And he hath lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints. The figure of the horn is a familiar one, and need not be again explained. What is noticeable here is that the supreme subject of praise for man is God's personal dealing with him in the sphere of his moral and religious life. This we refer to as a man's personal experience.

I. PRAISE INSPIRED BY THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE. In this man's praise is common with the praise of all creation and all creatures. All have their being from God; all are sustained in their places in God; all have their movements directed by God; all have their wants supplied by God; all are helped to fulfill their mission by God. "All thy works praise thee, in all places of thy dominion." And yet here man stands out in front of all creation, because he knows that he is, in his willfulness, a disturbing element in God's providence., and so has an altogether fuller sense of the wonder-working of a providence which can remedy and restore, as well as sustain and provide. And besides this general view, each man should have such a particular impression of God's workings and overrulings in his actual life-experience, as would be for him the constant inspiration of fresh praise and trust. And the experiences of the individual may be illustrated by the experience of God's people Israel, whose horn he had so often "lifted up."

II. PRAISE INSPIRED BY THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S GRACE. Illustrate by John Newton, who, when reproved for his testimony and his joy in Christ, replied, "How can the old blasphemer be silent!" It is here that redeemed man passes out of the sphere of nature, and out of the sphere of ordinary humanity. God has "brought him out of the miry pit and horrible clay, and put a new song in his mouth." And to him all life is but a repetition of the restorings and deliverings which is ever calling forth fresh songs to him who "redeemeth our soul from destruction." - R.T.

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I. THE POSITION OF THE PEOPLE NEAR TO GOD, OR THE RELATIONSHIP INDICATED BY NEARNESS.

1. A legal nearness. "Made nigh by the blood of Christ."

2. A covenant relationship. A solemn mutual pledge, sealed at the Cross.

3. A filial relationship. Not more certainly will affection be felt in the heart of both parent and child among the families of men than in the "Abba Father" of the believing soul, and the tender pity of God's gracious bosom.

4. A mystical union between Christ and the soul. All His becomes yours, and yours becomes His.

5. Partakers of the Divine nature.

II. THE PRIVILEGES OF THE PEOPLE NEAR TO GOD. What shall we say to that protection which this nearness ensures to your soul, seeing that the place of your defence shall be the munitions of rocks, that your bread shall be given you, and your water shall be sure? Jehovah is like a wall of fire about His people. What shall we say of that provision made for you in this wilderness, where every possible want of the body and the soul meets its full and perpetual supply in the riches of Divine goodness, which are all pledged to you by the love and faithfulness of your covenant God? What shall we say of the promises "exceeding great and precious," made to all collectively, and to one by one personally. What shall we say of providences, all arranged by wisdom which never errs, and love which never fails, and controlled by power that is never weary, so as most effectually to promote the salvation of your souls?

III. THE TRANSFORMING EFFICACY OF THIS NEARNESS TO GOD. See how it will and must operate from principles necessarily at work.

1. There is the solemnity of your position. If God's nearness be fairly and fully recognized, if He be seen as He is, and you seen as you are, in the light of His purity, will you, can you, dare you be contented to remain in the corruption of nature?

2. There is admiration of God's character. Let His character be seen and felt as revealed in the way of pardoning sin by the Cross in infinite power and wisdom, holiness and truth, all displayed in sweet harmony and ineffable glory, while mercy casts her bright radiance over them all to assure the trembling sinner, and constrain him to draw nigh; then can you see all thee perfections engaged on the side of the sinner, engaged to sanctify and save his soul, and feel not a lofty admiration of the beauty of the Lord?

3. But admiration begets desire. If we feel admiration for any person, do we not wish to make him a friend? The moment that admiration of anything ceases, desire to have and enjoy it ceases too. But the beauty of the Lord is manifested to your faith just that you may feel the kindlings of desire to be His, and to be like Him in His loveliness.

4. But surely the soul that has such desires will frequently, solemnly, and closely commune with this infinitely lovely and blessed God. Such communion gives a consciousness of the reality of Divine things, and is fitted to stir you up and spur you on in the effort to become like your God. It thus necessarily leads to —

5. Imitation. This is the end of the process, imitation of "God manifest in the flesh." His Word will make you wise. His truth will render you truthful. His justice will move you to rectitude. His sovereignty will make and keep you lowly. His purity will lead you to holiness of heart. His mercy and pity will make you tender, and loving, and gentle.

(John Walker.)