19. Until that time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him."

Joseph continued in prison, " until the time that his word, or cause 137, came" before the king, and was known, (according to our old translation ;) or, "until his word," or prediction concerning the chief butler's promotion, "came to pass," for this was the means of Joseph's enlargement and justification; since a person, guilty of the crime with which he stood charged, would not have been inspired to foretell future events. "Can we find," said Pharaoh,"such an one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is ?" Gen. xli. 31. In the mean time, the "word," commandment, or decree,, "of the LORD tried him," in the furnace of affliction, there refining and preparing him for his approaching exaltation to glory and honour. Thus was there a time appointed for the abode of Jesus in the grave, at the expiration of which, all his promises and predictions were fulfilled: he came forth, made "perfect through sufferings," and ready to "enter into his glory."

20. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 22. To bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his senators wisdom."

The circumstances of Joseph's advancement, here alluded to, are related, Gen. xli. &c. Those of our Lord's resurrection and glorification afford a marvellous parallel. At the determined hour, "the King" of heaven "sent" his angel, "and loosed him" from the bands of death; "the Ruler" of the world "let him go free" from the penalty which he had undertaken to pay, and had now fully paid. "He made him Lord of his house," the church, and "Ruler of all his substance" in heaven and in earth, that he might by his holy discipline, "bind princes at his pleasure," and by his Gospel "teach true wisdom" to the "senators" and politicians of the world he was clothed with the robes of majesty, he was adorned with all the ensigns of royalty, and to him it was ordained that "every knee should bow." The store-houses of grace and salvation were opened; the nations came to be supplied by him with the bread of life; and we look for that happy day when the Jews shall do the same, and "Joseph shall be made known to his brethren."

"23. Israel also came into Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24. And he increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their enemies. 25. He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtily with his servants."

The Psalmist now exhibiteth to our view a fresh scene of tribulation and affliction, which occasioned repeated mercies, and a new deliverance. Israel, by means of Joseph, obtained an establishment in Egypt. But in process of time, the increase and prosperity of Israel excited the envy and jealousy of Egypt, and brought on a persecution. The kindness and love of God to his people, "turned the hearts of the Egyptians against them," and caused animosity to take the place of friendship. A king arose who knew not Joseph, and measures were concerted to keep the Hebrews under; a royal edict was issued to prevent their increase, by putting the males to death; and the generation then in being was reduced to a state of the most abject servitude and cruel bondage. Such usage the people of God have often experienced from the world, at the instigation of him, who in Scripture is styled the "prince of the world."

"26. He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen. 27. They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham." When the tyranny and oppression of Pharaoh were at the highest, and Israel cried unto Jehovah because of the bondage, he remembered his promise to Abraham, and sent Moses, with Aaron, to effect that mighty deliverance, which was to be the grand pledge and figure of our salvation by Jesus Christ. Of him Moses prophesied, when he said, “A prophet shall

the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, LIKE UNTO ME," Deut. xviii. 15. (cited and applied, Acts iii. 22.) He came to rescue mankind from a spiritual bondage, and to deliver all who were oppressed by the devil, Acts x. 38.; he came at a time when that oppression was most grievous among Jews and Gentiles: his birth was signalized by an order from another Pharaoh, to slay the infants; and Egypt afforded him a refuge from the tyrant's fury: he wrought innumerable signs and wonders; but they were all signs of mercy, and wonders of love. Those of terror and vengeance were reserved for a future advent, foreshowed in the destruction of Jerusalem.

"28. He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word: or, and did they not still rebel against his word? 29. He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. 30. Their land brought forth frogs in abundance in the chambers of their kings. 31. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, Heb. a mixture came, and lice in all their coasts. 32. He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. 33. He smote their vines also, and fig-trees; and break the trees of their coasts. 34. He spake, and the locusts came; and caterpillars, and that without number. 35. And did eat up all herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. 36. He smote also the first-born in their land, the chief of all their strength."

Who can behold this army of divine judgments thus passing in dreadful array before him, without trembling very exceedingly at that power which is able to send them, singly or in conjunction, upon a sinful land? Who can reflect upon their number and variety, without adoring that goodness, patience, and long-suffering, which tried so many different methods, and waited so long to lead the offenders to repentance? For more particulars, see the comment on Psalm lxxviii. 43-51.

"37. He brought them i. e. the people of Israel, forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 38. Egypt was glad when they departed for the fear of them fell upon them."

