THE KING’S BUSINESS
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in their sufferings. If any father will stop and think how he felt when he sat by the side of his child in awful suffering, or as the child was passing out of this world, he will have some faint idea of how God feels toward tis, even in our wandering and sins, as well as in our sorrows. God knows just what sort of stuff we are made of and does not expect the impossible from us (v. 14; cf. Psa. 78:38, 39 ; 89:46, 47), nor suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear (1 Cor. 10:13). Man is as transitory as the grass of the field and his glory as fleeting as that of the flower of the field. A breath of wind passes over us and we are gone, and the, place where we are will soon forget us entirely. But in contrast we see “the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting.” This mercy is manifested toward them that have a reverent regard for Him ; and His righteousness, not only unto us, but unto our children’s children. All this is conditioned upon our keeping His covenant, and upon our bearing His precepts in mind, not merely to admire them, but “to do them.” Jehovah has a throne; that throne is “in the heavens” and that throne is established so nothing can (1 ) David Blesses God for What He Is Doing. How many times does “bless” occur in this Psalm? On whom does David call to bless Jehovah ? v. 1 . What elements in himself does he exhort to such glorious work? What is meant by His name? v. 1; Exod. 34:5-7. What proportion of “benefits” did he wish his soul to recollect? v. 2 . How many times does “all” occur in verses 1-4? What do you think of that fact? What is the first “benefit” named? v. 3 What follows forgiveness? v. 3.
shake it. Human princes, kings and empe rors rise, fall and are forgotten, but Jeho vah’s throne is never shaken. His kingdom rules over all earthly kingdoms. It often seems as if this were not true, but in the ultimate outcome we will find that it is true. vs. 20-22. “Bless the LORD, ye his (omit his) angels, that excel ( of his, ye mighty) in strength,, that do ( fulfill ) his commandments, hearkening {word, heark ening .) unto the voice of His word. Bless the LORD all ye (omit ye) his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD all (add ye) his works, in all places of his dominion: Bless the LORD, O my soul.” Here David calls upon the whole universe to praise God. He calls to the angels to praise Jehovah. These angels are mighty in strength, their work "is to ful fill God’s word, their attitude toward His Word is to be always listening for it. David also calls upon the ministers, the Servants of God, the ones who do His pleasure to praise Him. He also« calls upon inanimate nature, “all his works in all places of his dominion,” to praise him. Then he closes as he began by calling upon his own self to praise Jehovah. What are our ■“tfw-eases” ? Gen. 3:14, 16-19. From what ultimate peril does He save us? v. 4; 2 Thess. 1:8-10; Rev. 20:15. Are these “benefits” past or in process? v. 2-6. (2 ) David Blesses God for What He Has Done, v. 7. When did God make His ways known to Moses?. Ex. 20:1-17. How did God commune with Moses? Deut. 34:10. How did God show His acts to the chil dren of Israel? Deut. 34:10-12. (3 ) David Blesses God for What He Is. Where did God conspicuously show that He is merciful? Ex. 12:12, 13.
LESSON OUTLINE
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