The sermons, the example, and, above all, the death of Christ, for the expiation of sin, demonstrated his love of righteousness, and hatred of wickedness; and "because he humbled himself, and became obedient even to the death of the cross, therefore God highly exalted him :" Phil. ii. 8, 9, and he was "anointed" to the kingdom, "with the Holy Ghost and with power" immeasurable; to the intent that he might bestow, in due proportion, the gifts of heaven on those whom he is not ashamed to call "friends" and "brethren." And these gifts he did bestow on them, by the emission of the Spirit, soon after his ascension and inauguration. See the application of these last two verses to Christ, Heb. i. 8, 9.

8. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces,* whereby they have made thee glad.

From the throne, the sceptre, and the inauguration, the prophet passes on to the robes and palaces of the King of glory, declaring, that as the perfumed garments of an earthly prince scatter through all the royal apartments a grateful fragrance, so from the glorious vestments of our High Priest and King is diffused the sweet savor of his heavenly graces, filling those happy regions of joy and gladness, where he keeps his residence above, and, by the communication of the Spirit, refreshing the faithful on earth with their odors 9. Kings' daughters were among thy honorable women, or, the splendor of thy train; upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

Such being the divine beauty, and heavenly glory, of the blessed Person, whose nuptials the prophet is now proceeding to describe, it is no wonder that, upon hearing of his fame, innumerable converts, forsaking the vanities even of courts and kingdoms, should follow him, ambitious to have the honor of composing his train; which in reality was the case, upon the publication of the Gospel. And, lo, at "the right hand" of the King, followed by this magnificent procession, appears the church, the spouse of the Lamb, arrayed in the garments of righteousness and salvation, fitly compared, for their inestimable value, and radiant brightness, to the "gold of Ophir."

That is, palaces adorned, or inlaid, with ivory; 85 "Ebur atria vestit:" Lucan. x. 119. MERRICK.

This seemeth to be the voice of God, addressing the church to the following effectO thou whom I have begotten unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and whom I have called out of the world, to become "the Lamb's wife," hearken diligently to my voice, consider attentively what I say, and be obedient to my direction; thou art now entering into a new state; let old things pass away; regard no more thy connections with earth; but let the love, and, if possible, the very memory, of thy former condition be obliterated from thy mind; let all things belonging to the flesh die in thee: then shalt thou be truly acceptable and dear in his sight, who, having purchased and betrothed thee to himself, justly claims thy whole heart, thy undivided love, and thy unlimited service and adoration.

12. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the peop'e shall entreat thy favor.

The accession of the Gentiles, with their offerings and donations, to the church, is here predicted under the name of " Tyre," a city in the neighborhood of Palestine, formerly the glory of the nations, and mart of the world. See Isa. lv. and Rev. xxi.

13. The King's daughter is all glorious within her cl thing is of wrought gold.

:

The church, in different respects, is sometimes called the spouse, sometimes the sister, and often, as here, the "daughter" of the heavenly King; the connection formed between them, uniting in itself every relation, and every affection. Her beauty, so greatly desired and delighted in by Messiah, is spiritual; it is the beauty of holiness; and her clothing is "the righteousness of saints." 1 Pet. iii. 3, Rev. xix. 8.

14. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle-work, or, embroidery; the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

The different graces of the faithful, all wrought in them by the same Spirit, compose that divine " embroidery " which adorns the wedding garment of the church, who is therein presented to the King, attended by her bride maids, after the nuptial manner. These are either the single churches, or holy souls, that accede to and accompany the spouse; unless we suppose, as some do, that the bride is the Israelitish church, and then the attendants will represent the Gentiles.

15. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought they shall enter into the King's palace.

The solemnization of this marriage between Christ and the church, produceth a jubilee upon earth, and causeth the streets of the heavenly Jerusalem to resound with hallelujahs. For this the angels tune their golden harps, while prophets, apostles, martyrs, and saints, fill up the universal chorus of "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever."

16. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in

all the earth.

