tence otherwise. All His acts o f power will be per formed in favor of justice. He will not be like earthly tyrants who use their power for their sel fish and unworthy purposes. Might and right will be joined at last in the rule o f this King. He will establish equity in His kingdom. This is the ful fillment o f Psalm 72. He judges on behalf of the helpless, the poor, and the needy—the ones whose cause is so often slighted or neglected. Before such a keep the deepest reverence and humility are in order. We are exhorted, as all nations are, to wor ship at His footstool. The word footstool is applied to the earth (Isaiah 66:1) ; the ark of the cove nant (I Chronicles 28:2) ; Zion (Lam. 2:1) ; and the Temple (Psalm 132:7). Here the meaning is evidently Zion where the King is holding sway. The reason we need to bow lowly before Him is be cause of His holiness. Praise permeates the psalm (verses 5 and 9) and is in keeping with God’s holi ness. The late Dr. John Kelman, while ministering in New York City, asked one of his church members the question, “What is your solution of the present world unrest?” “His answer,” said Dr. Kelman, “amazed me. It was, ‘A Dictator.’ ” “ But,” argued the great preacher, “your Dictator would have to be a superman—one with perfect understanding of civic and economic problems, and with genius to meet the opposition and resolve the fears of those who doubted and opposed him.” “ I know it,” was the quiet answer; “but we are looking for such a Man, and we have Him in view; His name is— Jesus.” Commented Dr. Kelman later, “ The thrill o f that answer will never leave me.” He alone can rule in equity and justice and righteousness in Jacob as the need requires. Now we are presented with some practical exam ples o f worship from the past history of God’s people, Israel. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel are se lected as those who called earnestly upon the name o f the Lord. And God answered them; they did not call upon Him in vain. Many illustrations could be taken from the lives of these men. There is always encouragement for the exercise o f prayer (Isaiah 65:24). God’s objective in their lives was godly living. To this end He held con stant communion with them. He spoke to them, especially Moses and Aaron, in the pillar o f cloud (Numbers 12:5). But they were not the only ones whom God answered. All the godly who called upon the Lord in times past were answered as well. It was not because they were perfect or sinless, for He extended in divine mercy His forgiveness to them in their need. Though they often sinned, and MAY, 1966 L a s t ly , the psalm majestically sets forth T he D ivine M ercy , 6-9
as often needed God’s chastisement, yet He heard and answered their prayers. Their misdeeds were not glossed over, but God found a way to manifest His boundless mercy. Grace reigns in holiness. God’s pardon must be grounded in the full meet ing of the demands o f His holiness. The final word of the psalmist is an encouragement and call to worship and exalt the Lord because He is holy. This is the highest reason for worshipping God, for He is worthy of universal praise and worship. The gods o f the heathen have been endowed by them with many qualities, but one of them is not holiness. This belongs rightly to our God alone. Thank God, though He chastens for sin, yet He finds means to forgive. A soldier heard o f the severe sickness of his wife. He applied for a leave o f absence, but was refused. He left anyhow. He was captured and brought in as a deserter from the army. He was tried, found guilty, and summoned to receive sen tence. He stood perfectly unmoved while the officer read his fearful doom: “ To be shot to death on the next Friday.” Not a muscle twitched, not a limb quivered. “ I deserted my colors; I deserve it. Is that all, sir ?” “ No,” said the officer, “ there is some thing more” ; and, unfolding a paper, he read aloud the doomed man’s pardon. The undaunted spirit which severity had failed to move was com pletely broken down by clemency. He dropped to the ground, shaking, sobbing, and overcome. Being restored to the ranks, he proved himself grateful for and worthy of the mercy shown him, and soon afterward was promoted. Wonderful it is when justice is tempered with mercy! It is the message o f our psalm that the Lord is to be worshipped in holiness. JThe coming reign o f the Messiah will be grounded and founded in holiness. But the holy King must have subjects who conform to His will and standard o f holiness. For that purpose His justice and mercy have met in Messiah’s work on the Cross. In order to have life now and be assured of joy when God reigns in Zion in His glory, we must avail ourselves by faith of the work the Messiah did for us all individually. It is our duty and privilege to hear and heed today the call o f the prophet Isaiah: “ Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as wool” (1:18). How can this be possible? It is because “ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). What are you to do? Hear Isaiah again: “ There is no God else beside me, a just God and a Saviour [notice again the holiness o f God and then His wondrous mercy] ; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends o f the earth; for I am God, and there is none else” (45:21, 22). It is o f the great est importance that you do it now! is
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