 5). This knowledge,
PSALM I 9.
this life, this joy, are one. It is the blessedness of the love of
God.
13· The Son of God records the eternal decree in the fulness of
Divine utterance as the consubstantial Word (Ps. 2. 7). He speaks
as the God-Man. We speak as partakers of the Divine Nature in
Him. Wt'th the lips of my humanity I will record, according to the
measure of inspiration individually vouchsafed to me, all the judge-
ments of the Moutll of the Most High. "The Word of God is
sharper than any two-edged sword. It is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. iv. 12). It proves the
heart amidst the casualties of life, so as to exercise jud,r;ement upon
all whom that same Word comes to help. The Word is within us
for help, and if not duly used, then for condemnation.
14· The rejot'cing of the hidden life is nourished by the sacra-
ments of grace. God exercises continuous judl;ement towards us,
by the discipline of probationary circumstance. He sustains the
spiritual joy by continuous communications of fresh life in sacra-
mental fellowship. '[ rejoice in the way of TIly testimonies, the
habitual use of Thy sacraments holding me in the living 'Nay.'
Yes! As much as trt all ric/ics! The wealth of the world passeth
away. The riches bestowed upon us through the cleansing, healing,
illuminating, inward-speaking efficacy of the living Word, no out-
ward accidents can waste.
15· [will give my mind to Thy precepts. God has H is special
precepts for each one of us. We must remember that every grace
is given with a purpose for some particular object. It is by
attention to God's individual call that we keep our hold upon the
grace individually given.
[ will ha7Jeregard to Thy patlls. The special precepts which
come home to us indicate the paths of outward service in which
God calls us to glorify Him. As the in ward grace of sacraments is
God's gift, so also the outward circumstances of Divine J'r07Jidl'11Ce
are tokens of His will, to which we must give heed.
16. [will so/ace myself in Thy decretals. The glory whereby
God requires LIS to glorify Him is not derived from without. It
rests upon us as a ray of light emanating from the Eternal Decree
of Divine Predestination, whereby the Incarnate Word glorifies the
Father. If we act for God's glory, it is lIis Only-Begotten SOil who
acts in us. It must be our solace to lo'se the sense of our own little-
ness, by rising up to the greatness of the Decree of Druine glory
which dignifies our own feebleness with its infinity.
This solace seems specially in Iioly Scripture to express the
410 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19.
delight which God and His Chosen take one in the other, as Parent
and Child. Wisdom was daily his solace (Prov. viii. 30), and l GIMEL
Wisdom finds "solace with the sons of men " (verse 31). The men of
The Divine Life
Judah are" the plant giving Him solace" (Isa. v. 7). "Ephraim, my
dear son, the child in whom I should find solace" (J er. xxxi. 20). [7. This section rises from the cleansing of humanity to the life
The word is used of Ariel solacing herself in both worldly wonder of Godhead. Our happiness is to be perfected in participation of
an? outcry (according to A. V.) instead of Divine election (I sa .. the Divine Blessedness. Without that life I cannot have man's
XXIX. 9~, and of the child disporting itself on the hole of the asp true happiness, for indeed man's death by sin was the very loss of
(Isa. XI. 8). The eyes of the guilty people are to be shut with their that life. Without that life I cannot know the cleansing power of
false solace (Isa. vi. [0). nut these exceptions imply the loving the Divine Word. It is a living Word speaking in my heart and
bo~d of delight which should bind the people to God, and so the communicating to me the vital energy of the I ncarnate Son, which
children of Jerusalem are to be "solaced on the knees" of their alone can enable me to know, to praise, to experience, the Blessed-
spiritual mother (Isa. Ixvi. [2). "Thy comforts solace my soul" ness of God, and to tell of His goodness, leading me onward to
(Ps. 94· 19)· So here we find in our own Psalm, "The sonship of glory. All God's gifts would be unavailing, but for the great gift
the Eternal Word is our solace," the Divine Decree (verse [6), and of eternal life which is given to us in H is Son (r John v. r r),
the sacraments which communicate that sonship to us (verse 24). Deal bountifully with Thy servant! I stiai! live! That life is
God's commandments solace us, for they imply a power of living the very bounty. The bounty is a bounty belonging to personal
tru: to this sacramental inheritance, however much the world may and mutual regard, payment, retribution, reward. The spirit of
deride us (verse 47). We are called to partake of the Divine life and revelation enables the regenerate soul to contemplate the Divine
goodness, and this is far better than the world's stupid self-satisfac- glory as the source from which it sprang, and the sphere wherein it
tion. This involves our living true to this law (verse 70). God's is to act, and the glory wherewith it must itself eventually be
law is thus the instrument of Divine vocation. I t is also the instru- identified in outward mutuality of converse in the fellowship of this
ment of Divine compassion, training us for the perfection we need Eternal Wisdom. Man's true life consists in this personal inter-
(verse 77), and of the Divine scrutiny, whereby our faithfulness is course with God which the Psalmist seeks to have restored, because
tested (verse 92). God's commandments speak to us with en- the corruption of sin had made it cease.
couragement, while He beholds our affliction (verse [43); and So will I observe Thy iuord. "Observing according to God's
finally God's law illuminates our longing for salvation with a Word," imitating Christ, is the law of cleansing (verse 9). That
holy hope to be found worthy thereof if we take up the Cross Word speaking within us is the law of our new life. Until God
dying with Christ to this world, that we may live with Him gives us the Divine life, we cannot hear the Word speakinp.
eternally (verse 174). When He has given us "ears to hear," then we must hear with
So then [will notjorget Thy Word. carefulness. To those that are outside, God speaks by parables,
for they are unable to receive the mysteries of the Kingdom of
The utterance of the Divine promise (verse r r ), the experience of Heaven which the Word makes known to the faithful. Our life
disciplinary judgements (verse [3), the joyousness of sacramental is in the Word, and our conduct must be what that Word dictates.
renewal in grace (verse 14), the intimations of Providential circum- 18. All the senses need to be elevated to spiritual intelligence
stance (verse [5), help me to rise out of the misery of my corrupt by the Divine life quickening our human faculties.
nature, and" observe "-the word is here used absolutely-so as to "Wonders." In Holy Scripture, this signifies the supernatural
live worthy of Him who is the Word made Flesh, the Head of the action of the spiritual power, under the form of earthly substance.
renewed Humanity (verse 9). The predestinating decree whereby As the word" testimonies" implies the outward form which hears
He is glorified in His Church is the consummating act of Divine witness to God's spiritual operation of grace, so "wonder" implies
Blessedness (verse [2), and it is the solace of those who by that the inward life and power of the sacramental form. So it is the
Word are regenerated in Divine life (verse 16). Divine nature of the Incarnate (Isa. ix. 5).
412 THE REDEEMED
Open Thou mine eyes, and I shall pay rt:gard to the uionders
which are mystically exhibited in Thy la71J. The law as given by
Moses was a pattern of heavenly things.
The natural world is full of wonders, and yet we require the
trained eye of science in order to behold them truly, and know
their import. How much greater are the wonders, the mysteries
of the Kingdom of Heaven, which the spiritual law contains! Our
Lord says to His Apostles, " Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and"
your ears, for they hear" (Matt. xiii. 16). And yet after His resur-
rection, it was necessary for Him to open their understandings,
that they might understand the Scriptures (Luke xxiv. 45).
Every revelation of God must be a wonder, a mystery. The
finite understanding cannot embrace the infinite. Every detail of
the revelation must include an element of infinity. The heart must
be opened by the communication of the Infinite Love to desire the
apprehension of that which surpasses the natural intelligence. As
the eyes are opened to increasing contemplation, the heart will rise
to embrace with increasing joy. We must not put away the
wonders because we cannot understand them, but we must regard
them with love as the Holy Ghost inspires. Mysteries are revealed
to the meek who draw near with a humble, loving heart. So do
we live in God.
We need to have our eyes opened more and more, until we
attain to the Beatific Vision. Then shall we "know as we are
mown." So we must pray for an increasing apprehension of the
mysteries of God's l.aw.
The Law is a treasury out of which those mysteries have to be
gathered, but the mysteries belong to Him who is the Life of the
law. The law is as a case internally arranged to hold many things,
each of them fitting into its own place. Before Christ came, the
future gift, which was to be, could only be known by the empty
space assigned to it in the typical ministrations. "The law had
but the outline of good things to come, not the very image of the
things" (Heb. x, I). We have the very image. And yet we cannot
know the heavenly glory of that which we have, except so far as
the Spirit of God opens the eyes of our understanding.
19. I am a stranger upon earth, 'I pine to see the things
belonging to my heavenly home. Nothing here satisfies me.
Everything ministers only to the outer life, but I desire the hidden
glory of communion with Thyself as my Father, such as can only
be known in the true land of the living.
'Nevertheless, even here it is my joy to do what Thou commandest.
PSALM I 19·
Hide not Thy commandments from me. Teach me in doing Thy
will to advance towards the experience of Thy Truth. I long for
the Beatific Vision, but here in my earthly bIi~dness I co.nfide
myself to Thy commandments, that I may walk In the obedience
of faith (Rom. i. 5, 16, 26).
,I am a stranger, but, as such, I am under Thy special pr.otection.
Let me be so faithful in keeping Thy commandmellts while I am
"a stranger with Thee" (Ps. 39. 13), that I may b.e·ad~itted to
the full privileges of Thy children, and claim my inheritance 111
Heaven.'
20. The soul, thus void of that nourishment whereby its life may be
invigorated, feels itself crushed. "He hath crushed my teeth with
gravel-stones" (Lam. iii. 17). I have to take that which destroys
my power of feeding, and nourishes me not. What earth has to
give to the poor exile is only" gravel-stones. Yet the soul longs to
fulfil God's commandments, and is ever disquieted. I t can do
nothing in earthly strength which can lead to a confident hope of
God's approval, so that the natural effort may be ac~epted in the
supernatural judgement. Therefore the soul. crushe: Itself w.lth the
fretful endeavour to see Cod's will, and regain the life of H IS love.
Earth supplies but gravel-stones, and the soul gnawing upon itself,
crushes itself with its empty cravings at all times.
2 I. The proud, the people of the world, have their satisfaction,
but God rebukes them. They are under a curse, soanderine Cl7.Cli.ly
from God's comma1tdIllCllts. The people of the world, in the self-
satisfaction of their pride, disdain all care for God's com manruncnrs.
They live to please themselves.
The Psalmist does not envy their satisfaction, for he knows the
curse which rests upon disobedience. II e has not turned aside from
God's commandments. And yet he seems to be left as a stranger
under the curse of earthliness, shut out from God's commandments,
although ready to fulfil them. His stale of exile.~s the inhe~itance
derived from our first parents' sin. Instead of being born WIth the
life of God the soul is dead. But it is far better to be conscious of
that state of exile under the power of death, and long for the life of
our heavenly home to be restored, than to be unconscious though
rejoicing in the satisfaction which the world gives to tho:e who live
for it. The perdition of the proud will be for ever, but the penitent
exile will he brought back to his eternal home.
22. He desired God to look upon him in the state of rrproac/:
and COlitempt which afflicts him, and to roll it oiffro1ll11i1ll. That
can only be done by restoring the Divine life which Adam lost.
 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19.

The promise of restoration is sure. It is with this hope that death," that by death He might redeem mankind and destroy the
the Psalmist has kept God's testimonies, the old ordinances prepared slavery to Satan, wherein mankind was hopelessly bound. He
for Christ. Now if God will send the Giver of Life, He will therefore was" put to death in the flesh but quickened in the Spirit."
diligently use the Sacraments whereby that life is conveyed. This inherent life of the Spirit was His own prerogative as being
23· He would not have the pride of the world, for that involves the Eternal Word. Therefore, hanging upon the Cross, He appeals
God's rebuke. Yea! he has borne the persecution of the great to have His Life as the Word made manifest within Him. The
men of the world, knowing that their rebuke could bring to him no. natural soul cleaveth unto the dust, but the weakness thus assumed
hurt. Princes sat in Council and spake together against him could not take away Christ's life. "I have powerto lay down My soul,
to destroy him. So they assembled against Christ Himself. So and I have power to take it again" (John x. 18).
may His servant be content to accept all persecution. His mind As the Word He does not die. By His own free will He com-
is intent upon the Divine glory of the Redeemer. The decrees mends His Spirit into the Hands of the Father. He laid down
enforce the Divine Sonship. These princes include the spiritual His Soul, separating it from His Body, but that Soul was ever
rulers of this world's darkness. They accuse the faithful before living with the power of the Holy Ghost. He had "received a
God. They fill the heart with despondency as i( God had cast commandment from His Father to lay down His soul and to take
us away. But the accuser of the brethren will be cast out. Then it again" (John x. 19). Upon the Cross He appealed for the
shall the faithful be restored as Job in his last years (Rev. 12. 10., resurrection. We in death appeal to live in Him.
20. 10). 26. He recorded His ways, for He could say, "I have finished
?4· The dispe?sationof sacramental grace is His solace, for by the work which Thou gavest Me to do" (John xvii. 4). He records
this the predestmated glory of the Divine Sonship is communi. both His Divine inherence and H is human obedience,-the eternal
cated to the members of the Incarnate. The Psalmist is lifted up decree and the appointed ways of earthly struggle. God answered
out of the misery of earthly deadness into" the glorious liberty of Him without fail. "I know that Thou hearest Me always" (John
the sons of God" (Rom. iii. :!I). God not only works by them, xi. 42). It is by this acknowledgement of His own obedience and
but speaks through them. They are our counsellors. the Father's response, that He learns experimentally the glory of
the Divine decree.
Thus does God's servant who desired such spiritual life as 27. His human faculties advanced by active co-operation in the
would enable him to see the mysteries of God's law (verse 18) rise way of God's precepts. His interior knowledge by the power of the
up from the condition of exile and incompetency (verse 19), from Holy Ghost became thus an experimental consciousness glorifying
the gnawing agony of a soul which could find no satisfaction all His faculties. Every act of H is human life, however full of
(verse 20), from the scorn and contempt which the proud sons of suffering in the doing, was treasured up within Him as a principle
earth pour out upon him (verse 22), from the persecution with of glory ready to be developed when the mortal fabric which
which the powerful of earth take counsel against him (verse 23). enshrined it should cease from the functions of mortality. Jesus
He rises up in joyous fellowship of the Divine Sonship, the solace in every act of His Humanity contemplated all the onflow of grace
of a sacramental covenant with God (verse 24), and feels the whereby His mystical Body should find its power. Thus He under-
blessedness of the sweet converse of the Eternal Spirit speaking stood the way of God's precepts. He contemplated the mysteries
within his heart in the manifold gifts of personal love and holy of Divine life, which were eventually to be communicated as the
counsel.
glorifying treasure of H is saints, when they should rejoice as
, DALEnl members of His risen Body. We must contemplate the way of
God's precepts by looking back in all we do to the grace which
The Discipline of the Cross
He provided for us in H is actions. So do we live in Him and He
25· The cry still goes up, Quicken me. Doubt not the Divine in us.
life belonging to the Incarnation! But the life of the Divine Word The way of God's precepts is the object of our understanding,
was hidden. The Son of God became outwardly "subject t() although it is always beyond what we can understand. We must

II
 THE REDEEMED PSALM I I9. 4I7
be growing in its apprehension, and yet it cannot be wholly under- presented Himself with faithfulness approved under every possible
stood until we have come to the end of the way, so as to be form of temptation.
wholly identified with the Divine Wisdom which is leading us. 31. "This mind must be in us which was in Christ Jesus." His
The way of God's precepts is a way of mysteries, wonders, endurance of the Cross for three-and-thirty years must be our
summed up in the fellowship of His life, who is the Personal pattern. We have "to run with patience the race that is set
expression of Divine mystery, "God manifest in the flesh." His. before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith,
Name is Secret, Wonderful, i.e. Mystery (Jud. xiii. 18 j lsa. ix. 6.) who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross,
28. Thus was His soul dissolving for very heaviness, but though despising the shame" (Heb. xii. 1,2).
in obedience to the Father's commandment He gave Himself up to So then must we cleave to the sacraments which unite us by
die, He looked for the commandment to come forth, that He grace to Christ as surely and steadily as our outward nature cleaves
should take His life up again. Then He would take it, no longer by law of natural gravitation to the earth. We have morally to die
subject to death. The resurrection would show Him to be the upon the Cross to the outer world, that we may thus, in the power
Son of God .. Therefore He says, "Raise Thou life up, .accordine 10 of the Spirit, cleave to that which is heavenly. So can we say, " 0
Thy Word. Show that I am Thy Word." So we also look to be Lord, put me not to shame. Let me enter into Thy glory, having
raised up with Christ, but we must first of all be dissolved in borne Thy Cross." In being thus united to Christ, glorified by
penitence. The body is dissolved by necessity, the soul by grace. sacraments of grace, we, His members, who have still to follow
29. When He rose again He had conquered the Prince of this Him in the humiliation of this evil world, treading the way (If
world, the father of lies. He had no longer to tread the way of lying while the great accuser is ever seeking to reproach us and to
slavery, which was at variance with His true character. Death slay us by deceit, must gain fresh strength to glorify God. The
rolled away the reproach. He cries out," Takefrom Me the way of sacraments do not save us by setting us in outward security, but
lying. In seeming weakness and forsakenness I have had to by separating us from the evil, that we may keep ourselves from
tread the way of Thy commandments with much bodily the touch of the enemy, and may be strengthened to resist him
weariness, and My feet have had to tread a world of lies, of with Divine power. We shall be more than conquerors if we
calumny, and scorn." Grant Me Thy law graciously: He came, choosethe way of faithfulness, but we cannot achieve any victory
"full of grace and truth," to fulfil the law, and now in the glory of save by dying with Christ upon the Cross.
the Only-Begotten of the Father, that law has become glorified. 32. This faithful adhesion to God's law makes each separate
"The Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing shall He command an easy and joyful appeal. We are delivered from the
withhold from them that walk in perfection" (Ps. 84.). The gift shame of our sinful nature, for we ale" made partakers of the Divine
of the law was itself a gift of grace, in covenant with God, but nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
we need the gift of quickening grace to enable us to fulfil the lust" (2 Pet. i. 4). This sets the heart free from the sin which doth
law. so easily beset us (H eb. xii. I), the weight of a nature burdened by
30. J have chosen the way (Iffaitlifulness. "All the promises of Satan's chains. The crucified disciple can say, J will run the 'lflay
God in Christ are Amen." J have set Thy j1tl~r;ementsbefore me. of Thy commandments.for Thou dost set my heart at liberty! Death
lt is for this end that Jesus was ever working. H is faithfulness to upon the Cross brings freedom. "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith
His Father is as true as His Father's faithfulness to Him. His Christ has made us free" (Gal. v. I). "He that is dead is freed from
Human wiII was proved in its faithfulness by H is years of sin" (Rom. vi. 7). Thus dying we attain to the freedom of outward
obedience. He knew that the joy of H is Father's faithful accept- and perfect separation from all that belongs to death.
ance would be the crowning glory of His way offaitlifulness. This
is the judgement to which He looked forward. All judgements to Blessed is the soul which is quickened by the Word Incarnate
which mankind would be subjected were summed up in His one to take up the Cross and follow Christ (verse 25). It takes account
presentation of Himself, a life-long sacrifice. As Satan poured of its way as having its origin from God's supreme decree, not from
forth upon Him every violence belonging to his tyranny, so Christ the lower world (verse 26). It understands the way of God's precepts,
VOL. II. 2 V
 THE REDEEMED
changing sorrow into joy, and it muses on God's mysteries (verse 27).
It dissolves beneath the burden of the flesh, but it abides erect in the
vigour of resurrection-life (verse 28). Living in the grace of God's
law, it rejoices to have the world's false ways turned aside (verse 29\
It has chosen the way of correspondence with God's faithfulness,
and knows that it will not be ashamed. God's judgement is sure
in the end (verse 30). God's sacraments are a present treasure
which cannot fail of Divine reality (verse 31). It looks forward to
increase of joyous obedience as the blessed energy of the freedom
wherein the sons of God rejoice (verse 32).
i1 HE
The Righteow;zcJS of Faith
33. Christ is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John xiv. 6).
The way of truth, the way of God's decrees,is distinguished not only
from the way of falsehood and sin, but from the way of natural
progress. It is opposed to what is evil, It is superior to what is
natural. We need to have itpoillted out to us. This is the Divine
teaching, the Divine law. Christ, the Lawgiver, is Himself the
pattern as well as the vital principle of righteousness, going before
us, and calling us as His sheep to follow Him. The decree of
His eternal Sonship embraces us in its predestination. We must
walk worthy of God. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me"
(Matt. xi. 29). We cannot run the way of God's commandments
unless our outward nature is crucified with Christ. We cannot
keep the way of God's decrees, the lofty highway of the Cross, unto
the end, unless we abide in Christ, crucified with Him, and living in
the fellowship of His risen life. So must we follow the Lamb upon
Mount Zion if we would have the grace of perseverance, "looking
unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith" (H eb xii. 2). God
alone can teach us that which is eternally ordained within Himself.
He reveals by His Word that which by His Spirit He illuminates us
to apprehend. His Spirit takes us up into the Incarnate Word, and
enables us to do that which God's eternal decree requires. In pro-
portion as we know the decree to be eternal in its origin we shall
guard it as being eternal in its authority. So also shall we find it
to be abiding in its efficacy.
It is the prerogative of the Christian covenant that the faithful shall
be" all taught of the Lord" (Isa. liv. 13). This is the heart-teaching
of the soul in righteousness by the power of the Holy Ghost, for it
P SA L M I 19. 4'9
is "life eternal to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom
He hath sent" (John xvii. 3).
34· We must guard God's law with the fulness of understanding,
and observe it with fulness of the heart's devotion. As God is Love,
and is only known by love, we cannot fail to grow in the love of God's
law as we grow in the understanding of that law. Our Ilcarts must
be expanded, strengthened, with the.Divine fulness of righteousness,
while we advance in the understanding and observation of God's
la·w. It is a law of nature that our accidental tastes and inclina-
tions are strengthened by habit. Much more must this be the case
with our spiritual joy in Gorl's law. Our" meat is to do H is will"
and our whole nature is purified by feeding upon Christ while we
act in H is strength (John iv. 34).
Light and love are both of them the operation of the Holy Ghost.
Without love we cannot know God (I John iv. 8). They necessitate
our co-operation if we would attain the grace of perseverance. They
are the very presence of God by His Word and Holy Spirit, quicken-
ing the responsive energy of the soul wherein 1Ie dwells. The
interior wave of light thus called into activity rejoices in the glow
of Divine consciousness. \Ve are made" light in the Lord, children
of light" (Eph. iv. 8).
35· We need God's Holy Spirit to give us a good will and to work
with us when we have that good will. So it is said here, Direct my
way. The heart that is dead upon the Cross is free to run the way of
God's commandments (verse 32), but we need the restraint of
Divine love to direct our 71m)' in the track of God's commandments.
Otherwise we shall be led astray. The track, the beaten path, is
not trodden by the multitude so as to be easy. Indeed it is "a
track which no fowl knoweth, and the lion's whelps have not
trodden it." The angels of Heaven and the wild beasts of hell
know it not. "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is Wisdom."
This track is trodden by the heel of the Great Jacob, the Incarnate
Wisdom. He it is who has trodden the track of the heavenly hill,
and we have to follow Him. "Righteousness shall go before Him
and He shall make H is footprints a way" (Ps. 85. 13). This is
the way of the Holy Cross. He, the Lord our Righteousness, will
direct our way in this track by the Holy Ghost.
This is the delz/:ht of the faithful. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of
joy, and we cannot walk in this track, following Christ, unless it be
our delight.
36. The heart which feels its danger must turn to the grace of God's
covenant. God must incline our hearts to seck the sacramental power
420 THE REDEEMED
pledged to us therein. God's pledged presence is our all-sufficient
strength. The carnal worshipper looks for immediate relief from
some outward difficulty as the reward of his prayer. "What gain is
it that we have kept God's ordinance?" The true worshipper seeks
simply to live in God's Personal love. That love is the living
power of His action and the reward of His suffering. Christ Him-
self finds His reward not in earthly recompense but in the glory
of the righteousness which it is given to Him to communicate to
those whom He will raise along with Himself. "He shall justify
many" (Isa. liii. II). "We are made the righteousness of God in
Him" (2 Cor. v. 21). The last verse spoke of the guidance of
external Providence. I n this verse we ask for the inward inspira-
tion of God's grace to incline our hearts. If we are" dead with
Christ" we must not let our hearts rest upon the objects of this
sinful world. We have died to them, and God's grace will lift up
our hearts to desire heavenly things.
37. Earthly things are apt to catch the mind's eye. We must look
to God to make our eves cross ouerfrom beholding iniquity, and
quicken ItS to walk in His way by opening our eyes to behold His
glorious power, His righteous love.
Terribly does the lust of the eye stimulate the nature. As we
gaze on evil things the corruption of our nature inflames us with
manifold evil. We must keep our outward eye from resting on
vanity, that our inward heart, animated by grace, may rejoice to see
the things of God. . (verse 39)-its one longing in true conformity to God's precepts,
38. The righteousness of faith must be proved by the discipline
of delay. But though the promise seem to tarry, God's servant
must be strong to wait for it, assured that" it will come, and will
not tarry." 'Raise it up even though it seem to have been shrouded
in death. As we wait for Thy promise in Thy fear, so let us
receive Thy promise when the discipline of fear is perfected,
according to the fulness of Thy love. So let us receive the blessing
of Abraham who staggered not at Thy promise through unbelief
(Rom. iv. 20), but looked to receive his son from the dead with a
greater blessing if he surrendered him to Thee, for Thou hadst
said that in him should the everlasting covenant be established'
(Gen. xvii. 19).
We cannot be partakers of the promise unless by the Spirit of God
we are walking in this holy fear, the reverent fear which is not
aroused by the terrors of God's visible judgement, but stimulated by
the sense of His goodness, apprehended by faith (verse 169).
39. 'Make the reproach cross over 7vhich my sluggish nature is sa
P S AL M I 19. 421
apt to dread. I trust myself to Thee, whatever may be the cavils and
taunts of the world around me. A II Thy judgements are good. I
am sure that Thou wilt justify me in the end, if I abide in Thy
Truth.'
40. 'My longing is for Thy precepts, that while I am outwardly
true to what Thou hadst enjoined, I may receive the inward life of
fellowship with Thee, which is the crown of r£ghteoumess.'
Where there is righteousness there must be life, for righteousness
is the exercise of the Divine life (Gal. iii. 21). The precepts of God
are the outward phenomena of that righteousness in human opera-
tion, as the sacraments are the outward testimonies of the Divine
communication of that life.
The righteousness of God's living law has its root III the Divine
Sonship (verse 33)·-its exercise in intelligent contemplation
and loving observance (verse 34)-its activity in the delight of
obedience (verse 3S)-its power in Divine sacraments (verse 36)-its
condition in blindness to the deceitful 'world, so that the life of
Divine fellowship is apprehended by faith (verse 37)-its attestation
in the accomplishment of God's promises while He raises to better
life than that which was surrendered to death, so that the accomplish-
ment of hope is proportionate to the resignation of fear (verse 38)--
its tranquillity in the calmness with which we can bear the taunts of
the enemy whilst looking to the certainty of God's judgement
perfected with an eternal crown in the life of God's love (verse 40).
, VAU
The Feeblenessof the Creature fi1lding Saiuarion ill the Eternal Life
of the Word.
41. The gift of salvation is not by man's merit but by God's mercy
in Jesus Christ. Let Tily mercy come also unto me, 0 Lord, even
salvation, even Thy Jesus, according to Thy promise.
The acrostic of this section is the weakest letter of the Hebrew
Alphabet. The number which it expresses is the number of sinful
humanity. Six is always the expression ofmere worldly power. This
ogdoad opens with the first appeal for saiuation, that the Son of
God may take upon Himself our earthly nature, coming to LIS from
the Father, according to the merciful promise given at the beginning.
The first verse sets forth the promise on which the Psalmist relies.
 THE REDEEMED PSALM J 19. 423

The second verse speaks of the Word, the Son of God, who is the Thy law, which this same 'Nord enforces. That Word gives power
subs~ance of the pron:ise. Jesus comes making God's mercy to fulfil whatever it commands, and the fulfilment of that law is a
manifest towards mankind, and calling man to the life of righteous- joy eternal as tlte Word from whom it comes.'
ness. He came, according to God's mercy, to be "made sin for us, 45. ' In the feebleness of time and in the largeness of eternity this
although He knew no sin (2 Cor. v. 21)." We sinners could have Word shall be my strength. In the feebleness of the perishing flesh
had no hope of being raised to the lifeof righteousness, had it not I seek Thy precepts. I n the strength of eternal life I learn to act
be~n. for God's promise made to us in Him. Our elevation by the with the freedom of the Divine Sonship. I can fear no material
Spirit to the glory of His sanctity is correlative to His IO"e con- oppression, for I seek to use Thy power in doing Thy will, and no
descending to our condition of external bondage. The Divine act oppressor can thwart Thy Divine purposes. I live, yea, I love, to
which brings Him down to us is the very same which lifts us up to fulfil them. Not my will but Thine be done! '
H.lm. The descending power and the result of the ascending 46. Iwz"ll spea/~ of the p070ers if T/lY sacramental covenant even
t r iumph are equal. Both are Divine, God Incarnate! Man deified! before kz"llgs, and 70ill not be as/lamed. What royalty of earth can
42. '0 God, my Saviour is Thine Eternal Word. When taunted match the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven?
by the unbelieving world as if my hopes were vain, I have a word of St Paul could say, " I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ"
answer which is a match for all, even Thine own Eternal TFord. (Rom. i. 16). So have multitudes of martyrs even learnt how great
I t is on that that I rely.' "It is God that justifieth." Satan was the power of the spiritual life by the very act of having to bear
c~nnot claim. me for slavery by the reproach which belongs to this the material antagonism of persecuting tyrants. Christ did not let
SInful world SInce God has delivered up His Son to be our salvation them he put to s/ram«. He vindicated them. The persecutors
(Rom. viii. 32, 33). perished by miserable deaths. Their victims lived after death in
43· 'Thine is the ~V01'd of tntth. My sinful nature is apt in its triumphant memories and a wide-spreading spiritual progeny.
feebleness to speak timidly as if this Word were doubtful, but do 47. What solacr does the heart need in this suffering world r
~ot Thou tak~ it utterly out of my mouth. Though I cannot hope Not the dream of one who" takes his pleasure as if drunken with
In my own righteousness, I wait for Thy judf[ement. In that wine, and only wakes to find himself empty" (Isa. xxix. 9), but the
judgement I have this Word for my plea.' Christ was to come reality of a true consciousness of loyal witness to God in keejJing
". . ,
girt WIth the word of truth and meekness-righteousness" iris coinmandmrnts. Such substantive possession of the love of
(Ps·45.). That Word of truth must speak in our lives. We are not God. whereby we know that love to be the origin, the strength, and
~o rely upon its power for our defence, unless we exercise its power the reward of all our actions, is a true solace. Yea, l7.oill solace my set]'
In our conduct. By that Word the material universe was in Thy commands W/lldl I have 107/ed. I t shall be the pleasure of
created. By that Word the moral universe was developed. For each moment to do something which Thou hast commanded.
that Word the ceremonial organization was formulated. In that "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His
Word the spiritual universe is quickened. work" (J ohn iv, 34).
Our mouth must testify that" the Word of Christ dwells in us 48. 'Thy conunandments 'zv/lich 1Iltlve loved are my meat in the
r.ichly" (Co!. iii. 16), not merely the verbal acknowledgement of the doing. Tily connnandmcnts 70hidl I have lov~d are my hope in all
lips, but the utterance of our whole lives in the midst of a sinful my prayer. I can only pray to be permitted to do Thy command-
world. We wait for God's judgements, and our conduct must show ments evermore. I lift up my hands unto Thee, not hoping for an
that we are regulated by a principle which identifies us with these eternity of dismissal as if Thou haclst nothing more for me to do,
judgements, for it is by this very \Vord-Creator and Redeemer- but for an eternity of subjection, that I may be enabled to
that all will be judged in the great /Jay. accomplish Thy will in a plenary participation of Thy power, such
44: 'While I have this Word in my mouth, I will observe Thy law as in this world of weakness I cannot know.' All power is exer-
contl~l/{al,!, yea, for ever and ever. By this \Vord the physical cised, and all glory consummated, in doing God's will and acknow-
creation IS sustained. By this Word my moral nature shall be ledging His Fatherhood. As all power and glory come from Him,
raised out of its feebleness to the full capacity of accomplishing there can be no power which is not used in subordination to Him:
 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19.