In this verse the prophet foretelleth the fruit that should spring from the glorious nuptials which he hath been celebrating. He assureth the spouse, that instead of her earthly kindred, whether Jewish or Pagan, which she was to leave for Christ, should arise an illustrious and royal progeny of believers, out of whom were to be chosen Christian kings to govern the world, and Christian bishops to preside in the church. The expression, "whom thou mayest make princes, may answer to that in the Revelation, ch. i. ver. 6. "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father." So Mr. Merrick thinks, who beautifully turns the passage, in his poetical verson, as fol

lows

No more the Patriarchs of thy line

In time's long records chief shall shine;
Thy greater Sons, to empire born,
Its future annals shall adorn.
Thy pow'r deriv'd to them display,
And stretch through earth their boundless sway.

17. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

By inditing this divine marriage-song, appointed to be sung in the congregation of the faithful, from age to age, the Psalmist hath been, as he foresaw he should be, the blessed means of celebrating his Redeemer's name, and inciting the nations of the world to do likewise; nor will he cease to be so, while the xlvth Psalm continues to be sung in the church upon earth; that is, while there remaineth a church upon earth to sing in. And we, who now do sing it, are witnesses of these things.

PSALM XLVI.

ARGUMENT.

THE church, in time of trouble, declares, 1, her trust and confidence to be in God, and

doubts not, 2, 3, of being preserved safe by means of this anchor, in the most: stormy seasons; even then, 4, 5, enjoying the comforts of the Spirit, and the presence of Christ in the midst of her. She describes, 6, and, 7, exults in, the power and might of her victorious Lord; 8, calling the world to view and consider his wonderful works. 9, he himself is introduced as speaking the nations into peace and obedience. She concludes with a repetition of ver. 7, in the way of chorus.

1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

As we are continually beset by "troubles," either bodily or spiritual, so we continually stand in need of a city of "refuge and strength," into which we may fly, and be safe. Religion is that city, whose gates are always open to the afflicted soul. We profess to believe this; do we act agreeably to such profession?

2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3. Though the waters thereof roar, and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

The church declares her full and firm confidence in God, as her refuge and strength, amidst all the tumults and confusions of the world, the raging of nations, and the fall of empires. Nay, at that last great and terrible day, when sea and land are to be confounded, and every mountain and hill removed for ever; when there is to be "distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;" even then, the righteous shall have no cause to "fear," but rather to "lift up their heads" with joy and triumph, because then it is, that their "redemption draweth nigh." Let us set that day before us, and try ourselves by that test.

4. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God: the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5. God is in the midst of her; she shall not bem wed; God shall help her, and that right early; Heb. when the morning appeareth.

Such is the ground on which the church erects her confidence. Instead of those waters which overwhelm the world, she has within herself the fountain of consolation, sending forth rivers of spiritual joy and pleasure; and, in the place of secular instability, she is possessed of a city and a hill which stand fast for ever, being the residence of the Eternal, who, at the dawn of the last morning, will finally appear as the protector and avenger of Israel.

6. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were movel; he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

How concise, how energetic, how truly and astonishingly sublime! The kingdom of Christ being twofold, these words may be applied either to the overthrow of Heathenism, and the establishment of the Gospel; or to the destruction of the world, and the erection of Messiah's triumphant throne. Conquer, O Lord, all our perverse affections, and reign in us, that we may conquer, and reign with thee.

7. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge; Heb. an high place for us.

To the "LORD of hosts" all creatures in heaven and earth are subject; in "the God of Jacob," the church acknowledges the Saviour of his chosen. If this person be IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US, of whom can we be afraid?

8. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what deso ations he hath made in the earth. 9. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

The church, in these words, proposes to us the noblest subjects for contemplation; namely, the glorious victories of our Lord, partly gained already, and partly to be gained hereafter, in order to the final establishment of universal peace, righteousness, and bliss, in his heavenly kingdom. Then the mighty shall be fallen, and the weapons of war perished, for ever. Hasten, O Lord, that blessed day; but first prepare us for it.

10. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the hea thn, I will be

exalted in the earth.

In this verse there is a change of person, and Jehovah himself is introduced, as commanding the world to cease its opposition, to own his power, and to acknowledge his sovereignty over all the kingdoms of the nations. Let our rebellious passions hear this divine edict,-tremble, and obey.

11. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. See ver. 7.

NINTH DAY.-EVENING PRAYER.

PSALM XLVII.

ARGUMENT.

In this Psalm, appointed by the church to be used on Ascension-day, the prophet, 1, calls the nations to celebrate so glorious a festival; and that, on account, 2, of Christ's power, and the mightiness of his kingdom; 3, of his victories and triumphs, through

the Gospel; 4, of the inheritance prepared for his chosen, in the heavenly Canaan, by his own ascension thither; which, 5, is described under images borrowed from the ascent of the ark into the holy city and temple; an occasion, on which the Psalm was probably composed. 6, 7, He again. and again exhorts all people to sing the praises of their God and King, and to sing with the understanding, as well as with the voice. 8, 9, The Psalm concludes with predicting the establishment of Christ's kingdom, and the conversion of the Gentile kings and nations to the faith.

1. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

The prophet invites all nations to celebrate the festival of Messiah's exaltation, because all nations had a share in the benefits and blessings of that glorious day. God is to be worshipped with bodily, as well as spiritual worship: every "hand" should be lifted up to him who formed it, and every "mouth" should praise him who giveth breath for that purpose.

2. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

The church celebrates the ascension of

Christ, because then he was " highly exalted;" then he became "terrible" to his enemies, all power in heaven and in earth being committed to him; and then he began to display the excellent majesty of his universal kingdom, to which he was then inaugurated, being crowned "King of kings, and Lord of lords."

3. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

The consequence of our Lord's ascension was the going forth of the all-subduing Word, under the influence and direction of which, the convinced and converted nations renounced their idols and their lusts, and bowed their willing necks to the yoke of Jesus. This is that great conquest foreshowed by the victories of Joshua, David, and all the faithful heroes of old time, and foretold in language borrowed from their histories.

4. He shall chose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved.

The land of Canaan, emphatically styled "that good land, and the glory of all lands," was the "excellent inheritance" chosen for the sons of Jacob, and consigned to them upon the expulsion of the idolatrous nations. But from that inheritance Israel also hath long since been expelled; and Christians, by these words, are taught to look to "an inheritance eternal, and incorruptible, and that fadeth not

away;" to those happy and enduring mansions which the Son of God is gone to prepare for them that love him, and are beloved of him.

5. God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

Literally, if applied to the ark, as Bishop Patrick paraphrases the verse, "God is gone up, by the special token of his presence, into that holy place, with shouts of joy and praise; the LORD is gone up in a triumphant pomp, with the sound of the trumpet, and all other instruments of music." See 2 Sam. vi. 5. 15. 2 Chron. v. 2, 12, &c. Ps. cxxxii. 8, 9. But spiritually, as applied now by the Christian Church, to the ascension of Christ into heaven, prefigured by that of the ark into the temple-God incarnate is gone up into that holy place, not made with hands; the everlasting doors of heaven are opened, for the King of glory to enter, and re-possess his ancient throne; there he is received by the united acclamations of the celestial armies, by that "shout," that voice of the archangel,

ARGUMENT.

again, in the day when he shall "so come, in like manner, as he went into heaven."*

6. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Who can contemplate the glorious triumph of human nature over its enemies, in the person of our King, risen and ascended, without finding himself constrained to break forth into joy, and to sing, with a thankful heart, and an elevated voice, the praises due unto his holy name! These divine hymns were designed for that purpose. Let us therefore sing them, and let us sing them "with understanding" considering by whom they were indicted, and of whom they treat; reflecting, that the eternal Spirit is their author; and their subject the blessed Jesus.

8. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

We are never suffered to forget, that the end of Messiah's exaltation to the right hand of the majesty in the heavens, was the conversion and salvation of the world; so continually do the prophets and apostles delight to dwell upon that most interesting topic, the conversion of the "nations" to the Gospel of Christ. Why do we vainly fancy, that we belong to Him, unless his Spirit reign" in our hearts by faith?

