Psalms 112–113

Psalm cxii. I leave aside, of course, the promises of temporal blessing, which apply directly to the Jewish people and system. These latter psalms refer especially to them, because blessing is just come in by judgment, but some principles are worthy of note — the wisdom of acting in obedience through the path of trial is specially insisted on in these psalms. Much was there (there always is) to say that faithfulness was folly and ruin. God warns them, and in that is the path of wisdom. It lasts in its effects when the wicked disappear. The generation of the upright will be blessed. His righteousness endures for ever. No doubt darkness seems to shut him in, but light arises for him even there. We must learn to trust to God, blessing is sure to the obedient. But thus walking with God, peace of heart and the sense of goodness make him gracious and full of compassion towards others — upright too with them. Self-seeking is not his governing principle. He shows favour, is liberal in heart, nor is there rashness or self-will. He

THE PSALMS. — PSALM (XIII. 265

carries out and carries through his matters in the fear of Guil, with soundness of mind; does not use lightness, thai his yea should be nay. Guided by God in going into them he carries through his path to the end, because it is God’s will, and with the strength and steadiness the consciousness of doing that gives. And this is of importance in the path of the saints as a testimony that God is there, and His mind the guide of our path He abides, he that docs God’s will does so. Further, when the power of evil is abroad, he is not shaken. In the midst of exercises of heart, of moral evil, he lias been with God. His will has been supreme with him. He has looked at God as one whose will ordered all, and God Himself as all. If He was pleased, he was content. Circumstances had lost their power as motives, and (Jod had, so to Bpeak, taken their place in his heart and mind. Hence, when adverse ones arise, they find God there known, trusted: his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord.

Only one principle comes before lis in Psalm cxiii., but one which cannot be too often brought before our souls, one which we have constant tendency to forget. God chooses weak things, that it may be evident that good and blessing come from His power and love. God uses means, but when man speaks of means he generally speaks not of reference of heart to Cod, prayer, His word, and the like, but of leaning on man’s influence, and man’s strength. This is all evil. Oh that we may remember thai Cod chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and weak things, and things that are not, to bring to 2G(j PEACTICAL REFLECTIONS ON

naught things that arc, that no flesh should glory in His presence. Blessing were not divine blessing indeed if it were not so. But then in this strength we may look for grace. He dwells on high, but humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth. He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and liftcth up the needy out of the dunghill to set him with the princes, even the princes of His people, and takes the barren and gives her children like a flock, makes her a joyful mother of children. Such are God’s ways. The heart delights in them. Power is His, mid goodness, but what a lesson in the midst of this world, and for the heart of man.