but we anticipate judgment both to 'the lips of smoothnesses, and to the tongue speaking great things' (ver. 3). Nor shall we be entangled in their intrigues, nor be led astray by their seeming wisdom, their astute plans and machinations, which promise rich success, viewing it from their stand-point, as stated in ver. 8: who have said, 'In reference to our tongues, we will put forth strength, or make proof of strength' (heroical valour and success); 'who is lord over us?' Our devices and plans are sure to prosper; what matters truth or righteousness? And here faith, so to speak, is no longer left to answer for itself. God Himself now speaketh, and His voice is heard, as His presence is felt by the believer. 'On account of the oppression' (or desolation) of the suffering meek' (for the term includes both), 'for the groaning of the poor needy' (both being again included in the Hebrew word), 'now I will arise, is saying Jehovah' (the tense indicating a continuous act); 'I will put into salvation' (place in safety) 'him that longeth for it.' Therefore let patience have her perfect work. We are very prone to be improperly affected by the state of the world. If we fall not into unbelief, we are apt to fall into impatience. We fret or are misled; we judge and avenge, and seek to right matters, or at least ourselves. Oh, to carry all our concerns by faith to Him, and in faith to wait for Him,-content with what He saith and expectant of what He doeth!

Having reached this stage, we enjoy much blessed quiet in the Lord. We know that, unlike the words of men, 'the sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings' (without any admixture), 'silver molten in the furnace unto the earth' (silver molten in

the furnace, and run out from it on the ground),' purified' (or passed through the furnace) 'seven times.' We can take each saying of Jehovah; we can take it to ourselves; we can take it literally. We can rely upon it; we can look for its full realization. Our hope is in His word, which has no admixture. It is silver, which in the furnace of affliction and trial of our faith has been molten and run out to us as precious metal, seven times, which is the number of the covenant. Here also Christ is before us, the true 'Angel of the Covenant.' 'Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.' I cannot be desponding, nor failing in faith and patience when I realize Gethsemane and Calvary. Nor need I be afraid. 'Thou, Jehovah, wilt preserve-guard-them' (Thou art guarding them); Thou wilt preserve him' (who longeth for Thy salvation, ver. 5) 'from this generation'-and far beyond it' for ever.'

Thus can we once more return to ver. 8, but now in the spirit of Ps. lxxiii. and with this conclusion: 'When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.' For the needy shall not alway be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.'

1. Let me seek to obtain a believing, and therefore correct, view of men and matters. Let me not be led astray by appearances. I feel that I am in great danger of being influenced by the principles, the conduct, and the policy of the men

around me. O my soul, what are they seeking, and what art thou seeking? What is their highest good, and what is thine? Believest thou this word, and what it saith concerning time and eternity, concerning unrest and rest, woe and joy? Then why all this haste and anxiety? Surely all these things profit not; they perish with the using. Yet let me not think it an easy matter to separate myself from the ways of the world. Almost before I am aware I am ensnared. What I hold to be true is the word of God; what I hold to be influential and successful is the possession of Christ and power with God; what I hold to be joyous is the indwelling of His Spirit. Right over-against the maxims of men let me place the sayings of Jehovah; right over-against their plans and purposes, His salvation, grace, presence, and blessing. O Lord, I will seek Thee, and Thee alone; to Thee let me cleave; keep me by Thy mighty power; keep me close to Thyself; keep me pure and humble; keep me believing, calm, and expectant.

2. Ofttimes in the furnace of affliction has Thy word been tried, and like molten silver run out. Trial tries Thy word as well as my faith. And Thy word, how far better is it than my faith? Had it not been for Thy word, my faith would have failed. And then I have gathered up the molten silver of Thy word, and proved it to be truly current coin. It has met all my liabilities, it has provided for all my wants. O that I might never return to the dross of this world! Why should we spend money for that which is not bread,' and our labour for that which satisfieth not?' This day, let me 'come, buy wine and milk without money and without

price.' All this freely, and all this from Thee. Grant me, then, I beseech thee, holy independence, because holy dependence upon Thee.

3. The Lord saith and the Lord doeth. He speaketh peace into our souls by His gracious promise of deliverance, and of the salvation for which we long (ver. 5). Of this we have the pledge in our being made meek, suffering, needy, and poor, and in our crying to Him-all which are of His grace. And the Lord giveth what He promiseth. He now guardeth us, and will preserve us, not only from this generation but for ever (ver. 7). I rest on the promise of grace, and on the grace of the promise, on His word and on His almighty arm. And I am safe. My prayer already wears the garb of praise. And what is now the principle of His dealings with His people will soon become the law of His administration and kingdom. Only let me remember that the experience of His grace is ever couched in the language of spiritual fellowship with Him. keep them, O Lord; Thou shalt preserve them.' must it ever be with Thee, as well as from Thee.

Thou shalt Therefore Thee and in

WHEN, lo, Messiah, in His strength

Shall break upon them like the sun,
And shine away those clouds at length,

Which swiftly from His presence run,—

Thou Sun of Righteousness, arise,

Arise with healing in Thy wings;

And chase away Thine enemies,

And reign for ever, King of Kings!

BARCLAY.

XVII.

SONGS IN THE NIGHT.

I How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?

How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him;

And those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

PSALM XIII.

THIS is a night-Psalm, both literally and spiritually considered. Yet is it the expression of one who by grace had learned to say, 'Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?' Most precious to us, in our darkness and affliction, are those records of a soul troubled and in anguish, seeking and finding peace in the covenant of grace. They occur so frequently, and so fully suit our state, as to make this Psalter truly our spiritual diary. Not the blood of bulls and of goats,' nor 'the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean,' could 'purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God.' These only 'sanctified to the purify