The Israelites not only came forth from Egypt, but came forth laden with the spoils of their enemies, which they were commanded to take, by him who is the absolute Lord of all property, and who, as a righteous Judge, did award to his people the wages due to their incredible labours, the Egyptians being now willing and ready to furnish them with anything required, in order to dismiss them. "The Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste: for they said, We be all dead men," Exod. xii. 33. And what was very extraordinary, among such a number of men, women, children, and cattle, nothing was weak and "feeble," nothing unable to perform the journey. The order was, that "not a hoof should be left behind," Exod. x. 26. and he who com manded, gave strength to obey. Thou hast also enjoined us, they servants, O Lord, to quit Egypt, and march for Canaan; let thy grace invigorate us from time to time, that so we faint not by the way.

"39. He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night, 40. The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 41. He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river."

"Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that ROCK was CHRIST," 1 Cor. x. 1-4. In our passage through this wilderness of life, over barren sands, and amidst fiery serpents, be thou, blessed Lord our guide and our guard; protected by thy providence, supported by thy word, and refreshed by thy Spirit, lead us even where and in what manner it shall seem good to thee; only do not now forsake us, and we ask no more. "42. For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant,

43. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with glad

ness.

The same God hath since "remembered" again "his promise, to Abraham;" he hath visited his people, and redeemed them from the bondage of sin, under the tyranny of Satan: which redemption they daily celebrate in the church with "joy and gladness," waiting for their final deliverance from death and the grave, when they are to sing in heaven "the song of Moses and of the Lamb," Rev. xv. 3.

"44. And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; 45. That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD."

It was not, therefore, intended, that the Israelites should regard Canaan as their Paradise, and look no farther; but that being rescued from their enemies, and settled in peace and plenty, they should improve the opportunity thereby afforded them, of serving the Lord their God, and of securing to themselves, through the obedience of faith, an inheritance in a "better country, that is to say, an heavenly." And let all the children of faithful Abraham, whose lot hath fallen in "a land flowing with milk and honey," upon earth, reflect, that God hath given them riches, and the leisure which riches procure, not for the purpose of indulging and corrupting themselves and others, but that they may glorify him, benefit their neighbours, and save their own souls; "that they may observe his statutes, and keep his laws." Israel was delivered by Moses, and the church redeemed by Christ, that God might "purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus ii. 14.

TWENTY-FIRST DAY.-EVENING PRAYER.

PSALM CVI.

ARGUMENT.

The Psalmist here again commemorates the Divine benefits, upbraiding withal the ingratitude of those who received them. 1, 2. He exhorteth men to the praise of Jehovah; 3-5. proclaimeth the blessedness, and longeth for the felicity of the saints; 6. confesseth the sins of Israel, and giveth a detail of their rebellions, 7-12. at the Red Sea; 13-15. when they lusted for flesh in the wilderness; 16-18. in the matter of Korah; 19-23. in that of the golden calf; 24-27. at the report of the spies; 28-31. in the affair of Baal Peor; 32, 33. at the waters of Meribah; 34-39. in not destroying idolatry, but being seduced by it. 40-46. God's frequent judgments, and as frequent mercies, are related; 47. a prayer is made, that Jehovah would gather Israel from among the heathen, which shows the Psalm to have been written during some captivity, or dispersion. The last verse contains an act of blessing and praise.

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"1. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

In the person of a penitent nation, the prophet invites mankind to "give thanks unto Jehovah," for that "goodness" which preventeth us with blessings, and for that "mercy" which forgiveth our transgressions; that mercy which was shown to our forefathers, upon their repentance, and will "ever" be shown, upon the same condition, to us and our posterity; that mercy, which will bring sin and misery to an end, itself continuing eternal and unchangeable.

"2. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?"

But who is sufficient for a work, which demandeth the tongues and harps of angels? "When you glorify the Lord," saith the son of Sirach, "exalt

him as much as you can; for even yet will he far exceed and when you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for you can never go far enough," Eccl. xliii. 30.

"3. Blessed are they that keep judgment; and he that doeth righteousness at all times."

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Next to angels, they are blessed and qualified to praise God with the voice, who glorify him in their lives; who having experienced in themselves the mighty acts" of mercy, pardoning the guilt, and breaking the power of sin, are become the servants of Jesus, and render to their Saviour, "at all times," in adversity no less than in prosperity, the due tribute of unfeigned love and obedience.

"4. Remember me, O LORD, with the favour which thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; 5. That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation; that I may glory with thine inheritance."

