(continued from p. 244)

The first two psalms form a fitting introduction to the whole collection, and are a kind of preface giving us the double character of the book:first (as seen in Ps. 1), a godly remnant-with whom Christ is identified-in the midst of the ungodly; second (as seen in Ps. 2), God's counsels as to the Anointed King in Zion.

It has been pointed out that the various titles, or names, of God used in the Psalms are helpful, as indicating their subject matter, though we lose somewhat their meaning in our translation.

In the first Book of Psalms (1 to 41) "Lord," or "Jehovah," occurs upward of 270 times; "God," or "Elohim," 50 times. In the second book (42 to 72), "Jehovah" is used less than 30 times; while "Elohim" is found about 200 times. An example may be found in Ps. 14 and 53. So in Ps. 14 we have, "Jehovah looked down from heaven," while in Ps. 53 it is, "Elohim looked down from heaven." The reason for this is that in the first book Judah is looked at as in the land, and Zion is owned as the true earthly centre, so that the people are seen as in covenant relationship with Jehovah, while in the second book the people are seen as outcast from the land, and Jerusalem is no longer God's centre on earth; hence the creatorial title is more largely used.

The first book gives us a gospel presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ's position as on earth, then exalted in heaven, answering to Peter's ministry as seen in the Acts.

Another has said (and it is of utmost importance in reading the Psalms), "The more we seize the idea that it is the Jewish remnant with which Christ, entirely Man -yet shown to be Jehovah-identifies Himself, the more we shall understand the path of Christ Himself. The remnant is seen in the presence of the day oj the Lord. God will then execute His judgment to set His King in Zion."

The world in revolt! Apostasy rampant! The Gentiles banded together in sworn allegiance, determined to throw off all restraint, and have done with God and His Anointed! What a scene of wickedness, what an exhibition of man's will! If the devil in the early history of the world sought to make the creature apostate, at last it would seem he has fully triumphed!

But, in Ps. 2, when revolt has reached its height, and poor puny man has dared to throw himself upon the buckler of the Almighty, his violent dealing returns upon his own head. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision." His answer to this world-wide opposition to divine authority is:"Yet have I set My Anointed upon My holy hill of Zion." This Blessed One has ever been the Man of God's counsels-the one He has had in reserve-fully able to take the government of the world (a world of revolt) and bring everything into subjection to Himself, and finally to hand up the kingdom to God the Father, having put down all rule and authority and power (1 Cor. 15:24). Owned as the Son (ver. 7), He is invited to ask for His inheritance, "Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession; Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces, like a potter's vessel."

This He will do in a later day, when the time fixed in the counsels of God shall arrive; meanwhile He waits in patience on high. In view of the work accomplished upon the cross, we find, in that wonderful prayer of John 17 (ver. 9), "I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine." These are His interest and His delight during the time of His patient waiting.

But in saluting the King, set upon the holy hill Zion, -"Thou art My Son, this day I have begotten Thee"- it is as One begotten in time, and not His eternal Son-ship. Yet we cannot separate the two, as we know the former could not be apart from the latter, but the Anointed Man is before us whom Jehovah owns as Son, and this verse Paul quotes in his memorable first recorded sermon (Acts 13:33), distinguishing its application from resurrection; another psalm (16) being quoted for that (Acts 15:35).

With this title and position far-reaching counsels are connected. Universal dominion and world-wide possession are His, and dominant authority over the whole world must be acknowledged. In view of this, the kings of the earth are invited to submit, owning His authority:"Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little." All this is the result of God's establishing His title as the Anointed, His King in Zion.

How naturally our thoughts revert to Herod's judgment hall and Pilate's place of judgment! There, in His humiliation, the sport of wicked men, arrayed by Herod in a gorgeous robe (emblem of royalty), the mocking crowd set Him at naught. Later, arraigned before Pilate, further indignity was meted out to this lowly One. Again, a kingly robe was put upon Him and a crown of thorns upon His head (those thorns which bore witness to man's sin and God's curse), and thrusting a reed in His hand, they too mocked Him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews."

To this Peter and John applied the second psalm, when apprehended by the authorities for healing the impotent man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple (Acts 3 and 4). Needless to say this fulfilment was only partial, and, as we have seen, the full tide of man's hatred and opposition will flood the whole earth until God intervenes, and man's fury will spend itself impotently upon the "Rock of Ages." In that day, "He shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

What a beautiful contrast the closing words present:"Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." Blessed indeed to be associated with the Victor in the day of His judgment, and how blessed, even now, to repose in quiet confidence in Him, patiently waiting through this dark night of the world's refusal and rejection, for the dawning of the day, when the One we love shall be universally owned and fully glorified.

"Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing.
Outstretched His wide dominion,
O'er river, sea and shore;
Far as the eagle's pinion,
Or dove's light wing can soar."

J. W. H. Nichols

(To be continued, D. V.)