8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

greatness both telescope and microscope reveal past comprehension.

6-9. God "humbleth Himself" to behold the things that are in heaven even. How much more so when he looks down on those of earth? Yet He does notice, aye, and care for them, even the "poor" and the "needy" in any and every sense. Very like the words of Christ in Matt. xi. 28.

9. Study much this particular instance given of the great God's sympathy with our human feelings. No mere Jewish instinct, but a universal one, is here alluded to. And God has respect unto it; and will satisfy it in one way or another. See Isa. lvi. 5; Luke xviii. 29, 30.

2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.

3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

4 The mountains skipped

of Judah shows that the psalm was written after the separation of the ten tribes. "Sanctuary"= His holy people. "Dominion"= His realm. Israel was redeemed in order that he might obey. This often said: and it is just the same now with us. Compare 1 Pet. ii. 9.

3-7. Very bold imagery of what the power of God did effect in bring

7 They have hands, but they handle not feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

II Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of

13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

17, 18. Like what Hezekiah said (Isa. xxxviii. 18, 19). Only to be understood on the broad principle that "life is sweet," and ought to be so; and that we can do for God here in this world things we shall not be able to do hereafter. "Silence": how eloquent and touching!

his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Then called I upon the

name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

WRITER: Unknown.
OCCASION: Unknown.
CHARACTER: Practical.
PRINCIPAL USE: For time of
deliverance.

I, 2. The two notes on which the psalm throughout rings the changes: (1) He hath heard; therefore (2) I will call. A very sweet and logical conjunction. See I John iv. 19.

3. The deliverance, whatever it was, must have been a very great one. Consider expressions in this verse, and in verses 8, 10, 16. Was it mortal sickness? See vers. 3, 8, 9, 15.

6. The "simple" means those who simply and honestly trust.

7. This is inexpressibly sweet. Rest, not in absence of sorrow, but in presence of it. So Moses in presence of his heavy burden, Exod. xxxiii. 14.

IO I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

II I said in my haste, All men are liars.

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

14 I will pay my vows

unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.