9. The princes of the people are gathered

"Ascendit Deus"-Ascendit arca in Jerusalem cum cantu. Propheticè, Ascendit Christus in cælum. BosSUET.

church are appointed to be used on Whitsunday, because under images taken from the earthly city Jerusalem, newly rescued from her enemies by him who resided in the material temple on Mount Zion, are celebrated, 1, 2, 3, the glory, the beauty, and the strength of the church Christian, that city and temple of Messiah; who, 4-7, is described as breaking in pieces, and bringing to nothing, the opposition formed against her by the Heathen kings and emperors; on which account, 8-11, she expresseth her gratitude and joy; 12-14, exhorting her people to contemplate, and transmit to posterity, an account of those wonderful works of God, the establishment and preservation of his church in the world; for which she wishes all generations, after her example, to adore and praise his holy name, for ever and ever.

1. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

The prophet preparing to celebrate the beauty and magnificence of the church, begins with setting forth the praises of her great Founder; whose wisdom, mercy, and power, as they are conspicuous in all his works, so,

more especially, in this, the chief and crown of all; for which, his name can never be sufficiently extolled, by the inhabitants of the new Jerusalem; and by them it ought to be extolled, for ever and ever.

2. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

How "beautiful" is the holy and heavenly Zion, or the Christian church; how truly is she "the joy of the whole earth," by the glad tidings which her ministers continually publish; how properly is this Jerusalem styled, "the city of the great King!"

3. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. The great Founder of the church is also her protector and defender; the dependence of the new Jeruselem, like that of the old, is not in man, or in the arm of flesh, but in the God who resideth in the midst of her. For, surely, unless he kept the holy city, the watchmen in the towers would wake but in vaiu. 4. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

Never were the power and malice of earthly princes more violently bent to hinder the building of Jerusalem, or to pull down what was already built, than they were to prevent the edification of the church, and to root up its foundations. But the event, with regard to the latter, was the same which had often happened, in the case of the former.

5. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. 6. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

The potentates of the world saw the miracles of the apostles, the courage and constancy of the martyrs, and the daily increase of the church, notwithstanding all their persecutions; they beheld with astonishment the rapid progress of the faith through the Roman empire; they called upon their gods, but their gods could not help themselves; idolatry expired at the foot of the victorious cross, and the power which supported it, became CHRISTIAN. 7. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish

with the cast wind.

8. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever.

The church heard, by the prophets, of the future birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Messiah; of the effusion of the Spirit, and her own enlargement, establishment, and preservation, in the Gentile world. These predictions, which she had so often "heard," she hath "seen" accomplished, even unto this day; and therefore doubts not of God's continuing his favor and protection to the end of time.

9. We have thought, or, we wait in silence and patience for thy loving kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

Contemplation of all the wondrous works which the Lord our God hath wrought for us, produces faith in his promises, and resignation to his will: and he that, with these dispositions, waits for God's mercies, in God's house, shall not wait in vain.

10. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

Wherever the name of God is known, and his works are declared, there the sacrifice of praise must needs be offered to him, by men who are made sensible of his mercies towards them: and the day is coming, when all the world shall be forced to acknowledge, that his "right hand is full of righteousness," and his judgments are just.

11. Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judg

ments.

The church, and all her children, are exhorted to rejoice, with joy unspeakable and full of glory, on account of the manifestation of divine power, on her behalf, against her enemies. Thus, at the fall of the mystic Babylon, it is said-"Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her." Rev. xviii. 20.

12. Walk about Zion, and go round about

trations of this kind are sometimes introduced, by the sacred writers, with the mark of comparison and frequently, as here, without it. The meaning evidently is, that as the east wind shatters in pieces the Heathen kings with terror and astonishment. the ships of Tarshish, so the divine power struck

Sennacherabi Dux Rabsaces, ejusque exercitus cœderetur, sic impletum vidimus. Isa. xxxvii. 21. 2 Reg. xix. 20. Quâ figura cœlestis Jerusalem incolæ et ipsi canunt," sicut audivimus," ex auditu fidei,

Gal. iii. 25, "sic vidimus," jam sublato velo, atque aperta Dei facie. "Deus fundavit eam :" nihil