no glory save in the fellowship of His Life whereby we are His Christ, but we must wait until our time of probation IS complete.
children. Then shall we be glorified in Him (Rom. viii. 25)·
This is the highest glory of created life, even of the created life of 50. The Word appeals to have this relationship acknowledged
the Incarnate Son, and so in Him of allofus, His members. "Then by the Father. The knowledge of His own Being was I-fis comfort
shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things in His Passion. By the Holy Ghost proceeding from Him as the
under Him, that God may be all in all" (I Cor. xv. 28). Word, He felt His own unity with the Father. So He looked
The Psalmist finishes with musing upon the eternal decree of the forward for the fulfilment of the promise of the Resurrection.
Divine Sonship. This creaturely accomplishment of the Divine That Resurrection, moreover, includes within its scope all the
commands to all eternity can belong only to Him who is Himself predestined glory of the Incarnate Son. All things were" created
the Divine Word from all eternity. 'As Christ lifted up HisHands for Him," that He, as the Son of Man, should rule over all. The
upon the Cross, so will I lift up my hands to endure whatever promise to Abraham and his seed was" that he should be the Heir
cross Thou mayest assign for me. "For the joy" of the decree of of the world" (Rom. iv. 13). This was the original decree of
the Eternal Sonship which Thou hast ordained for me by Thy creative power. This was constantly present to the mind of St
Word, " I will endure the Cross, despising the shame" (Heb. xii. 2). Paul as the real manifestation of the Kingdom which he proclaimed.
Shame be my portion in this perishing world! Let Thy love be Christ was not preached by him simply as the Saviour of mankind,
my portion to Eternity I So let me mind Thy decrees.' Yea! I but as "the Heir of all things" (Heb. i. 2). This was set forth in
would "esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the the parable of the pounds as the kingdom in which the nobleman
treasures of Egypt" (Heb. xi. 26). Thy Cross is my glory.' would reward his servants, making them rulers over many cities,
when he would also cause the rebellious citizens to be slain (Luke
The Psalmist appeals for the accomplishment of the promise of a xix. 17). How much we lose the power, the joy, the very meaning',
Saviour given to man at the beginning (verse 41). That Saviour is of our Christianity by limiting our ideas to the mere salvation of
the Goel who will rebut the accusations of the great enemy (verse mankind as occupants of this little globe of earth! Mankind!
42). This Saviour dwelling in us and manifested in our conversation And after all, only a small numerical fragment of mankind! But
is the stay of our faith (verse 43), the strength of our obedience Christ's kingdom is no numerical fragment of infinite littlenesses. It
(verse 44), the security of our deliverance (verse 45), our glory in is a Divine totality of the faithful, partakers of the infinite glory of
reproach (verse 46), our delight in action (verse 47), our Divine the Redeemer. He is the 1-) ead of the Body which partakes of His
warrant in prayer, wherein we approach God, according to the Divine fulness. How small a conception do we form of the real
decree of the Eternal Sonship, as the members of Him who lifted glory of the Church as the Body of Christ, because we are content
up His Hands upon the Cross (verse 48). to think of the outward and transitory successes of Christianity in
this world instead of looking onward to the wonderful destiny
I ZAIN of future ages, when Christ's Kingdom shall come in its over-
spreading glory! The Word, as the Eternal Person, inheriting
Rest and Comfort ill the Mediatorial Word
a Name more excellent than that of any other creature, is the
49. The Word, who should become Incarnate, is always the object guarantee of the lifc 'which the promise declared. Therefore
of the Psalmist's appeal. Remember the Word unto Thy seruant, that promise quickclIeth me, We can use these words because
because Thou hast made me to wait for it. When he speaks of the we are "co-)leirs with Christ" (Rom. viii. 17). The promise is
promise, he refers to the coming of tile Word, but when he speaks given to us in Him. It is the development of the nature which
of the Word, it is the consubstantial Word of the Father which we have received in being made His members. \Ve shall
is signified. He is Himself the very essence of the promise. The reign with Him (2 Tim. ii. 12). The promise is no empty utterance,
glory of that Word was to be manifested in the elect Servant, but but it is the coming forth of the substantive, creative Word to be
He must wait till His work of humiliation was finished (John xix. 30). fulfilled with Divine completeness in due season. "\Ve are
The glory of that Word is to be manifested in us as the members of complete in Him" (Co\. ii. 10). Jesus said, "The glory which Thou
 THE REDEEMED P S A LM I 19.