The Psalmist offereth a prayer for himself, or rather for the church of Israel, that she, with himself, might partake of such blessedness. The words might have a reference to a temporal restoration and felicity: but they certainly extend much farther, and form the most spiritual and heavenly petition that the devoutest Christian can prefer to the throne of grace. "Remember me, O Lord, with the favour" which thou hast always shown to "thy people," in whom thou hast delighted from the foundation of the world, and on whom it is thy good pleasure to confer a glorious kingdom. "O visit me with thy salvation," with which so many patriarchs, prophets, and kings, have desired to be visited, the salvation of thy Christ, the justi fier of all them that believe, and the rewarder of his saints: "that I may see the good of thy chosen," their felicity in beholding thy countenance, and living for ever in thy presence; "that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation," the unspeakable gladness of those who enter into the joy of their Lord: "and glory with thine inheritance," singing hallelujahs before thine everlasting throne, in the Jerusalem which is above. The Israelitish church, when in peace and tranquillity serving her God, and chanting the songs of Sion, afforded a very lively representation of this eternal felicity.

6. We have sinned with our fathers: we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly."

They who have joined with the prophet, in his affectionate aspiration after the Divine favour, may here learn the surest way to attain it; namely, by confessing their own sins, and those of their ancestors. "We have sinned with our fathers," that is, after their example of unbelief and disobe dience, of which an account immediately followeth. The father's sins are often reflected in their children, and each new reflection, instead of being weaker, is stronger than the foregoing; as in the case of the Jews.

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7. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt: they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red Sea."

The Israelites did not profit, as they should have done, by the miracles wrought for them in Egypt; they increased not in the wisdom and knowledge of God their Saviour; but when they saw themselves pursued by Pharaoh, their faith failed, they murmured against Moses, and wished themselves again in the bondage from which they were just delivered, Exod. xiv. 10, &c. Thus when the penitent findeth himself beset with difficulties and dangers; when he seeth before him that death unto sin, through which he must pass to a life of righteousness, while the devil and the world follow hard after him, to destroy or bring him back to a more cruel bondage; how apt is he to forget all that Christ hath done for him! Fear puts out the light of faith, and hides the prospect of the promised land; imagination recalls the former gratification of sense; he is tempted to regret the desertion of Egypt, and to wish for a return to it again.

8. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake: that he might

make his mighty power to be known. 9. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11. And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. 12. Then believed they his words; they sang his praise."

Comforted and encouraged by Moses, the armies of Israel advanced to the shore; and lo, the waves, at the lifting up of the powerful rod, instantly parted, and, like so many well-disciplined troops, arranging themselves in two columns, disclosed a new and strange path, by which the people of God were conducted, in perfect security, to the opposite shore: when the waters, falling down, and reassuming their ancient habitation, overwhelmed the infidel host, and left not a man to carry the news to Egypt. Through all the difficulties and dangers of the Christian course, faith will ever find a way opened, by the power of Jesus, from sin to righteousness, and from death to life; the enemies of our salvation, how formidable soever, shall disappear, and be no more: and we shall sing, like Israel a song of triumph to the Lord our God.

13. They soon forgat his works; Heb. They made haste, they forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel. 14. But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their souls."

Soon after the Israelites had experienced the power and goodness of Jehovah at the Red Sea, we find them murmuring against him, Exod. xv. 22. They grew impatient, they looked upon themselves as forgotten, and given over to destruction. They loathed manna, and required flesh; flesh was sent them, on which they surfeited themselves; the wrath of God smote them, and many were carried off by a grievous plague, Numb. ix. 4. 33. Let us learn to wait God's time and counsel for the supply of necessaries, much more of conveniences; remembering that he hath given us his Son and therefore will not deny us such inferior corporeal blessings as he foreseeth will really prove blessings to us. Let us be duly thankful for that "bread which cometh down from heaven," cautious how we request the good things of this world, and strictly temperate in the use of them when given.

"16. They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. 17. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. 18. And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burnt up the wicked."

Moses and Aaron were the divinely appointed governors of Israel, in church and state. Envy and ambition led Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, to accuse the former of tyranny, and the latter of priestcraft. Jehovah was appealed to, a day appointed, and a decision made. One body of the malecontents went down alive into the pit, another was consumed by fire from heaven, Numb. xvi. Let schismatics and rebels beware of that "pit" which is bottomless, and of that "fire" which shall never be quenched.

"19. They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. 20. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21. They forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt. 22. Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red Sea."

While the terrible presence of God abode upon Mount Sinai, and Moses was gone up thither to receive the law, even then and there, "at Horeb," the people apostatized to the old favourite sin of idolatry, and persuaded Aaron to make them a "calf," or "ox," before which they prostrated themselves, acknowledging it, or the power represented by it, whatever that was, to have been the author of their deliverance from Egypt; Exod. xxxii. for "as to Moses, they knew not what was become of him," nor ever expected to see him any more. Thus they exchanged their glory, the glory