PSALM CXXXVII. ISRAEL IN CAPTIVITY.

THIS well-known Psalm presents a touching picture of Israel in captivity. The holy and beloved city was in ruins, the temple burnt, and now far away from the land they loved, the Jews had to bear the scorn of their enemies, and (worse still) the accusations of their own consciences. But deeply as they had fallen, God had not forsaken them. We know from history that this very period proved to be a time of spiritual reformation. The sin of Idolatry, in particular, was for ever rooted out from the nation. The words before us are a melancholy picture of the feelings of the captive race, smarting under the insulting mockery of their triumphant foes (both Babylon and Edom, verses 7, 9), and clinging with all the deeper love to the city of their home. But mingled with all this is the assurance that the triumphing of the wicked, and the depression of the chosen people were both alike short-lived, see verse 8.

I. CHASTENINGS ARE MERCIES WHEN THEY BRING GOD'S WANDERERS BACK TO HIM.

II. NO EARTHLY PLEASURE CAN SATISFY WHEN GOD'S FAVOUR IS WITHHELD.

III. GOD FOR HIS OWN HONOUR WILL REDEEM HIS PEOPLE AND DESTROY HIS

ENEMIES.

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I. CHASTENINGS ARE MERCIES WHEN THEY BRING GOD'S WANDERERS BACK TO HIM. Happy is the man whom God correcteth," Job. v. 17. David says, is good for me that I have been afflicted," Ps. cxix. 71; see also cxix. 67. See this exemplified in the case of Josiah, Kings xxii. 19, 20; and Hezekiah, 2 Chron. xxxii. 24-26; Manasseh, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13; also the Prodigal Son, Luke xv.

Chastenings, although grievous at the time, Heb. xii. 7, end in joy and blessedness, Ps. xciv. 12, 13; Is. li. 12; Matt. v. 10; Rom. viii. 18; 2 Cor. vii. 9, 10; and are beneficial as leading us to seek God in prayer, Hos. v. 15.

II. NO EARTHLY PLEASURE CAN SATISFY WHEN GOD'S FAVOUR IS WITHDRAWN. "It is the blessing of the Lord that maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it, Prov. x. 22; see this illustrated in the case of Abraham, Gen. xxiv. 35; and Isaac, Gen. xxvi. 12. Haman, with all his honours, and riches, and high position, was unhappy, Esther v. 9-13.

III. GOD, FOR HIS HONOUR, WILL REDEEM HIS PEOPLE AND DESTROY HIS ENEMIES. He did so in bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and a stretched out arm, Deut. v. 15, and the waters covered their enemies, there was not one of them left, Ps. cvi. 11. He delivered them also from the hands of Sennacherib, 2 Chron. xxii. 22. See Prov. xi. 8.

But God's glory is chiefly shewn in that redemption which believers have through the blood of Jesus, Eph. i. 7; Col. i. 14; Heb. ix. 12; 1 Pet. i. 18, 19.

PSALMS CXXVI. AND CXXIX. ISRAEL RESTORED.

THE subject brought before us in these Psalms is the restoration of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, and God's righteous judgments upon their enemies; they must be read by the light of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which contain a display of mingled triumph and weakness. The nation had evidently been much benefitted by their chastisement, and there was a large amount of grateful piety among them. But much unbelief and cowardice were mixed up with these better feelings; and the fierce opposition offered by the Gentile inhabitants of Canaan alarmed many of the Jews, and checked their efforts. I. GOD'S POWER AND GOODNESS IN THE RESTORATION OF HIS PEOple. II. HIS CHASTENINGS ARE SENT IN MERCY.

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III. THE ENEMIES OF HIS CHURCH WILL PERISH.

I. GOD'S POWER AND GOODNESS DISPLAYED IN THE RESTORATION OF HIS PEOPLE.-Even before the captivity, Jeremiah had foretold the end of it, Jer. xxv. 11, 12; Dan. ix. 2; and at the appointed time the appointed deliverer arose to destroy Babylon and set the Jews free, Ezra i. 1, 2; 2 Chron. xxxvi. 21–23. The destruction of the Babylonian empire was sudden and scarcely expected, Jer. i. 23; Dan. v. 18, 19. But God, who had raised it up, could, and did, destroy and against Him no human resources are of any avail, Jer. li. 25, 26, 30, 41. The fall of the proud city gave a welcome though short-lived peace to all the neighbouring countries, Is. xiv. 7, 8; Thus God had done " 'great things" (Ps. x.; cxxvi. 2, 3) for the Jews by removing their powerful oppressors, and by raising up a king with both the power and the will to restore them to prosperity. "Among the heathen" God's dealings with the Jews are repeatedly spoken of as having attracted the notice of the heathen, 1 Kings viii. 42; Deut. xxix. 22—28. To the Jews themselves the welcome release gave a joy unspeakably precious When scattered and in captivity, they seemed, as a nation, to have disappeared, like "streams in the south," which are dried up by the scorching sun, compare Job. vi. 15—18; but now, like the same streams, watered by the snow and rain of winter, they resumed their place among the nations.