hast given Me, I have given them" (John xvii. 22). So are we moral law, but that which underlies the moral law, the law of faith,
comforted now amidst the afflictions of this world in which we are the law of union with Christ, the Redeemer.
waiting. So must we long for the prayerto be accomplished, "Thy Death by grace brings comfort to the faithful, for they look to
Kingdom come." We must" suffer with Him now, waiting to be "rest from their labours," being buried with Christ. But how
glorified together" (Rom. viii. 17). terrible is the thought of death outside of Christ. There it is the
If we are really living in the power of this Divine promise we fulfilling of the penalty of sin. Tile ungodly forsake God's 1<171'.
must be dead to earthly things. They are accidental, transitory, God does not forsake them. They bring their doom upon them-
probationary. The children of faithful Abraham have to use them selves by rejecting the covenant of grace, the promise made of old
merely as the instruments whereby they may attain the reward through the Incarnate Word, that "in Him all nations should be
of the inheritance given to every man according to his works. blessed." He is the Prophet whom God would raise up like unto
So must we share Christ's 'Passion in the power of the Holy Moses (Deut. xviii, IS). To Him the law pointed onward. He is
Ghost. the fulfiller of the law. The old covenant was to pass away, but it
5 I. The proud ha7/e sco.lfed at me t'xccctiin/;ly, but I have 1I0t was to be consummated and made perfect with eternal power in
stucrued from Thy law. The Word who is the substance of the the New Covenant which the Prophet, the Incarnate Word, would
promise is also the substance of the law. To swerve from the establish so as never to pass away. To reject Messiah was to
law would be to forfeit the promise. The worldling scoffs at the reject the law, and incur the curse which Moses invoked against the
law, because he heeds not the promise. The world knows not the Israelites, "if they did not fear the Name of the Lord their Goel"
power of the Sevenfold Spirit, nor does it know the value of the (Deut. xxviii. 58). Into that Name we are baptized, and so the
"rest which remaineth for the people of God" (Heb. iv. 9), the promised rest in the grave of Christ is given to us, \Ve must take
baptismal inheritance of those who are "buried with Christ into warning from the severity of God's judgements.
His death" (Rom. vi. 4). These, on the contrary, wait without 54. The eternal Divine drrrre of Sonship (Ps, 2. 7) has supplied
swerving for Christ" to be made manifest-in them, that they may be the Psalmist with snllJ{s in the temporary home of his earthly
manifest with Him in glory." pilgrimage. Our joy must be to feel the law of the Divine glory
52. 'Thy law (verse 51), as involving Thine unchangeable asserting itself in fresh developments of power amidst all the
promise, was my comfort (verse So), and so I remembered Tiline sufferings of human infirmity. Here, as men, we are strangers
everlasting judgements, 0 Lord, and comforted myself, looking for under the care of God (Ps. 39. 13), but, as partakers of the Divine
the unfailing discrimination of love which those shall have who love Covenant by Baptism into Christ, we are God's children.
Thy law.' 55. By nature we are the offspring of death and of darkness, but
So Noah was to comfort his parents for the work of their hands the day of heavenly light dawns upon the faithful heart. ' I re-
(Gen. v. 29), a personal security when God was about to smite the member Tily Name, 0 Lord, ill the lll~f{llt-seasoll of this earthly
earth with a curse. existence! When the power of Satan seems to overwhelm me, I call
God's \VORl) is the Judge. The Psalmist's comfort is to have to mind the unchangeable glory of Thine eternal Name! Being
Him now for a helper whom all must have hereafter as a Judge. He buried by baptism into Christ's der.th, I rejoice in Thy Name, for
rules from age to age, but time does not exhaust either His judge- the night will soon be gone, and I shall claim my part among the
ment or His love. His judgements are everlasting. Death, which children of the day! Thus I am risen by faith to obscrue Tlly
ends all transitory things, serves to reveal these in their eternity Iatu. In unchanged love I cherish" the obedience of faith" (Rom.
both to the lost and to the saved. xvi. 26). This is my satisfaction, Faith wakens love.'
53. A scnrritillK blast of sorrow has seized me for the ungndly 56. Tllis is rmn« because f lorpt Thy preo'jJts. "Faith working
I,'tat forsake Thy law, a blast burning, as it were, with the fires of hell by love" in the apprehension of supernatural grace is the law of Illy
which it has traversed. It seems ready to sweep me back along life. Cod will surely remember His \Vord if we wait for its mani-
with them into the fiery pit. Those who are not buried with Christ festation. \Ve must not fall into unbelieving' eagerness. "I r c that
must perish therein. The law here signified is not merely the believcth will not make haste." We are dead to the world by gTacc
•
 THE REDEEMED P S A LM I 19.
as members of the Incarnate Word (verse 49). This is the control, words of covenant to sustain the soul, so that by faith,
foundation of our covenanted union with God. This is mine.' obedience, and devotion, we may have our portion in the life of God.
o blessed portion! a burial place in the grave of Christ! an 58. We cannot have God for our portion unless we see His
earnest of the glory of the promised land! Face. That gift of God and the manifestation of God's Face are
ever gaining truth and solidity, until both of them are perfected
This Word must be our comfort in affliction while in the dawning in the Beatific Vision. "No man hath seen God at any time, the
of the promise we feel the new life beginning to assert itself as our Only-Begotten Son, which is in the Bosom of the Father, He
strength (verse 50) ; our stability amidst the jeers of the unbeliev- hath declared Him" (John i. 18). It is by the mediation of the
ing (verse 51); our comfort also while we' look forward to the Incarnate that God is made known to us. The Jews of old saw
Divine judgements with their eternal issues (verse 52). So it must no form nor likeness. Only they heard a voice. In the Person
fill our hearts with burning anguish for sinners, for surely that Word of Christ God becomes visible to us in that relationship which
is as certain for their destruction as for our deliverance (verse 53). He manifests towards us. "He that hath seen Me hath seen the
The Divine decree whence that Word issues wakens us to psalms Father."
of heavenly praise in our earthly pilgrimage (verse 54). The soul Christ is not a Face of God, as if there were in God three faces
rises in the night of earthly blindness to the eternal sunshine of the or manifestations of the three Persons, mutually exclusive, repre-
Divine Name, which this Word reveals (verse 55). If we would senting different and partial aspects of the Divine Nature. The
have this experimental knowledge of the Divine Word, we must internal relationships of the Blessed Trinity have a spiritual unity
keep the Divine precepts (verse 56). which is above our finite comprehension. Christ is t/te Face of
Such is the life buried with Christ and looking forward to the God in whom the Personality of God reveals itself, so that through
new birth in the day of resurrection. the mediation of the assumed Humanity, we learn our relation to
the Triune Personality which acts through Him as the Eternal
n CHETH Son by the power of the Eternal Spirit.
God in Christ therefore permits us to approach Himself. We
The Covenant of New Birth
rise up to the sublime reality of the Incomprehensible, through a
57· The ungodly are swallowed up in the grave, cut away from nature akin to our own, the Blessed Humanity of Him" in whom
God's remembrance, but He ever remembers His Word. By that dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. ii. 9). So we
Word man is to live. Christ lives by the Father, and he that eateth are said here to supplicate His Face.
this Word Incarnate shall live by Him (John vi. 57), being Love rises up to rejoice in relationships which reason cannot
nourished in regenerate life with the Divine substance. This, fathom. Does a child know the nature of father and mother while
therefore, is the exulting exclamation of those who escape from the it rejoices with perfect satisfaction in the mystery of love which
fiery pit, through the redemption of the Word. Thou art my knits the three hearts in one? No. Love is an intuition surpass-
portion, a Lord. They are as the tribe of Levi. They are the ing intelligence. Love lifts us up above our natural understanding
Lord's portion, and the Lord is their portion. God is the sustaining \ to rejoice in the sublime parentage of God. We look up to Goel in
I
power of His Word, and His Word is ever true to Him. The Person Christ and say: llwve supplicated Thy Face with my whole heart,
of His Word never fails of His mission, but is mindful of His "Grace and Truth are come by Jesus Christ" (John i. 17)· Through
relationship to the Father, from whom He comes. We, as the Face of Jesus, the Eternal Godhead looks forth upon us, and
regenerate in Him, must be mindful in like manner if we would live welcomes us as we look up to Him. We look up with the petition,
in obedience to Him. Give me Thy grace, according to Thy promise.
When We are admitted into the covenant of regeneration, we In Christ we look to receive" grace for grace "-not merely the
receive the Divine nature as a vital presence renewed within us, primary grace of regeneration, but the grace of sanctification given
and we make our baptismal promises that we will observe God's in continual increase, the grace of the Divine all-sufficiency meeting
Words, words of revelation to illuminate, words of command to us in an our needs.
430 THE REDEEMED
59. The ways of nature arc trodden without conscious thought,
but we cannot tread the way of the new life, the way of grace,
without constant circumspection. The lower nature must be
conformed to the higher, and so we must turn our fret unto Goff's
testimonies, walking in the way of His covenant. His sacraments
strengthen us for obedience, but they do not remove the necessity"
of watchfulness in order to practice it. Until the old nature be
wholly dead, we are not freed from sin. "If we by the Spirit,"
communicated to us in God's sacraments, "do mortify the deeds of
the body, we shall live" (Rom. viii. 13).
60. J made haste and delayed not to observe Tlly courntanriments,
We have to observe them because they corne from God. \Ve have
not to think whether we will observe this or that. Hence there can
be no delay permissible. Haste in worldly action may often involve
us in unexpected difficulty, but delay in the exercise of grace to
fulfil God's commandments can never be without sin.
61. The cords of the wicked-the bonds of death-wrapped me
round. This is my natural estate, but Thou rememberest Thy
Word, and J will not forget Tizy law. The grace of the new
life "looses the bands" of spiritual death for those that are in
Christ, born again to the possession of the life of God. "The law
of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus makes me free" (Rom. viii. 2).
Being born again of God, I must show forth the Divine light,
living by the regenerating Spirit in the likeness of my heavenly
Father, so that when the corruption of my flesh is passed away, I
may" wake up in the likeness" of the Only-Begotten, so as to be
"partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light," through the
merits of His communicated righteousness.
\Ve have the grace of God in a nature full of sin. "We cannot
do that which we would." The bondage of the old Adam makes
itself painfully felt by us when we desire to keep God's command-
ments. Yet must we act bravely in asserting our faithfulness to
God. The bonds must be broken. The flesh must be mortified.
God's supremacy must stimulate us. I do not forget Thy law. I
hasted. I forgot not. The one verse expresses the promptness,
the other the firmness and perseverance which God's law requires,
in spite of all difficulties.
62. At midm/;ht J will rise. There is a moral resurrection of
man's nature from the darkness of sin. There was no precedent
dawn of moral improvement. Our regeneration is a sudden up-
burst of Divine light. Our haste is not the impulse of a sudden
natural emotion, but the prompt response to the call of grace,
PSALM I 19. 431
strengthening us to burst the bands of sensual tyranny, and nsmg
amidst the darkness of sin with the inherent brightness of the life
of God. The gift of the risen life to the dead soul is represented,
originated, perfected, by the resurrection of the Body of Christ, in
whom that life is given to us as His members.
The soul rises to l~ive thanks to God. The children of light must
live in God's praise. Darkness held us down as prisoners among
the powers of evil, but God's righteous judgements have burst the
bands of hell. Christ, ere He rose, "bound the strong man," so as
to set us free.
63· Now we are raised as a Communion of Saints. J am a
companion of all the»: !Izatfear Thee, "To you that fear my
Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing on His
wings" (Mal. iv. 2). He rises, and raises us up with Himself, all
by one continuous life-giving act of regeneration. The sacraments
bind us together. The fear of God is the reverent homage where-
with the creature looks up to the Creator. The observance of
God's precepts is the evidence of the life of grace operative within
us. The bond of the Communion of Saints is not a mere link of
outward association. It is a bond of life, of sentiment, and of
action. The associated life of the Communion of Saints is con-
trasted with the cords of the wicked. Those cords are broken by
the power of grace, so as to set us free.
64. Wonderful is God's mercy shown to us in the Covenant of
Grace. The earth is full of Thy mercy, 0 Lord. His mercy is
gathering His saints into the heavenly Kingdom, out of their
earthly bondage. "His mercy is upon them that fear Him
throughout all generations" (Luke i. 50). Those who would
observe His precepts, need to learn His decrees. He must teaci:
them by the power of the Holy Ghost the eternal relationships of
Divine Truth on which these decrees rest. They are the manifold
manifestation of the Incarnate Word, who is " liead over all thing-s
to His Church." The Communion of Saints abides in the light
and life of His Resurrection.
The Jews had an inheritance localized and limited, the land of
Canaan. The Christian Church has God for its portion, a new
Heaven and a new earth. "All power is given unto Me, both in
Heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all
nations" (Matt. xxviii. 19). God's infinity cannot be restricted in
the operations of H is grace by natural bonds of flesh and blood.
Instead of the earthly lowlands, the Canaan of a transitory inheri-
tance, we are called to the heavenly glory of the eternal throne,
432 THE REDEEMED PSALM r 9.
I 433
The great Psalm of Ascension proclaims that the whole earth is with the Eternal Wisdom, from whom it comes. "The knowledge
the Lord's (Ps. 24· I). of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" is necessary,
Teach me Thy decrees, that I may behold the glory-of the Eternal in order that we may" walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing."
Predestination shining forth in the Creative Word with continuous This wisdom is practical wisdom. Therefore the request for
developments of exhaustless love to wake the praise of all the teaching is based upon the statement, J h'l'lle belic7!cd Thy
spiritual intelligences which bask in His brightness. commandments. I have believed Thy commandments as the
necessary rule of my outer life. Therefore I can look to have
The regenerate acknowledge the responsibility of the baptismal the inward faculties of my . perception developed, according to
covenant whereby they are made partakers of the Divine nature the law of the Divine life communicated to me. Faith is not
(verse 57); look upward for grace vouchsafed through Christ, to ~nly the intell~ctua! assent, but the vital conformity of the recep-
be operative in promised developments of fatherly love (verse 58) ; tive, created intelligence with the Truth of the Creator. The
accustom themselves to self-examination in all things, that they !ntelligence whereby we attain to the growing knowledge of Him
may profit by the sacramental gifts of Christ's Church (verse 59) ; IS the .result of the obedience to H is commandments, whereby we
live in prompt correspondence with all God's commandments, so are faithful to that Word. Faith is the spiritual power which
that the practical details of conduct may be hallowed through grasps the invisible; but we cannot grasp it truly unless our
ready obedience (verse 60); groan within themselves by reason nature take the very form of that which it grasps. A tenure must
of the bondage of their sinful nature, but yet mortify their evil be partial, imperfect, untrustworthy, if that which contains fails of
passions, so as to be ever mindful of God's law (ve~se 61) ; g.ive entire correspondence with that which is contained.
thanks to God in the times oj deepest sorrow and trial, accepnng 67· Before J was aJ!licted I ioent astray. The new man, the
God's discipline (verse 62) ; rejoice in the Communion oj Saints, young man of verse 9, recalls the state of human nature before
with love to the brethren (verse 63); praise God for the goodness the loving kindness of God towards man was made manifest by
whereby He has created all things for the glory of His Only- the Incarnation and Passion of Christ.
Begotten Son (verse 64)· The disciplinary character of suffering is a matter of universal
experience. Here it is not merely the individual, moral, discipline
t:l TETH which is signified, but the supernatural, spiritual development of
manhood grafted into Christ, and partaking of His redemptive
The Goodness of God
struggle. Suffering has acquired a new, a sacramental, c/tarnctcr
65. Thou hast done good with Thy Seruant, 0 Lord, according by the Passion of Christ. Suffering was of old a punishment.
to Thy Word. The Word is the expression and instrument of a.1I Now it is a sanctification.
the Divine goodness. "God so loved the world, that He gave HIS Now I observe Tlzy promise. It is the promise given to liS in
Only-Begotten Son" (John iii. 18). The two last words gain pro- Christ to which the soul believing God's commandments and no
niinence by standing alone. longer going astray, must turn with gratitude, as containing the
God's Being is simple activity, and His activity siI~ple goodness. gift of wisdom which was desired iI; the previous verse.
His servants experience that goodness. The Word IS the Eternal The Humiliation of Christ stablishes the faithful soul in the
Form of the Divine Goodness. God's Word is the active expres- observance of His law, that we may" take up our Cross and follow
sion of God's Eternal Being. Him." 0 let me live in the school of Christ's Passion! There [
66. Teach me good discrimination and kn07vledge. The Word of learn God's goodness. There I learn to observe God's promises
Divine revelation must be impressed upon the soul, wakening it to as all-sufficing.
wisdom and informing it with knowledge of Truth. We cannot 68. The discipline of Cod's Providence is intended to bring us to
rejoice in the Lord as our portion, except in proportion as we share His likeness. Our sorrows are no evidence of God's neglect but of
His likeness, His wisdom, His love. His fatherly love. Hence the Psalmist continues, TIIOUart .food
Supernatural wisdom is an intuitive faculty of correspondence and doest good. God's goodness is essential, and operative, and
VOL. II. :2 E
434 THE REDEEMED PSALM 119. 435
its true operation is in making us partakers of His goodness. This Thou hast taught me to hate my sin. 1\1y penitence welcomes
is the end for which man was created, even to be partaker of Thy judgement. Witll Illy whole heart I will keep Thy precepts.'
God's holiness. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." I n order that we HIS past hatred of the sin which he could not by nature over-
may attain to this we say, Teach me Tily decrees, for our holiness is come is the Psalmist's plea for Divine grace, that he may walk
the operation within our nature of His threefold Godhead. It is worthy of the Divine Nature. God's goodness and truth will raise
not a vague spirituality, but it is the operation of the Spirit of him out of the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
adoption, whereby we are taken up into the Divine nature. God 70. His heart is tender. Their /teart is as fat as grease. 'Thci r
doeth good even as He is good, because the creature which was heart has lost all sensibility, but I solace 1Il)'self in Tily law. I rlo
originated by His powers shall be consummated by being taken up ?,ot merely keep Thy law because [ must keep it. It is the joy of
into the Divine life. The I ncarnation makes the creative act of I hy law, the law of the Spirit of joy, which gives me solace in Illy
God worthy of Himself. The Son of God was veiled in the likeness struggle.and strengthens me to be true to Thy will. They accuse
of sinful flesh by coming to earth. By the manifestation of His me of Sill, but they have no sense of sin. They know not what
own essential goodness glorifying His Flesh, He returns to the penitence is. In penitence I repudiate Illy sin. The only solace
glory which He had with the Father before the world was. To of Illy wounded soul is to give myself in perfect love to do Thy
this glory He uplifts his Church. will.'
69. The proud IZClveforged a lie agaimt me. 'A lie against me ! 7 I. 'Wonderful is the law of the Spirit of life which sets us free
and a lie against Thyself also. First, against Thee, to draw me from the law of sin and death (Rom. viii. 2). [f [ had not known
away from Thee! Then against me, to make Thee cast me away!' the tyranny of sin, I never could have realized the goodness of
Satan seeks to pervert the human imagination by false appre- God's. law. It. is good for me Illat I 1lll71e been affiided. This
hensions of God. Then against me! He blasphemes Christ in us humiliation brings me the experience of Thy decrees. l n this
by reason of our manifold sins, as if the work of grace were not struggle with sin I learn the holiness of God, the holiness of Christ
availing. Of old he accused Job and Joshua the High Priest. the Conqueror, the Mediator, the holiness to which I am called in
Still from age to age he accuses the members of Christ as though Christ. No otherwise could 1 learn lily decrees.'
the works of redemption were incomplete. 72,. All t~le wealth of the w.orld, z:ts silver and its gold, is but
Satan uses the whole creation as a lie wherewith to calumniate God s crea.tlon. As my heart IS purified from carnal obduracy by
God, for he enslaves our finite senses, and stimulates our finite the discipline of sorrow, I learn to look up and find in the blessed-
reason, so that we are incapable of appreciating, or even conceiving, ness of .the Creator a treasure which altogether surpasses every
the infinite issues of Divine goodness which are being accom- cr~ated JOY· Th.e holiness to which He calls me is the very joy of
plished in this finite world of Divine Providence. The world HIS Eternal Iteing. the law of His 'Mouth, His Word breathed
around us is for a while" subject to vanity." Hence it is in Holy forth in all the power of the Holy Ghost.
Scripture spoken of as if it were "a lie." The Truth is beyond No worldly wealth could restore to Adam the life which he lost
our finite earthly faculties. Wrr must die to Satan and this world of when he swerved from the law of Cod, and the Breath which God
his, in order to accept the-Truth which will be manifested eventually had given to be his supernatural life was drawn away. Man's nature
through the redemption of Christ to those who accept the witness cannot regain life but by the restoration of that Breath. This Divine
of faith which belongs to Christ's Kingdom. life is the glory of the covenant pledged to us in Christ. He breathed
The proud are the worldlings, but chiefly the "principalities of on His Apostles. The life of the New Uirth is nothing less than
darkness," which rule the world. They forge a lie against the the life of God. Tlte law of Cod's MOllt11 quickens me with this
people of God, both by deceits alluring them to sin and by false life, so .that in the fellowship of God's wisdom and power [ 1l!;IY
accusation, claiming that God's chosen ones have fallen into sin. learn HIs unspeaknble goodness.
They speak as knowing human nature in its corrupt passions. o Word of Cod, calling forth the predestination of the Father
But the Psalmist exclaims: 'Though in my bondage I have done that into gloril.)us fulfilment! 0 Spirit of Cod, quickening the image
which I allow not, my OW1l personal will is obedient in spite of all. of predestined love with the essential unity of the Divine goodness!
 THE REDEEMED P SA L M I 19. 437
o Breath of God, coming forth to hallow our created life with the satisfaction, so that in obedient fellowship with God the faithful
substance of creative power! 0 sweetness of ineffable joy to those find what is far better than any earthly treasure (verse 72).
who drink into their inmost hearts the refreshment of Thine all-
penetrating exhilaration! 0 transport of communicated energy IJOD
which no weariness of earthly discipline can exhaust! 0 sublime
lIforal Perfect ion
'and contemplative rapture, illuminating the heart with the fellow-
ship of heavenly secrets! 0 law of eternal life, coming forth 73· Thy Hands Izave made me and fixed me firm, The fabric of
from the mouth of the Almighty to quicken with Divine strength our nature is definitely arranged by God for a particular end, so
those who will seek no other life but Thine! 0 let me realise the that it can attain that end, but cannot be used for any other end
Divine goodness which called me into being, because He had a without ruin. We must learn what that end is. It is the accom
purpose unto me, which rests upon me with persevering tenderness plishment of God's will. Give me understanding, lital [may lear11
to perfect me, which inspires me with holy longings, that I may TIIY commandments. What the particular end may be for which
abhor myself and live true to that fellowship of love which those God created each individual is a matter of multitudinous pro-
alone can know who live in Him alone! 0 let all earthly delights vidential arrangement. What we need to understand is the
vanish, for there is no goodnessin them, but show me the glory of universal law of obedience to God's commandments, because the
Thine eternal truth! Yea, show me Thyself! Yet not as to Moses command comes from Him. If man understands his relation to
of old, making Thy goodness to pass before me by an external God so as to obey Him in all simplicity, that is the foundation of all
vision! Nay! let Thy goodness abide within me, and fill my moral perfection.
heart, expanding it to receive the ever-increasing revelation of Thy Man's nature was formed by Gild's Hands, that is to say, by His
love. Show me Thy glory, Thou who art the Only-Begotten Son, personal interposition. Other natures may be the result of some
the Word of the Father. Let that revelation of Thyself be my power of evolution from below. 1\1an's nature was formed, or, at
life while I listen to it, my law while I accomplish it, my portion at any rate, perfected by the touch of superior wisdom, fitting it for
while I yield myself up to it, my wisdom while I walk in obedience an end above nature, the accornplishment of Gael's commands, not
to it, my delight while mine affections are absorbed in it, my by the impressed necessity of instinct, hut by the spontaneous
satisfaction while I reach out to apprehend it, the object of my exercise of intellig-ent obedience. Jnstinct and evolution cannot
adoring love while I die to the thought of every transitory gain, raise any creature above the power inherent in the original frame.
and lose myself at length in the living fellowship of everlasting Man has a consciousness of infinite prog-ress, and this can only be
goodness which is to be found in Thee alone! by the elevating infusion of a supernatural life by a power from
without. Man's earthly reason may look back to past evolutionary
This section praises God for His goodness. His uttered Word farms of the material structure. Anthropology cannot by any
is the manifestation of His active goodness (verse 65). He acts theories of the past look forward to man's future. Man has
towards us with illuminative sanctification, enabling us to have a within himself an intuition of a Divine purpose. That intuition
faithful apprehension of His commandments (verse 66), and with is an inspiration from God, leading the heart of man to the
corrective humiliation, drawing us with penitential remembrance of infinite yearning of love, looking onward to God, living in God,
past sin to look forward to His reward (verse 67). He is good in longing for God, loving Gael. Nothing short of this can satisfy
H is essential sovereignty, speaking with predestinating love man's desires. Any intellectual imprisonment of his hopes, as if
(verse 68). Thus He is good towards His people to vindicate and he were formed merely out of the earth for earthly purposes, is
accept when the enemy accuses them falsely (verse 69); and with spiritual suicide.
legislative beneficence, so that unless the heart be hardened in The nature was given by God for a supernatural end and it
worldliness it must rejoice in God's law (verse 70); and with needs supernatural guidance. The ullderstmuii17g whereby it is to
disciplinary instruction, teaching us by earthly sorrow to look up be exercised is itself Goel's continuous gift. "Cod has given us an
to the eternal decrees of Divine love (verse 71); and with wealthy understanding, that we may know Him that is true" (I John v. 20).
 THE REDEEMED
We must ask to have that understanding continually illuminated
by His truth.
The physical basis of our moral nature is the foundation of the
Acceptable Sacrifice. "Ears hast Thou dug for me" (Ps. 40: 7).
If God gave Adam ears, it was in order that he might listen to God.
The well-being of our animal frame is dependent upon the con-
formityof our moral being to God's law. The one was fashioned
with a view to its exercise by the other. The two together point
to the Divine origin of our nature, physical and moral. The
spiritual understanding, if properly illuminated, rises up to con-
template the Divine will of the Creator, the Lawgiver. Our true
understanding must be in the knowledge of our Creator's Will, for
that is the true end of our life.
74. When man lives true to God, he is a spectacle of joy to all
who fear God. They that fear Thee will see me and rejoice because
I have waited for Thy Word. The fear here spoken of is the
reverential fear which the spirit of love communicates. It is the
beginning of wisdom, the fear, not of God's power to punish but
of His goodness which makes us feel our own uncleanness in the
presence of His majesty. Man living true to God's will is the
noblest object that all creatures can contemplate. The True Man
is the image of God, manifest in the flesh.
It is remarkable that the first hemistich of this verse gives the
number 888. The one True Man, the true object of joyous con-
templation, is Jesus. What joy to the faithful to see Jesus!
Man, in his fallen state, was an object of sad contemplation and
pity, not living true to God's law, and therefore suffering the
necessary consequences of that untruth. Man could not set
himself right. The Word of God, the external revelation of God's
law, was useless to him, for he was in the weakness of the flesh.
His moral nature needed the spiritual renewal which could only be
obtained by the Incarnation of the Word and our incorporation
into Him as a vital principle of Divine perfection. For this man-
kind waited during centuries.
Now must each individual wait, that Christ may be perfectly
formed within him. This renewal according to the Word, will be
perfected when we awake up in the likeness of Christ. There
must, however, be a growth during the waiting-time. The waiting
of the children of grace is not like the helpless waiting of those
who are outside of the Kingdom. It is the conscious waiting of a
will which is ever seeking to be conformed to that for which it
waits. The manifestation of the Word in the fulness of individual
PSALM I 19. 439
joy is the coincident attainment of completed effort and of perfect
reward.
75. "Meanwhile I im071/, 0 Lord, that Thy judgements are
rZ:fhteousl1ess. 0 God, Thy disciplinary care of me in this present
world is an operation of righteousness, not only just, as punishing
my sins, but substantively righteousness, as communicating to me
that gift of righteousness without which I could not attain to fulfil
the law of righteousness."
111faithfulness Thoi, Iias: alflldcd me. The suffering of Christ is
according to the faithfulness of God working out the promise of
victory to the Seed of the woman. So, also, in each individual
case. We cannot know God's faithfulness merely by receiving
God's benefits. We can only receive them as associated with a
victory and a struggle. We have to conquer Satan, and we must
suffer in the conflict. We are here upon our trial. By the joyous
exaltation of humanity in Christ ascending to the Father, we are
convinced of righteousness. By the judgements to which we are
subjected when we yield to the Prince of this world, we are con-
vinced of sin. We learn that by sin we are Satan's slaves, and can
only be set free by the judgemf11t which God exercises against
Satan's slaves, a judgement which we must accept by penitence.
In proportion to our penitential acceptance of that judgement as
renewing us by spiritual grace to moral perfection will be our
exaltation in Christ. "If we suffer with Him we shall be glorified
together."
Man could not attain to the supernatural elevation of his moral
nature save by the exercise of supernatural grace in victory over
all enemy superior to his own natural strength, and this requires
supernatural suffering.
76. Amidst the struggle the prayer arises, Let Tily men)' be for
my comfort, according to Thy promise 10 Thy seruaut. The sure
promise of the Comforter is our encouragement in the struggle.
" I t is of God's mercy that we are not consumed." " Of H is mercy
He saved us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of
the Holy Ghost" (Tit. iii. 4). The Holy Ghost renews us in
Christ unto that righteousness and moral perfection from which
man fell by Adam's sin, renews us for the struggle, renews us in
the victory, renews us so that we may never again fall away.
This is the promise to which our forefathers in Israel were look-
ing forward.
77. The promise of the Comforter is not a gift from God, as from
one that is altogether alien to us. The promise is given by means
440 THE REDEEMED
of the Incarnation. God sends His Word to share our sufferings.
"Let Thy compassions come unto me, that I may live." His
Word, consubstantial with Himself, in His own image, becomes
consubstantial with us, as out pattern.
The sympathy of the Incarnate with our human nature, suffering
in its weakness under the tyranny of sin, is the principle of strength
whereby the penitent through faith are enabled to become con-
querors, and rise to the righteousness which God requires of us.
God's law is thus our solace. To fallen nature it is a terror.
We feel how often we have broken it! To the faithful penitent in
Christ it is a solace. Yes! it is what the faithful one desires, as the
true law of his moral perfection, what he strives for as the true law
of his conquest over Satan, what he hopes for as the law of encour-
agement whereby God cheers him onward, and" hope maketh not
ashamed because the love of God has been shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which has been given unto us" (Rom. v. 5).
78. The proud are accursed, who wander away from God's com-
mandments (verse 21). They scoff at the faithful, but only serve
to manifest his integrity (verse 51). They forge lies to en-
snare the faithful, leading them to boast of those very things of
which they ought to be ashamed (verse 69). But these boasters
of false triumphs shall themselves then be ashamed (verse 78).
They dig pits which are not after God's law, that the faithful may
fall therein (verse 85). Christ as the true Man, the God-Man, the
victorious Seed of the woman, is the special object of their hatred,
and He protects the faithful, so that the proud shall not oppress
them (verse 122).
The proud with their lies malign, tempt, and ensnare the godly.
So the rebel father of lies acted towards Job. Satan may subvert
the righteous for a moment, but he remains firmly fixed in the way of
righteousness. God does not subvert the proud, but He subverts the
way of the proud. Their overthrow is of themselves because they
walk not in the way which God has given (Ps. 146. 9).
The faithful servant minds God'sprecepts. The machinations of
Satan are external accidents which the faithful heeds not. His
heart echoes the Word of God, which is his inmost law of life, re-
volves it, responds to it, rejoices in it. So the precepts of the Lord
become the very language of his soul. This heart-converse is his
safeguard.
79. Let those that fear Thee turn unto me. They rejoice in the
prosperity of God's servant, and gather round about him. We may
seem to be alone in the world if we seek to serve God, but we
P SA LM I 19. 441
belong to the Communion of Saints. They know God's testimonies,
the sacramental powers of the life of man as renewed in Christ.
The life is supernatural, and the multitude of the blessed, the com-
pany of Heaven, rejoice in the feIlowship of everyone that is made
perfect in Christ. "Unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places is made known by the Church," collectively and in each of
its individual members, -" the manifold wisdom of God." If the
angels rejoiced in the creation of the first Adam, how much more
wiIl they rejoice when the Second Adam is glorified in His saints!
80. The heart that rises up thus to the fulness of its vocation as
renewed by the Heart of Jesus, the Second Adam, is made peryed in
God's decrees,the Divine life communicated through the Eternal Son
to His members. Thus does man in his moral perfection rise to
the purpose of God, who created man in His own image, to be His
representative. When the heart is thus perfect in the will of God,
there is no longer any shame.
Our first parents were not ashamed, for while the Spirit of God
kept their hearts true to God in perfect love, the glory of God's in-
dwelling life clothed their outward frame with supernatural glory.
When man is restored to his perfection in God that glory will again
clothe him. "Christ will be glorified in His saints and they in
Him" (2 Thess. i. 10, 12).
The section therefore ends with the glorification of man when
he attains to the moral perfection for which God originally pre-
destinated him by the gift of spiritual endowments, separating him
from the rest of creation. 'vVe are restored to the firmness of
unswerving truthfulness in God (verses 6, 73), so that we observe
God's decrees with perfect love (verses 6, 80). The shame of
nature is done away. The Second Man is the Lord from Heaven,
and" of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace"
(J ohn i. \6). We unmade ourselves by Adam's sin, and therefore
must be ashamed. We rise lip in Christ to be what God made us.
This is our glory and our joy. He has not made us and left us.
He will not weary of us, but will carry out in us the exhaustless
purposes of His Infinite Love if we with filial confidence commend
ourselves to His Hands, whereby He formed us at the beginning
for Himself.
We are the work of God's Hand, and need the gift of under-
standing, that we may be true to our Creator (verse 73). This is
God's gift, and must be exercised with patience, waiting for His
Word (verse 74), and with faith relying lipan His Providence (verse
442 THE REDEEMED
75)· So the Psalmist looks up to God for the promised gift of the.
Comforter, the Holy Ghost (verse 76), and the compassion of the
Incarnate Redeemer, taking upon Himself our suffering humanity
(verse 77). Thus will he muse on God's precepts, while his
enemies, the seed of the lying one, are put to shame (verse 78), and
the saints of God shall behold the sacramental grace of God's cove-
nant, exhibited-" in me" (verse 79). He is delivered from the
shame in which our first parents fell. He attains to the perfection
for which God's Hands fashioned him, the blessing of those who
are perfect in the way (verse 80). The joy of moral perfection is to
exhibit the fulfilment ore od's moral purpose in our creation, not
the self-satisfaction of imperfect effort, but the adoring satisfaction
of praise to the goodness of an Infinite Creator.
::J KAl'H
The Faithfltl Soul longingfor New Life in Christ
8 r. My soullongeth for Thy Salvation. Jesus is Salvation. He
is the perfect Man in whom alone is realized that of which the last
section spoke. He is the Seed of the woman for whose coming all
men had to wait, that they might be saved from the hand of the
enemy.
All were waiti1tf{,but the faithful soul was longing. God's Word
is sure, but there must be a loving desire for its accomplishment if
it is to be a real blessing to the soul. The Psalmist waited for
God's judgements, that he might answer the enemy with the Word
of Truth (verse 42). He was sure that that Word would be a Word
of life. He waited to be quickened thereby (verses 49, 50). The
Word for which he waited would make him a centre of joy to all
saints (verse 74). He waited for that Word to deliver him from his
bondage (verse 81). He waits for God's Word to vindicate him, and
show that God has been his loving shelter (verse 114). With a
holy impatience his cries appeal for the Word to come, whose
presence brings the light of truth. It is not distrust as if the
morning would not break. It is the energy of love as the Apostle
bids us cry out, "hasting unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ" (2 Pet. iii. 12).
82. lIfine eyes long sorejor Thy promise. As the soul longs for
the spiritual deliverance, so the outer nature longs for the external
deliverance. The Psalmist looked not for a Buddhistic absorption
but for a bodily resurrection full of personal consciousness. His
PSALM 19.
I 443
eyes look for the comfort of the Holy Ghost, opening them to the
Beatific Vision. Do I really long for this vision?
83· Earth does not supply a cheerful blaze to comfort me. It is
but a smouldering pile, and I am like a wineskin hung up and
shrivelled and blackened by the smoke.
The glory of the world is only like" the tail of a smoking fire-
brand." So the prophet speaks of Israel and Samaria. They were
quickly to burn themselves out (Isa. vii.). But neither can the fire
consume, nor the smoke destroy, the hope of the people of Goel.
The inherent life and glory will shine out when the ungodly
vanish like smoke.
If there is any idea of the skin being hung up full of wine in
order to mellow the flavour, then the Psalmist means that his
present life is intended as a preparation for serving God the better
hereafter, but probably the only idea is that of being hung up in
order to be out of the way.
Yet do I not jorget Thy decrees. The Divine predestination of
God's Word must be always present to our memories. So Isaiah
admonished Ahaz to rely upon it. The promise of Messiah could
not fail. This was Judah's security, however powerful her rival
might be. Now for us there is a like security. The grace pledged
to us in Christ cannot fail. Therefore we can look for all God's
inspirations to be accomplished if we are true to H is covenant.
Look for the weariness of earth to pass away. Look for the
brightness of God's glory. It is a weary waiting, but the
triumphant issue is sure. The decree of God's eternal Wore!
will outlive the misery of a smoking world.
84· How many are the days oj Thy seruant ? Elsewhere the
Psalmist desires to be taught the brevity of life, that he may not be
led astray by earthly aims (Ps. 39. 5). Here he desires to be as-
sured of its brevity, that he may feel encouraged to watch for the
morning. He desires to be admitted to the Presence Chamber,
where JAH is glorified. So will he be delivered from the misery of
the world.
When wilt Thou do judgement on tlzem that persecute 111(,?
His sigh corresponds with the expectation of the great Apostle
when he held out consolation to his disciples, "seeing that it is
a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that
trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest with us when the
Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels,
in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and
that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. i. 6,8).
 444 THE REDEEMED
85· The proud have digged pits for me. The same was said in
the first of the" Destroy Not" Psalms (57. 7). As they could not
lead him to wilful transgression they tried to ensnare him by
hidden traps. Surely Satan is continually trying to involve the
people of God in difficulties from which they cannot escape,
schemes of policy and alliance with the world which are destruc-
tive of their spiritual freedom!
They do this because they are not in accordancewith God's law.
Their whole object is to get God's law set aside. The Psalmist
knows that God is the object of their hatred, not himself as a man.
So our Lord said to the Jews that their hatred of Him was hatred
of God who sent Him. The Seed of the woman has to contend
with the serpent because he is a rebel against God, whose glory the
Divine Champion must maintain at all costs.
86. The enemy lay traps for Him. They bring false accusations
against Him. But all Cod's commandments arefaitlifulness. They
are all intended to develop towards Him the blessings of the
covenant. Whatever, therefore, be His difficulties, He will accept
them as a Divine discipline. He will not swerve from God's
commandments in order to obtain freedom. He cries out, Help
Thou ,Me. He looks for God to show Hisfaithfulness by super-
natural help, delivering Him from the difficulties which He had not
wilfully incurred. But he waits. He cannot be helped until he has
overcome these troubles. If God interfered, the victory over Satan
would not have been a human victory. It was necessary that man
should vindicate the Creator against the rebel prince of darkness.
God was watching. The help is not denied, but it is held back
until the faithfulness of the champion has been thoroughly proved.
Th{'ypersecttte me falsely. The falsity of the accusers' claim must
be made manifest by the endurance which the faithful servant
exhibits,--until he can say, It is finished.
The character of the false accuser is that which has to be
repelled. As Christ had to bear the accuser's violence, so have the
people of Christ. The kingdom cannot come until" the accuser of
our brethren is cast down which accuses them before our God day
and night" (Rev. xii. 10.). We must remember that all the
troubles which happen to us in God's service are a part of this
accusation. God's commandments arefaithfulness, and our faithful-
ness must be proved in obeying them in defiance of all the violence
of the enemy. He is ever crying out against God's people, " Doth
Job fear God for nought?" (Job i. 9).
ll7· They had almost made an end 0/ me upon earth. There
P S A LM I 19. 445
seemed no earthly way of escape. If no earthly way, there was a
heavenly. "With every temptation God will make some exodus
that we may be able to bear it" (I Cor. x. 13). If we are to
escape it must be by 110tforsaking GOlfs precepts. If God sees liS
faithful in difficulties He will not forget the faithfulness by which
He will help us. If we forsake His precepts, He will forsake us.
88. Quicken me after Tlty mercy. Nothing can liberate liS from
the tyranny of the evil one, but the gift of eternal life. There can
be no salvation while we remain under the trammels of our earthly
nature. The salvation for which the Psalmist is longing through-
out this section is the salvation which the Divine Sonship ensures.
"This is the record, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and
this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life."
(I John v. II).
When he cried out, " Help Thou me," this is the help for which he
looked, Quicken Thou me. He looked forward to the life-giving
covenant, the regeneration of the heavenly Kingdom. Being
admitted into this state of salvation, he pledges himself to observe
the testimonies of God's mouth, The Word of God's mouth changes
empty Jewish forms into Christian sacraments full of living power.
For this salvation both Soul and Body were pining. He waits for
the Saviour to take vengeance on his enemies, but they are trying
to ensnare him. Earthly possibilities seem to fail. He pledges
himself to faithfulness. Oh, for help! Oh, for mercy! Oh, for life!
In the sacraments of grace he will find salvation.
His soul waits for the Saviour, the Word, to be Incarnate (verse
81). His flesh waits for the Comforter, the Divine Spirit (verse 82).
His whole nature is like a leather bag, shrivelled up in this sooty
world (verse 83). How long is this waiting to be? (verse 84)·
The world - powers [which accuse him so falsely (verse 78)]
endeavour to ensnare him (verse 85), but he looks for God's help
(verse 86). In this waiting-time of weariness in the midst of
persecution, he is well-nigh sinking down in despair, but he COIl-
tinues steadfast in his obedience (verse 87). So he looks for Cod's
mercy to be manifested in that new life to which the sacramental
grace of God's covenant will surely lead him if he does not
swerve from it (verse 88).
 THE REDEEMED PSAL M 19.
I 447
a time, but the purpose of Thy good-will is inherent in Thine .o.wn
, LAMED
eternity, and must be accomplished according to :he. unfalll.ng
The Life of the Eternal Word resources of Thy creative omnipotence. The affliction which
would by nature have been my destruction becomes my very joy by
89· We turn from the weariness of the earthly expectation to the grace. It is my glory to bear Thy Cross, to have a law of personal
glory of the heavenly Majesty. God shall appear in due time. obedience to Thee.'
We look for the coming of Christ. The manifestation of the Word 93. 'The feebleness of the creatures might often drive me to
may seem to be delayed. As with H is first coming in the flesh so despair, but I will never forget Tily precepts. I know .m'y.self t~_be
now ~is second coming in glory! nut He reigns all the wllile related to Thee in an eternal consciousness of responsibility. I he
firmly m Heaven. "The earth is fixed by Thy decree. How much precepts which Thou hast given me belong to a life ~isti~ct. from
more art Thou Thyself unchangeable! Thy Word is stablished in this lower world. Earth is lifeless, but Thy moral law IS within me
Heaven." His action cannot fail upon the earth.
a pledge of life akin to Thine own, eternal as Thyself.' .
90. His filitltjitlness abides in eternal, unchangeable life while 94. 'f am TIline. Creation is but a veil hiding the spiritual
generations succeed one another upon the earth. Their transitional glory which belongs to me as one of Thy sons. With this appeal
character does not affect Him. He made tile earth and established of Sonship I cry out to Thee, Oh, save me! 1 can trust Thy faithful-
nature upon the basis of a changeless law. The earth stands ness. Amidst all my difficulties 1 am sure that T,I1Ou art proving
because His Word upholds it. Much more is His Word established me. Thou wilt not refuse the answer of my prayer, for 1 have
ill Heaven. His Word is the utterance of His own will con- sought Thy precepts. Thou hast made me Thine own. Thou wilt
substa~tial with Himself, the vital centre and spring of ail the not cast me away.'
operations of the physical universe.
95. There must be enmity between the Seed of the woman and
91. They stand this day according to Thy judgelJle1/t. 'It is not the seed of the serpent. "So for me they lay their snares." The
the n~tural. world which maintains its own immobility, but Thy position of the words, for me, points to his own insignificance.
sovereign will, always true to Thine own purpose, and all thi11gs Their real aim is to destroy God's work. He is only the outward
serve Thee. Therefore their law is unchangeable as Thy will, which mark. 'life 7vl'cl.?ed/lOped to ensnare me, and make me perish. Yet
they perform.'
will 1 not be moved. The feebleness of that whereon I might rely
" By the Word of God the heavens were of old and the earth would make me despair, if it were not for Thy 'Nord. The hostility
standing out of the water and in the water. But the heavens and of those who are strong to harm me would carry me away in the
the earth which are now, by the same 'Word are kept in store" slavery of sin. What is my confidence? 1t is in the 1) ivine Son-
(2 Pet. iii. 5, 7). The Apostle contrasts the judgement of God ship wherein Thou hast adopted me to be Thine own, yea, "co·· heir
by water of old with the judgement of fire which is to come upon with Christ, if so be that 1 suffer with Him, that I may be also
ung~dly. me~ hereafter.. Creation works steadily, accomplishing glorified together." I will therefore consider Thy testill~ol1ies, ~he
God s will With unchangmg regularity. Great catastrophes do not sacraments of Thy grace whereby I am incorporated II1to Him.
~1appen by any irregularity or failure of natural law. They are
Judgements upon mankind because man will not submit to God's
,
Thus do I in the feebleness of the creature, apprehend ., the strength
of Thine eternal Word, the glory of the uncreated life of Heaven.
law. All things go on unchangeably, waiting for the Judge to 96. '1 see that there is an end to all that is finis/zcd, everything
appear.
which has its consummation in the material universe. Thy com-
92• ' If Thy law had uot been Illy so/ace, so that I can look for Thy mandment rules all creatures. What is not finished here lives on
power unwatched, unwearied, unchanging, to accomplish that which by Thy command. vVe see not in this world the tru~ end of that
Thou hast said in the beginning, f should have perished ill my which is created for eternity. T/zy comurandment outlives all. It
afflictioll. Earthly instrumentalities may fail through material is exceeding broad, infinite, eternal, as Thyself. Blessed is the
feebleness, but Thy will which originated them cannot fail of its endless end, the end that loses itself in the eternity of God. God's
good purpose. Thou createst the things of time to serve Thee for life-giving command lives beyond time.'
 THE REDEEMED
The Word of God is eternal in Heaven (verse 89). He rules the
material world by unchangeable laws (verse 90). These laws are
working out God's purposes until God Himself shall interpose with
judgement upon mankind (verse 91). Amidst all the difficulties
which arise by nature, our joy must be to accept God's law for our
own selves (verse 92). Our consciousness of a communion with
God which shall outlast the material world arises from His having
given us a moral law, lovingly given, and requiring loving
obedience (verse 93). This covenanted union with God is the
warrant for a hope of salvation (verse 94). This covenanted union
is also the reason why the powers of evil seek to destroy us
(verse 95). The things of nature come to their maturity and
perish: but" he that doeth the commandment of God abideth for
ever," as being called into the eternal fellowship of the Creator's life
and love.
o MEM
The Probationary Discipline of God's Law
97. Oh, how I love Thy Law! The discipline of earthly life is
intended to test not a mechanical but a moral obedience. We
cannot endure that test unless we do all things in a spirit of Divine
love. All the day is my mind set thereon. Indeed it were a dark
night to live apart from its illumination. God is self-existent, and
man is created with a loving nature, reflecting God's image. The
law is the manifestation of that wherein God delights, and so it
must be the law of delight to us as having God's image. As God
delights to give the law, we must delight to fulfil it. The outward
injunctions are a bond of living energy between us and the Divine
Mind, whence they originate. We must mind the law as having a
mystery which lifts us up to the Lawgiver.
98. God's Commandment makes us wiser than our enemies. It is
the utterance of the Divine Wisdom. It is no merely arbitrary
appointment. It is the moral guidance of Him who knows our
physical needs, for He created our physical frame. Those, on the
contrary, who are our enemies, because they reject His law, must
be enslaved to falsehood. The suggestions of falsehood may succeed
for a moment, but God's law is with us to eternity, ensuring
eternal success if we are faithful in observing it. It is 1vith us in
every moment of our earthly existence to direct us for good, and it
gives to each transitory moment an eternity of blessing, for it is the
voice of the eternal Creator calling us to Himself.
P S A LM I 19. 449
99. I have more prudence than my teachers. This is the discern-
ment of faith by which invisible things are recognized under visible
forms.
Thy testimonies are ever in my mind. The Psalmist ponders
upon the sacramental covenant by which he is called to the life of
Christ. Kings are called to acknowledge the Godhead of Messiah,
and" kiss the Son with this sacramental discernment" (Ps. 2.).
Blessed is he that thus discerns the Incarnate God in the weakness
of His suffering manhood (Ps. 41. I). SO here the Psalmist claims
a prudence beyond that of earthly love, by reason of his meditation
on the sacramental agencies of the Divine covenant. The
consciousness of union with God by sacramental incorporation
into Christ is a spiritual illumination which surpasses all human
philosophy.
100. I understand more than the aged, because I have kept Tlty
precepts. The worldling hates Divine wisdom. The philosopher
does not rise to the discernment of spiritual truth. The active man
of business relies upon his own cleverness as acquired by experience,
but does not understand his dependence upon God nor the reality
of Divine help. This understanding can only be gained by ex-
perience, keej>ingGod's precepts.
As by familiarity with a language we readily catch the meaning
of a book which otherwise would remain obscure, so by doing God's
Word, keeping His precepts, we get to understand His 'Word. Such
progress in spiritual apprehension is both a result of Divine
intimacy and a reward of Divine obedience. "He that doeth the
will shall know of the doctrine." God's love illuminates those who
love to practise His precepts (John vii. 17).
101. By being true to God in-his probation, the Psalmist has thus
advanced in the loving deligltt which God's law afforded him as
he meditated thereon. The joy of the law of love is learnt not by
theory but by practice. In its positive power it is a gift infused by
God. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost" (Rom. v. 5). There is, however, a negative side. Man must
refrain his foot from every evil way in order that he may observe
Gods Word. The heart must reach out with entire detachment
to God, dying, to all the pleasure of this evil world. Then it can
taste the sweetness of heavenly delight in being accepted of God.
We must observe God's Word, not as a code of morals, but as a
personal power speaking within us. He is the Personal "Head
over all things to the Church, which is His Body" (Eph. i. 22).
The personal sovereignty of the Word appears in all the places of
VOL. II. 2 }i'
450 THE REDEEMED P SA L MIl 9. 451
this Psalm where the Psalmist speaks of observing God's Word. "We have the mind of Christ." The law as given by Moses does
He never speaks of guarding or keeping God's Word as he speaks not remove from us the fascination of present temptation, but the
of keeping God's testimonies, God's law, God's precepts, God's com- mind of Christ sustains' us so as not to turn aside from God's
mands, God's decrees. These he keeps as ministering in various judgements, but .in everything to realize the severity of H is con-
ways, so as to regulate his conduct. When he speaks of God's Word, demnation and the welcome of His love.
he speaks of observing it, for there is a Personal dignity belonging to 103. If we are looking forward to that acceptance which awaits
it. We have not only to carry it out in watchful obedience to the those whose probation is satisfactory, the sweetness of God's
wil1 of a superior, but we have to look up to this Word as being promise will exceed all bodily delight.
itself our Superior. \Ve must take this Word as our example, How smooth are TllY promises to my palate. Entering in through
ruling ourselves according to it, observing it so as to be like it the ear, they pervade the whole system with sweetness ineffable,
(verse 9). We need eternal life in order that we may obserue God's more than honey in my mouth. The delight of the spiritual sense
Word (verse 17). No effort external to the living Word can be is more real than that of the bodily frame. The soul as sprung
true to it. The Lord is our portion, our life, our nourishment. In from God is akin to God, as the body formed from dust is akin to
the strength of this fel1owship, the Psalmist promises to observe dust.
God's Word (verse 57). It is the likeness of the Only-Begotten 104. From Thy praepts I get understaudirtg: The taste of
which he promises to reproduce in himself by virtue of his holiness quickens the understanding, and as we find this sweetness
regenerate life. So also here, what keeps him from sin is the in the practice of God's will we grow in the Itatrcd of every patil ()f
watchfulness to observe God's Word (verse 101). falsehood. As the one illuminates, the other nauseates. If we have
The relationship is that of which the Apostle speaks, as "appre- lived so as to be accepted in the Divine probation, we must hate
hending that for which he is apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Phil. increasingly all that is at variance therewith. We shall not be
iii. 12), and again" holding the Head which is Christ" (Col. ii. (9), approved in the Divine love because we have abstained from evil,
where his own personal activity is entirely receptive and subordinate. unless we have hated it. "God is love," and it is only by love
Being thus in subjection to the vital Headship of Christ, the Word, that Goel can be known, and only by love that God can be served.
we can observe His promise with expectation (verses 67, 158), His Hatred is the exercise of love towards that which is evil, for love
law with obedience (verses 34, 44,55, 136), His sacramental gifts is not mere kindness, fondness, easiness. It is the true appreciation
with faithful acceptance (verses 88, 146, 167), His precejJts with of excellence in that which is loved. The power which appreciates
cheerfulness (verses 4, 63, 134, 163), His decrees with diligence excellence mustalso appreciate any quality of evil. The affectiun,
(verses 5, 8), His commands with promptness (verse 60), His therefore, which is operative as joyous love towards that which is
judgements with confident hope. These are put, as it were, under good, must act with hatred towards that which is evil by reason of
our guardianship. We have to keep or guard God's testimonies its own unchangeable truth. Goodness precedes evil. Evil is per-
(verses 2, 22, (29), God's law (33, 34), God's precepts (verses 56, verted good, and does not exist independently of good. Love
69, 100), God's commands (verse 115), God's decrees (verse 145). recognizes the goodness which is marred. Hatred loathes the
But the Word is that Personal manifestation of God which, how- evil which mars what should be loved. When we read that" God
ever operative under various manifestations of power, is ever keeping loved the world," we are not to think that He loved it as it existed
us, while we, with reverent homage, look up to Him and observe in its fallen condition. He loved that perfect organization which
Him. He beheld underneath the corruption of our fallen estate. This
102. Fol1owing Christ's steps in the likeness of Christ, the He desired to restore to vital energy although it now was dead.
Psalmist did not turn aside from Gods judgements. Christ is the As God loves and hates, so must we. Love to all men as bearing
appointed Judge of all, and we must anticipate the decision of His the image of God and capable of restoration to that image, makes
final judgement, judging ourselves so that we may not be con- us " hate every path of falsehood," not suffering ourselves to be led
demned of the Lord. If we would be found worthy of our pro- in an easy habit of partiality or indifference so as to overlook the evil
bation, we must judge ourselves continually as He points out to us. which is therein. The evil is itself the perversion of good, and the
452 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19. 453
more truly the good is loved, the more must the perversion thereof, walk in the light of the Lord" (lsa. ii. 5). God gives the light and
however seemingly beautiful,' be hated. we must rejoice therein as the children of light.
107. I am utterly afflicted. As the words are true of Him who
Without love we cannot know God, nor keep His law. Our humbled Himself to death upon the Cross for our sakes, so should
probation is the trial of our love (verse 97). Love gives us moral they be true of us if we take up our Cross and follow Christ. Only
wisdom, to know right and wrong (verse 98). Love gives discern- in proportion as we feel this affliction, the bondage of sin, can we
ment to acknowledge sacramental grace (verse 99). Love gives rise to the joy of the Divine freedom to which we are restored.
understanding to recognize God's Will in the practical details of The affliction is a state of deadness to God. The freedom is the
life (verse 100). Love keeps us from being led astray to follow the restoration of Divine life. Oh then, restore Thou me! Quickm
evil guidance of the world (verse 101). Love holds us close to God, me. We must long for freedom, long for life. The Word was
so as to recognize His discipline and the events of Providence made flesh in order to give us life. No life short of that wherein
(verse 102). Love fills the mouth with a joyous anticipation of the Son, the Word, lives with the Father, can bring the freedom.
God's heavenly promises (verse 103). Love opens the eyes to see Quicken me, according to Thy Word. "As the living Father hath
and hate the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he
(verse 104). shall live by Me" (John vi. 57).
108. Take pleasure in Ille free-will offen'ngs of my mou/It.
~ NUN Wonderful is the privilege of adoption whereby we are permitted
to give to God in voluntary homage what He might claim from us
The Law of Liberty as an obligation of necessity. If we were more generous in our
105. We are advancing through the probation of redeemed life offerings, how ready God would be to show His good pleasure in
to the fruition of that liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. accepting them! God teaches us His judgements according to the
We have to advance through a world of darkness, but the Word oj generosity which we show in our worship to Him. He accepts no
God is a lamp to thefeet. We have to walk amidst the powers of bribe, however great. He gives a blessing in return for every
darkness. We must see that we take each step with the lamp of generous gift of love, however small. So we learn to estimate
the Incarnate Word as our guide. The lamp implies the limitation actions according to the Divine judgement.
of brightness. It requires to be held in the hand, and the light 109. My soul is in my Iland continually. Dangers threaten me
only shines where we have to tread. Such is the hidden converse with death, but they do not make me f01get Tlty law. That is
of the soul with Jesus when it seeks to follow Him. But Jesus is dearer to me than my daily bread. To fail of that law were to die
also a light unto our track, His Divine glory shines from on high eternally. The purpose and joy of my life is to give Thee the
and dispels the darkness, so that the illuminated soul rejoices in the homage of a generous love.
freedom, although outwardly it has to tread with care and difficulty This is the security of my life amidst all dangers, spiritual and
amidst the perils of earthly darkness. Christ is a lamp jor our temporal. We must not ask God to take away our life in fretful
feet by His human example and a lightjor our track by His Divine disappointment, like Elijah, but we must live with our life as a
glory shining round about us. continual offering in our hands to God, feeling that our life is not
The light of life is the freedom from the tyranny of sin which the ours but His. Living, we belong to God. Dying, we go to Him.
soul experiences here by grace during the period of probation and "Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's" (Rom. xiv. 8).
shall enjoy hereafter in glory. The cry of Jubilee is this, "Arise, In order to love God with all our soul we must have 1-1is glory
shine, for thy light is come" (lsa. Ix. I). as the one object of our desires. No sacrifice can be too great,
106. I have sworn and will confirm it, to observe Thy for we must feel that the very purpose and aim of our life is to give
n'ghteous judgements. Gospel freedom is the gift of God, but it ourselves a sacrifice to God. We carry our soul in our hands, and
is a covenanted gift. We must be true to our obligations if we if we perish we gain the very object of our desires. " Whosoever
look to receive the truth of God's promises. "Come and let us will save his life, his soul," as an earthly treasure, "shall lose it"
 454 THE REDEEMED PSALM J J 9· 455
eternally, "but whosoever shall lose his life, his soul, for My sake to the end. Whether by my life or by my death, let Christ be
and the Gospel's, shall save it" eternally (Mar. viii. 35). glorified! '
This is the law of the Cross. This is the law of the redeemed.
This is the law of liberty which makes us independent of all earthly Our Saviour Christ saith "He that followeth Me shall not walk
considerations and fears. in darkness, but shall havethe light of life" (John viii. 12). .Christ
110. Blessed freedom I The wicked laid a snare for me that I "proclaims to us the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke IV. 19)·
might cling to the earthly life of my soul and reject God's law. This year of illuminating grace is the year of Gospel freedom, t.he
Nevertheless in the strength of this law I go not astray from Thy covenant of regeneration (verse 105). We enter this covenant With
precepts. The Sonship which belongs to me by the law of Thy the solemn oaths of our baptismal initiation (verse \06). We m~st
c.ovenant of adoption is a power which enables me to walk in Thy bear the Cross if we would know the freedom and the life which
light as one of the children of the light. are obtained for us thereby (verse 107). It is the penalty of sin to
II J. Thy testimonies have I taken as mine hen·tage for ever. By suffer, but it is our privilege as the members of Christ to triumph
my baptism I was ma?e an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven, through suffering, and to offer ourselves as living sacrifi:es. t~ God
and all sacramental gifts are further communications of that in- in Christ, while we also thankfully accept whatever discipline of
heritance. They are tIlejoy of my heart. suffering God may put upon us (verse 103). The power~ of dark-
No possessions belonging to our earthly life can compare with ness are constant enemies round about us, so that our spiritual life
the all-satisfying possession of the Divine life. Here we live need- is continually in danger, but God's law is our shelter (verse \09)·
ing to possess what sustains life, but life in this world is a con- They will seek all the more to ensnare us, but we must ~ot str~y
tinu~1 sense of want, a hunger. The Divine life needs no pos- from God's precepts (verse 110). Our sacramental i~hentance 111
session beyond what it is in itself. It is a continuous fruition of Christ is our joy (verse III). We must persevere 111 loving ac-
the presence of God. God is our life, and in Him we have all. knowledgement of our Divine calling unto the end. So shall we be
" Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice!" (Phil. iv. 4). saved (verse 112).
112. The decree of the Divine Sonship is the warrant for every-
thing. "All things are yours, for ye are Christ's, and Christ is D SAMECH
God's" (I Cor. iii. 23). Upon this decree of the Apostolic fellow-
World!)1 Power
ship the Psalmist was already learning to act. The Mosaic cove-
nant had the shadow, the outline, of the good things to come 113. The soul which rejoices in the liberty of Christ claims God's
though it was reserved for us to have the very image. God, who testimonies as its heritage of sacramental power (verse 1 II), Cod's
was bringing His Son out of Egypt in the nation that were His decrees as its foundation of spiritual glory to eternity (verse 112).
forefathers, was always treating with that nation according to the Walking in the light of a covenant whos~ oaths it .w.ill mainta~n
truth of the predestined glory which awaited them. They knew with unflinching loyalty, it seeks to exercise the Divine S~nshlp
not the full meaning of the Divine decrees, but they were called to with the life-giving power of the redeeming Word. It rejoices to
act up to them according to the measure of their knowledge. So give itself to God with generosity of devotion. It never forgets
the section ends with the voice of one who anticipates" the law of God's lau/, whatever perils may assail the outer nature (verse 109)·
liberty, continuing therein not as a forgetful hearer, but as a doer It finds its security from the snares of this evil world by the close-
of the work" (J am. i. 25). ' 1have inclined my heart to perform ness wherewith it adheres to God's prccrpts (verse 110).
Thy decreesfor ever, even 1I1Itothe end. I am not a child of the The worldly heart is the opposite of this. It is the slave of sin
bond-woman, but of the free. The service which I render must by its double-milldcdncss. Satan will accept a ha!f servi~e. Go~~
be the loving service of a heart living in the contemplation of the will not. "The double-minded man IS unstable 111 a~l his way~
eternal glory. I do not serve because I must, but I would glorify (Jam. i. 8). "No man can serve two masters, for either h.e will
my Father because I may. I do not look with weary longing, hate Satan and the world and will love God, or else he Will cling' to
hoping that the time of service will cease, but I desire to serve even the world, even though perhaps he hates it, and will despise God,
 456 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19. 457
although he may in his mind acknowledge the supremacy of God's things." We have them already, but what is now a hidden
claims." In the sinful world there is no love. The double-minded sanctuary, shall be revealed as a manifest glory.
which the Psalmist hates do not follow Satan because they love him, 117. Stay Thou me, and 1 slzall be safe, and I shall have respect
but they seek after the world which Satan has for a season under unto Thy decrees continually. Give me that "sweetest grace, to
his control, and so they yield to him! How few of the people of persevere." Th~ true way to gain this grace is to keep God's pre-
the world-thou.gh. they worship money, fashion, power, indulgence destinating decrees of glory steadfastly before our eyes.
-find pleasure In It so as to love it. They are its slaves. . 118. Thou hast set at 1l0uglztall who err from Thy decrees. If
T.he Psalmist does not love God with a self-seeking, servile for- our eternal hope is only kept in occasional remembrance, we make
mality. He loves God's law for its own sake. In that law the light of it, and God will then make light of us. He will treat us as
Divi~e sanctity expresses itself. It is the law of spiritual con- triflers if we oscillate between the expectations of the world, and
formity to God's likeness. It enables us to see God because it the decrees of eternity.
makes us like Him, so that in the end we become truly" like Him The self-deceit of those who seek to get both worlds is slavery
for we shall see Him as He is" (I John iii. 2). ' to miserable falsehood. The world which they cling to is an
God is Himself the portion of the regenerate, the reward of His organization oi faisenood. Their whole life in clinging to it is a lie
faithful children. In Him is eternal life (I John v. 1 I). Satan is towards God. All the cleverness of the world will perish, and the
not the reward of his slaves. He gives them the world as their childlike simplicity of those who do God's will abideth for ever.
reward, and by the world he binds them down under the curse "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
which is his doom. wise" (I Cor. i. :n)· They belong to different orders of power.

