The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-09-27
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/. IT was glad" Though written by
David 3. C. 1915, this Psalm appears to be
among those collected by Ezra and Nehe.
miah after the captivity OF Judah, and used
by the people then, L. c. 536. II this Psalm
was calculated to stir the hearts OF the
people to cherish Jerusalem n the Holy
City, where God would manift.st His pres.
once to them, the ark being placed there.
then surely it was suited to the returned
captives who had been separated from the
city for seventy years. II we conclude this
to be the Psalm OF the Je'ss upon Their
hearing the edict OF Cyrus granting their
return to Jerusalem, it will show how faith.
fully they returned to the customs OF theif
religion. In former years David's heart
had been gladdened when the people re.
from all parts to assemble at Jerusalem &c
worship Jehovah. So now there was thanks.
giving on the part Of the captives to Goo
for deliverance, and rejoicing among them.
selves when they heard their brethren re.
solve to accept the offer OF Cyrus to return.
Though the temple was destroyed, their
business was to rebuild it. Jerusalem was
to them the mount OF God, spot sacred
to His worship. Fully delivered from
idolatry, the purpose OF every returning
captive was to worship God according to
2, "Our feet shall stand" In DaVld's
time this was rejoicing because the ark
OF God was to have n fixed place. The
days of wandering in the wilderness were
past, and the people we're settled In Ca.
naan; therefore they could have fixed
habitation for the ark md the altars ol
God. So after the captivity the Jews looked
with Joy to the time when they should be
safely settled In their own land aud under
the protection of God. In this return there
was representation from all tho twelve
tribes. Jerusa lem, from Davld's time, was
considered'as the center OF the worship and
government OF Israel, as the bond OF union
among the tribes; and while that city re.
NAMED compact and united as their com.
mon head they were safe and prosperous.
The union also Of the priesthood In Aaron's
family, with the kingdom in that OF David.
was very advantageous to their common
interests, civil and religious, when justice
was administered according to the lew OF
God, and legal authority protected and
supported the worship OF God Mt His
temple. This typifed the union OF the
priesthood and kingdom in the person oil
the Redeemer. David's sons were chief
rulers soon after the removal OF the ark tc
Zion e Sam. S:l8), SO that the thrones OF
his family, ms we'll as bis own throne, were
then established ut Jerusalem.
8. "a city that Is compact" David
seems to have connected old Salem und
Jebus and the stronghold Of Zion together
and walled them; and he and Solomon
filed up or built causeway across the
valley which separated Moriah from part
OF Zion. The parts Acra Gold Salem) and
Bezethn (tue new city, were also In time
connected with Zion and Morlah, either by
masonry, as bridges and causeways, or By
filing up. By these work5 the whole o.
Jerusalem, consisting OF several distinct
settlements, was builded together and be-
came one compact city; and In the valleys
there seem to have been both aqueducn
and covered streets-eren these were
arched, compactly built, closely covered:
and some OF them with such solidlty that
they still remain. 1t was type OF the
Gospel church, which Is compact togthel
in holy love aud Christian communion, sc
that it Is all ms one city. The greatest glory
of city Is not that it Is large, strong and
magnificent. but that 1t gathers, protects
and huilds up Gods church within.
4. "Whitber the tribes so up" Where
they are represented at the feasts. Each
memory OF Gods care over them from the
time OF their exodus from Egypt until
their settlement in Canaan. They were
types Of Christian experience. Every Jew
was expected to attend at least one OF
these feaSts each year.
S. "There are set thrones OF judgment"
In this figure the fact Is indicated that
Jerusalem was the centre OF government
&nd OF worship for the whole land. While
the thrones OF the house OF David were
there they had justice. What goodly
sight to see the testimony of Israel (the ark
OF the cotenant) and the thrones OF judg-
nent suoa near neighbors, which may
greatly tefrend one another! Let the
testimony OF Israel direct the thrones Of
Judgment, and the thrones OF judgment
protest the testimony OF Israel.
G. "Pray for the peace ofJerusalem." It
Is our duty to pray for the prosperity OF
the nation and OF the church OF God.
"They shall prosper that lovc Thee"
Happy shall they be who in their love foi
the religion and justice which arc ad.
ministered in thee, o beloved city, con.
tribute their endeavors as well as their
prayers for thy safety and prosperity! The
peace and welfare of the Gospel church is
TO be earnestly desired and prayed for BY
every one Of US. What the 1sraelitlsb
church was the Christian church on earth
now is and demandeth In like manner the
prayers ot all Christian people for Its
peace and welfare IL q troublesome and
contentious world.
7. peace be within our walls" Not only
thy civil and religious institutions, but also
among all thy officers, soldiers and inhabit.
ants, for they constitute the strength and
thy palaces" In the kings house, his fam.
lily, his ministers. II there be dissension,
there ruin will soon follow.
s. "For my brethren and companions
sakes." Our concern for the public welfare
Is right when it is the effect OF O sincere
love to Gods institutions and His faithful
worshipers. 1t might be said, No thanks
to David to BIZ so solicitous for the welfare
Of Jerusalem; 1t wus bis own city, and the
interests Of his family were lodged In 1t.
Yet David processes that was not the rea.
son why he was IN such care for It; but II
was from his warm regard to tho com.
munion OF saints and to the ordinance oil
God. We are not only subjects OF one king,
citizens OF the same city, bu. we have all
one God and Father.
9. II will seek thy good" Because thou
art the sent OF religion, the place where
our merciful God has condescended tC
dwell. II religion fail, the kingdom will
fail; prosperity will be at IN end, and the
nation will be divided, distracted, de-
stroyed. True religion in country is the
consolation OF the good who dwell there,
and the bride that holds the jaws OF the
wicked: In this Psalm David resolves te
be faithful as king. Whatever there
might be OF wars with other nations, he Is
resolved to do his utmost to maintain peace
within his own country. Whatever there
might be Of idolatrous worship around
him, he would exalt the worship OF God II
Israel. Though other nations were divided
against themselves, he would use his best
efforts TO maintain u peaceful condition be-
tween himself and his subjects.
MEXICO BUYS ARMED VESSELS.
Government Prepares For Any Possible
Rebellion In the Interior.
The Johnson Iron Works Of New Orleans,