pride of Satan; and on what does the salvation of every man depend, but on the issue of the contest between these two principles in his heart?

28. For thou wilt, or, dost, light my candle, or, lamp: the LORD my GOD will, or, does enlighten my darkness.

An instance of God's favour towards the lowly and afflicted was the salvation vouchsafed to the suffering Jesus, who, like David, after much tribulation and persecution, under which he sunk for a time, even so low as to the grave itself, was exalted to glory and honour. This change of condition is set forth by that of "a lamp," from a state of extinction to one of illumination, darkness being a well-known emblem of sorrow and death, as light is the established symbol of life and joy. Remarkable are the words of the Chaldee paraphrast upon this verse, cited by Dr. Hammond—" Because thou shalt enlighten the lamp of Israel, which is put out in the captivity, "for thou art the author of the light of Israel; the "Lord my God shall lead me out of darkness into

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light, and shall make me see the consolation of the age which shall come to the just."

29. For by thee I have run through, or, broken, a troop and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Through the power of his divinity, the Captain of our salvation vanquished the host of darkness, and escaped from the sepulchre, notwithstanding all their precautions to confine him there. Vain is every effort, by whomsoever it is made, against the counsels of omnipotence. And let us reflect, for our comfort, that they who could not prevent the resur

rection of Christ, cannot detain the soul of a Christian in sin, or his body in the grave.

30. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

The "way" of God is the course of his proceedings with men, and its "perfection" consists in the equity of those proceedings; the promises made in "the word of Jehovah" to his servants, are "tried" in times of affliction and persecution, as gold in the fire, and found pure from any dross of deceit, or fallibility he is ever a "shield" to protect" those who "trust in him," during their stay here, until he becomes their "exceeding great reward" hereafter. All this he has been to the Head, in order that he may be all this to the members, of the church.

31. For who is God, save the LORD? Or who is a rock, save our God?

"Jehovah" alone is the "God," or covenanted Saviour, of his people; he is the only "rock," on which they may securely build their hope of heaven. Vain were the idols of the ancient world, Baal and Jupiter; as vain are those of modern times, Pleasure, Honour, and Profit. They cannot bestow content, or make their votaries happy below; much less can they deliver from death, or open the everlasting doors above.

32. It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

In this and the following verses are enumerated the gifts of God to the spiritual warrior, whereby he is armed and prepared for the battle, after the ex

ample of his victorious leader. God invests him with "strength," or what the apostle calls "the spirit of "might in the inner man," as the loins of a soldier are braced by the military girdle; whence that of St. Paul, "having your loins girts about with truth." He removes every thing that may impede his progress, until he has accomplished his warfare, and finished his course in righteousness, which seems to be what is meant by "making his way perfect."

33. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

He endueth the affections, which are the feet of the soul, with vigour and agility, to run the way of his commandments, to surmount every obstacle, and, with an activity like that of the swift hart, or the bounding roe, to conquer the steep ascent of the everlasting hills, and gain the summit of the heavenly mountain. St. Paul tells us how the feet must be shod, for this purpose, namely, "with the prepara

"tion of the Gospel of peace."

34. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

He communicates a wisdom and a power which nothing can withstand, instructing and enabling the combatant to overcome in the conflict, to seize and render useless the weapons of the adversary. St. Paul puts into the Christian warrior's hand, "the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

35. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness, or, thy afflictions, have made me great.

The salvation of God is a defence against all temptations, to such as believe in it; whence St. Paul styles this piece of armour, the shield of FAITH, "wherewith," says he, " ye may be able to quench "all the fiery darts of the devil." The " right hand” of God must support and sustain us at all times; and the wholesome discipline of the Christian camp, the chastisements and corrections of our heavenly Father, must train us up to true greatness, and prepare us for the kingdom of heaven. The soldiers, like their great Leader, must be " made perfect "through sufferings."

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36. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that, or, and, my feet did not slip.

In other words, God had opened a free course for him to victory and triumph, and had also endued him with strength to run that course; thus removing the two mishievous effects of sin, which not only precluded the way to heaven, but deprived us of the ability to travel in it.

37, I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

If we suppose David in his conquests to have prefigured victorious Messiah, then have we, in these and the subsequent verses, a sublime description of that vengeance which Jesus, after his resurrection and ascension, inflicted on his hardened and impenitent enemies. His wrath" pursued” and “overtook”. them, in the day of visitation; nor did it return, till, like a devouring fire, it had "consumed" the prey.

The Jews were cast down, "not able to rise," or lift up themselves as a people, being crushed under the feet of the once-despised and insulted Nazarene. Let us reflect upon the impotence of our spiritual adversaries, when Jesus declares war against them; and let us beseech him to conquer them in us, as he has conquered them for us.

39. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle; thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.

With the almighty power of the Godhead was Jesus invested, by which all enemies were subdued unto him; the stiff "necks" of his crucifiers were bowed under him, and utter destruction became the portion of those who hated him, and had "sent after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign

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over us." So gird us thy soldiers and servants, O Lord Jesu, to the battle, and subdue under us, by the power of thy grace, those that rise up against us, whether they be our own corrupt desires, or the malicious spirits of darkness; so give us, like another Joshua, the "necks" of these our enemies, that we may destroy them that hate, and would destroy us.

41. They cried, but there was none to save them ; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

Never was there a more just and lively portrait of the lamentable and desperate state of the Jews, when their calamities came upon them. "They cried, " but none to save!" They had rejected him who alone could save, and who was now about to destroy