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II. HIS CHASTENINGS ARE SENT IN MERCY, compare Prov. iii. 11, 12; Heb xii. 10, 11. The Jews in captivity were suffering the bitter results of their own sin. Awakened to a sin of their guilt, many of them humbled themselves before God (as, for instance, Dan. ix. 4-12). Then came upon them the blessing sought in 1 Kings viii. 46-52, and foretold in Deut. xxx. 1-5. In the narratives of Ezra and Nehemiah we meet with much that is surprising and painful, but there were many of the Jews who earnestly sought to walk in the law of God Their troubles and discouragements were many; enemies, both secret and open (Neh. iv. 1; vi. 9, 12, 13, 18, 19; Hag. i. 2), hindered their work and chilled their faith; but they persevered, and God blessed them, Neh. viii. 12—18;

Ezra iii. 8-13. III. THE ENEMIES OF GOD'S CHURCH SHALL PERISH.-Their triumphing is short, Job. xx. 4, 5; but while it lasts, the power of God alone prevents them from bringing utter destruction upon his people. From the youth (i.e., the commencement) of the Jewish nation, Ps. cxxix. 1, they had suffered severely and and most deeply of all in Babylon. For personal wrongs the Bible forbids us to take vengeance, Prov. xxv. 21, 22; Rom. xii. 17, 21; but there is a just and lawful indignation against the enemies of God's cause. It is not for us to use

such denunciations, but, only to acknowledge how righteously God dealt with those who opposed HIS will, and assailed HIS character in their merciless treatment of his people. On the flat roofs of Eastern houses may grow a scanty, straggling herbage, useless to the mower, and never sharing in the Jewish farmer's blessing, Ruth ii. 4. Thus the wicked perish, as unprofitable and as short-lived.

PSALM LVI., LVII. DAVID IN TROUBLE.

THE previous lessons have described, in various aspects, the fortunes of the Jewish nation. From this national picture we now pass to a few of the many Psalms which relate to the personal history of David, "the sweet Psalmist,” (2 Sam. xxxiii. 1). That a large space in Scripture history should be taken up with the incidents that befell him is easily accounted for. He was, personally, "the man after God's own heart," 1 Sam. xiii. 14; and though his life was marked by some sad falls, his general character was undoubtedly such as to exercise very powerful influence for good on the mind of the nation. And the same qualities which rendered him, by God's blessing, so useful to his people have, by means of his writings, made him the channel of God's grace to multitudes in every age. Politically, also, he was the great agent of Israel's national prosperity.

David's life is remarkable for the long and bitter trials which he met with as soon as he left his Father's home. His success against Goliath aroused the jealousy of Saul, who had been warned before he saw David, that his throne was destined for a worthier occupant, 1 Sam. xiii. 14. The result is well known in Saul's efforts to destroy David, an attempt both impious and unmerciful, and, of course, utterly fruitless. Whilst that enmity lasted, however, David's life was one of very great perplexity; and as we know that God has wise purposes for all his dealings, we cannot be wrong in concluding that adversity was one of the great means He used to refine David's character, and to fit him for the exalted position he was destined to occupy. Compare, as to the general truth of this, Isaiah xxvi. 16, xlviii. 10, Hosea v. 15, Lam. iii. 33, Ps. cxix. 71, Heb. xii. 5, 11, Job. v. 17. I. DAVID'S TROUBLES.

II. DAVID'S FAITH.

III. DAVID'S DEVOTEDNESS.

I. DAVID'S TROUBLES. He compares his enemies to lions, Ps. lvii. 4; also to hunters laying nets for their prey, compare 1 Sam. xviii. 25. He speaks also of their wresting his words, i.e., putting false meanings on them (as the Jews did to our Lord, John ii. 19-21, compared with Matt. xxvi. 61). Also, they maliciously watched for any false steps he might make, (compare what happened afterwards, 2 Sam. xii. 14). And he also speaks of his wanderings 1 Sam. xx.— xxx., which (1 Sam. xxvi. 19) bowed down his soul, and filled his eyes with tears Ps. lvii. 6.

