He contrasts those who remember and those who Mote on forget, that life in this world is only a preparation Ds. XLIX. for life in the world to come.

Mote on

Those who forget this, devote their lives to wholly Ps. XLIX. selfish aims. If they are rich they become so absorbed in the pride of great possessions that they even forget that they can neither avert death from others (verse 7) nor escape it themselves (verses 7 to IO).

Those who remember accept their lot in life bravely. However hard it may be, they are comforted by the thought, "God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me " (verse 15).

The contrast is summed up in verses 12 and 20. (Verse 12.) "Man in honour" (i.e. with rank and power)" abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish."

(Verse 20.) "Man in honour that understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish."

In these graphic words the Psalmist points out

PSALM L.

A Psalm of Asapb.

THE mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. 3 Our God shall come and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. 5 Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by

that it is not mere power or possessions that Mote on differentiates mankind from "the "the beasts that Ds. XLIX.

perish," but it is the use we make of the God-given power of knowledge and understanding.

This Psalm calls to mind Scott's expression of a similar thought.

"High though his title, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim,
Despite those titles, power and pelf,
The wretch concentred all on self.
Living shall forfeit fair renown,
And doubly dying shall go down

To the vile earth from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonoured and unsung."

The sonorous overture and vivid word-pictures of this Psalm compared with the terse English verses are a good illustration of the characteristic difference between Eastern and Western minstrelsy.

Ps. L. sacrifice. 6 And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself. Selah.

7" Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee; I am God, even thy God. 8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before Me. 9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he-goats out of thy folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. II I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is Mine, and the fulness thereof. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." 16 But unto the wicked God saith, "What hast thou to do to declare My statutes, or that thou shouldest take My covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest My words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

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