I 114· He only seeks to destroy God's image.

ever fraudulently assailing God's people.
Therefore he is
There is but one way of
The world's wisdom is falsehood. The simplicity of faith which the
world accounts to be foolishness is truth, and therefore it lives for
escaping from him. "Love not the world, neither the things that ever, but all that is of the world must die.
are In the world. If any man love the world, the love of the T 19. Thou puttest away all tile ~vicked oj the earttt like dross.
Father is not in Him" (I John ii. 15). Our security against the The people of God are being purified by the tyranny of worldly
~nares of the world, and the assaults of Satan, is by hiding ourselves power which they have to bear. The u1Igodly are like the dross
In God. Thou art my secret place and my sltield. We hide our- separated from the pure are and cast away. Therefore I love FII)'
selves in God by incorporation into Christ. So our life is "hidden testimonies, not the riches of the world but the riches of Thy sacra-
with Christ in God." The Psalmist waited with sure confidence mental [;race. Alas! vile show! A child might think the large
for ~he U:0rd to become Incarnate. The shield of faith, the pro- piece of slag to be worth more than the metal which has been ex-
tection given to us in Christ, is no mere sentiment. It is a solid tracted from it. The world's gifLs and its votaries are like the slag.
reality, surpassing all powers which can be hurled against it in- The grace of Christ's suffering people is like the precious metal
visible, but impenetrable. ' separated by the furnace-fire.
115· Our utterance to the world, therefore, must be always, Turn 120. My flesh trembletllfor fear oj Thee. The world can do me
away from me, ye evil-doers, that I may keep the commandments 0/ neither harm nor help. The redeemed have to be separated from
my God. So St James speaks, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses the world. I am afraid oj Tlty jUc{f{ements. God's judgements are
know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity against coming upon the world, and amidst all the power of the world we
God? Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the must live in fear of that which is coming upon it, lest we perish
enemy of God" (Jam. iv, 4). with it. The fire of God's judgements will not separate us as metal
116. In the midst of the world the soul cries to God for support. from the slag, unless we have that true love, the gold, which God
Uphold me according to Thy promise, that I may live, and let me calls good (GQtl. iii.). The gold of the land of Havilah, the gold of
not be ashamed of my earnest expectation. Truly such "hope "affliction," is good. This love brings with it the fear of the Lord,
maketh not ashamed," for it is the hope of indissoluble love. Our which is the beginning of true wisdom.
affections in the midst of this evil world are fixed" upon heavenly
458 THE REDEEMED PSA LM 459
The world must be to us an object of hatred if we would be ab- world expressed by the number six. We may compare Ps. 54·
sorbed in God's love (verse 113). The Psalmist appeals to God with this remaining portion, as embodying the same idea 0.[ Divine
for protection (verse 114), and repudiates all evil-doers (verse 115). suretyship. He who had" overcome the world" enters into the
The Psalmist's prayer is for the fulfilment of God's promise (verse fulness of the Divine deliverance. "Father, into Thy Hands I
116), that so he may be led continually to reflect more and more commend my spirit." The Divine Personality of Jesus is the
upon the glory of the Divine Predestination (117). He adores Surety of holy souls (Ps. 31. 6; Luke xxiii. 46).
God's judgement, whereby the unbelieving must perish with the 122. Be surety for Tlly scruaut for good. The Psalmist fceling
lie to which they have surrendered themselves (verse 118), and so his need of grace looks up that God may do for him what he can-
will be separated from the faithful, as the dross is separated by the not do for himself. God Himselfmust be the Surety the God-l'vlan.
fire from the pure metal (verse 119). His fleshly nature shudders It is JAH, the Incarnate God, the triumphant Saviour, to whom he
at the thought of the Divine judgement, for he knows himself as appeals. Let 1I0t tI,e prol!d opjJress me. God taking the soul by
belonging to the world, although he looks to be delivered out of it grace into union with Himself, is both a shield and a spear. He
(verse 120). personally fights for those who abide in .H ~s grace, and defends
them from the power of the enemy. This IS the vcrse of DIVine
Y AIN suretyship in the Psalm of practical love.
The Life of Grace 123. Mine eyes are spent ill t01lgi7lgfor Thy s.duation, Human
nature was pining for that which only Jesus could give. Goel has
12 I. The faithful soul has suffered the world's oppression, choos- promised this salvation. Only God can give it. It i~ a :ightcous
ing to live in accordance with the Divine judgement which is to be promise, righteously fulfilled on God's part, al~eI ?erfect 1~1 righteous-
revealed upon the world, and exercising the riglIteousness of the ness as renewing man from the state of Sin into which he was
Divine life in the power which is guaranteed by the sacraments fallen.
of grace. I Izave done jur(f{emellt and righteousness. Leaue me not 124. Quicken me according to Tlly mercy (verses 88, (59). Deal
to mine oppressors. with me according to Thy mercy (verse 124)· Hear 111)' voice
The Psalmist is looking for the Divine deliverance by the Surety according to Thy mercy (verse 149)·
of whom the next verse speaks. He calls for grace to deliver him God's mercy comes to us according to IIis promise (verse 41).
from the tyranny of the proud world. His soul has long been The earth is full of H is mercy (verse 64). H is mercy is our
battling, but he has found his own weakness. He cannot assert comfort (verse 76), for it is the gift of the Holy Ghost, the
his own freedom. The law did not give life. The Word must Comforter. It is a gift of life. It is a fellowship of personal life
come as a regenerating power. The Word acts by the Spirit. whereby God deals with us. All God's operations towards us In
This appeal for Divine intervention makes a break in the Psalm. the Covenant of Grace are acts of contip.uous mercy. We can
That is emphasized by the peculiarity of verse 122, which does not never rise to any higher claim. His mercy enables us to pray.
contain any of the ten words which are the specialty of this reiter- His mercy makes Him willing to hear our prayers.
ated prayer. Teacli me TIIV decrees. I n order to know the greatness of God's
The two parts into which the Psalm is thus divided have 121 mercy we must -know the depth of our misery which makes us need
verses, and 54 verses respectively. salvation, and the height of God's glory in the decrees of HIS
Eleven times eleven. This indicates the fallen estate of man in predestination. .'
its fulness, for eleven is the number of transgression, and of decay, 125. God deals with His servant according to His merc)" ?ut
as ten implies perfection, and twelve implies organic completeness. the great act of His mercy is that He permrts us to serve HIIll.
The struggle with sin is complete, but humanity cannot assert its The Psalmist exclaims in thankfulness, I a711 Tlzy seruattt,
own freedom without a Divine surety. Would that we could know more truly what this privilege is of
Fifty-four, i.e. nine times six. The Surety is to act in Divine serving God in the covenant of grace! Oh give me undcrstanding! In
power, expressed by the number nine, and is to conquer the sinful order to serve God as we ought to do we must know the gift of grace
 THE REDEEMED P S A LM I 19.
communicated in the sacramental covenant of our adoption. Our
earthly price. I serve Thee not in the hope of any e~rthly reward,
service is not the service of slaves but of sons (Gal. iv. 7). This
but in the assurance that Thou by Thy precepts Wilt perfect ll1.e
can only be realized as the Holy Ghost teaches us. Give me
for the enjoyment of Thyself. Thou art the Tru.th. Thy grace IS
the spirt"t0.1understanding, and I shall kll07CJ Thy testimonies.
the power of Truth. 'Thy service is the fellowship of Truth. All
The creature, as a creature, is God's slave. The Mosaic law did
that is not Thyself is .lalsehood. I love Thee, I love Thee alone.
not deliver the ancient Israel from this bondage. It is the Spirit
I would lose all, yea, lose my own self, in Thy love. Yea, I count
of Christ given to us in the sacraments of grace which raises us
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Thy
up to a higher fellowship. "We have not received the Spirit of
salvation, 0 blessed Jesu, who wast made sin for us when we
bondage again to fear, but we have received the spirit of adoption,
pined in our sinful bondage.'
whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. viii. (5). We ask for the
gift of understanding, that we may know the privilege of serving
God, no longer by the mere compulsion of created necessity, the The soul which has striven to serve God according to the law
spirit of bondage, but in the joyous freedom of filial love as par- feels its helplessness in the midst of evil oppression. (verse 121).
takers of the Divine life. It needs a personal Saviour (verse (22). Nature pines for the
126. It 1'S time for the Lord to be doing. God is said to rest promise of the great salvation (verse 123). Grace makes tl.le soul
while the mere work of nature continues. He" rested from His look up to those eternal decrees whereby grace sh~1I be gwen to
work" until there should come a day of renewed operation, when all who will seek it (verse (24), Faith searches II1to the sacra-
mental mysteries of the law which are a pattern of the hea:enly
~od would do a new work upon the earth, instituting the dispensa-
tion of grace. God's resting means that He leaves nature to be things (verse 125)' Alas, for those who make Go~'s law VOid by
carried out by fixed laws which He has given. The Incarnation looking merely at the outward requirements, as ,If G?cI ,so~lght
begins a fresh creative Day. God began to act anew when He nothing more (verse 126). The Psalmist m, keeping God s com-
mandments rejoices in the treasure of Divine .Iove, (verse 127),
sent His Son to act upon earth as Man. He thus initiated
Love rejoices in God H imself a~ the Trut~l and 111H IS c~mmancl-
the spiritual world as the new development of the material world,
merits as means of vital fellowship With H IlTI. Therefore It abhors
a new substance, not merely a new form. The Jews had made
all superficial, lifeless formalities, for by such treatment the law
vozd GOff'S law. I t had become a lifeless letter through their
which should be "unto life" turns only" to the death" of the
carnality. The Son of God will "fulfil the law" by giving it
spiritual power. It becomes the law of love. worshipper (Rom. vii. 10).
127. 'I see how they have emptied Thy law of all power by their
misuse. Therejore I love it. Their misuse only makes me perceive tl PE
more fully what the glory of Thy law is. Thy law is spiritual. It
was ordained unto life (Rom. vii. (4). It is the form whereby the The R~gwerate LIfe
vital power of Thy salvation shall be known. It is a treasure
129. God's commandments (verse 1271 are no~ only more valu-
abovegold,yea, abovefine gold. Yet men have not found righteous- able than gold and silver. Their value IS of a different order. It
ness therein, because they sought not righteousness from Thee. is such that the world cannot estimate it. God's commandments
I love Thy law as the means of laying hold upon Thee. I find call for love and the Psalmist welcomes them with love.
Thy covenanted love therein.'
God's pr~cepts (verse 128) are full of uprightness whereas the
128. Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to
pathway of the world is full of fraud. The w~r1d's precepts have
be right. I hate everY.lalse path. "Grace and truth are come by no true value to make them to be beloved. [hey are falsehood,
Jesus Christ." The empty service which reduces the law to a and the world makes much of them because they fit in with its
lifeless bondage is an abomination to me (Isa. i. 13). false superficial judgements.
'When I find Thee acting along with me, then I learn, in the God's testimonies are toondcrful. The sacraments of grace arc
fellowship of Thy love, to value Thy commandments above all mysteries belonging to a new I ill,;, This is why the world despises
 THE REDEEMED
them. They are not like the gold and precious stones by which
the world estimates the value of its possessions. But they are a
treasure which the heart can value. Therefore doth my soul keep
them. The word" wonder" here as elsewhere indicates the iriward
and spiritual part of a sacramental mystery.
A triple" therefore." In consequence of their spiritual nature
they belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. Wondrous love I My soul
guards them. The, tongue of the faithful delights not in tasting
the external dainties of earth, but in uttering the mysteries of
Divine truth.
I 30. God's words are not merely to be received by the ear.
They must be taken into the heart and developed by meditative
experience. The opening out of them in converse with men of
like mind gives light. It gives understanding to the simp/e. In
developing the truth which God reveals, we develop also the
faculty of appreciating Divine truth, but then we must do this
with simplicity of heart, not with subtlety of intellect, which is
prone to duplicity and distortion, adding to the heavenly words
instead of searching into them.
It is, however, the Incarnate Word who opens to us the real
signification of the written Word. He fulfils the Scriptures and
opens the meaning of what would have been obscure by His own
action, as when He entered into Jerusalem, and His disciples did
not know until afterwards how the Scriptures were being accom-
plished. He opens the Scriptures by His exposition (Luke xxiv.
32). He opens the understanding so that we may understand the
Scriptures (Luke xxiv. 45).
, It is in vain to seek the opening of Divine mysteries unless we
seek the key from Him" who openeth, and no man shutteth."
Holy Scripture is given for" the man of God" (2 Tim. iii. (7).
An inspired Book requires an inspired reader. "Holy Scripture
must be read in the power of the same Spirit whereby it was
written." It is the treasure of the regenerate life. We are admitted
into this life by the mystery of sacraments. We must cherish the
life thus received, and then God will open to us the mysteries of
H is Word for our constant edification. "Mysteries are revealed
to the meek." "God reveals His truth to babes."
'31• I yearned eagerly with my mouth and panted, for I yearned
after Thy commandments. 'The outer nature became exhausted
gasping after God's words, not as an idle tale of interest, but as a
law of life which I sought to drink into myself, that I might act
true to it.' The world in its exhaustion seeks for sleep, but the
PSALM I 19.
repose and refreshment of the soul are to be found 111 Divine
activity, while we rouse ourselves up to do God's will.
132. Turn Thee unto me and be gracious unto me. The
, Psalmist looks up with a longing heart and calls upon God to
look down upon him' with renewing grace, according to tllc judgc-
ment wllich He exercisestowards those urho love His Name. God's
dealings are with discrimination. His revelation of truth is a
judgement. He knows what those can bear to whom He is
speaking. He meets love with love. So our blessed Lord
addressed the multitude in parables and unfolded His mysteries by
degrees to the disciples who abode in H is love. Tiley love His
Name, who accept with faith the power of the Divine relationship
wherein they are born again into a new life. The carnal-hearted
hear with the ear. Those 7uho love God's Name drink the truth
into themselves with open mouth. It is their very food, the air
whereby they live. Simple childlike love is the breath of the
regenerate soul, whereby we become enlightened, refreshed, re-
warded.
133-' Order my footsteps in Thy promise that I may press
diligently onward for its attainment. 'My outer life must cor-
respond with the yearning of my soul, and that cannot be unless
Thou who art the object of my desire strengthenest me to press
onward for the attainment of Thy promise. I love T/ly Name,
but cannot walk true to Thy Name unless Thou up/widest me
therein.' Let not any 7!lllany hatre dominion over me. If we are
newborn of God, we have a life which the power of this evil world
cannot subjugate.
134. Redeem me from the oppression of man. There was to be
enmity between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpen t.
The redeemed, as being members of Christ, must have to bear
the oppression of those who reject this redemption. Christ has
redeemed us out of the power of Satan by a mighty arm. Those
who are gathered into Christ by His precious Blood communicated
to them in Holy Baptism, are "purchased from amongst men"
(Rev. xiv. 14) by the life-giving power of the Blood which flowed
from His pierced heart, having the regenerating gift of the Holv
Ghost.
As we are partakers of this life we are raised out of the power
of mankind, into a new order of being, such that no human
authority can touch us. \Ve are espoused to Christ, our Redeemer,
and made along with Him partakers of the Divine Sonship. As
partakers of 'this life, we must observe God's precepts, which we
 THE REDEEMED
cannot do as long as we allow the tyranny of the evil world with
all the conventional maxims of wickedness by which society is
controlled.
135. Make Thy Face to shine upon Thy servant. We are God's
servants as having the nature of man. We look for the light of
God's countenance to shine upon us, because we are created in the
image of God. As we are born again by the power of the Holy
Ghost, we look for the Divine vision to be our joy although we
lost it by our sin. That spirit of wisdom and revelation will teach
us the glorious decreesoj the Sonship to which we are renewed in
Christ.
136. The outer nature sees not God, but we look forward to the
Beatific Vision, when with the eyes of our resurrection-bodies we
shall see God. Meanwhile our life on earth must be a life of
penitence. The outer nature must feel the burden of our earthly
exile. Mine eyes run down in rivers of water because men observe
not Thy laur: We do not merely feel the burden of our position
as individuals. We are members one of another, and must weep
for the sins of the whole race as for our own. So we feel ourselves,
by reason of our adoption into the family of God, to be but
pilgrims and strangers, wandering through the wilderness of
earth. Our true home, the city which we are seeking to dwell in,
is not here. We look forward to a heavenly home. Those who
are to be admitted there will be recognized one by one, as having
the privileges of new birth. "This man was born there" (Ps.
87·6).
This section begins with the wonder, the mystery, the hidden-
ness, of the regenerate life. "My Name is secret" (Jud. xiii. (8).
It is the Name" which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it"
(Rev. ii. 17; verse (29). God's revelation welcomed in the heart,
as a principle of meditation, gives light and develops the spiritual
character to rejoice in that light, fo~ it enlightens the mind (verse
130). The whole nature feels exhaustion in looking for the re-
newal which will be at the resurrection, but we feel our need to
drink the heavenly power into ourselves while we continue in the
flesh (verse (31). We 1001.- up for God to make His light shine
upon us. Grace gives refreshment to the body in answer to the
appeal of our love, as being regenerated in His Holy Name. So
we obtain satisfaction for the soul (verse 132). We look for Him
to guide us onward securely, that we may reach our promised
inheritance, and may not be overpowered by the wicked one. He
PSALM 119.
will give us shelter against the devil (verse 133). Human society
holds us under tyranny, but we must live with individual witness
to God's truth, keeping His precepts. Only by faithful service can
we claim deliverance from the world (verse 134). So God will
make His Face shine upon us more and more, and teach' us the
Divine glory of our new birth in Christ (verse 135). As we
experience the streams of grace, our eyes must run down with
streams of penitence, bewailing the world which knows not God
(verse 138).
Y TZADDI
The Divine Righteousness
1~7. Alas, for the sinful world around us! How we must weep
for It! How must we look up to God to show us His light while
we serve Him! That light is the light of righteousness. Th(lu,
o Lord, art righteous.' God's providential government of the
w~rld an.d all ~is judgements are upright. God is righteous in al\
HIS ~eahngs with mankind. Alas! Man perverts God's righteous
dealings so as to serve his own unrighteousness but in so doing he
. "
makes evident the uprightness of the Divine judgements, whereas
h.e ought to have been transformed into the Divine likeness by the
righteousness of the Divine bounty. God cannot be turned aside
from His righteous dealing. If man strives with Him man finds
Him" a mighty wrestler," too strong for him to resist (rs. 18. 26).
. 138. His testimonies, God's sacramental gifts , are commanded in
righteousness.
•
They are the vital power of rizhteousness
b ,
quicken-
mg us. That which God has promised us therein never fails. TIley
are very faithfulness. God is faithful and righteous to raise us out
of our sinful state, if we come thus to claim His promises in
truth (I John i. 9).
139· 'My zeal hath whelmed me, for I have pondered upon the
Almighty power of Thy righteousness, and the wickedness of man
coming to Thy heavenly gifts with such profanity and worldliness
of heart. The enemies whom I have to subdue, the seed of the
serpent, have forgotten Thy words.'
'They look upon Thy sacraments as a mere function of the
world. They honour not Thy Name and Thy Word so as to
think of Thy Divine power underlying the outward ministration.
They do not keep Thy ceremonies with a remembrance of Thyself
as actively participating therein to regenerate us, to cleanse us.
to strengthen us, to feed us with Thyself.'
VOL. II. 2 G
 THE REDEEMED P SA L M r 19.

So our Lord wept over Jerusalem, because the chosen people ~earn. our littleness. Nevertheless, we are His children, although
forgot what their Messiah should be. They became His enemies Imprisoned thus in a sinful world. 'The trouble of this world has
though He sought to win them to love. found me as its prey, because I have fallen from the condition of
140. 'As they see not the fulfilment of Thy promise, they refuse original righteousness wherein I was safe from such external
to welcome it by faith. But Thy seruant knows that Thy promise violence. Thus has the penalty of sin come upon me, but my
is being surely accomplished towards us. Difficulties and suffering inward heart is true to Thee. This world of sin is to me the land
are the trials by which its Divine power is manifested. It is refined of the enemy, but Thy commandments are my solace. There is
thereby. The Divine life is not swallowed up in the earthly form, nothing in the world which I can find as my delight. My solace
but the created gift, the grace of Thine Incarnate Son, is amidst its misery is in keeping Thy commandments.'
purified from the earthliness of the outward form, so that the '4~. ' Thy testimonies are righteous for ever. I find solace in
Divine flame which is its life may shine out in its glory. To keeping Thy commandments, for Thou givest me in Thy sacraments
know this by faith is indeed to experience the truth of it by the righteousness which I need, the power of living in Thy love.
love. Faith is made perfect by love. The weakness of the out- The adversities of time will pass away, but the righteous fellowship
ward form must not hold me back from Thee. The acknowledge- with Thyself which is thus established will abide through eternity.
ment of Thine unseen power calling me to Thy righteousness lifts Give me understanding. Open mine eyes to behold the secret joy
me up to Thee.' Without love there can be no faith, and where love of this fellowship, that I may comprehend with all saints what is
is truly working there shall the power of God's truth be found. We the length and breadth and depth and height, and may know the
love His promise because of its righteous severity. Itsfaithfulness love of Christ which passeth knowledge, so as to be filled with all
fails not. the fulness of God (Ephes. iii. [8, (9). Give me understanding and
14I. Human nature is small, for its faculties belong to this finite I shall live.' This knowledge is the fulness of Divine love. That
world, whereas the words and promise of the Creator are infinite. love is life. "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in
Human nature is not only small but despised, for it is under the His Son," with whom we are made one in the Covenant of Grace.
bondage of sin. It is no longer existing in the glory of holy free-
dom wherein God created it, but it is subjected to Satan's violence. God's righteousness is personal in H imsclf, and providential
This violence, however, does not remove it from the righteousness towards His creatures (verse 137). His sacraments are unfailing
of its Divine relationship. He that would ascend to the hill of the in their efficacy (verse (38), although blasphemously scorned by
Lord must despise himself. "The small one shall become a strong unbelievers (verse 139)· That which God promises must be 100·ed
nation" (Isa. lx. 22), but the condition is this: 1 do not forget Thy of the faithful, by reason of its purity (verse 140), and His precepts
precepts. The Psalmist expresses the unchangeableness of his will must be cherished by His servants, in spite of their own littleness.
so as to be obedient to God. God's child in his finite action is This self-communicating righteousness is the vital power (verse
bound to do the will of his Creator, so as to attain its infinite 14[)· Eternal righteousness is the inherent law of His own
consequences. By obedience to God he rises up to the Divi~e Personality, and speaks in the law which He reveals (verse (42).
greatness in participation of the Divine love. It is the solace of those who keep His commandments amidst the
142. The relationship between God, and man whom God created troubles of our present life, under the power of Satan who has
in His own image, is not an accidental or transitory one, not a enslaved us (verse (43). Its vital power fills the sacraments of
mechanical or enslaving one, but a righteous one. Obedience to grace. Thereby we receive spiritual understanding, so as to know
God is the true exercise of man's life. God's law is the Truth, true the fellowship of God (verse 144).
in its righteous origin, true in its substantive reality, true in its
glorious promises, true in its eternal joy. Christ, the fulfiller of the
law, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
143. A duersity and anguish lzavefound me. As we look to God's
righteousness, we feel our own sinfulness. In His greatness we
 THE REDEEMED
PSALM 119.

i' KOPH finds in God and would receive from God. Whole-heartedness is
Itztegn·ty of Divine Fellowship an entire surrender to the will of God, and an entire welcome of
God's good purpose, as being the real life of all we can desire,
145. An understanding heart, so as to be really alive to God's
bringing a satisfaction which far exceeds in its goodness what .we
will! This is what the Psalmist desires, the one desire which fills
in our limited apprehension may ignorantly desire apart from Him.
his heart! I call with my 7vhole /ieart. Nothing can satisfy th
longing of his heart but the Divine Wisdom. l The Psalmist looks to have his desire abundantly
gift of understanding
fulfilled.
he pledges himself to kl'Cp God's decrees.
By the

Happy are they who seek God" with their whole heart" (verse
He is lifted up by the Divine Wisdom to the Divine Vision of
2). These are the opposite of the worldlings who seek Him with
eternal goodness and filial fellowship with God. So must there
a divided heart (verse 1 (3). Perfection must be whole-hearted.
be whole-hearted reception, Divine perfection in the desire, per-
This integrity of search is what the Psalmist claims for himself.
severance in acting true to that which God gives.
"With my whole heart have I sought Thee "-the search (verse
146. I cry unto Thee. Save me and I shall observe Thy testi-
10): With my whole heart do I observe Thy law-the obedience
monies. Hold Thou me up, and! shall be safe (verse 117). I am
(verse 34): "With my whole heart do I entreat Thy favour"-the
Thine! 0 save 111e(verse 94). This is the third and final appeal.
supplication (verse 58): "With my whole heart do I keep Thy
The cry is doubled. The promise of fidelity is doubled, first, /.-erjJ-
precepts"-the watchfulness (verse 69). 50 here, "I cry with my
in.£! God's decrees, then observ/1Z£;·the testi~lOnies, the sacramen tal
whole heart "-the appeal.
power, which alone can enable the soul to rise up and keep them.
He cries: Answer me. In the righteousness of God there is a
Take notice of the ejaculatory imperatives. Answer me! Send
perfect fellowship established between the Psalmist and. Himself.
Thy Word. Then, Save me. Let that Word bring salvation. The
The heart in its completeness was created by God to act In perfect
decrees are from eternity, and we must keep them with faithful
correspondence with His own will. It can have no desires for
obedience. The testimonies are my daily counsellors (verse 24).
anything that is good but what it has received from God. It
'47. I prevented tile huilZ:r;ht oreesc and made appeal. As our
desires what is evil, only by refusing to act in the integrity of the
Lord rose while it was yet dark, so must we come before the
Divine will. I t is not acting true to itself, unless it be simply and
morning-watch to make our prayer to God. The .breeze is the
wholly desirous· of the Divine will. It cannot fail of re~eiving w~at
power of the Holy Ghost breathing- upon the children of the
it desires, if it act according to the completeness of this law of ItS
Resurrection. So the Psalmist Iwjcd Jil;· God's Word. The
creation. God's will is to give whatsoever He formed the human
preventing grace of the Holy Spirit was leading him in the
heart to desire. We need the gift of understanding to know our
devotional expectation of Christ's manifestation. The darkness
relationship to God, and then we know that He will assuredly give
of His own heart in its natural condition did not hold him clown.
to us whatever good we can desire.
'48. Mine eyes prevC1lt the 11.Z:f[ht watches. Those who were
He will give. But we must ask. He created us with a capacity
keeping guard looked for the relief of the morning. The Psalmist
for good, but gave our hearts the facuIty of desire, and He gave ~he
felt the power of the Holy Ghost, and longed for the be.tter clay-
faculty of speech, that we might make our wants known unto HIm.
light. So he was occupied with Cod's promise. The desire which
He has made prayer the condition of our obtaining what He desires
he felt within him was 110 empty desire. It had a blessed reliance
to give. So by the exercise of submissive desire we grow to the
upon God's Word. He longed for Messiah to come. We must
moral integrity which is required of us. "Whatsoever we ask we
in like manner anticipate H is final coming as the true fulfilment
receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those
of our desires. His mind was ujJon God's jJromise. This expecta-
things which are pleasing in His sight" (I John iii. 22).
tion of faith gave light to his eyes, even in the midst of the
Our whole being appeals to His whole truth. We must
darkness.
not confound the violence of an appeal, whose very impetuosity
149. Hear my voice, 0 Lord, according 10 Tlzy mercy. Quicl.-e1l
shows that it is not submissive, with the calmness of loving, tender
me according to Tlly jltdgemclll. Mercy hears our prayer and
prayer, which separates the heart from everything save what it
judgement determines in what way we shall receive the answer-
470 THE REDEEMED
That answer is a gift of life developing itself by God's love as God
sees us to be capableof exercising it. So the answer is given accord-
ing to God's judgement. All our prayers must be subordinated
to the great desire of the gift of life eternal. "Hallowed be Thy
Name." I am born again as Thy child. I must live with Thy life.
150. 'There are a multitude 7vhodraw near to persecute me with
malice. They want to draw me away from Thy law, for they
themselves arefar away. As they hate Thee, they cannot tolerate
Thy love wherever they see it. They draw near in malice, but
they are far from Thy law of love. While I walk in that law they
cannot touch me, for Thou art near, and Thy protection is sure.'
15 I. Thou art near, 0 Lord. When the enemy draw near, our com-
fort is to know that God is near. Yes I He is nearer than the enemy.
As has been said of old, He is 50 close to us, dwelling within us,
that we can scarcely say that He is only near. He is one with us.
He is our strength. All Thy commandments are truth, The
truth of God's indwelling presence is manifest while we keep His
commandments. They are not merely to be done for His sake in
obedience. They cannot be truly done unless God Himself is the
doer, acting within us. In doing His commandments we develop
His indwelling power within ourselves.
152. I have known long since concerning Thy testimonies that
Thou hast established them for ever. It is by the operation of the
Holy Ghost in the sacraments that God is so near to us. They
ar~ the testimonies of the covenant of eternal life. 'This knowledge
brings me to Thee with unfailing confidence!'
The cry of whole-hearted love pleads thus for the answer of
Divine predestination, the saving grace of the sacramental cove-
nant of promise. The inspirations of the Holy Ghost move the
soul with preventing grace to watch for God, to make His Word
manifest. Though the day-star be not shining as yet, nevertheless
the promise is sure. The soul longs for the life which is the light
of men. Enemies are near at hand who treat God's law with
scorn, for they are far from it, but God is very near to His faithful
ones, as the prophet says, "very nigh thee in thy mouth, and in thy
heart, that thou mayest do it" (Deut. xxx. 14; Rom. x. 8). The Word
is eternal. His covenant is an everlasting covenant.
The Psalmist utters the cry of obedient, supernatural expectation
based lIpon God's eternal decrees (verse 145), and then of depen-
dence and self-consecration as required by God's sacramental
covenant (verse 146). In his cry he anticipates what God has
PSALM I 19. 471
revealed as His purpose for us in the resurrection-life (verse 147).
Amidst the darkness of earth he contemplates that coming
blessedness (verse 148). He longs to have that fuller life im-
parted to him, according to the measure of the Divine judgement
(verse 149). He is in the midst of a world which forsakes God's
law (verse 150); but he rejoices in the closeness of his fellowship
with God, even though as yet unseen (verse 151), and he is sure
that what God gives now in sacraments will be ratified in the
eternity of the heavenly fulfilment (verse 152).
, RESH
The Expectation of the Faithful Sufferer
[53. The opposition of enemies tests the integrity which God
requires of us. The Psalmist calls upon God to behold what he
has to suffer for the Truth's sake. How apt we are to think that
God will reward \IS for what we do, but that our sufferings can be
of no use to Him. Our sufferings are the real test of our antagonism
to Satan. We must welcome them as the most acceptable form of
service, and we long not to be quit of the suffering, but to enter
into the Divine joy which awaits those who are" made perfect
through suffering." See mine a.flliction,and deliver me. See how
this affliction has proved my steadfastness. I have 110tforgotten
Thy law. It is the cry of expectation.
[54. Plead Thou my cause and avenge me. God will not only
deliver him. God will avenge him on his persecutors. They are
God's enemies.
Quicken me, according to Thy mise. Deliverance, vengeance,
life, are his expectation. This delive ce is not like the deliver-
ance upon earth from an earthly enemy. We may be delivered,
and it does not hinder our deliverance if the enemies from whom
we escape live on in prosperity far away. Spiritual deliverance
does not consist in merely local evaporation. It consists in being
taken up into God.
The enemies who assail us here cannot follow us into the
Heaven of Divine love. Neither, however, can they remain
external to that Divine love, and yet rejoice in lower objects of
delight. The spiritual being which wins not the Divine love
must experience the Divine hate. Those spiritual powers which
have sought to alienate us from God must experience the result
of their own actions, becoming themselves estranged from all
Divine joy in the bitterness of Divine hatred, No force that

