the Gospel. The immediate incitement to which, is, at this time, the mighty display of God's providence in overruling the counsels and defeating the progress of those nations, who shall have impeded the progress of truth and righteousness, and the extension of mercy, liberty, justice, and general happiness. But oh, what comfort should this gracious invitation convey to all who, in reality, are seeking to experience "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost!"

Ver. 5, 6. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families he bringeth out those who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

These are the blessed results; from which we perceive, that the relief of suffering humanity is the first or more immediate concern of " the Father of mercies:" not only the fatherless and widows, but the solitary wrecks of families cut off in war. The former are no longer left to endure, or pine away in grief, but associated with the righteous and humane, who are led to regard their destitute condition; and the latter,-those servants of God who, widely separated from each other, have become destitute of spiritual and social endearments,-shall enjoy, as it were, a new existence. Lot's righteous soul was vexed from day to day with the filthy conversation of the wicked; nor do we learn that he possessed the consolation of associate spirits even in the bosom of his own family. Those of God's elect, who as yet shall continue enchained by the power of sin, will be brought out of darkness into the glorious liberty of his children; but the rebellious against his word must remain destitute of all spiritual, if not earthly

consolations.

Ver. 7-10. O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: the earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain (Heb. a shower of liberalities) whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance (Heb. confirm it) when it was weary. Thy congregation (or, thy living creatures) hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

It cannot be doubted, but that the journeyings of the Israelites through the wilderness, and the remarkable events connected therewith, were types of their final deliverance, but varying in many particulars. The latter quotation, while it alludes to past events, probably conceals a signification of high importance. It would be presumptuous to expound it otherwise than by humble conjecture, founded on the concord and elucidation derived from corresponding predictions.

We cannot but perceive that great changes and revolutions are here implied, both in the church of God and in the political states of the world,—that these are the peculiar seasons in which God will visit his afflicted people, liberally supply them with spiritual blessings, and whatever resources are adapted to their necessities. "His living creatures," those who have been "alive to God," and have dwelt in his presence, weary with trials, will now be confirmed, and the poor find prepared for them enjoyments of which they had had no experience. Luke 1. 53.

Ver. 11, 12. The LORD gave the word: great was the company (Heb. army) of those that published it. Kings of armies did flee apace and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

The Lord has given the word; salvation is extensively preached; while his judgments withdraw affrighted mon

archs from the field of slaughter. They who have not been engaged in these conflicts shall share in the happy results arising from the destruction of the wicked, as they who have gathered the spoil of their adversaries.

Ver. 13. Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

The sufferings of Israel in the spiritual Egypt, seem to be described by a reference to those in the ancient: "Though ye have laboured and lain down between the brick kilns in Egypt a poor, enslaved, and oppressed people, yet ye shall gradually rise to dignity, prosperity, and" the "splendour" of God's presence and favour; "as a dove which has been defiled with dirt, disordered, and dejected, by washing herself in a running stream and trimming her plumage, gradually recovers the serenity of her disposition, the purity of her colour, and the richness and varied elegance of her appearance.”

Ver. 14-21. When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was (or, for her, she was) white as snow in Salmon. The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; a high hill as the hill of Bashan. Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the LORD is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; (Heb. in the man; 1 Cor. xv. 45-47;) yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them, Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation: Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

When the Almighty shall have caused the oppressive

N

requisitions of contesting monarchs to cease, the church shall evidence a purity before unknown. She will then become highly, though meekly elevated in the favour, and flourish under the shadow of the Almighty. The "high hills," or governments of the earth, shall exalt themselves in vain; for the Lord establishes his presence among his people, who now become "fashioned as obedient children." They are too numerous and influential to be longer a prey to their rulers; and too peaceable to enter the ranks of slaughter and rapine. "Christ who is gone into heaven," 1 Pet. iii. 22, received gifts in his human nature, yea, for many rebellious but penitent sinners, who now dwell in harmony with his saints. From these, grateful aspirations ascend for daily benefits, especially those which accompany salvation, of which God is the author, and from whom the issues of the heart proceed, preserving them from the snares of death. But he will subdue the pride and power of his enemies who obstinately persist in their present courses.

Ver. 22-24. The LORD said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea that thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

This is an assurance of deliverance from the hands of powerful enemies, and from the depths of ignorance, wretchedness, and vice, into which the Israelites are so deeply plunged amid the Gentile nations. It may be that at this time they traverse regions of war and contest on their return to Palestine, but from which they are permitted generally to escape: their enemies having perceived the mighty hand of God outstretched for their deliverance, and the purity of his worship and service commenced among them.

Ver. 25-27. The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. Bless ye God in the congregations, even the LORD, from the fountain of Israel, (or, ye that are of the fountain of Israel.) There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, (or, with their company,) the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Napthtali.

In allusion to a practice among the Israelites since the days of Miriam the prophetess, (Exod. xv. 20,) this seems to represent the lofty strains of praise and adoration which shall ascend from both the houses of Judah and Israel.

Ver. 28, 29. Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

They will then supplicate God who has ordained them supplies of spiritual strength, to confirm them more and more. On account of his "glorious church," which will be established chiefly through them as the instruments of God, Gentile kings will lead rich presents of converted souls to Christ, and will openly acknowledge the manifestations of his favour toward his long widowed people; offering their riches and influence, and exerting their power, to fulfil the divine decrees; "until HE come whose right it is" to reign as supreme head "over all the earth."

Ver. 30. Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou (or, he scattereth, ver. 14) the people that delight in war.

This symbol," the wild beast of the reed," cannot probably be understood at the present period. The bulls

y, chayath kaneh, “the wild beast of the reed;" probably the crocodile, or the hippopotamus.