Church to be, like Himself, oppressed and afflicted, humble and resigned; but there is also a future day of wrath and recompense, when the sins and provocations of her persecutors shall be ripe for judgment; when their triumphs and her sufferings shall be at an end; when they shall fall for ever, and she shall ascend to heaven. 7. He shall drink of the brook, or, torrent, in the way; and therefore shall he lift up his head. The means, by which Christ should obtain his universal kingdom, and everlasting priesthood, seem here to be assigned. In his "way" to glory, He was to drink deep of the 'waters of affliction; the swollen "torrent" occurred in the way, and presented itself between Him and the throne of God. To this "torrent in the way" the Saviour descended; He bowed Himself down, and "drank" of it for us all; "and THEREFORE, by, did he lift up his head;" that is, He arose victorious, and, from the valley in which the torrent ran, ascended to the summit of that holy and heavenly mount, where He reigneth, till "his enemies be made his 1 The Hebrew word bn signifies, in general, "a current of water," which may be either a "turbid, overwhelming torrent," or a clear and gentle "stream." In Psal. xviii. 4, it denotes the "floods of ungodliness." In Psal. xxxvi. 8, it is used to signify the "river of Divine pleasures." Hence arises an ambiguity in the interpretation of the words, "He shall drink of the brook in the way," which may be expounded either of the sufferings Christ tasted, or the refreshments He experienced; as the "waters" are supposed to be those of "affliction," or those of "comfort." Either way the sense is good and true, as it relates to Messiah. "Torrents," or the " overflowing of rivers," in the Scripture language, certainly, as Dr. Durell observes, do often denote "afflictions;" as in Psal. xviii. 4; cxxiv. 4, 5; exliv. 7, &c. "the being oppressed by them," is also described by the action of "drinking." Psal. lx. 3; lxxv. 8, &c. And the idea of a "brook in the WAY," or the ROAD, seems to favour this exposition. But the author advances it, as becomes him to do, with great deference and submission, since Bishop Lowth and Mr. Merrick are of a different opinion. footstool." St. Paul hath expressed the same sentiment in literal terms; "He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross: WHEREFORE, Sio, God also hath highly exalted him." Phil. ii. 8. PSALM CXI. ARGUMENT. This is one of the Proper Psalms appointed by the Church to be read on Easter-day. It containeth, 1, a resolution to praise Jehovah in the congregation, 2, 3, for his great and glorious works, and, 4, for the appointed memorials of them: 5, 6, his mercies to the Church are celebrated, and, 7, 8, the equity and the stability of his counsels declared; 9, the blessings of redemption, and the new covenant, are mentioned, as they were prefigured of old in God's dispensations toward Israel. 10, Religion is proclaimed to be true wisdom. 1. I will praise the LORD, with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. Jehovah is to be "praised," not only with the voice and the understanding, but with the "heart," with the "whole" heart, and all its affections tuned, like the chords of the son of Jesse's harp, to a song of gratitude and love. Solitary devotion hath, doubtless, its beauties and excellencies; but how glorious is it to hear the voices of a whole. Christian "congregation" break forth into hallelujahs, like the sound of many waters, and the noise of mighty thunderings, while each one, as it were, provokes another to continue the blessed employment, with unremitted attention, and unabated fervour! 2. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. The subjects of man's praise are the "works" of God. Every one of these works, whether in the natural, or the spiritual system, is "great." No thing cometh from the hands of the Divine Artist, but what is excellent and perfect in its kind, adapted with infinite skill to its proper place, and fitted for its intended use. Happy are they, who with humility and diligence, with faith and devotion, give themselves to the contemplation of these works, and take "pleasure," and delight therein. To them shall the gate of true science open; they shall understand the mysteries of creation, providence, and redemption; and they who thus "seek," shall find the treasures of eternal wisdom. 3. His work is honourable and glorious; and his righteousness endureth for ever. The "work," of all others, in which the "honour and glorious majesty" of Jehovah appeared, and which the Christian Church celebrates with this Psalm, is the salvation and exaltation of our nature, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; an event which contained in it the accomplishment of the ancient promises, and thereby demonstrated to all the world the everlasting truth, fidelity, and "righteousness" of Him who made them. 4. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: or, he hath appointed a memorial for his wonders: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. Jewish feasts were 66 memorials" of the " wonders" wrought for Israel of old; Christian festivals are "memorials" of the "wonders" wrought in Christ for all mankind, to whom, no less than to Israel, God hath now showed Himself" gracious and full of compassion.' دو 5. He hath given meat unto them that fear him : he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6. He hath showed his people the power of his works, that he may, or, might, give them the heritage of the heathen. Agreeably to the "covenant" which God made with Abraham, as concerning his children according to the flesh, He "fed" and supported them in the wilderness, He overthrew their enemies by the might of his "power," and He put them in possession of Canaan, which before was "the heritage of the heathen." Agreeably to the covenant which God made with the same Abraham, as concerning all believers, those "children of the promise which are counted for the seed," He feedeth them in the world with the true manna ', the bread which cometh down from heaven; He hath again "showed the power of his works" in the overthrow of idolatry; and again, by the conversion of the nations, given to his Church "the heritage of the heathen;" although, like Israel, she is commanded, and hath had frequent admonitions, not to fix her heart on an earthly Canaan; not to expect any permanent habitation, any enduring city here below; not to stop short of an eternal and heavenly rest. 7. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. In all God's dispensations towards his faithful servants, and towards his impenitent adversaries, we admire and adore his "verity" in the performance of his promises to the former, and his "justice" in executing his vengeance on the latter. Thus the time of fulfilling his promise to Abraham came not till the iniquity of the Amorites was full. The 1 "Escam dedit"-Manna: quæ cætera Dei mirabilia in memoriam revocabat: unde in Arcâ servari jussa. Exod. xvi. 32. Erat autem Eucharistiæ figura, quæ verè divini amoris monumentum æternum.-Bossuet. case is the same as to the coming of Christ, the subversion of Paganism, the deaths of persecutors, the rise and fall of nations, the conversion or excision of individuals, and every other instance of mercy or judgment. Another property of God's works is, that, being "done in truth and uprightness, they stand fast for ever;" and will then appear in perfect glory and beauty, when all the arts and labours of man shall be no more. 9. He sent redemption unto his people, he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend, or, terrible, is his name. He who "sent redemption" to Israel by the hand of Moses, hath now "sent redemption" by the power of Jesus to all the world: He who, at mount Sinai, established his "covenant" with his people, and gave them a law, hath now established his "covenant" with the Gentiles, and published to them his Gospel from Zion. "Holy is his name," and therefore "terrible" to those who under all the means of grace, continue unholy. 10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. The "fear of God" is the first step to salvation, as it exciteth a sinner to depart from evil, and to do good; to implore pardon, and to sue for grace; to apply to a Saviour for the one, and to a Sanctifier for the other. Religion is the perfection of wisdom, practice the best instructor, and thanksgiving the sweetest recreation. PSALM CXII. ARGUMENT. The Psalmist enumerateth the blessings attending the man who feareth Jehovah; 1, the pleasure which he taketh in doing his will; 2, the prosperity of his seed; 3, the plenteousness in his |