472 THE REDEEMED
has been developed in action can come to an end. Therefore, the
acts of God's enemies must live on as the measure of their punish-
ment. Their acts against God in His people recoil upon themselves
as God's people are withdrawn from their malice.
Vengeance befal1s the ungodly, as their due. So also the reward
of God's saints is according to the measure of their resistance to the
powers of darkness.
Vengeance and reward are equal. Acts done-for God or against
God partake of the eternity of God, and to wish for the glory of God
to be manifested in our deliverance necessitates the wish for God's
glory to be manifested in the punishment of evil as such. Evil be-
comes concentrated as an object of hatred, while we are delivered
from it by being absorbed into the pure essence of Divine love.
We ~r~ taken out of the mingled feelings by which in our present
condition that which is evil claims to be in some sort commiserated
and con:dOl~ed. NO.thing is left neutral. Good must be absorbingly
loved WIth JOY. EVIl must be hated with triumphant homage to God.
Thus we are lifted up into the life of God, and taken out of the
conflicting. force of. this present state. Quicken me according to
Thy promlse. No life short of the life of God which is promised
to us in Christ can satisfy the heart of man. There is a threefold
quickening: (I) According to promise; (2) according to probation
(verse 156); (3) according to final attainment (verse 159).
. 1 ~5. Lif~ in Christ is salvation. We must be lifted lip into this
life If we would have salvation. Salvation is far from the wicked.
And why? Because they seek not Thy decrees. God's decree is that
salvation must be sought in Christ, the only Mediator of eternal
life, His only Son. The only salvation which the wicked seek is an
earthly salvation. They seek to be free from the penalties of sin
bu.t they do not seek God's decrees, so as to be raised up to the Son:
shIp. of God. Far from the ungodly is the salvation provided in
Christ, for they seek it not in Christ. This corresponds with our
Lord's words, "Far from the salvation which I am come to
accomplish are the words of my roaring, while I cry out to Thee
in the midst of the enemies that assail me" (Ps. 22. 2). .
156. Manifold are Thy compassions, 0 Lord. God deals with us
according to the measure of our actions. He takes into account
our weaknesses and our temptations. Therefore each one must be
judged according to his works. Life, Divine life, is the reward, but
the measure of the participation is according to God'sjudgement
passed upon our endeavour. Quicken me according to Thy judt;e-
men/so Such a measure of Divine life as would be beyond our
P SA L M I 19· 473
nly be our destruction. We are being
capaCItIes would O .
disciplined and prepared here on earth for the fellowshIp of God
by the power of the Holy Ghost, and only accordmg to o~r
. f that discipline can be our reward when God IS
exerCIse a H' . d
manifested in His saints. God gives us life, a.s IS JU gement
mercifully carries out the wisdom of His manifold compaSSIOns
(verse 149)·
157. I Many are my persecuto1'Sand mine oppre.sso~s,~he ]lowers of
darkness and the world soliciting my nature, which 111 Its feebleness
is so exposed to temptation, but f have not swerved from Thy
testimonies. I have clung to the grace of Thy sacraments by
abiding true to Thy covenant. I have seen the hollowness of all
their ungodly pretences.' God's compassions are many as are our
persecutors. Each persecution develops a fresh form of
compassion.
158. J saw the treacherous dealers an~ lo~thed them. Whatever
pretences they might make in order to inveigle me. must b.e \Vortl~-
less because they observed not Thy promise. Their aim in lIfe. IS
whollv different from that of the Psalmist. By ~utward servIce
they ;vould bribe God to accomplish what they. deSIre,. but they do
not set their hearts to desire those heavenly gIfts whi ch Go~ has
promised to them that love Him. The Psalmist's expectatIon IS the
expression of his love.
159. See how f love Thy precepts! It is not merely ~e feal: of
punishment which must keep us from sin. It is love to (,od :"hlch
must hold us up to obedience. Quicken me, 0 Lord, acconll11![to
Thy mercy, yea, according to Thy' promise~ mercy (verse 154)· [he
gift of life is an unmerited promIse. QUicken me a~cordt11gto Tizy
judgements. The glory hereafter must differ accordmg to the use of
grace which is thus rewarded (.vers.e 156).. _
The triumph of the promise IS still only accordzng to Thy me?cy.
I True, I have loved Thee, but how feeble has my lo~e. be~n.!
Accept my love even in its weakness, for I could not love 1 hee If It
were not for the gift of Thy love, whereby Thou ha~t called me.
Thy mercy gave me that love. Thy mercy surel~ will a:c~pt ,my
t of love however feeble. It shows that I stil] am Thine.
re urn,
160. The sum of Thy Word is truth,
l J esus IS
." t he W ny, t1Ie.
Truth, and the Life." God's Word is unchangeable. Eve?, one of
Thy rigl1teollsjudgements endurctl: for ever. Th~ e~pectatl.o~ may
1 <Tedbut the fruition shall be eternal. Cod s WOr<!IS true
b e pro on" , W d' -r 11
to its promises and never faileth. Go.d's '" IS g~l1(1l1gus .a
along. His final judgement is the malllfestatlOn of HIS everlast1l1g
 474 THE REDEEMED P S A LM 19.
I 475
Word, summing up all the judgements which have been developed princes of darkness assail Christ and His members while they are
by the successive acts of time.
in this world, but death will set LIS free. The resurrection shows
that the accusation is wit/lOut a cause.
The expectation of the faithful accepts every present affliction We must be circumspect in approaching God. "Christ was
with obedient submission (verse 153); looks to be vindicated in the heard by reason of His reverent circumspection" (Heb. v. 7). As we
fellow:hip of a higher life because of God's promises (verse 154); look forward to the glory of the resurrection we must fear lest we
repudiates the wicked who do not rise to the eternal verities of come short of it (I-Ieb. iv. I). "He that covereth his sins shall
C:0d (ve~se. [5.5); rejoices in the Divine compassion which develops not prosper. Happy is the man that feareth alway" (Prov. xxviii.
life by discipline and probation (verse 156) ; rests in the appointed 13, 14)· Jesus had no sins belonging to 1-1 is own Person, but He
means of grace in spite of all human opposition and all the bore our sins in His own I30dy on the Tree. He was made sin
temptations of Satan (verse 157) ; sees through the vain pretences of for us, so that by substantial unity of nature, He sets forth our
worldly deceit and shudders at their contempt of God's promises sins as being His own. He did not repudiate the reality of His
(verse [58) ; serves God with a true love, using the life of grace as union with sinful humanity, which subjected Him to the violence
a warrant for merciful judgement when life shall be perfected of Satan, the Prince of this world, whom He came to conquer. He
(verse 159); lives in the everlasting truth of God, according to the did not treat sin as if it were a matter external to Him, so that I-Ie
fulness of His Word (verse [60). had only to crush it. The victory in that case would not have
been the victory of man whereby God should be glorified over the
~ SCIlIN rebel Prince of this world. It was necessary for Him to feci the
full power of Satanic persecution and temptation, and to resist it
The Victory oj the Faith/ul One by the exercise of His human will, anointed as it was with the
Holy Ghost. Thus I-Ic triumphed as Man, and by the Etcrnal
161. The victory of the faithful is manifested in the Divine Life
Anointing Spirit presented Himself without spot to Goel, and H c
to which the number 300 points, and that is the value of the letter
is thus" able to succour us when we are tempted," for we, being
Schin. Man was created to conquer Satan. The strife is carried
incorporated into I-I im, are made partakers of the same .anointing
on by the various efforts of Satan to draw us away from faithful-
(I John ii. 27). We have to conquer by the same anornung power
ness towards God. The Psalm approaches its close. The great
whereby He conquered.
struggle which is the object of man's creation is therefore fittingly
So "He was heard in that He feared." This word represents
celebrated here, preparatory to the final section which speaks of
the Cross. the human circumspection whereby He avoided all that was dis-
pleasing to God. It shows the reverence to. the ~ivine Presen<;=e
The persecttHon by the powers of the outer world is only a
within Himself which was the object of HIS continual love. So
subordinate exercise of that persecution whereby Satan is continu-
cloes St Paul bid us as the members of Christ keep ourselves from
ally assailing God's people with manifold temptations and suffer-
ings. sin because "he that despiscth, despiseth not man but God, who
ha;h also given unto us His I10ly Spirit" (r Thess. iv. 8).
By the "princes" we should therefore specially understand the
Isaac who was offered up to pie upon the altar on Moriah, was
" principalities" of darkness with which we, as "the Seed of the
a special type of our Lord J esus Christ, and the attitu?c ~f His
woman," have to contend. They assault and taunt the faithful
mind towards God is specially characterized by that which 111 the
during life. So it is that we find the mighty powers of Heaven thus
Epistle to the Hebrews is appropriated to Christ. Jacob speaks of
designated in Daniel as the Princes of Persia and Grecia. Thus
"the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of
Michael is the Prince of the chosen people (Dan. x. 13, 20, 2 r ).
Isaac," and again, "He sware by the fear of His father, Isaac"
So in the Psalms, the covenant people by their sin are to fall like
(Gen. xxxi. 42, 53)·
one of the princes, i.e. like Lucifer (Ps. 82. 7).
This then is the characteristic of Christ and of His people. It
This is the section of victory through the resurrection. The
is not merely the reverential fear which is one of the seven gifts,
 476 THE REDEEMED PSALM I t 9. 477
but the human circumspection which that filial awe consecrates. difficulties, for" love is the fulfilling of the law," whereas the mere
The one expre.sses the ~ivine relationship. The other connotes obedience of natural intelligence fails of fulfilling the law aright
the. struggle with an evil world which makes the child of God even when all seems clear. The mistakes of love are accepted.
:hr.lnk from all that can be displeasing to God. "M y heart." God will overrule them for good. But the exactness of self-seeking
fhls expresses t.h~ huma~ effort. "The Spirit of holy fear." This fails of pleasing God. We stumble through pride.
expresses the Divine anoll1ting. 166. '1 am intent for T/~y saluation. Though I keep Thy law
. All fear is n.ot. neces:a.rily holy fear. It becomes holy by with changeless love, yet do I look for Thee to save me. My life
virtue of the an?lI1tll1~ SPirit. The Jews, if they rejected Messiah, is not worthy of the glory of the resurrection which Thou hast
would cry out 111their world-wid'
h'
agony
,e
"for th r f hei
rear 0 t err promised. lltave done Thy commands. I look for Tlzy saiuation.
e~rt wherewith they should fear, and for the sight of their eyes Save me that I may do. Save me in the doing. Sauc me in spite
which they should see" (Deut. xxiii, 67). This human fear was of my failures. I need to be saued out of the earthliness of my
only carnal. nut the rejected people in the latter days "shall natural condition, saved by dying to it, sa7Jedby being taken up
return and seek the Lord their God, and David their King, and into Thy risen life.' The weary way of earthly life leads to salva-
shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days" (H ... tion as its end. The consciousness of that for which we wait make
) Thi . c os. III.
? " IS IS th.e same human fear, but it ceases to be carnal. It even the years of service seem to be but a moment (Gen. xxix. 20).
IS spiritual, being brought about by the gift of the Hol Snirit An earthly deliverance were of no avail. 'We look forward to a
Th y pmt.
ey ~re not then a~y longer to fear merely because of the sight better resurrection in the eternity of God's love (Heb. xi. 35).
?f th.elr .eyes b~holdmg their punishment, but because of the 167. The Psalmist observes Gods testimonies. They are the
IIlummatlon offa~th, revealing to them the goodness of God, that they strength of his conduct and the warrant of his expectation-
may return to HIS love. "My solace and my counsellors" (verse 24). He loves thern for
So ~nust,.we ~a~e afiar of God's words because we rejoice in His they bind him to God, whom he loves abs(lrbingly.
promzse. This IS the victory that overcometh the world even our 168. 'J ltave ooserued Thy prccepts and Tily testimonies. I have
faith," "faith which worketh by love." ' done so with the joyous consciousness of Thy watchful love. "I r
162. :r
he pr~mise of God is as sure as anything we can have in ye keep My commandments,
have kept My Father's
ye shall abide in My love, even as I
commandments and abide in His love"
possess~on. 1he ~romise of the risen glory is far better than the
possession of spoils from this world, the love of the eternal (J ohn xv. 10). The personal power of Thy Presence is my safe-
Father better than the spoils gained with much toil from the guard. All my ways are before Thee. Thou guidest me with
grasp of the enem~. They mnst perish, but that love is eternal. Thine eye. I do not judge myself by my own standard, but by
God =:
resurrection.
not promise earthly things. His promise waits for the Thy scrutiny. Thou makest me know myself so that my self-
judgement in penitence is the anticipation of Thy judgement in
~6J. All that. ,:"e can. secure from the enemy is only deceitful. the day of resurrection. When I look up to Thee, I see what I
It IS no true abiding satisfaction. The law of God is eternal. It am in Thy sight, and only in the mirror of Thy judgement can I ...
comes from love, and it calls for love. Yea it is fulfilled b I know the truth of my own sins.'
'T12 1, do ,y ove.
~v au/ 0 Ilm,e, and only by love can I know Thy law, for only
thus can I know Thee.' The persecuting foe, the great accuser, is at last foiled (verse
164. S(ve!~ time! a day do !praise Thee. The praise uttered in 161). God's champion rejoices in God's promise as one who has
the .resurrectlOn Will be the eighth, the consummating, the eternal already won the spoils from the enemy (verse 162). It is the
praise ". G~d's righteous judgements are a sevenfold probation, and victory of love on behalf of eternal truth against the deceits of
our praise IS the response which we must render. the world, the flesh, and the devil (verse 163). The life of the
.165. The love of God:s law will carry us safely onward to the conqueror has been a life of sevenfold praise, while he has had
victory o.f the resurrection, the peace of the heavenly Jerusalem. to bear many sorrows, as the judgements of God came from time
There will be no stumbling. Love acts with safety under all to time upon the earth for his discipline (verse 164). In the
 I
THE REDEEMED
midst of all troubles the faithful have perfect peace, and their
faith is not disturbed by what sorrows they have to bear (verse
165). They wait for God's salvation to be revealed, the victory
which is sure to those who keep God's commandments (verse 166).
It has been enough for them to live upon earth with the hidden
power of God's sacramental covenant. They observe the means
of grace and love them (verse 167). The Divine champion has
done all according to God's will, and triumphs in God's covenanted
strength (verse 168).
n TAU
The Pleading of the Cross
All my ways have been before me. So the last section closed.
The champion now can say, " It is finished."
169. • Thou seest me. a let my shout rise up to Thee, that I may
see myself. I speak to Thee as looking down from on high upon
me. So do I look up that my prayer may reach Thy Face. Give
me understanding. My cry responds to Thy will. Thy Word is the
gift of Wisdom. The mystery of the Cross is what the natural
heart cannot fathom, but it alone can satisfy my soul.'
The understanding which the Psalmist desires is nothing less
than the understanding of the Incarnate Word, on whose Humanity
rests the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding in all its fulness.
This understanding initiates us to walk in the way of God's precepts
with a sense of their mystery (verse 27). An understanding heart
keeps God's law in a spirit of love (verse 34). We cherish this
law as the true end of our being, if we understand what it is to be
God's creatures fashioned by His hands (verse 73). The gift of
understanding enables us to rise from the bond-service of natural
necessity to the obedience of filial freedom (verse 125). This
understanding is our true life, apprehending in glory that righteous-
ness for which we are now apprehended of God in Christ, by
the sacraments of grace (verse 144). So that our cry rises up to
God, and finds its complete satisfaction in the truth of the Eternal
Word, whose Incarnation is the root-principle of our spiritual
desires (verse 169). As this Psalm draws to a close, our under-
standing must rise up to contemplate the mystery of the Cross,
the gate of salvation, by which we who have been buried with
Christ by baptism into death are led onward to sit along with Him
in the heavenly places upon the throne of etemallife.
We must be careful to use the understanding for which we ask.
P SA L M I 19. 479
" I will apply my understanding to Thy testimonies" (verse 95)· So
our meditation must be practical. The understanding is blinded,
and not illuminated unless we keep God's precepts while we learn
His will (verse 100). The practical understanding trained in God's
precepts hates what God hates with a personal consciousness that
it deserves to be hated (verse 104). God's Word is a light which
gives understanding to the simple. We must seek it with
simplicity (verse 130).
Upon the Cross Jesus exclaims, Why?
That question did not arise from ignorance, but it could only be
answered by experience. The human understanding, even though
full of the Holy Ghost, cannot have that question solved while it
has to act under the limitations of earthly existence. He whose
understanding was. perfect for earthly knowledge, asks to have
His understanding glorified in the fulness of the glory of the
Divine Wisdom, which is H is own eternal Personality. 'Give me
understanding according' to Thy Word, developed in all the
experimental glory of that Wisdom which I have along with
Thee as Thy consubstantial Word.'
170. Our supplicatio1t does not originate God's graciousness.
His promise must stimulate our supplication. In proportion as
our desires rise up with responsive gratitude to call forth God's
promise, so do we learn how wonderful that promise is. We find
our need of one 'deliverance after another, as we experience the
development of God's promise. That promise is infinite. Christ
claims us upon the Cross for Himself, making us partakers of
eternal life by the Blood which flowed from His sacred side. It
is His reward that He thus gives us life (lsa. liii. II). We must
be crucified with Him and claim Him in participation of the Cross.
His promise assures us of a triumphant deliverance.
171. So must our lips o'erjlow witll praise. Those who are
redeemed from among men sing a new song (Rev. xiv. 4), for
they are taught of God, and acquire a knowledge of God's
predestinating love, the decrees of the Divine Sonship com-
municated to us by the triumph of the Cross. "None can know
the Name" of the Divine Sonship, "hut he that receiveth it" (Rev.
ii. 17). Our life as God's children must pour itself forth in praise,
and that praise must be in proportion to our experimental know-
ledge of that life, and that life and that knowledge must be ever
expanding in the contemplation of God, so as to be worthy of
God from whom the life comes, and to whom the praise is given.
Only the Incarnate Son, co-equal with the Father, can praise Him
 THE REDEEMED
PSALM I 19.
in the fulness of truth. We can only praise God for H is eternal
love by being absorbed into the personal consciousness of the unto death." Thus was the law fulfilled. His lifelong obedience
Eternal Son. complete! And as He fulfilled it in Himself, so He requires. us ~o
172. Let my tongue respond to Thy promise. The deliverance fulfil it if we would partake of His redemption. Our salvation IS
wrought upon the Cross is in accordance with the Divine promise compl~te by our incorporation into Him that ~ied. Then do~s
(verse 170). We cannot praise God unless He fill our lips with Satan lose his power over us, and the accomplishment of God s
the inspiration of His Holy Spirit (verse 171). Now, then, our la w is the solace of the faithful. Whatever our earthlysurroundings
tongue must rise up to the revelation of the promise. But we may be, we are working for a life beyond the grave, whilst. in the
cannot show forth God's praise with our lips, unless we show it power of Divine grace, we fulfil the law. Whatever suffenng we
forth in our lives, keeping God's commandments. This is the may have, our solace is in the remembrance that we are to endure
promise of God, the gift of righteousness through the victory it as the discipline of a loving Father. . .
which Christ wrought for us upon the Cross. He enables us to 175· The Body of Christ died upon the Cross. !1IS S~uf went
keep God's commandments. down to hell, living with the power of the indwe lli ng S.PlTlt. ~o
173· Let Thine Hand help me. The Right Hand of God is if we die in fellowship with Him, as having been crucified With
manifested upon the Cross for our salvation' (verse 166). It is Him our souls shall live and praise God. "The dead praise not
also manifested for our help. He who died to save us out of the Thee, 0 God, neither' all they that go down into silence," but
hand of the enemy, helps us to live by the power of His inspiration we will praise the Lord from this time forth, for evermo~e
to the praise and love of Goel. The Psalmist has choserz God's (Ps. "5· 17). "He that liveth and believeth on Me shall never (lie
pre{{'jls, but we need God's help to work along with us when we (John xi. 26). .
have a good will. God's help is threefold, strengthening us to meet the false
Christ is the Right Hand of the Father. The Divine Personality accusations, the assaults of the enemy, by the grace of perseverance
was the help whereon Christ relied amidst His human sufferings. (verse 86) ; by acceptance through the Cross in death (verse 173);
He did not look for that Personality to manifest itself actively for by the final retribution in the life beyond the grave, and the
the overthrow of the enemy during the continuance of His earthly joyful resurrection in the day wherein all judgements shall be
struggle, but He had that present security which would be mani- summed up (verse 175). . . .
fested when the perfection of His human will in choosing God's God'sjudgements are given to H is people for their purification,
precepts had been fully tested upon the Cross. not for their destruction. They sllall Ilelp me. What seemed to
God's Hand made us (verse 73). God's Hand is ready to accept be my hindrances, holding me back from triumph, shall be found
us. When the time of trial was over, Christ commended His as ordinances of blessing that have helped me on my way. The
Spirit into the Father's Hand. So God welcomes His perfect work use we make of God's judgements in time will determine the
and delivers Him from the toil of the flesh. judgement of the great day. .
Herein we must recognize the law of God's dealing with our- 176. All mankind are God's sheep, but the whole race of man IS
selves. We are not to look for God's help by supernatural mani- gone astray, " All we like sheep have gone astray ~ we have .turned
festations of successful triumph over enemies in this world. God everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon H rrn the
is glorified by our faithful suffering. He is none the less, "a very iniquity of us all" (I sa. liii. 6). "The way of the wicked shall perish"
present help in trouble" (Ps. xlvi. 41), a help ready to be rnani- (Ps. J. 6), that is, the way offallen man. Christ is "the Way of the
fested by our perfect deliverance when we have been thoroughly righteous." He is the Way by whom the redeemed come. to the
proved. To that interior help we must always be looking, while Father (John xiv). Christ came to seek and to save that which was
by faith we act in the consciousness of the Personal Christ, the lost. He saves by bringing us back from the way of fal~ehood ~nd
Right Hand oj Cod, dwelling within us. sin into the way of truth and holiness by incorporating us into
174· I have 10Jlged.for Thy salvation, 0 Lord. Jesus has Himself.
wrought out our salvation upon the Cross. "He was obedient This is our plea in claiming God's remembrance. l.forget 1I0t
Thy commandments. If we would walk in the way of the redeemed,
VOL, II, Z II
 THE REDEEMED PSALM I 19.

we must walk in remembrance of Gods commands. Then God will purchased every faithful soul, to live as Thine own bride, with the
not forget us and our needs. But if we jorget His comnmnds, He life-blood of immortality flowing from Thy wounded Heart. Thou
remembers us as having rejected His salvation. He called us to hast died to enable me to keep Thy commandments, and in keep-
the obedience of faith. Faith lives in the memory of the unseen ing them by the power of Thy grace, I will cling to Thee, that I
while carrying out God's commands. If we fail of that alle- may live with Thy life for ever.'
giance, we must be swallowed up of the world of sense which
hides God from us, and we must perish as not using the means of The faithful soul, following the Redeemer in H is triumph, cries
deliverance which God has provided. out for the gift of understanding in order to accept the mystery
The Psalmist entered upon his pilgrimage with the cry, Forsake of the Cross (verse 169); looks for deliverance according to God's
me not utterly (verse 8). He ends with the cry for welcome promise (verse 170); praises God for the eternal love manifested
which even in his condition of estrangement he has earned by in the Son whom He requires us to worship (verse 171) ; accepts
his faithfulness, for he can say, however much I have been left all God's commandments, as ordained to make us worthy of the
alone, I have not forgotten Thy commandments. Christ was to be promised salvation (verse 172); relies upon God's helping Hand to
forsaken, i.e. left to the struggle with Satan alone, but when He welcome in safety those whom He subjected by creation to the
came to the Cross, the Hand of the Father would welcome His Soul, discipline of trial (verse 173). It is for Jesus that the soul longs.
for He had not forgotten Gods commandments. At last the true Union with Jesus, the Saviour, in the law of the new life is the joy
Lamb of God is manifest. Manhood has gone astray like a of the soul (verse 174). The soul gasps with the desire of the true
perishing sheep, but the Son of God has taken this manhood upon life to which it comes as it dies in the world, the life of praise, the
Himself. The Shepherd has become the Leader of the flock. The Divine deliverance perfected in the day of judgement (verse 175).
Lamb of God lays down His life, and in the power of the resurrec- As it dies upon the Cross it feels the sinfulness of the human
tion becomes Himself, by virtue of His crucifixion, the Door of nature which has held it down. The last gasp of earth is to seek
the sheep, so that all who are crucified with Him may find a new for the Redeemer's help. Seck Thy scruant, The soul that is
life in Him. faithful to Christ passes into the tranquil joy of acceptance in the
a straying race of man, perishing homeless in the wilderness of Beloved. I do not forget Thy commandments, and this is the
the world! God has not forsaken thee utterly. He has sent His commandment wherein the life of the redeemed finds its consum-
Son to take thy nature upon Himself. He has sought thee, calling mation in the glory of the Redeemer, " that we should believe on
thee unto Himself. He created this manhood in His own image, the Name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and love one another,
for His glory. He sought it when it was lost. Still He seeks. as He gave us commandment" (verse 176). "He that keepeth
Wherever there is any soul that in its weariness seeks for Him, He His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby
who created the nature will not fail to seek that soul. None is we know that He abideth in us, by His Spirit which He hath
lost because God's ear is closed against the cry. I t must be the given us" (I John iii. 24).
cry of every individual soul, Seek Thy servant. The penitent soul [The apothegms of this heavenly discourse cannot be put into
must come to the call of Jesus crucified. On the Cross He seeks, couplets of English verse without wearisome monotony. I t does
He calls. So being lifted up, He would draw all men to Himself. not therefore seem necessary to give any fresh translation. All
Those who come to Him must come with penitence. 'I do not readers have three versions at hand, the Prayer Book, the
jorget Thy contmandnicnts. I do not forget my sin. The call of Authorized Version, and the Revised Version.
the Redeemer speaking from the Cross sets before me the majesty This may be a fitting opportunity for reference to the translation
of Thy commandments, the sublimity of the righteousness which of the Psalms in Dr Kay's Commentary. Many of the phrases of
is required, the glory of the Love which has provided so great a the Psalter are turned into English with great felicity.
redemption. On the Cross Tholl hast sought me. On the Cross Dr Driver's Parallel Psalter is a book which may be constantly
let me find Thee. On the Cross, Lord Jesu, Thou hast triumphed read with great help.
over Satan, purchasing my soul as Thy reward. Yea, Thou hast
 THE REDEEMED

Keble has shown the triumphant power of his devotional verse

in Ps. 119. as much as in any of the Psalms. He has retained with
accuracy the details of the original, while moulding them in the
cast of modern devotional converse with God, and making his
lines a commentary, in which the mind of the writer breaks forth
in the freshness of English sentiment.]
 FOURTH QUINDECAD

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

PSALMS 120.-134.

THE SONGS OF ASCENT

THE long Alphabetical Psalm sets forth the moral,

external relationships of the redeemed in their pilgrimage.
The fifteen Psalms which follow are songs of everlasting
. joy, embodying the spiritual experiences of the journey.
Ps. 120. is the cry of the soul desiring the peace which
is only to be found in Jesus, and escaping in Him from
the oppression of the father of lies.
Ps. 12I. is the confident utterance of the soul in whom
Christ is revealed, gazing up through the opened door
of the Divine Sanctuary to the hills whereon the
heavenly Jerusalem is founded.
Ps. 122. is the joy wherewith the redeemed soul hears
the voice of the Beloved as He leads the multitude of
His blessed ones into the House of the Lord, that, the
strife being ended, they may exult in the peace of
Jerusalem for ever.
Ps. 123. contemplates the King in His glory seated
upon the heavenly throne and welcoming the pilgrims.
Ps. 124. expresses the consciousness of Divine power
which fills the soul in the contemplation of past deliver-
ances.
Ps. 125. is a cry of thankfulness, as realizing the
485
 i
I
i FOURTH QUINDECAD
THE SONGS OF ASCENT ,

stability and security of the heavenly city, the fulness of Ps. 132. pleads before God the glory of the Incarnate
peace. Presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Old Covenant.
Ps. 126. looks back upon the earth's discipline as a God Himself has come to dwell among His people.
dream. The laughter of Sarah in her unreadiness to He is the Son of David to be enthroned upon Mount
believe is changed into laughter of Divine ecstasy. The Zion, and the priestly ministrations have their virtue
weeping of earthly weakness! The harvest reaped in from Him who wears the living mitre of mediatorial
Divine power! The ~hild of earth is lost in the infinity royalty.
of God! Ps. 133. exclaims at the vision of delight by reason of
Ps. 127. is a contemplation of the worthlessness of all the outpouring of Divine love which ascends to Heaven
created aims and agencies. The true result of life is with fragrance from the earth, binding all Christ's Body
that Divine fruitfulness which is not of men but of God, in one, descending also to the earthly worshippers with
whereby the soul becomes productive through Divine all the wealth of earth, as dew that falls on God's chosen
power of an offspring which God shall welcome as His people hallowed by heavenly benediction.
own. Ps. 134. closes the series with another exclamation of
Ps. 128. continues the benediction of the preceding delight, calling upon the Heavenly Host, as they have
Psalm with a twofold declaration of happiness. The witnessed our pilgrimage in the world of darkness, to
toil of earth was not a dream, but the fruit of the labour praise God for the accomplishment of all holy desires by
of love is an eternal reality. The Divine power was the glorification of God in man. The true Temple, the
accomplishing beneath that toil an issue of fruitfulness, sanctuary of God, is made manifest, and this is the end
which shall be the reward of the soul to all eternity. for which God created Heaven and earth.
Ps. 129. sets forth in contrast with this reward the
worthlessness of those withering objects which the Ps. 135. is the Psalm of the Presence Chamber.
enemies of Zion are intent upon. We have escaped Ps. 119. spoke of the law, which was to bring us to
from their revilings, and there is for them no blessing Christ. It was like the long road upon an earthly
from the Lord. journey leading to the foot of the hill.
Ps. 130. is a Psalm of the Incarnation. Ps. 20., which The Psalms of Ascent portray the spiritual experi-
is its complementary Psalm, was a Psalm of God-speed to ences wherewith we climb the heavenly height.
the King going forth to battle. The Psalmist looks Ps. 135. finds us rejoicing in that broad and level
forward to the resurrection morning, when the King plain of which the Psalmist has spoken more than once.
shall have subdued the Powers of Darkness. The true We have reached the high table-land of heavenly
end of the conflict of the Incarnation is not attained promise, the Presence Chamber of the great King.
until Christ shall come to be glorified in His saints. JAIl, Adonai (verse 5), Messiah, is above all gods. His
Ps. 131. speaks with the tranquillity of holy confidence, government of the world is to find its consummation in
not demanding great evidences of God's fellowship, but this welcome of His saints.
resting with satisfaction on God's will. Physical nature, the very winds, obey His will.
 THf:.: SONGS OF ASCENT PSALM I2r.

Pharaoh and the Canaanitish kings show how the powers We have to seek peace in the heavenly Jerusalem. But there is
of a hostile world must perish and their glory shall be nothing which stimulates the world to war so much as the mention
given to His servants. All false religions perish with no of heavenly peace.
profit to the worshippers. Zion is the home of praise,
THE PREDESTINED HUMANITY IN THE BONDAGE OF
where the faithful are being nurtured in the covenant of
TilE FLESH
the living God. His personal majesty welcomes them
Unto the Lord, with sorrow nigh,
to Himself with love in the heavenly Jerusalem, whither
I raised my voice. He gave reply.
they ascend.
2 Lord, free my soul from lips of lies,
Ps. 118. chanted of the triumph of J AH, and the The tongue that speaks in guileful wise.
opening of the gates. . The suffin'n!{ o/tllt Son t>/eod, the incarnate Truth, in a world of/a/schood.

These seventeen Psalms (Pss. 119.-135.) are the

3 What shall be given as Thy reward,
jubilant song, as of the multitude pressing onward
Thou tongue of guile? Thy hire record.
I · through the opened gate, and following their triumphant 4 Arrows of might, right sharply shot,
Leader into the City of God. It is the blessed" pro- And coals with burning fury hot.
cession with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, the TIre punisklllen! awaiting- tlu: world.

multitude of them that keep holy day" (Ps. 42. 5).

o woe! As Meshech's guest I'm found!
One more Quindecad, to give utterance to the con- I dwell with Kedar's tents around.
summation of delight! Ln menrarion amidst continua! bonda.fe.

6 Long dwells my soul without release

PSALM 120.
Enslaved to him that hateth peace!
THE CHILD OF PEACE IN THE LAND OF THE ENEMY 7 I call for peace! But if I spake,
They quick for war their part would take.
GRADUAL I The world's refection 0/ tIll message 0/ peace.

