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 apart ments a grateful fragrance, so from the glorious vestments of our High Priest and King is diffused the sweet savour 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 odours. 9. King's daughters were among thy honourable women, or, the splendour of thy train; upon thy right hand did stand the queen in the 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 honour 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 garinents of righteousness and salvation, fitly compared, for their inestimable value, and radiant brightness, to the "gold of Ophir." 10. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house: 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him." This seemeth to be the voice of God, addressing the church to the follow ing effect-O thou, whom I have begotten unto a lively hope, by the resur rection 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 enter ing 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 belong ing 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 people shall entreat thy favour." 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 neigh bourhood of Palestine, formerly the glory of the nations, and mart of the world. See Isa. lx. and Rev. xxi. 13. The King's daughter is all-glorious within: her clothing 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 itself in 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 righteous ness of saints," 1 Pet. iii. 3. Rev. xix. 8. "14. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needlework, 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-gar ment 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 honour, 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 version, as follows: No more the patriarchs of thy line In Time's long records chief shall shine; 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 confidenee 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 be moved: 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 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 moved: 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 desolations 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 heathen, 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 pro phet, 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 allsubduing 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 choose 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. See "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." 2 Sam. vi. 5. 15. 2 Chron. v. 2. 12, &c. Psalm 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 to the King of glory to enter and repossess his ancient throne: there he is received by the united acclamations of the celestial armies, by that "shout," that "voice of the archangel, and that trump of of God," which are to sound again, in the day when he shall "so come, in like manner, as he went into heaven."* "Ascendit Deus"-Ascendit arca in Jerusalem cum cantu. Propheticè, ascendit Christus in colum. Bossuet. "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 indited, 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 together, even the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted." This verse plainly describeth the kings of the Gentiles as acceding to the church; as becoming, with their subjects, through faith, "the people of the God of Abraham," and a part of the sacred peculium; as submitting to God in Christ that power with which they were invested, as "shields of the earth," or protectors of their several kingdoms; and as bowing their sceptres to the cross of Jesus.* The sense of the verse, expressed in New Testament language, would be, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever." So let every nation be converted unto thee, O Lord; and every king become thy son and servant; until all the world shall worship thee, sing of thee, and praise thy name ! PSALM XLVIII. ARGUMENT. This Psalm is one of those which by our 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, 47. 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 *This latter part of the verse is differently explained by the Rev. Mr. Merrick, in his poeti cal paraphrase of this psalm For he, whose hands, amid the skies, Th' eternal sceptre wield, To earth's whole race his care applies, |