This issues in a precious message to them, "Thy God hath commanded strength for thee." Whereupon prayer is offered for strength, that all God's counsel on their behalf may be brought to pass, even that all the surrounding nations, far and near, may submit themselves unto them (Isa. lx. 12), and bring presents unto their God, as the only true and living God. Ver. 28-31.

And then, lastly, all the kingdoms of the earth are summoned to sing praises to Jehovah's anointed One, that rideth through the heavens (at His second coming) to make good His promises to Israel. He is the God of Israel, the strong God that gives strength and power to His people. He is terrible as coming forth from His sanctuary. Ver. 32 -35.

The name Jah, in this psalm first occurring, seems to be only an abbreviation of the name Jehovah. The meaning of the latter name we learn from such sayings as "I am that I am (Exod. iii. 14) and "I am Jehovah, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" (Mal. iii. 6); that is, it means the unchanging One. Jah seems to be the shape that the name Jehovah takes, as used by His worshippers. It is only His worshippers that say Hallelu-jah, Praise ye Jah.

PSALM LXIX.

This psalm stands in striking contrast with the preceding one, being the rejection of Jehovah's anointed One.

He cries to God to save Him, to God who knows that the assaults of His enemies are without cause, although He is standing charged, on account of others, with foolishness and sins. So He restores what He took not away. Ver. 1-12.

He renews His prayer for deliverance, in the confidence that, though man hates Him, God loves Him. Ver. 13-18. He arraigns His enemies, and imprecates God's wrath upon them. Ver. 19-28.

He resumes His prayer for Himself, anticipating a time of resurrection and exaltation and praise. Ver. 29–31.

The lowly ones shall see this and be glad. They shall also see the full establishment of their nation in the land, according to the promises made to their fathers. Ver. 32-36.

PSALM LXX.

This psalm is a continuation of the anointed One's prayer in the last, answering, almost word for word, to the conclusion of His prayer in Psalm xl.

PSALM LXXI.

This psalm is another prayer of Jehovah's anointed One in the same circumstances as the two preceding ones. es. The opening of it is, almost word for word, the same as His prayer in Psalm xxxi. His determination, in ver. 14, to hope continually, and, whilst waiting for God's deliverance, to add to all His praise by unabated publishing of His saving grace, is a fine illustration of fidelity in evangelical service. Ver. 1-18. The anticipations of hope (even of resurrection from the dead, with increase of greatness), and praise founded thereon, close this prayer. Ver. 19-24.

PSALM LXXII.

Solomon, in the deep consciousness through transgression that he is not the predicted King of the seed of David, although truly of David's sons (Ps. cxxxii. 11, 12), prays for those happy times when God's King shall reign. Then truly shall a King reign in righteousness, and the fear of God prevail and continue. Ver. 1-5.

He proceeds to describe those times more in detail. This King's coming shall be as showers upon the mown grass, so beneficent shall be His reign. Then shall righteousness flourish and peace abound. All kings shall worship Him, and all nations shall serve Him. The earth shall yield her increase, even upon the tops of the mountains; and the people of the cities shall flourish like the grass of the earth. All nations

shall be blessed in Him, according to the ancient promise to Abraham (Gen. xxii. 18), and all shall call Him blessed. Ver. 6-17.

The contemplation of such times draws out Solomon's heart in worship to God Jehovah, the God of Israel, who alone doeth wonderful works. He ascribes glory to His name. Vers. 18 and 19.

In such times the prayers of his father David would fnd their consummation. Ver. 20.

PART III.

PSALM LXXIII.

This psalm is the record of a temptation that will especially press upon the godly remnant of Israel in the days of anti

christ.

First, we have a testimony to God's abiding goodness to Israel, that is, to those that are Israelites indeed. Such are blessed and shall be blessed. Then, we have the record of a temptation, in view of the prosperity of the wicked, to forsake God. Ver. 1-12.

He records the thought to the reproach of God (namely, that there is no profit in godliness) that came into his mind, but that he did not dare to utter before His people. He then tells us how the snare was broken, even by his bringing of the matter before God, when he quickly learnt the latter end of the wicked. Ver. 13-20.

He next tells us how grieved he was and self abased in the revived sense of his happy position before God: "For I am continually with Thee, Thou holdest me by my right hand; Thou wilt guide me by Thy counsel, and afterwards take me to glory." He concludes by testifying that all that forsake God shall perish; and that as for himself his godliness had been his great gain. Ver. 21-28.

The expression in ver. 24, "Thou wilt guide me by Thy counsel, and afterwards take me to glory," reminds us of Psalm xlix., and seems to supply us with this information, that the godly remnant of Israel, of times subsequent to the rapture of the church, that live not to see the prosperity of Israel (whether suffering martyrdom or not) will be made to share in the heavenly glory of the church. See notes on Psalms xci. and cxviii.

PSALM LXXIV.

This is a prayer of the godly remnant of Israel in sight of the desolations of Zion. It might be applied to those desolations, whether under the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, or of the Romans, or of the wilful king of the last days. The last must be the real fulfilment of the psalm.

The long continuance of God's anger against their nation is the burden of their complaint. They ask God to come and see the desolations that the enemy hath wrought. Ver. 1-8.

They inquire how long shall the adversary reproach His name, a name of such power and might, and of such faithfulness too. They entreat His interference on their behalf. It is a call upon Him to show Himself as the Goel redeemer, in His character of avenger. Ver. 9-23. See note on Psalm xix.

PSALM LXXV.

The godly remnant now give thanks unto God at the tokens that His name (that is, Himself to vindicate His name) is near, and no longer afar off. Ver. 1.

A word follows from Jehovah's anointed One, declaring His determination, when He receives the congregation, to judge with equity. Vers. 2 and 3.

He warns the wicked of their impending fate. Ver. 4-8.

He declares His determination to show forth God for ever; He will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but exalt the horns of the righteous. Vers. 9 and 10.

PSALM LXXVI.

In this psalm is celebrated the time when God shall be known in Judah, when His name shall be great in Israel, and when His dwelling-place shall be in Zion, as the result of the last great conflict there. Ver. 1-3.

Here also is celebrated God's victory there, the victory that opens the way for that happy time; for there, in the last