II. DAVID'S FAITH. This was signally displayed under all his trials; though sometimes shaken, he never altogether lost hold of God's promise. It was this, confidence in divine help which sent him forth to fight with Goliath (1 Sam. xvii. 37.) It is easy to trust when all seems smooth and prosperous but when all is dark and doubtful, then arises the temptation of thinking that God has forgotten to be gracious. It is strong Faith that can see that such unbelief is our own infirmity, Ps. lxxvii. 10; and remembering previous displays of God's power, can believe that all will yet be well. Such faith David had, and thus well earned his place in St. Paul's list of Worthies, Heb. xi. 32.

III. DAVID'S DEVOTEDNESS. God had raised him from a Shepherd's lot, Ps. lxxviii. 70, 72, and had hitherto shielded him in the midst of dangers, Ps. lvi. 13, He knew that his very tears were not unnoticed, Ps. lvi. 8, nor his feet left to fall, Ps. lvi. 13. With his glory, i.e. his tongue, would he praise God, and that wherever he might wander, Ps. lvii. 8, 8. He had taken upon him the vows of God, Ps. lvi. 12, i.e. he had devoted himself to God's service, and with a fixed or unwavering heart he proposed to walk before God.

PSALM XVIII. 1-19.-DAVID'S DELIVERANCE.

THE headings prefixed to various Psalms, are not inspired, but in this instance the words are nearly an exact copy of 2 Sam. xxii. 1; which chapter is also nearly word for word, the same as this Psalm. It seems therefore, to have been composed in David's last and peaceful days, when the calamities to which his own sins had so much contributed, had been mercifully removed. The contrast between that tranquil time and the multiplied troubles of his youth, was indeed remark able; and might well call forth the lively gratitude recorded in this Psalm. The whole of it is too long for one lesson, and the part chosen contains the prominen points of the whole.

I. THE TROUBLES. II. THE DELIVERER. III. THE RESULT.

I. THE TROUBLES.-He calls them "the sorrows and snares of death," and of hell, (which generally in the scripture language means the grave, or place of departed spirits,) and speaks of the floods of ungodly men; in other words, that his life had been in continued danger from enemies, far more powerful than himself, and who prevented (i. e., opposed) him. And probably few men have ever been exposed to more relentless and prolonged enmity. They who thus attacked him were Saul and his adherents, 1 Sam. xviii., xix., xxiii., xxiv., xxvi. The Philistines, 2 Sam. v. 17; and Absolom, 2 Sam. xv. 17; besides the giants, with whom he contended personally in battle, 1 Sam. xvii.; 2 Sam. xxi. He had from the first a few faithful followers; Joab was such, inspite of grievous blemishes in his character; but he had to fight his way upward, against difficulties which, humanly speaking, were overwhelming. And one result of that enmity (which he felt very deeply,) was, that he was driven away from the Tabernacle, Psalm xlii. 1, 20. II. THE DELIVERER.-Note the terms in which Da vid speaks of the Lord. He is a ROCK, on which he might stand unmoved, amidstall floods of trouble; a FORTRESS, in which he would be sheltered from all enemies; a SHIELD to ward off all attacks; a HORN, with which to bear down opposition; a HIGH TOWER, in which he might be raised up above either weapons or floods; a SAVIOUR and DELIVERER Note then, the grand language in which David describes God's interference on his behalf. His cry entered into God's heavenly Temple, (verse 7,) and the arm of Omnipotence was stretched forth in reply. The expressions used, are of course figurative. No human eye has ever witnessed, or could bear such glory, 1 Tim. vi. 16. But faith justly traces the hand of God, in what are called political convulsions. And in the fierce struggles between the Philistines and Saul's declining power,-in the final defeat and death of the latter,-in David's victories over the Philistines, 2 Sam. v., the Syrians, 2 Sam. x.; Absolom, 2 Sam. xviii., and other enemies, there was abundant proof that God was indeed carrying out his purpose of exalting David and his race. Against his Almighty power, even though exerted through human instrumentality, the pride, rage, and strength of men were, and ever will be, utterly powerless.

III. THE RESULTS, viz., David's safety and his gratitude. The storms had now all passed away, and in honor and peace he awaited his last summons. Forbidden to build the Temple himself he had yet been enabled to lay up abundant próvision for it, 1 Chron. xxviii., xxix. After the many troubles that had rent his household, he now had the pleasing prospect of a successor, on whom God's blessing had been already promised, 1 Chron. xxii. 9, 10. His kingdom was at peace, ch. xxii. 18; his people shared in his pious zeal, ch. xxix. 9, and by God's express promise, he in faith beheld his descendants reigning for a long period on his throne, Sam. vii. 11-16. Well might David's heart overflow with love.

Entelligence.

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