A Song tif Ascents

PSALM 121.
CONSIDER the evil condition of the soul subject to the falsity of the
g~eat accuser, b~t contemplate the wrath of God ready to fall on THE HOME OF HEAVENLY HOPE
him. Satan while we are here overwhelms us with temptations GRADUAL II
and calumnies. God who calls us in the Way of Life to ascend to
Himself will execute vengeance upon him. The Mighty God shall A Song of A scents
be our avenger. Meshech, the natural man, and Kedar, the LOOK to the everlasting Hills! There Jesus ;s building up His
Apostate, the Ishmaelite son of Abraham, hold down the heirs of Church. There He is preparing a place for Thee. Thence it is
the spiritual Kingdo~. Viole.n~e and falsehood must be met by that He sends down the Holy Ghost with continual gifts of that
gentleness and truth In the SPirit of Christ.
peace which passeth understanding. So He help~ us ,with His
As Rom. vii. prepares for the following chapters, so Ps. 120. for the Right Hand, that we may walk al?ng the Way of LIfe.. fIlat wa;:
Psalms which follow. We must learn the weariness of the world is not on the level of earth. "I wi ll make my mountains a way.
in order to press onward to escape. The world cannot be changed. Heavenly help is given that we may go forward in the heavenly
 490 THE SONGS OF ASCENT
PSAL M 122. 491
life. The Holy Ghost comes "from-with the Lord." He is the
Consubst~ntial Spirit, not inferior to the Father, but abiding per-
sonalIy w~th the Father. and the Son. He is now coming to thee PSALM 122.

by a continual Procession, quickening the Church, ever since the

day of Pentecost. The Church may undergo periods of darkness TilE REPOSE OF THE SAINTS
when aII seems to sleep, aII except powers of evil; but the Divine
GRADUAL III
Pr~sence sleeps not. He is personalIy guarding His Church
a~.I~st .aII dangers and .evils. Amidst the sunlight of a false A Song of Ascents.: David's
clvlhzatl.on ann the !noonh~ht of a defective Christianity, He wiIl
keep HIs p~ople alive until the day of His glorious appearing. o TH E transport of delight, to stand in the gates of Jerusalem!
~atan and his angels are strong to assail, but greater is He that is The undivided joy of the saints gathered together upon the
In us. than he that is in the world. H is help is sure and all- heavenly hills! Jerusalem built up in unity of Jiving consciousness
sufficing, but we must look up for it that we may appropriate it. by the power of the Holy Ghost! All baptized into the one great
Name, partakers of the Eternal Sonship in the Body of Christ!
TilE PREDESTINED HUMANITY IN THE EXPECTATION OF' The ruins of the earthly covenant have been quickened into a new
DIVINE HELP organic life of indestructible unity! The thrones of Apostolic
Unto the hills I lift mine eyes! grace encircle the Great White Throne of the Divine Redeemer
Thence will my needed help arise-- and partake of His life. The twelve lions of Solomon's throne
2 Help from the Presence of the Lord, live with the glory of the Lion of the tribe of Judah. The Lamb that
Maker of Heaven and earth ador'd. was slain reigns in Salem with the righteousness of Goel. He is
, leSt/s.ac{ed un der God's g'llidaJtc(, and flow/rol1llhe IIIrone o/God helps His peo"le
the Lord of Powers. He is the Mediator of Peace. The city is a
v.lIth DIVine power. r: Temple. Thither the faithful come up, and each soul must pray
for the peace of Jerusalem. Each and all rejoicing in one joy!
3 My feet from stumbling He will keep: The Temple, the House of the Lord, is the Body of Christ. All
Yea, He that guards thee wiII not sleep. are created for the manifestation of H is glory, and He who is the
4 Sinks not in sleep, nor slumbers He image of the Father's brightness is the life and joy of everyone.
Still guarding r srael watchfulIy. '
TJ" manhood o/Chn'sl slaps in Ihe dmllt o/Ihe Body, bul nol ill /lis Diville Person, THE PREDESTINED IIUI\IANITY IN THE JOY OF TilE
fn Psalm J. Ife lay down 10 slup, Now (Ihe last occurrence) He slups no 1110"(. SANCTUARY

5 The Lord shall guard thee, strong to aid, I thrill'd with joy to hear them say,
The Lord on thy right hand, thy shade. We'll go to the Lord's House to-day.
6 Thee ne'er by day the sun shaII smite, 2 Our feet their standing place can claim
Nay, nor the baneful moon by night. Within thy gates, Jerusalem!
The Humanily is at Go,fs Riglrl If,wd in Glory. God is Oil lIis Riglrl Hand by 3 Jerusalem, well built thou art,
Ihe pOW(r o/Gmce.
City well-girt in every part.
4 Thither come up the tribes from far,
7 The Lord shall keep thee safe from wrong,
Witness of Israel, tribes of JAH !
~hall k~ep thy soul, though foes be strong. To thank the Lord's Name, there they arc,
8 I'hy gOIng out, thy coming in
S For there are set the judgement thrones,
The Lord shall keep, till endless life begin. Thrones which the house of David owns.
~~
l;oas help in. daily actions, but above all, in /({lving tlte UlOy/d
.
and rrturnine in
6 Peace of Jerusalem! Blest prayer!
How prosperously thy lovers fare!
 P S A LM 124· 493
492 THE SONGS OF ASCENT
THE PREDESTINED HUMANITY IN THE SECURITY OF
7 Thy forceful towers let peace possess,
DIVINE SERVICE
And prosperous wealth each palace bless!
8 For brethren's sake and comrades' glee Ev'n to Thyself I lift my suppliant eye,
My heart speaks out-" Peace be in thee!" Enthroned supreme in Heav'n's own majesty!
9 Our Lord God's House! For that blest claim 2 Lo! servants' eyes look to their Master's hand,
I seek that good may bless thy Name. A maiden's eyes to her that has command!
Tit •• Wit ere I am, t h er« sltall ye be also," Joy of lite redeemed in lite resurrection.
Gazing unto the Lord our God we stand,
e fwtnly:/~ur th rones along wilh lite Lamb. •• My peace I give unto you." Tlte Until to us His graciousness expand.
p~ace of God IS Ihe slrengtlt of lite Clturclt in Iter conflici wilh lite world. Tlte indi- The individual soul called in th« fellowship of the Chu,-ch, to personal knowledge
uidual soul loses self-consciousness in Ihe Divine/oy of lite Communion of Sa in Is.
of J "US in His glory.

3 0 Lord, be gracious, gracious, we entreat!

PSALM 123. So sore despised are we, yea, more than meet!
4 More than enough our soul doth long endure
WAITING FOR GOD'S MERCY
The laughter of the men that dwell secure-
We, the despised, while they, so proud, are sure.
GRADUAL IV
To be despised along with Christ is the condition of sh aring His grace:
A Song of Ascents

JERUSALEM, the peace of Jerusalem, this is but an empty name PSALM 124·

.unless there be personal fellowship with the King . " What avalilsS I,
it
If I see not the King's Face?" Moses longed to see God's Glory.
The A~ostles longed to see. the Father. God can only be seen by
love. 1h~ measure of love IS the measure of sight. "If a man love
Me he will keep My words, and My Father will love him and we
will ?ome u~to him and make our abode with him." So do'es Jesus
manifest Himself to us and not unto the world. It is to this
perfect vision of love that the pilgrim citizens are pressing forward.
In all sacramental ordinances we must seek no mere abstract gift
of grace, but personal manifestation of Jesus to our souls. Heaven
opene?! Jesus at the Right Hand of God I Lord Jesus, receive
my SPirit'. So we own Him as Master. So we feel His welcome.
?o "". reclprocat: H~s love. Servants appeal to their Master-
individuals to their King. The maiden appeals to her mistress-
the Chu.rch to ~he sac.red ~umanity of her Bridegroom. In the
fellowship of HIs Mediatorial Incarnation, she beholds Him en-
throned on high, both Lord and Christ.
As He -:v~sdespised o~ earth, so must we expect to be if we are
really so living true to Him as to behold Him and reach out to His
embrace. The p~ide of Kedar mars our outward peace, but the
sweet haven of HIs love fills us with joy.
TIlE ESCAPED BIRD
GRADUAL V
A Song of Ascents. David's
OUR help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of ~~aven and ear~h,'
from-with Him, in His Name. The heavenly Citizens may claim
such living personal help. The people of the world cannot.
What they have comes from God, but it does not come with
the life of God. The world cannot swallow up the life of God.
They rage at us as they did at Christ, but they could. not ta~e
away His life, nor can they ours. "The Lord IS on my Side, I Will
not fear what man doeth unto me." Such must be the confidence
of the pilgrim. The floods would have dro~vne~ '": Th~ uprisings
of spiritual evil may assail the body. Evil SPIrIts ass~11 the soul.
We have to meet this twofold danger If we are pressmg onward
to God but God protects us on the way. The proud who rebel
against' God must perish. The. humbl; s~ek Him and .are safe.
wn
They laid snares for us. Death ISSat~n s vicegerent, holding do.
all who do not seek God. The snare ISbroken by the resurrecnon
of Christ, We escape as a bird, for we have the wings of the
 494 THE SONGS OF ASCENT
heavenly dove. Death does not come upon us by God's penalty,
but by Satan's tyranny. Our passage through death shows that
God is on our side, and that Satan's tyranny is broken. Death
and hell tnust be cast into the lake of fire, and everyone whose
name is not written in the book of life.
THE PREDESTINED HUMANITY IN ESCAPE
WATERS OF THE GRAVE
But for the Lord who was for us-
Let Israel speak, exulting thus-
2 But that for us the Lord was found,
When man against us rose around,
3 Surely they'd swallow'd us alive,
In angry mood so hot to strive:
4 Surely the drowning flood would roll,
A stream to desolate our soul:
5 Surely o'er us had roll'd a tide
To whelm our soul,-their surging prideI
6 Let blessing rise unto the Lord for aye I
He gave us not unto their teeth a prey.
7 A bird from snare escaped-our soul is free!
The snare is snapp'd: we 'scape to liberty.
8 His Name we find our help, all-glorious Lord,
PSALM 126. 495
the City of Divine Righteousness. This is the "king~0~1. that
cannot' be moved." The typical city shall pass away. The Il11tlat?ry
covenant shall pass from those to whom it at first belonged. 1he
mountain of earth shall be cast into the sea of the Gentiles. ~ut
the covenant with David is sure. The throne of David s.hall. ns.e
FROM THE triumphant in world-wide array and heavenly glory, h~vIng ." :t
the life of the Eternal Word as a sure pledge of perpetuity. Go~ s
covenant fails not, even though man may fail. Wha~e\'er evils
come upon the Church, there is within her a recuperative powe.r,
so that faithful souls may always look up to God and find HIS
strength. He will make His power to s?ine in the faithful, but
He will purge out of His Kingdom everything that defileth.
THE CITY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN HER STABILITY
Who trust the Lord, like lion's hill, stand blest,
Unshaken to eternity to rest.
2 Jerusalem! See hills close-girding round!
So round His people shall the Lord be found,
Through all futurity'S abyss profound!
TIl(! deliuerance 0/ tire saints is cttYfUl110
tl/( Peace o/God, whu(in tile Chllrell abides.

3 No wicked rod shall rest

=:
. n~hteous. land,
The peace 7uJric/z. ': in jerusalem
can dlSlll1 h II.
is

Maker of Heav'n and earth, for aye ador'd. Lest righteous folk to malice give their hand.
The presmct 0/ Clrn'sl will: llis P(o/>/( in tit( tin,. 0/ Ir,,,,,i/iation, a/>/(dg' 0/11r, Tlu nglcttolfs IJa'i}Cflot/ling- to/ear/rom the ungodl;'.
glory to ,uhiclr 1/, calls 11/(",. DMt" has lost its po-w(r for those who aNd, in Clrn·sl.
4 Lord, on the good make Thou Thy goodl~s ~hinc-
On those whose upright hearts are true to Thine.
PSALM 125.
5 All who in crooked wanderings turn aside
TilE CITY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN HER STABILITY With villain-workers shall the Lord deride:
But changeless peace on Israel shall abide.
GRADUAL VI TIre goodness tuherein. they lived is tlu joy suhcrcin to they art suciconrcd.

A Song of A scents
PSALM 126.
I F we would prosper in our pilgrimage, we must set our affections
on things above. As citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem we must WEEPING AND REAPING
be looking forward to our true home. Hills enclose the earthly
GRADUAL VII
Jerusalem. The heavenly city built upon the Holy Hills is girt
- with the Divine love. They who cling to earth, ceasing- from their A Song of Ascents
pilgrimage, and fearing its perils, forfeit their own place, but cannot
lION is secure! The promises cannot fail! nut oh! how .littl~
mar the destinies of that Holy City. The gates of hell assail the
do we realize the security and the greatness of those. promls.es .
multitudes that are marching thither, but cannot prevail against
What shall the consummation of them be when the risen saints
 THE SONGS OF ASCENT PSALM 127. 497
are gathered with CI rist into the heavenly glory! We get
glimpses to cheer us on our way, but no heart hath conceived
PSALM 127.
the reality which awaits us. When the Lord brings us back from
Satan's captivity, what a dream it will seem! Let that be real to LIFELESS WORK AND FRUITFUL LIFE
us now by faith, as then by sight! Our visions must not fade
away in faint-heartedness, but strengthen us with accumulating GRADUAL VI I I \
anticipations, so that we may meet our assailants and tyrants
A SOIlX of A scents. Solomon's
with confidence. 0 the laughter of that day when the Seed of
Abraham shall appear in the fulness of His Divine inheritance! NOT perhaps written by Solomon, but referring to him as Jf'didiah,
The children of earth shall laugh by reason of the Divine welcome. the loved one. From him the City of Righteousne.ss \~as to gl.ow.
God shall welcome His Son from the struggle of earth. "He that Tl Divine covenant of Messiah would be fulfilled In his offsp.rJ~g.
dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh." The throne of Zion shall le . . h h s by Divine
Jehovah builds: not by human toll, hilt I~ \ e d eav~n builds the
shine with Divine glory. This vision must always be with us.
life The Lord built Eve nut of Adam soy. e . I
Meanwhile God will refresh us continually with abundant streams Church out of the nndy of Christ. Solomo.n's Temple must fal .
of grace. He takes our toilsome tears and makes them flow back Solomon's Child shall live for ever in the multltud.e of the rec1eel~ec1.
in torrents of grace. So shall our life on earth be fruitfu! in the he romise of wisdom was given to Solomon 111 a d~eam. The
glorious harv·est-day. Earth's tears enrich the sheaves which Tlor YPof another world was given to the Incarnate Son 111 the 51,eep
shall be reaped in the eternal sunshine.
gf d t1 His enemies thought to triumph over H irn on Calvai y.
oThey eashall
1.
be ashamed when He appe.ars. ~ t th e g, 'ate at theCd"'last '
THE CITY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN HER DELIVERANCE . d in the erfected number of H I~ saints, born unto ,0 III
~?nfie Meanwh~le quietly He builds H IS Church. Not by human
irn. I "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings He
When the Lord turned to Zion's turning host,
energy a~~. po~~~~" He that keepeth Israel sleepeth not, thOl~gh
We were as men in dreamy transport lost. perfects IS P '. Blessed is the strength which
2 Then laughter filf'd our mouth with shouts of glee! He may seem to take no notice. . '. irit Vain
Our tongue rang out with jocund ecstasy! Cod has blessed, the ministry made fruitful by HIs" Sp~n . c

The Gentiles' wondering watchword could but be, is all toil which looks to earthly means of power for ItS triumphs.
"The Lord with these hath wrought right mightily."
3 Right mightily with us the Lord hath \fraught! THE CITY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN HER FRUITFULNESS
o what rejoicers were we at the thought! AS TII E LAMB'S BRIDE
TIlt return /r011t Babylon anticijJata the return at flu resurrection .J-rolll the
If the Lord build not the dwelling
crave. Tlte suddu'l1uS'$ a suypnse to tlte/aitltful !)ulI/selves and 10 fluiyenemies.
Vainly builders toil thereon;
If the Lord guard not the city,
4 Lord, turn our captives! Still the thought rnusr cheer-
I n southern drought what sudden streams appear! Vainly wakes the garrison. . .
5 Who sow in tears with shouts of joy shall reap. 1 r ronan toil can .r list.'
1117Jer 0.1 : /Ir 'J b ""l?
.: <success
SI • The Clmrel, is co,rs /Jl,,/d/ll.~'.
6 He goes-goes, weeping-seed's rich boon to cast:
He comes, he comes with shouts, and sheaves' glad wealth 2 Vainly do ye rise at mor~i~g-
at last! Late at night your VIgils keep,
Eating bread of weary labour !
In tlzi's second part we ,nay see an intilllation 0/ 'Itt./inal conversion. o/lsrtU/. lie
wllO w,tt /01' jenlSal,m wins tlt'm witlt jO)" Nay !-He gives His loved one sleep. .
ifuJl would /1(1..1)C tIlt: increase .
wizrc/l C ".IYlS t g-IVCS,
ei 1vc mus t do ait our ,;uork lJl tlit:
tranquillity o/,/aitlt.
VOL. II. 2 I
 THE SONGS 61" ASCENT PSALM J 29 .. 499
3 Lo I the Lord's own meed are children:
THE CITY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN HER PERPETUITY
Fruitful wombs He gives as hire.
4 Arrows in the hand of giant :- Happy who fears the Lord! Yea! He
So are sons of youthful fire. Walks in His ways obediently.
All oital droe/opment;s God's glfl. 2 Thy hands have reap'd thee ample food:
Happy thy lot with every good!
5 Happy be the strong man reckon'd, 3 Thy wife a fruitful vine appears,
If such quiver's wealth he knows. Which in thy courts its beauty rears:
Shame shall never be upon them: Like suckers which the olive bears,
In the gate they brave their foes. A group of sons thy table cheers.
A lift/ruit/ul fhror<ghrace shall be glon'ous to Eternity, 4 Lo I Blessings thus on him be pour'd,
The strong man, fearing well the Lord!
5 The Lord from Zion blesseth thee,
PSALM 128.
Through all the days of life to see
THE BLESSING OF ABIDING PEACE Jerusalem's prosperity,-
6 To see thy sons with sons abound!
GRADUAL IX Let Israel thus with peace be crown'd !
A Song of Ascents }fumble obedienc« fruitful through Divine plr",er. The Divine slrenglh 0/ hllmb/e
obedienc«. Theperjuluily of its results.

THE fruit of the womb is God's gift. All the blessings of increase
must be accepted as coming from Him. They that do no wicked-
PSALM 129.
ness walk in His ways, the ways of pleasantness and peace. God's
blessing enriches our toil but does not supersede it. We must THE WASTER OF GOD'S PEOPLE WITHERING AWAY
work as befits our Divine Sonship for our Father's glory. So shall
our lot indeed be hies sed. "Whatsoever we ask. we receive of Him, GRADUAL X
because we keep His commandments and do that which is well- A Song of A scents
pleasing in His sight." As the Church is fruitful unto Christ, so is
every work full of fruitfulness which is done with the vitality of THE first five of the Gradual Psalms closed with an expression
the Divine Blessing, which holy obedience will always possess. of acknowledgement attributed to Israel that God's Presence alone
Lifeless wealth is profitless. Earthly joys rise up to the heavenly could save them. So now the second quintad closes with the
joys which they symbolize, if they are hallowed by the fear of the utterance of judgement against their troublers, and this is put into
Lord. the mouth of Israel-" Let Israel now say."
Moreover, this joy is not merely individual. It is social. It is This Psalm refers to all past suffering from the days of Egypt.
the joy of holy love. Its blessing spreads out to all Jerusalem. In The blessing of God has rested upon the First-born, and therefore
the Communion of Saints the joy of each is the joy of all, and the none has prevailed against Israel.
universal joy is the common delight of all the members. Joy it is, As with the nation, so with the individual. We must look back
not like the joy of earth which soon must come to an end. It is and see how God has preserved us. The assaults of man should
the joy of eternity. We look forward for this joy to expand with awaken, not our complaints against our fellow-men, but our thank-
continual increase during successive generations. The Blessed in fulness to God.
Paradise rejoice in the extension of the grace of Christ as the They strove to cover my body with stripes, but God cut their
number of His elect becomes perfected. This joy survives all cords and I am free.
earthly consciousness. It is the joy of eternal life. Cords of sorrow! Cords of sin I
 500 THE SONGS OF ASCENT PSALM 130. 501

The enemy hates Zion because Zion is God's true home. If I
would know peace in God, I must be prepared for every scourge
whereby the powers of evil who hate God will assail me. God will
turn them back ashamed. They shall be as grass growing upon
the housetop, bright for a moment but quickly withered. The
lives of these men pass away in fruitless toil. There is no brotherly
love, no joy in God's fatherly benediction, no hope of spiritual
increase. Israel rises from shame to blessing, but these pass from
popular applause to worthlessness in death.
THE CITY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS VINDICATED BY DIVINE
JUDGEMENT UPON ALL HER ENEMIES
Oft have they troubled me from youth's first days-
So seems it in sad plaint that Israel says-
2 Yea, oft from youth's first days have troubled me,
But never wholly won their victory.
3 Upon my back the ploughers drove their plough,
Furrowing my back with long, long stripes of woe.
4 But lo! the righteous Lord, in twain hath snapp'd
The cords wherewith the wicked hath entrapp'd.
The Church 0/ Cod has a life 0/ conlinuallrouble at tire world's Irand, bul never
.uholly fun·shes. f erusaiem was SIIhJecled 10 more overthrows tlrall any other city. It
is Ihe law o/Clrris!'s Body. The lonllfurrows. Tire word used in the Psalter only 0/
the len£"flro/God's/orblflrance and 0/ Divine Eternity.
5 All who on Zion look with scornful hate,-
Let shame and back-turn'd terror be their fate!
6 Be they as housetop grass, whose worthless sprout,
Ere one can pluck it, withers in the drought;
7 Flung off as worthless from the reaper's hand;
Flung from the lap when binders twist the band!
8 No friendly passers' greeting be address'd-
"The blessing of the Lord upon you rest;
In the Lord's Name we bid you to be blest."
Those wlro have rejected Christ's blessing Irave none to bless tlrw,. Tlreir deallr is
not precious in the s,'g-hto/tl,e Lord. The angds do not bind the", as tIre sheaues of th«
Lord, The homage o/worldly p.-ai.re is huslred. The mortals o/earlh I,m., no hlessing
to /five if! that day.
PSALM 130.
WAILING AND WAITING
GRADUAL XI
PENITENTIAL VI
A Song of Ascents
PAST deliverance and yet increasing trouble! Such is 'the history
of God's people. A fresh descent is the preparation for each step
of upward progress. Grace given must be proved by trial if we
are to look for increase of grace. Peace upon Israel is a state of
war with all outside.
Out of the deep I call! nut in the deep I am not alone. The
Son of God has come down to the deep of my sorrow, and the in-
dividuality of my joy must expand in the fellowship of Jerusalem. So
also the individuality of my sorrow must be merged in the Passion of
the Incarnate Goel. There is no ascent to that joy but through the
gateway of that sorrow. In the Passion we learn the intensity of
the struggle with sin, the Divine character of the tnumphant
exodus, the reality of the pardon which God gives, tl~e et.ernity?f
redemption perfected in the Holy Ghost. By entering 1I1to ~hls
struggle of our sinful race, the Incarnate Cod calls us round Illn:-
self and gives us hope, but that very hope makes us fear. As It
destroys despondency, so it necessitates effort in the fellowship of
love. In penitence there must be gratitude and fear. There must
be hope not merely to be lifted out of the deep of sorrow, but to
rise out of the deep of sin. It were not enough to rise up to be
with God, unless we rise up to be like Him and see Him as He is.
We are the children of the day. We do not watch merely for a
rnorninz whose brightness shall fill the world wherein our labour
lies. We watch for a better morning arising in our hearts and
strengthening us to act in the light of the eternal life whereby God
dwells in us and all our works are wrought in Him.
GOD HUMBLING HIMSELF TO BECOME INCARNATE FOR
l\{AN'S REDEMPTION
Out of the depths I call, a Lord, to Thee;
2 List, Master,' to my cry!
Let Thine attentive ears be nigh,
My cry for grace ascending high.
TIre Incarnate SOft apjJeals from the depth 0/0111' nature wl/ielt -ums /JOJl1:rI /ly
Satan. TIte wonder which AI",z was inviled to ask.
 THE SONGS OF ASCENT
3 0 J AH, if Thou iniquity dost brand,
o Master," who can stand?
4 For pardon is Thine own prerogative:
Thus in Thy fear men live.
5 I hope! my soul's true hope is in the Lord!
I wait for His sure Word,
6 With soul toward the Master' upward borne,
More than when morning watchers watch for morn.
It is th~ Word who brings the redemption.
7 Thus waiting, to the Lord let Israel flee,
For treasured with the Lord shall mercy be :
Redemption for His people copiously!
8 Redemption He to Israel will give,
From all iniquity to make him live.
Tlte Redeemer unt! set usfre«.
PSALM 131.
THE TRUSTFUL WEANLING
GRADUAL XII
A Song of Ascents. David's
ASSOCIATEthyself with thy Saviour in His humiliation. God's
works are very gradual in their development, and have their com-
mencement in living germs which we cannot detect. Our growth
in spiritual apprehension must be akin to this law. The loving
acceptance of Divine truth does not startle the intelligence by any
sudden gratification. The progress must be perpetual but im-
perceptible. If we are looking up to God and seeking to do His
will, He will reveal His truth to us with increasing power, but He
will not do our will, if we are seeking to know what He has not
revealed or to limit by the measure of our apprehension what may
be the scope of His revelation and His promises. Seek the lowli-
ness of grace and thou shalt find the exaltation of glory. "He that
is mighty will do to thee great things" if thou acknowledge the
nothingness of thy low estate. He whose Name is mystery will
make His mysteries .known to thee, if thou art content not to seek
the mysteries but to live in the meekness of His Incarnation.
The natural heart is fretful in its quest of truth, but the spiritual
\. . I
P S A LM 132.
must be weaned from earthly impatience, restful in God's love,
accepting what God gives. Sweet is the patience of hope, dear to
God, full of blessing to men. Dwarf not thy desires, butIet a
Divine contentedness purify them from the ferment and' scum of
earthly self-will. Thou canst receive nothing from God except in
proportion to the integrity and simplicity wherewith thou g-ivest
thyself to Him. Wait upon Him with constant joy, and eternity
will not exhaust the fulness of blessing which He will give thee in
Himself.
GOD HUMBLING HIMSELF BY TIlE INCARNATION TO
BEAR THE DISCIPLINE OF EARTHLY LIFE
No high heart mine, 0 Lord! No lofty gaze!
No proud pursuit of great mysterious ways!
2 Soothed, hush'd, like weanling on a mother's breast,
My weanling soul thus sinks on me to rest.
3 Thus waiting, to the Lord let Israel flee,
Now and eternally.
The human soul 0./ Christ ruts tranquilly u/>onHis Divine Person.
PSALM 132.
TIlE ENTHRONEMENT OF TIlE ARK OF THE COVENANT
GRADUAL XIII
THE benediction of David did not exhaust itself upon Solomon's
Temple. It spreads onwards so as to rest upon the Catholic
Church of Christ, the Temple of Christ's Body. Our appeals to
Christ as David's Son derive all their force from the covenanted
blessing to David which rests upon Christ and finds in Him its
consummation. "All his trouble." Claim thy part therein. It
was his by anticipation of Him that should be born of him. It
must be thine, if thou art a member of the Crucified, so as to profit
by the Passion.
Praise God for the song of the angels at Bethlehem. We who
were the wild woodland of heathenism have the ark of God dwell-
ing among us. The ark was brought into the Temple. We have
to follow Jesus in His Passion. It is a march of glory. Thus
come we to the heavenly heights, a continuous procession through
the grave. We enter into the holiest with the Blood of Jesus,
clothed with H is righteousness, singing as the Spirit of Christ
gives us utterance. The predestinating love of the eternal Sonship
 THE SONGS OF ASCENT PSALM 133- 505
rests upon the Manhood which we bear within ourselves. Our The Divine Oath
prayers rise up with the claim of H is all-sufficing merits. So does
the earthly Zion rise to heavenly glory, not by processional change lIThe Lord in truth to David sware,
of place-but by spiritual development of inherent life and power. Nor turns from what His words declare,
The promised Sprout of David's line shines and is glorified with the Fruit which thy body shall beget
brightness of Him who is the Light of Light, the Consubstantial Upon thy throne I'll firmly set.
Son of the Father. 12 Ifbut thy sons My covenant hold,
My testimonies duly told,
THE INCARNATE GOD A PRIEST UPON THE TIIRONE Their sons when countless years have ro\l'd
OF DAVID Shall sit where thou wast throned of old.
Tlu choice 0/ David an ctcrna.! i'rcdcrtination. A II nrenrocrs 0/ ~'Iln~st nrt: sons 0/
The Precentor ]),wid. Tlte p.-rpetuity o/I'is 1Ia/u",,1 ~l7rpring' conditional upon tlt"!'./rllth/II/ness.
For David, Lord, let mem'ry store
All the afflictions which he bore,
The Chorus
2 Who took his oath unto the Lord- 13 The Lord in Zion chose to come:
His vow to Jacob's Puissance pour'd- Yea! He hath longed for this to be His Home!
3 "The tent, my home, I come not nigh,
I climb not to my couch on high, Divine Benediction continued
4 I give no sleep mine eyes to close, To countless years My rest it is !
14
Nor to my wearied lids repose, My Homestead! yea! I long'd for this!
5 Till for the Lord a place I find, Rich blessings on her store I'll shed,
15
Dwellings where Jacob's Puissance shall be shrined." And satisfy her poor with bread.
rite humiliations of tlu Passion are tlte meritorious foundation 0/ th( rcurard.
16 I'll bring her priests salvation's vest!
If, will no/ suk /0 enter iruo His glory witl,outfirst estnb/ishin!: th, COV(1tn".te/ Ift:r
Church, tltal God IIlIl)' d7.lltdllttre/o·,. euer. This If, 'Would do be/ore lIe dies a n d C01l- Her saints in shouts of joy be blest!
SlIlIllffflttS it ill Ilis Ascension. Jacob's Puissance is supreme 01.1(1' heavenly PUiSSfl'!CCS
(I's. 78.) and itt./rrnnl p"issattC(, (Ps. 76.).
'7 Th~re David's horn I'll make to sprout;
My Christ's trimm'd lamp shall nought put out.
The People 18 I'll vest her foes in shameful gloom;
His mitre on Himself for aye shall bloom.
6 Heard in Ephratah was the sound, Zion li/ted tip to spiritual glory. Earthly ordinances fillt:d 'witll IIL·a,lfn!.)' pO';llrr.
E'en as in J air's fields we found! TIre Bread 0/ Heauen for poor mortal m a n .. The IIO~n, tlu: sup~rll~:If~al SP:·~~(t n/
7 Into His dwellings let us go, David's line. It shines 7..uitl, th e illnlicnablt-. L1KIlt 0/ Ltg/t!. fIe IS A HI.!: and I } test,

Defore His footstool bending low!

Bdhlrh'lII th, plae( ift;', Nativity. PSALM 133.

The Precentor THE UNITY OF DIVINE LOVE

8 Rise here to rest, 0 Lord, at length, GRADUAL XIV

Thou and the ark where bides Thy strength! A Song of Ascents. David's
9 Thy priests with righteousness be clad I
With shouts of joy Thy saints be glad! TIlE ark is in the Temple! See now how the Temple expands.
10 Pledged to Thy servant David stay! The whole city is the Temple of the Lor.c1! All i.ts stones glulV
o turn not Thou Thy Christ's dear Face away! with the flush of the Divine life. Corning to Him who IS the
1'/1( JNuish. covenant 'Was It transitory one of jJil.f[n'",agc. 'lIlt! Ch ristin » COZ'(1t(!1!1
Living Stone, "we all as lively ston~s are bUi.l.t up for the
is th, ruifu{n(Ss 0/ nn eternal Horne, habitation of God by the Spirit" (r Pet. II. 5 ; Eph. II. 22).
 506 THE SONGS OF ASCENT PSALM 134. 507
Recognize the heavenly unction, renewed and developed within
thyself by the sacraments of grace. The unction on Aaron's head PSALM 134.
flowed over his beard and made his raiment fragrant. Christ is the
THE BENEDlCTORY WELCOME OF THE PILGRIMS
Head. The beard represents His manhood sacramentally ex-
tended. The saints are His clothing, His mystical Body. The GRADUAL XV
fine linen is the robe of sainthood. He is not seen distinct from A Song of Ascents
those in whom He dwells, nor they from Him. The beard hides
the neck-band of earthly initiation. The Humanity of the WE are pilgrims of the night. Think of the Heavenly Host praising
Incarnate Word spreads over us with bright joy. Christ in His God all the while in the brightness of the day. We are the
completeness is the predestined object of Divine Love, the offspring children of that day, though for a time the darkness of earth holds
of earth glorious with heavenly delight. This is the eternal Son us down. Jerusalem on high has the glory of God, and the Lamb
typified in the Patriarchal blessing by the odorous sweetness of a is the illuminating principle. We must seek to have our blindness
field which the Lord hath blessed (Gen. xxvii. 27). enlightened by His grace. We must rise from the darkness which
As the dews of Hermon are carried in clouds to refresh with binds us down, to consider the glory of those who have never felt
showers the parched steep of God's chosen H ill, so does God who our dark bondage, but who are waiting for our redemption to gain
pours His Spirit from on high make outward things also to the full glory of that Light wherein they dwell. The pilgrims of
minister to the purposes of H is Providence, and earth's barren earth are full of interest to them as they watch the glory of God
fleeting wealth is made to minister to the building up of His H
City.
01; working in us, and look to have His manifold wisdom made known
to them by our exaltation to a glory greater than their own.
Oh! how would our despondency vanish, if we could hear the
shouts of angels on the river's bank praising God throughout the
THE INCARNATE SON GATHERING THE PEOPLE INTO lapse of centuries, as the Church comes forth from the dangers of
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE DIVtNE UNCTION her course, and each individual is rescued from the midst of tempta-
tions which had nearly engulfed the soul.
Behold, how good the sight, sweet benison, They praise the Lord who dwells in Zion, and witness the secure
The Home where brethren bide, and all are one! fulfilment of His promises. He is the Maker of Heaven and earth,
2 Like the good oil which, pour'd upon the head, the Lord of angels, and the Saviour of men. They, and we, come
Down to the beard its flowing fragrance shed, forth from one will, rest in one keeping, rejoice in one love, watch
Yea, Aaron's beard which, sweetly hallowed, for one consummation of destiny. Zion is the radiating centre of
O'er his robe's mouth with flowing reverence spread. blessings, wherein they themselves shall live eternally.
3 Like moisture borne to Heav'n from Hermon's snows,
Which falls in kind y showers on Zion's brows. THE INCARNATE GOD ENTHRONED AMIDST TIlE
The order'd blessing there the Lord bestows, ACCLAMATIONS OF THE HEAVENLY HIERARCHY
Life whose blest power th' eternal myst'ry knows.
Lo! all who serve the Lord, bless ye the Lord!
Tlte unity 0/ lire Clturr:1r by reason 0/ lire eternal Spiril received .Irom C'/r,.isl. l1te Who stand in the Lord's House for nightly word!
Head. Tlte ptnuers o/the earlh shall minislerlike lIen,;on 10 lite ltnuly peoplt o/God.
2 Lift up your hands in holiness,
With rightful praise the Lord to bless!
TIll Temple o/Cltrist'sglori/ied Body. Tlte nigh/·season 0/ our ta,-tltly expectation"

3 The Lord from Zion grant thee to be blest,

Maker of H ea v'n ancl earth by all con fest !
Tlu Incarnate Son enth"olt~d in Zion, the Giv(y of all blessing-.
 508 THE SONGS OF ASCENT
P S A L M 135.
4 For JAH hath t~ken Jacob as H!s choice, " I

PSALM 135. Israel, His special wealth wherein He would rejoice :

Triple pmise of the Lord's Name. Tlte name " Lord" occurs fifteen times. JAil,

WAKING TO LIFE IN GOD'S PRAISE Jehovah, JM' (verses 3,4). Jehovah, Adonai,Jehovah (,'crses 5,6).

