Psalm 145

Psalm cxlv. looks back and shows the soul (for I do not speak of dispensation here as such: it is the Spirit of Christ showing what passes in the millennium; Imt it shows the bouI) recounting with praise and thanksgiving, the works and ways of God, wh cmii look back — the greatness of God. But then in these ways the character of God lias been fully displayed, and the soul has learned thai blessed lesson, knows what He is. See verses 8, 9, 14 — 20. This is a great bl All that we have passed

through exercises us, breaks our will, makes us know ourselves. We have learnt by it, and, in the preparation of the heart, it gives what God is. Israel learned themselves in the wilderness, but here they learn God, if they had hearts to understand it. First, what He is, and then in what He shows Himself such to others. Not only His greatness: that indeed has been shown in bringing all to His own ends; but He is gracious, good, thinking of others in love, and full of compassion. He is slow to anger — perhaps the heart mplained of that sometimes in trial, yet we need it — and of great mercy. Yes, we arc often Jonases, though we need or have needed as much mercy as Nineveh. Bui what should we have lost, to say nothing of losing ourselves, if our God had not been all this; But this is the God we have to say to, ami when we are delivered, we delight in Him, such as He is. No doubt by faith we delight in His being Buch, hut we have to gel our wills broken, our heart set righl in its desires, tempers, and whole state, to delighl fully in God who so Ion-’ suffers evil which W( hate, and the evil doers who thwart our desire of good, bul with which our will mixes itself, and taking, perhaps, itmosl subtle form. “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of; for the Son of man came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” He was the manifestation of God in forbearing love; and we have to walk in love as He showed it, offering Himself up to God, in nothing seeking His own will, committing Himself to Him who judgeth righteously. Finally, in peace we shall heartily rejoice in God as such. And it is His nature and character; He is good to all, His mercy is over all His works. Compare Peter, the apostle of God’s government and judgments. (2 Peter iii. 9, the epistle that applies judgment to the wicked. He is, too, the faithful Creator, 1 Peter iv. 9. One sees in this passage, as elsewhere, how the Epistles of Peter take up the government of God as the Psalms, only introducing redemption.) First, then, we find mercy. The Lord occupied with the need of men, all that fall (that is weakness); those that be bowed down (that is oppression). Then even, as he says in Jonah, “and very much cattle,” He it is that takes care of and provides for man and beast. But then, further, there are moral character and relationships in which He has to do with men. He is righteous in His ways, takes account of all that is due to others, and also to Himself. He Himself thinks of others, for this also isrighteousness in Him, and there is gracious consideration in His works, no evil. His ear, too, is open to the cry of those who seek Him — fulfils the desire of those who fear Him. He preserves those that love Him. He is thus interested in every want, and takes notice of all our ways. Thus the exercises of our hearts will have caused us to know Him.

The following psalms are the hallelujahs of a delivered people. Some elements of God’s way.; in general may he, however, found here, because God in the deliverance has Bhown whom lie thought of and His care for them.