HALLELUYAH X Tile Lord in Nature

WHAT will it be to wake up to life? What will life be? It will be
the praise of God in communion with all the blessed who live in
His praise!
In this Psalm of the Presence Chamber, where J AH is seen
reigning in the heavenly Jerusalem, we cannot help noticing th'e
triplicity of utterance in which the Triune life, which sustains the
worshipper, finds its expression by the power of the Holy Ghost,
before the Presence of the Father, as manifested in His Incarnate
and glorified Son. God appears Threefold in the mystery of com-
templation, Threefold in the beneficence of nature, Threefold in
the vengeance upon sin, Threefold in the covenant of grace, Three-
fold as the object of worship.
We begin with a call to the Heavenly Host to praise God. We
end with a call to the Church of the redeemed to bless Him.
Praise belongs to the angels who worship Him as their Creator.
Blessing belongs to the Church of God, pouring forth H is praise by
the inspiration of Divine Love, as belonging to the Body of Christ.
The Psalm ends with a Halleluyah which sums up all.
The Name Jehovah occurs fifteen times, the number specially,
significant of Christ.
J AH occurs three times in the first strophe.
5 Yea, truly I know well, the Lord is great,-
Our Master, past all gods in sovereign state!
6 All that the Lord delights in, He will do,
In Heaven, in earth, in seas, in depths below,
7 He makes the winds from earth's horizon rise,
And for the rain the lightning flash supplies,
Bringing the wind out of His treasuries.
The Lord in History
8 He smote th' Egyptian first-born, one and all ;
Both man and beast beneath H is sentence fall.
9 Signs, portents-Mizraim I-through thy region went,
Which He on Pharaoh and his servants sent.
10 The Gentile multitude His vengeance smote,
And kings of serried power to slaughter brought.
II SO Sihon perish'd, Ammonitish king,
And Og, the King of Bashan, following:
All Canaan's kings their suppliant homage bring.
12 Their land for a possession sure He gave!
Israel, His people, that possession have!

THE TRIUMPHANT SONG OF THE PRESENCE CHAMBER Tile Lord oj Spiritual Life
JAH, the Lord in Heaven 13 0 Lord," Thy Narne " eternal shall endure:
I HALLELUYAH! o Lord," Thy memory lasts for ages sure?
14 Surely the Lord His people will redress,
C

His servants with relenting love to bless !

N ow let the Lord's Name) be with praise ador'd !
15 Idols, to which the Gentiles bend in prayer,
Give praises, 0 ye servants of the Lord!
Are gold and silver, framed by human care! •
2 In the Lord's House your station fixt ye own,
16 0 voiceless mouths! Eyes without power of sight!
Courts of the House wherein our God is known.
17 U nhearing ears I Mouths void of breath's delight!
3 Praise J AH ! The Lord, so great in goodness found:
18 Such also are the men by whom they're made!
Extol with psalms His Name/ that sweetest sound!
So senseless all who trust in them for aid!

II.
510 THE SONGS OF ASCENT

The Covenant Lord

19 But ye, 0 House 1 of Israel, bless the Lord' ,
o House 2 of Aaron, ye must bless the Lord'l> !
20 0 House S of Levi, ye must bless the Lord c !

The Universal Lord making Jerusalem a Blessing 10 A II ,

Who fear the Lord.! all ye must bless the Lord 2 I
F'IFTH QUINDECAD
21 Blest be the Lord 3 of Zion's thankful race.
Who makes Jerusalem His dwelling-place!
HALLELUY AH. PSALIIIS 136.-15°.

THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL THINGS. PREFATORY

Ps. 136. is the Great Hallel, the joy of the redeemed,

uttering itself in triplets of praise to God for all that
He has done.
"The Lord God omnipotent reigneth " (Rev. xix. 6).
Ps. 137- is the solemn chaunt of victory over evil.
Babylon is fallen, Edom must' share her doom, and
Edom signifies the carnal Judaism.
" Rejoice over her, thou Heaven, and ye holy Apostles
and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her"
(Rev. xviii. 20).

A n Octave of Davidic Psalms

Ps. 138.-1 n this Magnificat David praises God, for

the fulfilment of blessing surpasses the promise. The
exaltation of the Son of David in Divine Glory, the
glorification of the Father by manifesting His Son
as the Redeemer triumphant in the flesh, is a mystery
which man could not have conceived, but now" every
tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father" (Phil. ii. J I).
Ps. 139. sets forth the corresponding truth of the
reality of the human nature of the Incarnate God.
511
512 THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL HALLEL UY A TIC PE NT ATE UCH 513

Messiah comes not to do His own will, but the will Him out of prison. That power which was hidden
of the Father who has sent Him. He comes to work during His imprisonment in the flesh upon the earth
out a predestined law of life. The darkness of earth will be manifest in His Soul, making it triumphant
into which He comes does not separate Him from the when He goes down into Sheo!.
Father. God prepared Him in the womb to do battle Ps. 143. deprecates the penalty which belongs to Him
with the evil one. All God's enemies are His own naturally in that He has identified Himself with the
enemies. He comes in the strength of God to fight mass of fallen humanity, taking upon Himself the likeness
them all, and God knows that His human will is wholly of sinful flesh. No man can be justified before God,
true to His Divine mission. but He claims deliverance for God's very righteousness
Ps. 140. is the prayer of the Seed of the woman to and for His Name's sake, because He is always "led
be protected, although the seed of the serpent assail of the Spirit." He has come to do God's will.
Him with the poison of asps. God will establish Him Ps. 144. is the Conqueror's song of joy, for He has
in His own Presence, and His redeemed people, the achieved the assured victory over Satan for which man
upright, shall sit with Him upon His throne. Observe was created. This Psalm looks back to Ps. 8. and Ps. 18,
that this Psalm is complementary to Ps. 10. The work the Psalms of man's predestination and of Messiah's
of Antichrist, in the subtle; secret, fraudulent and violent deliverance. Its relation to Ps. 143. is like that of Ps.
oppression of the poor, is followed by the exultation 8. to Ps 7. In this new song the Psalter. finds its
of the poor and the overthrow of the man of the earth culminating joy. It ends with a double blessing. We
for ever. contemplate a new Heaven and a new earth wherein
Ps. 14I. is an evening Psalm, a contemplation of death, dwells the righteousness of the Covenant God.
even the death of the Cross, whereon the Redeemer's
Hands should be lifted up. The faithful are seen
Ha//eluyatz'c Pentateuch
in th~ir distress. Their bones scattered in death upon
the earth seem to be cast away, but they are the
Ps 146.-Halleluyah to the King of Zion, who is no
seed of a new harvest. God will keep the soul of
mere child of clay, but the Creator of Heaven and
His servant as He passes through Sheol. He is the
earth, manifesting Himself in the healing of all griefs
true" Hebrew" crossing the greater Jordan.
and all diseases among the people.
Ps. 142. is the utterance of the Soul of Christ in
Ps. I47.-Halleluyah to Him who gathers together .'
this world of darkness. As the last Psalm spoke of
the scattered hosts of Israel, building up the New-
deadness of the body, so this speaks of the soul, not
Jerusalem. He knows the stars of heaven with in-
however as if the soul of Christ suffered in hell. In the
dividual knowledge, and provides for the needs of all
contemplation of hell through which He has to pass He the beasts upon the mountains, manifesting Himself by
recognizes the necessity of the Divine manifestation to
His Word unto Jacob. The very winds and the waters
be His sustaining principle of life, and this has to be
obey Him .
.called forth by prayer. So He looks for God to bring
Ps. 148.-Halleluyah from the sevenfold intelligences
VOL. II. 2 K
514 THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL PSALM 136.

of Heaven, gathered up in an octave of praise to the well as of this planetary system which is immediately manifest to
Creator of the renovated universe, and also from all ourselves.
earthly powers, to acknowledge Him as the Redeemer, He is the Redeemer of Israel, destroying the bondage of our
earthly darkness. He lifts us upward by the power of the Holy
for He is come in the power of the Divine Name to
Ghost, and feeds us with the Bread of Heaven.
raise up a horn of salvation, that His people, the The praise of God is the life of Heaven. I t must be our strength
sons of Israel, may give Him the praise which belongs upon the earth.
to their nearness to Him in the new life.
Ps. 149.-Halleluyah from the saints thus brought near TIlE GREAT IIALLEL
to Him, lifted up into the fellowship of His glory. They
1 0 thank the Lord, supreme in goodness shown,
rejoice in the salvation for which they have meekly With mercy evermore!
waited. They will execute vengeance upon the re- 2 0 thank the Cod, who reigns midst gods alone,
bellious spirits of pride. With mercy evermore!
Ps, I So. Halleluyah in tenfold utterance from the 3 0 thank the Master whom all masters own,
With mercy evermore!
perfected universe as a mighty decachord of sanctity,
moved by the indwelling Spirit of Life.
4 Who makes great marvels, all alone in might,
With mercy evermore!
5 Who, wise in counsel, made the heavenly height,
PSALM 136.
With mercy evermore!
ABSORPTION IN GOD'S ETERNAL GOODNESS 6 Who o'er the waters spread the earth to sight,
With mercy evermore!
THIS Psalm is to be distinguished from the Egyptian Hallel, but it Gorfs g+ea tncss in creation. -zmi /}fl)l. 3rd Day.
completes it. The Ascension of the Mediator, the First-born of
God, as celebrated in Ps. I [0., is followed by the two preparatory 7 Who makes great lights in heav'n's expanse to stay,
Alphabetical Psalms, while the six which come next constitute the \\lith mercy evermore!
technical Hallel of the Passover. The new exodus leads onward to 8 The sun to hold H is sovereignty by day,
the world-wide invitation and the consecration of the sanctuary. With mercy evermore!
" The way of life" in Ps. 119. brings us to the feet of the heavenly 9 The moon and stars by night to hold their sway,
staircase, and by the fifteen Psalms of Ascent the pilgrim rises to With mercy evermore!
the heavenly Presence Chamber. We have returned to the City of
411,Day.
Peace from the earthly Babylon. A Psalm of triplets with con-
tinuous refrain is now provided to set forth God's praise. This
great Hallel is the first of fifteen Psalms in which earthly worship 10 Who smote th' Egyptians, that their first-born died,
rises to share the glory of the eternal. With mercy evermore!
Thus we rejoice to worship Jehovah in H is own eternal life and 1[ And brought out Israel from their circling pride,
in His sovereign relationship to all the powers which He has With mercy evermore!
created in Heaven and earth. 12 With hand of strength and arm extended wide,
He is the Creator of the earth and of the laws of space. He is With mercy evermore!
the Creator of the starry hosts throughout the realms of space as (,'O(£S.~reatlleS1 in the exodus,
 -
PSALM 137. 517
516 THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL
lodging without pining for the promises of God which rested upon
13 Who clave the Red Sea's depth with passage through, the sanctuary of their fathers? Nebuchadnezzar made artificial
With mercy evermore! hills to solace his bride with hanging gardens for the loss of the
14 And in the midst of it made Israel go, high lands of Media. The Israelite had a deeper sorrow. Yet
With mercy evermore I was his loss far less than our longing should be. He only knew
15 But Pharaoh and his force He drove below, the earthly Jerusalem. We have been called to taste the powers
With mercy evermore I of the world to come in the household of God. Can anything of
earth make up to us for the delay of Christ's appearing when we
16 Who led His people through the wilderness, shall rejoice in the glory of His Saints? Woe be to us if we forget
With mercy evermore! Jerusalem in our mirth!
17 Who smote great kings in manifold distress, We cannot simulate that life and that joy. If we are to
With mercy evermore! experience it, we must be dead to all of earth.
18 Yea! kings He slew brilliant in mightiness, Edom represents the carnal heart, religious. indeed, a~ sp~ung
With mercy evermore I from Abraham, but profane as failing to appreciate the birthrig ht.
God's continued py(JtJidential guidance 0/ His ptople. An avenger is coming, greater than Cyrus. The offspring of this
world's pride must be dashed against the flinty rock of His Passion.
19 When low we feIl, He bore us still in mind, All earthly hopes must be done away. We must escape fron~ the
With mercy evermore I bondage of the world, and hate the religion of the world, If we
20 And snatch'd us from th' oppressor's hateful grind, would sing the songs of Zion with freedom of heart, and fulness of
With mercy evermore! . beatific adoration.
21 He giveth food to flesh of every kind,
With mercy evermore I MESSIAH, TIlE EXPECTED AVENGER
I .ByBabel's streams we sat and wept,
22 0 thank the Godhead whom the Heavens adore;
While Zion's charms our memory kept.
With mercy evermore 1*
2 Upon the willows growing there
He remembers that we are butjiesh. and thou!:h we/all/rom the hig-h call 0/ His We hung our harps in sad despair.
Iooe, yet He bears with us, as with all His creatures. He/uds us in nature that He
,nay restore us in grace. 3 Captors, tormentors, then required
The words of song by joy inspired:
A Zion-song their pride desired.
PSALM 137. Deliueraru:e from J~ab'ylo1tn ty/>l 0/ deliverance from "u 'World. The 'world ex-
luels tIS to slunu iluioy of Hea-oen in lite mere sufujicial/orllls 0/ earth,

LOOKING BACKWARD TO BONDAGE AND FORWARD TO

VINDICATION 4 How shall we sing the Lord's song right
In soil which owns an alien's might?
BABEL had wealthy culture and wide streams. Why did the 5 Jerusalem, wert thou forgot,
exile weep? Babel could be no home! How is it with us? Are we Let my right hand in numbness rot!
at home in the world, or do we long for the heavenly Jerusalem, 6 Yea! to my palate cleave my tongue,
like those devout Jews who could not accept the comforts of their I f false through such forgetful wrong!
To Salem's glory must belong
• The four verses which are commonly printed between verses ,8 and '9 should be
omitted. They are an evident interpolation, repeated from Ps, '35., and destroy the The primal joy of all my song!
metrical character of this Psalm. which is arranged in triplets. AI~o, they develop We nrust be livin!: with Cod if we are to sin!: the song- which tlu Spirit 0/ God
unduly the remembrance of the Egyptian exodus, whereas this Psalm requires rather to teaches, 'Ft sn us t 710t It:! lIu world's deceits make us/orge/Jut 0/ lite ltea'i1tll/y joy.
have the Babylonian deliverance as the chief theme of praise.

I.
 518 THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL
P S A L M 138.
7 Remember, Lord, to Edam's race
The glory of that throne is not a glory of e~a\tation to D iv!ne
The day of Salem's sore disgrace!
equality but to Divine unity. The Son of David, a.Ithough as God
Hark, how they cry, Efface, Efface!
He IS . co-equal . I1 t h e Fatherv
Wit 'at rer, remai
rernams in HIS manhood to
Pull down her bulwarks to their base!
eternity inferior to the Father, and yet the two natures are. b.ound
Edolf" t'te earn at Judaism, allied witl, the world against Christ.
together in one Person, living with the life of, the mdlvlsl~le
Godhead. His Humanity is the Temple of the Godhead. M ,1I1
8 Daughter of Babel, fated one!
who was created lower than the angels, is to be made greater than
Happy who pays what thou hast won-
they, for the Consubstantial Son of Cod, whose Image they only
The deeds which thou to liS hast done!
reflect has taken upon Himself our nature, ancl quickened us With
9 Happy who comes thy babes to drag,
the fellowship of H is Personal life, triumphing over the powers
And dash them on th' unpitying crag! * of sin and death. That life He gives to us. The work of re-
finbylon, Ihe life o/Ihe w01-ld. Ch rist comin!: in/ud!:",,"nl. Thl babes, Ihe inslincls
0./ the carnal 'Ulluye. demption will not fail. The true Beloved calls lipan the Father
to complete all in glory, as in His earthly struggle He was abl:, to
say, " I have completed the work which Thou gavest Me to do.
PSALM 138.
TilE PERFECTING OF. OUR FAITH REDEMPTION PERFECTED
David's Glad thanks to Thee with all my heart I'll bring!
THE Psalter seems to reach a climax with the Halleluyah of the r n sight of gods to Thee my psa~m I'll sing!
2 Towards Thy holy Temple bending clown,
redeemed and the anticipation of the Great Avenger coming in
judgement upon the world. However, there is an octave of David's I'll thank Thy Name-Thy truth, Thy mercy own!
Psalms before we reach the final Doxology, the Pentateuch of Surpassing all Thy Name, Thy promise n~ak'st Thou' known!
H alleluyahs. 3 Thou in what day I call'd, didst answer gIve,
This Psalm is a Magnificat, confessing the low estate of man and Emboldening my soul with strength to .Iive. .
adoring the majesty of God's revelation and promise. All that 4 Thanks, Lord,' to Thee by all earth's kings be paid,
God has done is far short of what He promises to do. What He Who hear what promises Thy Mouth hath made.
has done was limited by our power of receiving. In what He Yea, they shall sing in ways the Lord ~ ordai~l'cI,
promises He lifts us up to share His own Infiility. Satan bade With how great glory He, the Lord," hath rcig ned.
The lJivinc Word gives e.i/ic(lcy to the Triune Name ': 1/(1/Y ,/3a/>tisJI': :~IIC 'lent!,.'t: ~
man desire God's glory in an earthly way. God predestinated man
I' D·· GI TI,e Naill'· ttre Incarnate Revelation. Th e prollllse. II,e .~/orlfy
to share H is glory by heavenly power. The deliverance from III turne cry.. II fA t . know fly
lng-Spirit. Tire promise 0/ g1orljicntion in God surpasses a ra 1IIan ca n
Egypt was but initial. God's First-born must be Divinely mani- external rrnetation.
fested in His redeemed people. David's throne was not to be
limited to earth. It was to be eternal in the heavens. The 6 The lofty Lord I views lowly souls with love:
returned exiles sang the song of their forefathers looking forward. The proud far off He knows from Heav'n above.
Much more gloriously must we sing, looking upward . through the 7 Thou giv'st me life, though sorrows r.ound me close:
opened Heaven, and watching for the final advent of the Kingdom. Thou send'st Thine Hand to quell rmne angry foes:
Yea! Full salvation Thy Right Hand bestows!
.• This Psalm is, as it were, an Apocalyptic Epinicion, a cry of victorious exultation
preparing for the closing octave of the Psalter. God's mercyendureth for ever. The 8 The Lord 2 for me brings all things to full end:
captives of earth, having now returned to the heavenly Jerusalem by grace, although· 9 Thy mercy Lord." eternal shall extend:
still waiting for the consummation of glory, look back upon the strife of earth and , , I 'd I
Cease not to perfect what Thine Hands have p ann : .
behold the vengeance of God upon the ungodly. Babylon is fallen. The nobleman has
7·h [ ti T'lu: Passion TIll Diuiru: C01l11(.(sl of Sru a n. 7~1l !loly
received his kingdom and the citizens who refused his rule must be slain before him C ncarna /On.. . . .r It B { ~
(Luke xi". 27). Ghost dt7JidojJs ill tlte/aitltfid tI,e work of Christ. Thc sanctification (1./ t COt')' n
Christ in itsfi na] complc!enfss.
520 THE CON S tJ M MAT ION 0 F ALL
P S A L M 139. 521

PSALM '39. 7 Where shall I go to 'scape Thy Spirit's might?

And whither from Thy Face direct my flight?
THE OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT GOD
8 If I should climb to Heav'n, I find Thee there:
To the Precentor. A Psalm of David Or seek a bier in Sheol, 10 ! still Thou'rt near.
SPEAK to God along with Christ. We are created in God's 9 The wide-stretch'd wings of dawn were I to take-
image, and we come to know Him in proportion as we know how My dwelling in the hindmost sea to make- .
IO Ev'n there Thine Hand would train me to Thy will,
He knows us. Our knowledge of Him is but the faint reflection of
His knowledge of us. He sees how we come short of Him, and .we And Thy Right Hand would hold me firmly still.
know Him by learning how we come short of what we ought to be. I' Said I, Let darkness tread me out of sight
God's Presence is as mysterious as His knowledge. His creative And light around me be as densest night!
12 With Thee the darkness pales, though dark before,
power formed us in our mother's womb, developing our organism
in a manner beyond our apprehension. His thoughts are the Night learns like day the streaming light to POllr,-
operation of a Personal love. They are infinite in number, power, Darkness and light distinguish'd now no more!
and wisdom. My whole being must rest in that absorbing love. I" our strug-I:-/~s with dark anti hidden temptations Cod set's. Yea! in t/U1II we
To love God is to live. /,at'e by g-ract to bruise the htad o/the dar!.:jiend.

The evil one seeks to draw us away. We look for Christ to slay
him. We have to take the part of Christ against the seed of the 13 My reins as Thy possession Thou dost claim:
serpent, the men of the world, who hate Christ, the Mediator, Thou in my mother's womb didst weave my frame.
because they hate God. The life of God is the very death of the '4 Fashion'd by Thee in wonder and in fear,
world, which they love. We have to recognize them as being our I thank Thee! Yea, Thy works most wondrous are!
enemies. There is a mortal feud between us and them. If we are Right well my soul acknowledges Thy care.
friends with the world we become enemies to God: we forfeit the 15 My growing form was not conceal'd from Thee,
promise of the woman's Seed. While I was being wrought thus secretly,
So we pray to be led in the way everlasting, the way of perfect Th' embroider'd tissue of earth's mystery!
correspondence, entire submission, continuous development, ac- 16 Thine eyes upon my shapeless mass did gaze,
cording to God's will, eternally to reciprocate His unfailing and All written in Thy book's predestin'd days!
sustaining love. Ere one yet was, Thy foresight all surveys!
The exjwcssion/a{sijied in Cain is found In" in Christ: "Gollen/,wn II" Lord."
THE REDEEMER CONTEMPLATING THE GLORY OF HIS Tire Incarnation. The predeslined lIIembers o/Ilre Body u/Clrrzst.
PREDESTINATION

Lord, Thou hast probed me: yea! and Thou dost know I
2 Thou know'st when I sit down and when I rise:
Thou my designs far off dost scrutinize.
3 My movements-path or couch-Thy winnowings. prove,
Appraising all my ways with closest love.
4 While yet no strain upon my tongue be found,
La, Lord, Thy prescient ear knows all the sound.
5 Thou pressest hard on me, both rear and face;
Thou from high Heav'n on me Thine Hand dost place!
6 Wonderful knowledge I More than I can reach!
Exalted high, beyond all power of speech!
~
I,
'7 Godhead, how dear to me are Thy designs!
Their perfect sum with serried glory shines.
18 I count them :-but the sands reach not their tale!
I wake, and still Thy ceaseless Presence hail.
19 Thou, Deity, the wicked one wilt slay!
Ye men of bloodshed, turn from me away!
20 Whoever speak of Thee with subtle schemes,
And take TI!y Name in vain with hostile dreams,-
21 Their hate tow'rds Thee with hatred I repay!
o Lord, I loathe whoe'er reject Thy sway!
522 THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL
22 I feel intensest hate tow'rds them arise:
They stand as marshall'd foes before mine eyes!
The consummated bliss of final resurrection. The multitude which "0 ",,'" can
number. The wrath e/ the Lamb. He comes 10 exercise the judg-ement of Divine
Love, not to accomplish human pity but Divine judg-ement.
23 0 Godhead, probe me! Know my heart aright!
Assay me! My distractions bring to light!
24 See if some troublous power perverts my way,
And lead me in the way of life for aye!
PSALM 140.
THE SEED OF THE SERPENT
To the Precentor, A Psalm of David
CONSIDER that evil is round about thee in the world, but without
evil within thee no man can hurt thee.
The seed of the serpent are against thee, seeking to wound thee
with violence and poisonous words. The music expresses these
angry passions.
The wicked one inspires them with craft so as to lure thee out of
the right way and thrust thee down in evil. The music expresses
the fascination of deceit.
The Triune Jehovah is thy God, hearing thy prayer, and
strengthening thee with His Holy Spirit so as to profit by the
salvation which Jesus has obtained. The Lord will shelter thee
and drive the enemy away. The music expresses the confidence
of this refuge.
The devil will eventually be cast into the lake of fire, with all his
followers. God will maintain the struggle of His Incarnate Son
and the judgement of the poor whom He delivers. Thou must
commit thyself to Him.
The strife which the Son of. God carried on in the weakness of
our flesh must be perpetuated in His people, but the judgement of
the Great Day shall show whether we are worthy to be accepted
as His people. We must be one with Him in His struggle or else
be cast off amongst the seed of the serpent. The real work of our
redemption is the victory in ourselves, which must be accomplished
by our sharing in Christ's probation.
P SA LM 140.
THE REDEEMER'S APPEAL
2 Lord, set me free fr~m wrongful man of day:
.
o guard me from the cruel tyrant's sway!
3 How in their heart they think of wrongs to do,
In bands each day prepared for wars anew!
4 Their tongue they sharpen like the viper's sting:
The asp's foul poison 'neath their lips they bring. Selah.
Deliuerance from tlu seed of the serpent and their violence.
5 Lord, keep me from the hands of wicked pride,
The cruel tyrant's sway! Guard me and guide!
They think their thrusts shall make my footsteps slide.
6 Their snares and cords for me the proud have hid:
Upon the highway-side their net they spread:
They place their traps for me where'er I tread. Selah.
Protection from the power of the wicked one and the crafty devices of his agents.
7 Thou art my Godhead, saicl I to the Lord:
Lord,' hear the prayer for grace my lips have pour'd :
8 Thou, Lord," my Master, saving strength art founcl,
Fencing my head when weapons fly around.
9 Lord," give not what the wicked longs to gain!
Speed not his schemings! See their boastings vain! Selall.
10 Upon the head of them that compass me,
As covering let their lips' own mischief be !
II Bid rushing showers of coals on them come down!
Plunge them in fiery doom, Thy wrath to own!
Let them not rise! Nay, let the flame-flood drown!
The Divine security of Christ, the lIead of Ihe Body. The tlng-Ddly cast into tlu
./ire, which their own wickedness JIIlS kindled.
12 Let not vile tongues claim firmset wealth as clue!
The cruel man let hurrying wrong pursue!
13 The Lord will see th' afflicted one set right,
And all the poor with judgements will requite:
I4 The righteous to Thy Name give thanks most meet:
Th' upright shall in Thy Presence take their seat.
Final glory 0./ Chrisl and His people. Last mention of the poor. Tlte riches 0.1
g/oryare noW their: portion. Tlze rigltteolls received to thc beatific vision.
 524 THE, CON SUM MAT ION 0 F ALL
PSALM 142.

PSALM 141. 5 The Righteous well may smite! 'Tis mercy's wound!
Such true head-oil upon my head be found!
THE PATIENT PRAYER OF FAITH Midst all their wrongs my prayer shall still resound!
Christ is flu Rigldeotts Judge smiting- us /01' chas tisement ; and Himul/smit/en
A Psalm of David /01' our offinees. Christ is the Head, This verse, houreuer, is very obscure,

THE merits of Christ are the incense which must make thy 6 Hurl'd on the crag, just doom their judges meet:
prayer acceptable. The evening sacrifice was the principal one So will they hear my words, for they are sweet.
among the Jews typifying the Cross, as our morning oblation 7 As when one ploughs and cleaves the earth, e'enso
perpetuates the power of the Resurrection. Our strewn bones lie in mouth of Sheol below.
Our prayer must be such that the outstretched Hands upon the 8 For, Master, Lord, on Thee mine eyes I stay:
Cross may plead it for us. They reach out after the glory of My Refuge Thou! Pour not my soul away!
I-I eaven. Our heart must have no longing in prayer for the 9 Keep me from being trapp'd in this their snare,
mammon of unrighteousness. We pray as those who have been The traps these villain-workers would prepare!
redeemed from earth's vile sweetnesses. 10 Each in his meshes, let the wicked fall,
It is by sharing in the sufferings of Christ that we really gain the While I pass over, all unhurt withal!
unction of Christ, our Head. The true honey is out of the carcass: The doom of th. roil judgts. Christ is Himself t Iu: cmg, the stone "P01l which
the oil out of the flinty rock of death. They belong to the life they/all. The bones o/tlu rig-Jdeolls are like seed in tlt~ /urr01us. TIrey will spring
up to life in the resurrection, Christ passing over Ihe f ordan of D,alh to the heavenly
beyond death. We cannot refuse to suffer and to die, since Jesus
f crusaitrn,
has obtained for us eternal life.
The ungodly perish in death. The bones of the righteous are
as the seed of a new harvest. Death is the pit wherein the PSALM 142.
ungodly perish, but we cross over safely with Jesus as our
Redeemer. We are the true Hebrews: through death we cross to THE PRAYER OF TIlE PRISON-HOUSE
the land of eternal life.
lIfaskil of David. If/ken he uias in the Cave. A Prayer

TIlE REDEMPTIVE SACRIFICE THE burial follows after the bruising upon the Cross, As Elisha
passed over Jordan when Elijah was taken up, so ~ust we cross the
o Lord, I cry to Thee I Haste Thou to me! river of death. We have been buried with Jesus In the baptismal
Hear Thou my voice when crying unto Thee! cave. The eye of God sees us in our hiddenness. 'vVe have to
2 Fixt be my prayer, like incense in Thy sight, pass on, each of us, alone. But truly Jesus is with us still. .He is
My outstretch'd hands like altar-meal at night: not taken from our head. We two go on together. He IS our
3 Set Thou a watch before my mouth, 0 Lord I Head.
Door of my life-yea I be Thou there to guard! As the Father was with Him in His solitude, so is He with us in
4 Stretch not my heart to any word of wrong, ours. 'Why should we need human love. The love of J eSLIs is an
In practices of wickedness, among unfailing portion. He stands by us to help us in every time of
Those villain-workers, though as men so strong! need. He is our portion, not merely for daily sustenance, but in the
Nor let me eat what sweets to such belong! land of the living. He will bring us out of this prison-house, and
Clrrisl"s merits givefragranct to our pray,r. TIr, nfermce is not to tire altar of as the angel led Peter, so will He bring us to the street of
incense, but to that whick was laid tlpon lIte rsrat offin"ng- morning- and roening. Jerusalem, but He will not leave us as the angel disappear.ed.
Tire roming sacrifice of tlr, Cross. Th, morning oblation of tlr, Christian Church
aj>propn'at<sth, pow,r of tilt Resurrection with the merits oft/It Passion. Here He leads us and yet we see Him not. When He shall bring
us out of the cave into the glory of the Heavenly City, He will
 526 THE CON SUM MAT ION 0 F ALL PSALM 143.
~(how Himself to us, and then ~II sense of solitude shall pass away. 8 0 bring my soul from this fast-closed distress,
A.II alone, so Heaven hath willed we die." Our eternal life shall That to Thy Name I may due thanks express!
be 111 th~ glory. of the C?mmunion of Saints, and Jesus in the midst The righteous share my crown, since Thou dost bless,
of them IS the JOY and life of all. Still dealing with me in Thy faithfulness.
"0 do well unto Thy servant that I may live! " Ht gots/orllt. in. Divine powey from fir, prison-houst o/",is morral estate, look in,£{"
to crown His 1',0/>1, will, Ih, glory wlllrd" His OW" ntanhood shall b, g/oriji<d in lit,
R esurrection lift.
THE ELECT HUMANITY EN:rERING THE GRAVE
LOOKS FOR DELIVERANCE PSALM 143.
LONGING FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY
2Loud will I make my wail unto the Lord:
Loud to the L~rd my prayer for grace be pour'd! PENITENTIAL VI I
3 Before HIm WIll I pour my mindful thought: A Psalm 0/ David
Before Him shall my sorrow's tale be brought.
GOD'S faithfulness is the expression of H is righteousness. His
Christ is pr'paring for th'l t 'f "C
His Spin"t to th, Fath,r. as cry u on I, ross wlur,i" H, would commrnd righteousness is the Source of all His loving kindness. He is Love.

4 What though my fainting spirit weighs me down

. His love comes forth in H is actions towards us.
presses that love. His changeless
H is Word ex-
Word makes His faithfulness
known to us. He bears witness to us concerning God and con-
Yet stilI to Thee my track is wholly known. '
cerning our sins. H is perfect Humanity shows us how guilty we
Thou k~ow'st .how, in the path where I am gone, are. To the world we must prove ourselves innocent if we would
They hide their snares for me to stumble on. escape punishment. To God we must confess ourselves to be
Th
fall. ' Pow,rsof Darkn"s hop, Ihat rom at th, door of fh, gray, Ih,y may mak, Him guilty if we would attain to glory.
The enemy pursues us as his prey, but we stretch out our hands
in union with Jesus crucified, and look for Him to show His loving
5 Regard upon t~le right hand! Lift your eye! Face in the morning, raising us to new life by H is redeeming-
N a glance of kind observance have I nigh, power. Buried with Christ in baptism, we need not fear the pit of
Nay, no asylum whither I may fly I death. His voice guides. His glory hides. His Spirit leads.
None sues my soul with sheltering sympathy. His Name quickens with Divine power. His righteousness claims
Tlu solilud, of Call·ary. our justification as its reward. He took upon Himself our nature,
that as God's Servant He might destroy the enemy. He takes us into
6 0 Lord, to Thee I make my suppliant wail; His service by a covenant of mercy, that we who were the servants
Thy tender love, my refuge sure, I hail; of Satan may be lifted up into the adoption of children unto God.
My portion Thou, where life shall never fail! This Penitential Psalm prepares for the outburst of glory in the
..I" /;Christ lo~ks UP1f1~1"t1 to IhlJ"Y wIdell Ilis /-I"",tlnitJ' 'Will l.rplriOfct in t/I( 'Wt/cOIJIt
jubilant Septuor which follows. The likeness of sinful flesh wherei n
0" lie Fa/lurs love, t n ,It, glory o/Ilu /i.'tll1rrecfioll. Christ dies is transformed into the glorious manifestation of Divine
Life whereunto He ascends.
7 List that my ringing cry may reach Thine ear!
How lost in utter weakness I appear! FINAL PRAYER ERE TIlE REDEEMER ENTERS HADES
Deliver me from my pursuers' fear, Lord,' hear my prayer! Hark, while for grace I cry!
For they have strength beyond what I can bear. Now in Thy truth, Thy righteousness, reply!
Tlu utter Ululknus of Ihe mnfllrood as 1ft /eQ11(S tlu tarlh submitting 10 tlu 2 Come to Thy servant not in judgement's right,
uparalion of soul and body in dmlh.
For none that lives, were righteous in Thy sight.
 528 THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL P S A LM 144.
3 How hath the foe my weary soul pursued,
Crushing my life to earth, far off from good,
Where darknesses detain death's age-long multitude. PSALM 144.
Satan crushes the human soul 0/ Jesus to the earth. like a cI,ild o/t/eatll, but he
cannot take away His lift. The Soul 0/ Jews, when ujaratcd /rolll His Body, would THE NEW SONG OF THE BELOVED
be the Light o/that Darkness and the Conqueror o./tlu/oe.
David's
4 Oh! how my fainting spirit weighs me down!
THIS is the culminating Psalm in correspondence with Ps. 72.
My inmost heart what wasting troubles drown!
It develops into a sevenfold Doxology.
5 I call to mind the days that were of yore:
The Lord is the Rock. From the vantage ground of fellowship
I meditate all that Thou didst before:
with Him we can subdue all our enemies. Man is nothingness,
That which Thy Hands have wrought, my thoughts explore.
but he was created and renewed by God's power to accomplish
r) I spread my hands to Thee, while I complain:
God's glory.
So thirsts my soul for Thee as soil for rain. Selah.
This Psalm and Ps. 103. are the only Psalms of Book V. in which
The outstretched Hands ujon the Cross.
God is addressed as Elohim. The Covenant God is called to show
forth His essential power as Creator. They are the initial and
7 Haste! Answer, Lord ! ~ Yea, my spent spirit see! final appeal of the covenant people to Him who reigns as
Secrete not Thou Thy loving Face from me. Sovereign over the universe.
Like doom'd ones of the pit I then should be ! God's Champion has done His work as Man, conquering Satan.
8 Make me at mom Thy mercy's voice to hear, He calls for the fulness of Divine manifestation to carry Him
For unto Thee with trust do I draw near. away from the battle-field, and destroy the enemies who have so
The way to tread Thou surely wilt make clear, vainly sought H is hurt.
For still to Thee I lift my soul in prayer. We, as we say this Psalm, must ascend in heart and mind to the
9 Deliver me, 0 Lord," from these my foes: heavenly glory with Him.
I come to Thee to hide me with my woes. The floods of death have not been able to overwhelm Him.
10 Teach me to do Thy pleasure, for I plead The rewards of earthly glory cannot give Him satisfaction.
With Thee, my God! Let Thy good Spirit lead, So with ourselves. With Him we must share earth's fight.
In level lawns of righteousness to feed. With Him we must spurn every earthly delight. The happiness
The spirit is that element 0./ the spiritual nature in which the Holy Ghost dwells, wherein the Psalter culminates is the same which was set forth at
so that it is the lift 0/ tilt Soul. The full power 0./ our Lord's Spirit to remain tree the outset, life for God perfected in God.
to lite Druine nature 'was tested in lite Passion. The Resurrection morning'. Tire lift
Itiddtn in God so that eue« lite ang-elic hierarchies cannot altain to tlu rig-Itt.

THE HAPPINESS OF THE SON OF MAN IN HIS TRIUMPH

II Lord, for Thy Name's sake, give my life relief I
I n righteousness lead forth my soul from grief! Blest be the Lord, my Rock,
12 Yea, in Thy mercy overwhelm my foes! 'Tis He who trains my hands for war's alarms,
Yea, make them perish-all the ranks of those He trains my fingers for th' assault of arms,
My soul's sore troublers! Heal Thy servant's woes! 2 My Mercy, Fortress, Tower, my Rescue meet,
The soul o/Christ gOts/Orill triumphant in the po-wer 0/ tlu Divine Name, which My Shield with whom my Refuge is complete,
is the princlfle o/the Righteousness belonging to Him. Trampling my people underneath my feet.
3 Lord, what is man ?-Yet him Thou deign'st to know!
To frail man's son such loving- thought dost show I
VOL. II. 2 L
530 1'I-t E CON S U 1\1:MAT ION 0 F ALt
4 Man's clay is like a cloud's vacuity;
His days are as a shadow that goes by.
This Psalm recalls Ps, 18. 17th and final occurrence in Psalter of the word
Blessed. The Hands nailed on the Cross. The fing-ersfulfil/ing- the tenfold law of
moral duty. He learned obedience by suffering-. The Hands which mffered on earth
shal/bind the strong- man in the pit of doom. Christ's l'rfanhood. In itselfit is but
created "othing-ness, but Cod has created it wilh the predestination of Divine Love 10
be attained by milering-, and the Hypostatic union makes it imperishable.
5 o Lord, come down, with heavens around Thee bow'd,
Wrapping the stricken hills with smoky shroud!
6 Flash forth Thy lightning! Scatter them away I
Send out Thy shafts! Discomfit their array!
7 Send down Thine Hands now from Thine altitude I
Tear me, deliver me, from the vast flood
Of waters,-this tumultuous alien brood,
8 Whose foaming mouth still speaks with vanity,
And their right hand from lies is never free.
Cod's Presence must be rei.eatcd in power now ,ltat tire victory is won. Heaven and
Larin m ust exjurience tlte convulsion 0/ tltis deliverance from wafer Jloodso/spinOtual
enemies and the enmity of the Jewish rebels. The world power is •• the lie." It
seems to be strong, 'lll/ureas it is mere nothingntss.
9 New song to Thee, 0 God, I now will raise,-
With ten-string'd psaltery sing the psalm of praise.
JO Thou giv'st to kings salvation, tearest hence
Thy loved one from the sword of violence.
II Tear me, lest I the aliens' prize should be,
Whose foaming mouth still speaks with vanity,
While their right hand from lies is never free.
This neur song' tells of the Humanity perfected in freedom from Satan's ![rasp.
Thy' loved one,' David! The wateryfloods are now p'J'wer/ess; but A ntichrist remains
to be subdued. A l/ are aliens who do not belong-to the King-dom of the T'r-uth,
12 With sons as tall young plants, maturely grown,
Maidens like wreaths that grace palatial stone;
13 Our garners full to yield of every store;
Flocks in our fields with myriad births made more;
14 Our cattle strong their wealthy loads to bear;
N a breach and no captivity to fear;
In our broad streets no clamour of despair.
It is doublful whelher this stanza expresses the /alse boast oj"worldly prospllily
or the happy condition proper 10 Cod s people. The earthly lie I The Iteavenly truth I
P S A L M 145. 531
15 Happy the folk that in such sort have trod-
Happy the folk that own the Lord as God!
The servant of Cod (1's. '43. 12) finds his true deliverance. The world has its
mom ent ary joy, but the joy of the Divine coucnan t isfor euer. The Psalter beg71ls
with the happiness of living-for Cod upon eartl" and CIIds here witlt the happtness of
living in Cod, and partaking- of His g-Iory. This is devc/op.d in the Psalms, tIlt
per/eet Aljhabd and the Pen tatench of lIalldu)'ahs w/lich/6Ilow.
PSALM 145.
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SAINTS
ALPHABETICAL XV.
The Praise Psalm of David
THE praise of God is the food of the soul. The ~oul which feeds
on the praise of God must have a life eternal as that food. To
praise God is to live. To praise Him is not the accidental life of a
moment, but the utterance of an eternal consciousness. The con-
sciousness of the eternal must be eternal, as the object of that
consciousness is. One moment of pure praise lifts up the soul into
eternal life. The days of earthly life pass away in quick succes-
sion, but they live on for ever in the eternity of the Divine Name,
if they are quickened thereby. Every moment of the three-and-
thirty years of Christ's life lives on with its own infinity of merit
in the glorified Body of Christ. "The Lord is our God." So the
last Psalm ended with blessing. The eternal was contrasted with
the transitory. If the Lord is our God, He who is not the God of
the dead but of the living will not suffer us to die. The life is
eternal as the relationship. The praise must be eternal as the life.
He cannot cast us aside. We must not turn back from Him unto
perdition. We must press onward so as to grow in the experience
of His Divine Love and Power. The glory of the Trinity is un-
searchable. We must contemplate God's glory, His goodness, His
grace, His compassion flowing from the High Priesthood of His
Incarnate Son. His Kingdom is eternal. His creatures carryon
throughout eternity the blessing and the praise which the Psalmist
has gathered together in the Praise-Song of the experience of the
Beloved.
 -'
532 THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL P SA L M 146. 533
THE COMPREHENSIVE ALPHABET OF PRAISE 16 (El) Thine open'd Hand will ample store.impart,
Sating with pleasure every living heart.
1 (~) I will extol Thee, 0 my God, the King, 17 (::r) Righteous the Lord 3 in all His ways is found,
And to Thy Name eternal blessings bring. And all His works with saintly truth are crown'd.
2 (:1) Yea, day by day, I'll bless Thee evermore, 18 (p) To all who call on Him the Lord) is nigh-
And to Thy Name," eternal praises pour. To all who call upon Him truthfully.
3 (J) Great is the Lord)! His praise we still must tell : 19 (i) He works to please all those who own His fear j
His greatness all man's probing must excel. He hears th' appeal, and brings salvation near.
4 (,) Each age Thy works with loud applause shall own, 20 (t") The Lord 2 preserves all those by love made blest:
And Thy great might so manifold make known. But on the wicked shall destruction rest.
5 (n) The glorious brightness of Thy majesty- 21 (n) My mouth shall speak the Lord's 3 surpassing praise.
I'll muse thereon I Thy words work wondrously! And to His Holy Name all flesh shall raise
6 (,) Thine awful prowess shall by man be told: Blessings for evermore through endless days.
My tongue recount Thy greatness manifold. N. R.- The acrostic Ie Nltll " is omitted.
7 (r) Mindful of Thy great goodness pour they praise: The word Lord" OCcurs in th is Psairn nine times,
II

With ringing shouts Thy righteous rule they raise.

This Psalm gives tlte litle 10Ihe Psalter, "Praise-Psalms." •• Day by day" speaks
0./lite Lncarnation : •• Eternal " 0./ lite Godhead. The resurrection mani./tsls I"e PSALM 146.
Divine S01lSlrip wltich no ,xperience 'i.I earth: could show. Th, In'umph 0./ tlte Cross.
His words are Ih, ./oundation 0./ all created thin!{s. Human weakness shows the ill' HAPPINESS IN TIlE FELLOWSHIP OF MESSIAH
"~yenl Divine streng-'It,
HALLELUYAH XI
8 (n) Gracious, compassionate, the Lord 2 abides: IN the seven Psalms which constitute one continuous Doxology
His anger halts! Great mercy He provides. for the closing of the Psalter, the name Jehovah occurs thirty-three
9 (t:» The Lord a unlimitedly good to all t times, a number significant of the Incarnation. In this Psalm we
On all His works His sweet compassions fall, have many acts attributed to Jehovah which actually formed a part
I 10 (,) Yea, all Thy works, 0 Lord,' give thanks to Thee:
Yea, Thee Thy saints shall bless continuously.
of Christ's earthly ministry.
Jesus, the Son of Man, who acts in the power of the Eternal Sonship,
11 (:1) The glory of Thy Kingdom they make known, is contrasted with the princely sons of men, in whom is no saving
And in their words Thy sovereign might they own,- power. Their spirit leaves them. They return to the earth. He
12 6) To show to sons of men His mighty sway, is the Lord from Heaven, and commits His Spirit into the Father's
His Kingdom's glorious majesty display- Hands, and when He leaves the world, He goes to the Father.
13 (0) That Kingdom Thine to all eternities, The God of Jacob is He, by whom all things were made. Grace
) I Thy rule unchanged while generations rise.
Goffs loving kindness shown by our regeneration. •• The Lord" Idls 0./ Ihe God·
and truth are come by Him. All judgement is committed to Him
because He is the Son of Man. He feeds us with the Bread of
Iwid: •• Tlte sweet compassion" 0./ lite manhood. The compte/eness 'i.I Goffs works. Heaven, as when on earth He fed the multitude. He relieves us
His works as seen lure lead lip to the manifestation of pm.ver wldch is in store.
Tire glory 'i.I Ih, resurrection, Probation c01l1j>1etedin /II( Divine neceplana 0./
from Satan's bondage as He did the woman bound by infirmity.
tI(rnily. He gave light to the blind and opens our understanding to know
the truth. He raises lip those that are bent down under Satan's
14 (0) The Lord ~ upholdeth all that are o'erthrown, tyranny. He loves the righteous and welcomes even the stranger,
And gives good cheer to all that are bent down. as He did the Canaanitish woman. He lifts up to the heavenly
IS (11) The eyes of all to Thee intently gaze: home those who knew themselves to be strangers upon earth.
'Tis Thou who giv'st them food as suits their days. He upholds the widow and the fatherless, as He raised the
534 THE CON SUM MAT ION 0 F ALL P S A LM 147. 535
widow's son from death. His Kingdom shall have no end. "Jesus
PSALM 147.
Christ, the same, yesterday, and to-day, and for ever."
THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM
THE GLORIOUS COVENANT OF GOD,
HALLELUYAH XII
THE REDEEMER-KING
HALLELUYAH! THE Lord is to be praised. Messiah builds the New Jerusalem in
Give praise, my soul, in homage to the Lord! I the heavens, gathering His people from their dispersion, round the
2 0 Lord," I'll give Thee praise while yet I live: throne promised in Ps. 2. He heals and does not despise the
Still while I'm here, Psalms to my God I'll give. broken heart. The material heavens are a sort of scaffolding, for
3 Put not your trust in human dynasties! the purpose of the spiritual kingdom. Probably, in the final
The child of clay I No saving power is his! glorification, the stars will in some way be subject to man as
4 Forth goes his breath! He turns to soil anew! God's representative. We cannot now know what interest those
In that day all his projects perish too. heavenly bodies may take in man's world, but all were created
(Last mention 0/ earth. as clay (Adamah).) It is the g-round which ,vas cursed for Christ. So the smallest phenomena of earth have eternal
and liftless, so that man must till it with toil and return to it when he dies. There issues to be developed. Man must learn in meekness to take his
will be a new earth. The living organism, wlriclt. God ong-inally created, will recover
part in glorifying Christ.
from its chaos and sterility. Ifis truth, eternal, is contrasted with Ilis creatures.
That trulh is nOw triumphant. (Last occurrence o/Ihe word.) The clouds, the sky, the rain, the grass are given for the needs
of brute creatures. God has not need of brute strength. He
5 Happy, with help from Jacob's Godhead sent, sustains it.
Who on the, Lord S his God can gaze intent :- God gives His saints heavenly food, and He gives them intelli-
6 Who made high Heav'n, earth's realms both near and far, gence, that they may live in His love.
The sea, and all the things that in them are. He subjects the material globe to wintry hardness and wakes
Eternal is the truth, He keeps with care. up annually the life which seemed to have gone.
7 He makes sound judgement sure for the oppress'd- He has a better resurrection for His people. His Word gives
Gives bread to those by hunger sore distress'd : them eternal life amidst the deadness wherein for a while they
The Lord I sets those at large whom bonds molest. abide. These gifts of revelation are not given to man as man, but
'j
The Prince <if Ihis world is judged. Man's pen'shing nature is/ed wilh Ihe Bread by the power of the Holy Ghost they are given to Jerusalem, the
0/ elernflilift. The bond slaves 0/ Satan are set free,
Heir of the heavenly covenant. .
8 The Lord 2 gives sight to those whose eyes are gone:
The Lord 3 gives cheer to such as are bent down:
The Lord I in love makes righteous souls His own.
I•
I
THE
HALL£LUYAH.
GLORY OF JERUSALEM ON HIGH

i
'Tis good unto our God the Psalm to raise:
9 The Lord 2 to guests an ample welcome gives: i
The orphan and the widow He relieves: I Surely a seemly sweetness breathes in praise.
2 See how the Lord builds up ] erusalem,
The way of wicked wanderers He upheaves.
Assembling Israel ;. though man thrust at them!
10 The Lord 3 to all eternity is King,
Zion, thy God, while generations spring. 1\ 3 The broken-hearted He alone can heal,
And bind their wounds that they' new life may feel.
H ALLELUY AH ! I
A dam when /allen could no longer see God. .Vow the Divine sight is rrstorrd. I Th e assanbling- 0/ Lsraci in the rebuilding of jerusalem, a type 0/ the rs un ion
whot the luavl1dy f eru sa irm s/tall befinally bllilt up. Is rael:s outcasts Ilrrust do-urn
Now man Ihal was bent doum 10 ea,·th is cheered by elevation to his original calling.
He is 10 live in God', love. (This is the last occurrence o/Ihe word "love.") The 1 by man's oppression, and also by tlte d1lgel a/God scattering: tlU}ll (Ps. 35.) N(JW they
-uieiconrc 0/ God callin£ tlu rigltttous to His eternal love is the consummation
Trulh, Those who art strangers upon tartlt,feeling
0./ all in

themselves to bt His guests,find .,

~!
I
are to be restored in the Nnu Jerusalem.

4 He counts the number of the stars of heaven:

His/ull welcome. The original h",band and /atlter was losl by sin. Now God fakes i;
widow,d and orphaned ;'u",a,.ity to Himself. The word" Lord" nine times. To each by Him a separate name is given.
11
II
ij
'1i

I
 536 THE CON SUM MAT ION
5 Great is our Master, vigorously vast!
Figures to sum His wisdom will not last!
6 The Lord will make the meek unharm'd abide,
Levelling to earth the wicked sons of pride.
7 With thanksgiving make answer to the Lord!
Psalms to our God upon the harp be pour'd !
8 He darkens with thick clouds the spacious sky:
He stores for earth the gladd'ning rain's supply:
He clothes with springing grass the hills on high,
9 Sating the beasts with necessary food,
The screaming hunger of the raven's brood.
10 Not His delight the horses' might can make:
In marching hosts no pleasure can He take.
1I The Lord's good pleasure rests on rev'rent fear,
On those who wait for mercy to appear.
The return 0/ Israel was not efficled by tlt';r own ",ilila,)!
coodness. God will restore His Church/rom Ihe lowest deplhs.
12 Jerusalem! Do thou the Lord applaud I
Zion! do thou with homage praise thy God I
'3 The bars which guard Thy gates, He hath made strong,
And blest the sons which to thy home belong.
14 He gives to all thy borders joyous peace,
Fatness of wheat to make thine hunger cease.
IVe must wait/or Him.
15 Throughout the earth His promised truth He sends,
And with full speed His mighty Word extends.
16 He gives the mantling snow like woollen wear,
Strowing the frost, like ashes, far and near.
17 In countless bits He hurls the icy shower:
What frame can stand before His freezing power!
18 He sends His Word: the loosen'd rivers go:
Soon as His Spirit breathes, the waters flow.
19 But He to Jacob hath declared His Word:
Yea! His decrees, His judgements, Israel heard.
10 Thus to no Gentile nation hath He done:
These His unerring judgements ne'er have known.
HALLELUYAH!
The power o/God 1I1anifiSIed in Creation would/ail 10 speak 10 Ihe hea"1 i/lhere
uure not Ihe reueiation oflhe Covenanl Cod.
0 F ALL P S A L M 148. 537
PSALM 148.
THE UNIVERSAL APPEAL
HAI.LELUYAH XII I
CALL upon all creation to praise God: and yet in doing so look
forward. Creation shall praise God truly, when the New Song
bursts forth from the lips of the redeemed. And yet even now
Creation in its dumbness is in some way praising God, carrying
out God's will for purposes which they know not. They cry out to
God for food. The ass rebukes the madness of Balaam. The
lions punish the disobedient prophet and avenge Daniel upon his
persecutors. The ravens bring food to Elijah. The wild creatures
praise God by manifesting H is controlling power. We see
monstrosities of rebellion which are nevertheless held in check.
From all the universe there rises up a homage of necessity.
power, bul by God's
Dragons in unseen depths seem to lead the way. Earth's move-
ments are like a grand overture, a rolling wail of bass instruments,
while fire and whirlwind mark the progress with blasts which seem
to be all wildness and yet are ruled by a resistless law.
Man has been created with the diversities of sex and age and
station. He has powers within himself, but feels himself a
prisoner incapable of putting forth his energies. And yet he has
a will, a longing for somewhat yet in store.
God has created man for a higher destiny, to praise Him in the
Covenant of His Word ancl the power of the Holy Ghost. God
will exalt the horn of His people, that they may indeed be as their
forefather Israel, a Prince with God, a people drawing nigh unto
Him in the intimacy of undivided love.
TI-IE UTTERANCE OF PRAISE FROM JlEAVEN AND EARTII
1 HALLELUYAH.
Praise ye the Lord from all the ranks of Heaven!
Praise Him, ye powers, to whom those heights are given!
. 2 Praise Him, all ye upon His errands sent!
Praise Him, all ye H is glorious armament!
3 Praise Him ye sun and moon, by day and night!
Praise Him, all ye the glittering stars of night!
4 Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, expanding wide,
And waters pour'd o'er heavens in mystic tide.
Seven/old praise/r01l1 Liea-uen,
 538 THE CON SUM MAT ION 0 F ALL P SA LM 149. 539
5 0 let them praise the Lord's all-glorious Name: I
praise Him. So shalt thou learn to take thy part in that ~reat day
For He commanded, and creation came. of praise. The voice, the mind, the heart, the whole being, must
6 He bade them stand eternally for aye I be attuned by the Spirit of Divine Love. Thy life is given thee on
He gave decree which ne'er shall pass away. earth that thou mayest be thus attuned to the Eternal Song which
The Heavenly Hosl slabNshed in II" truth so as nener to/ail. demands the utterance of the whole nature, perfected in the holiness
~ of Divine Inspiration.
7 Praise ye the Lord, from earth's dark sphere below, Remember that all thy natural gifts are valueless except .so far
Dragons and all the depths where oceans Row' as they can be trained for this final uttera?ce. Every thought
8 Ye fire and hail, deep snow and vapoury wreath, must be brought into subjection to the service of Christ. . T~ke
And Thou that work'st His Word, the whirlwind's breath! care lest what now seems brilliant in thine ears be really prrIng
9 Ye mountains and all heights that towering rise, against the harmonies of that perfect sanctity. Give thyself to the
Ye trees of fruit and cedrine majesties! discipline of grace, that by penitence thou ma~est be ~lel~vereclfrom
IO Ye roaming beasts and all ye cattle droves! the disharmony which Adam's fall has occasioned within thee. 0
Ye reptile swarms and each winged bird that moves! sad disharmony, so sadly aggravated by so much wilfulness of
II Kings of the earth and populations all, thine own!
Princes, and Judges, holding earth in thrall ! Jesus will form thee by His grace to take thy part with the saints
12 Young men and maidens too, a joyful sight: in the New Song,but thou must accept it as the ?ne p~rpose of thy
Old men with children-throngs in pure delight! life, to gain the necessary fitness. They wh~ SIng this song shall
reign with Christ. So must thou pray, Thy KIngdom come!
Cod's praise shall be manifested as I,-uly by Ihe/allen world as by the heavenly
power. The dnlt/opmenl 0/ Cod by Ihe Divine power if Ihe Word !:ws on to tI" CO".
'1 uest o/roi/ by the IVo,.d Incarnate. Sub/ugation is thenpeljecled by the regene,.ation
o/the elect, ,vho an taken up into the Name if God to bejartakers 0/ His holiness .. THE NEW SONG OF THE REDEEl\'1 ED

I HALLELUYAH
13 0 let them praise the Lord's all-glorious Name 2

Whose Name 8 alone can exaltation claim :_ Now sing ye to the Lord with a new song,-
O'er earth and Heaven His brightness still the same! H is praise where saints unite in festive throng!
2 Let Israel's joy His Maker's glory sing,
14 He for His people lifts a horn on high,
A praise for all His saints continually,- And Zion's sons exult to praise their King!

I
For Israel's sons, His people that come nigh! 3 Let them His Name in dance with homage praise-
HALLELUYAH! To Him their psalms with harp and timbrel raise!
Cod is all and in all. 4 The Lord thus pleased H is people's love to seek
J Shall with salvation beautify the meek.
I u .'J{ak~,.." is lure It plural/orm. The ni'i!inej){rwerand lift is 011(, but lure th a t
PSALM 149. fowlr is considered in thc tllr~£/oldpr."sol1al rtlalionslrip,. c,reaIOY, Rrdce mer,
l~
, Sanc·tiji,r. TIle Joy 0/ israel could not be withollt tilt rccog rutien 0/ ill( tllrcefold
r~/alio"ship, wltereby Cod peiftcts tIle saints in Ilis likeness.
SUMMONS TO THE HEAVENLY PRAISE 1
HALLELUYAH XIV 5 Let saints exclaim with glory freshly fired,
With ringing shouts upon their beds inspired!
N ow is the special song of the redeemed! Creation leads up 6 Their throat lifts up the praise of Godhead high,-
to it, and yet none but the saints can utter it. Prepare thyself to Their hand the two-edged sword of ministry,-
take thy part. 7 To make due vengeance on the Gentiles' might,-
The praise of God is no small matter. In everything must thou Their angry masses with dismay to smite ;-
540 THE CON SUM MAT ION 0 F ALL PSALM 150. 541
8 To make their Kings accept the fetters' toils THE REDEEMER ENTHRONED AMIDST THE PRAISES OF
And bind their glorious chiefs with iron coils :- HEAVEN
9 To work on them the judgement writ in Heaven!'
I HALLELUVAH.
Such majesty to all His saints be given! o praise the Godhead in His Holy throne!
HALLELUVAH I
Praise Him whose strength the firmament makes known!
TIlt two.ed/{td hlade 0/ fire procad;,,/{ /rom {lu mou II, 0/ Christ. Tht iron rod 0/ 2 Praise Him whose mighty acts the worlds confess!
Ps, 2. shines 0111here al the close, slunuing: Chrisl to be the Head 0/ Ihe Church. He
Praise Him in greatness vast and numberless!
came 10/ulji I the writing 0/ p,-edestinalion hy suJftn'n/{ and hy cono uest,
3 Praise Him with martial pomp of trumpets' blare!
Praise Him where lute and harp the feast prepare!
4 Praise Him with timbrels tost in timely dance!
PSALM 150. Praise Him with strings and pipe in resonance!
5 Praise Him with cymbals' clang far heard on high!
THE CHOIRS OF HEAVEN
Praise Him with cymbal-shouting's of reply!
HALLELUYAH XV 6 Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord I
HALLELUVAH!
RECITE this Psalm with the consciousness that thou art summon-
ing mighty powers to the utterance of Divine praise. Thou LAUS DEO
knowest them not, but here the pen of inspiration guides thee to
appeal with adoring love for the glorious consummation of created
jubilance to be revealed hereafter.
Art thou ready to join with them promptly and in perfect tune
when at the uplifting of the Cross, the sign of the Son of Man, all
are to burst forth in one thrilling shout of worship?
Great was the shout of Israel when the walls of Jericho fell down.
Greater shall be the shout of song from the renewed Creation when
the walls of the heavenly Zion are perfected in their lustre and
stability to be the dwelling-place whence the Incarnate God will
exercise manifest sovereignty over His universe for evermore. The
universe will ring out in its tenfold organism, while the voice of the
Redeemer vibrates through each and all with manifestations of
glory such as till then never could be known. The redeemed will
raise their Halleluyah in the power of the Triune Name, whereby
they have been made partakers of the Divine Nature. So will they
"praise Him in His Name JAH, and rejoice before Him."
Lord Jesus, enable us so to sing Thy Psalms on earth, that we
may have our part in that New Song of the Redeemed in the day of
eternity.

. 1
\

'1
j
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.1
 MR. MURRAY'S LIst OF THEOLOGICAl WORKS.

BIOGRAPHIES AND MEMOIRS.

BROWNE, BishollJ Harold.

A MEMOIR OF EDWARD HAROLD BROWNE,

I· D.O., Lord Bishop of Winchester,
of the Garter.
Portrait.
and Prelate
By G. \'1. KITCHIN, D.O.,
Bvo. 18s.
of the Most Noble
Dean of Durham.
Order
With

BUCKLAND, Dean.

THE LIFE and CORRESPONDENCE of WILLIAM

BUCKLAND, D.O., F.R.S., sometime Dean of Westminster, Twice
President of the Geological Society, and First President of the British
Association. By his Daughter, Mrs. GORDON. With Portraits and
Illustrations. Crown Bvo. 125.
PRINTED AT THE EDINBUROH PRESS

9 AND 11 YOUNG STREET BURGON, Dean.

A BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN WILLIAM BURGON,

late Dean of Chichester. Illustrated by Extracts from his Letters and
Early Journals hy EUWARD MEYR'CK GOUI.8URN, D.O., sometime Dean 01
Norwich. Portraits, 2 vols. Bvo. 24<'

THE LiVES OF TWELVE GOOD MEN.

Martin Joseph Routh. Richard Greswell.
Hugh James Rose. Henry Octavius Coxe.
Charles Marriott. Henry Longueville Mansel.
Edward Hawkins. William Jacobson.
Samuel Wilberforce. Charles Page Eden.
Richard Lynch Cotton. Charles Longuet Higgins.
By Dean BURGON. With Portraits. 8vo. 165.

DURNFORD, Bishop.

A MEMOIR OF RICHARD DURNFORD, D.D.,

late Bishop of Chichester. With Selections from his Correspondence.
By the Very Rev. The DEAN OF WINCIIESTER. With Portraits and other
Illustrations. Bvo. 165.
"The book may be strongly recommended to all who would study that
combination of the scholar, the clergyman, and the English gentleman which
was to be found in perfection in Bishop Dumford. and may be called a product
almost peculiar to the Church of England."-,:,rallclard.

"
 MR. MURRAY'S LIST OF THEOLOGICAL WORKS.
------._-------------
DYKES, .John Bacchus.

THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF THE REV. JOHN

BACCHUS DYKES, M.A., MUS. DOC., late Vicar of SI. Oswald's,
Durham. Edited by the Rev. JOSEPHT. FOWLER,Vice-Principal of Hatfield
Hall, Durham, &c. Second impression. With Portrait. Crown 8vo. 7$.6d .
••Will not only be read with interest by the multitude of those who have
loved his many hymn tunes, which have become almost inseparable from
certain popular hymns, but as a study of an earnest and devout Churchman
it has a very considerable value."-Times.
"To say that millions every Sunday sing the tunes of J. B. Dykes Is to be
beside the mark. "-Rirmillghatn Gaulle.

GOODWIN, Bishop Harv~y.

A BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF HARVEY

GOODWIN, Bishop of Carlisle. By H. B. RAWNSLRY,Vicar of
Crosthwaite, and Hon. Canon of Carlisle. With Portraits. 8vo. 1M,

GOULBU~Dean.
A MEMOIR OF EDWARD MEYRICK GOULBURN,
0.0" late Dean of Norwich. By the Rev. BERDMORRCOMPTON,
Prebendary of St. Paul's Cathedral. With Portrait. Crown Bvo. 55.
••A character of great beauty, which reveals itself not only in Mr. Berdmore
Compton's pages, but in the delightful portrait prefixed tothem."-Literaturl

HEBER, Bishop.

THE LIFE OF BISHOP HEBER, Poet and Chief

Missionary to the East, Second Lord Bishop of Calcutta, 1783-1826.
By GEORGESMITH, C.I.E., LL.D. With Portrait, Maps, and Illustrations.
Large Crown 8vo. IOS. 6<1 •

.JOWETT, BenJamin.

THE LIFE and LETTERS of BENJAMIN JOWETT,

M.A., Master of Balliol College, Oxford. By EVELYN ABBOTT, M.A.,
LL.D., and LEWIS CAMPOELL,M.A., LL.D. With Portrait and other
Illustrations. 2 vols. 8vo. 32$.

THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN JOWETT, M.A.,

A Selection Supplementary to the above. Edited by EVELYNABOOTT,
M.A., and Professor LEWIS CAMPBRLL. With Portrait. I vol.
Demy 8vo. 165.
••The subjects and persons dealt with, the charm of the letters themselves,
the glimpses of the unique personality of their writer, are sufficient to please
and interest even the outer circle; but the full afpreciation is for those who
will catch in many a sentence, the echo ofthat 'stil small voice,' as Mr. Mallock
called it. "-Pall Mall Gazette.

I·