PSALM cxlix. 2 (part)

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him

We are met today for a twofold service of praise; the praise of God and the praise of men. Such has been the clear and ample teaching of the consecrated words appointed for our guidance. In the praise of God all the varying strains of the Psalter meet together, and we have begun our worship with singing the last three of those closing hymns of the Psalter which set forth the praise of God in one unbroken strain. On the other hand we have next listened to the opening verses of that Hymn of the Fathers, as an ancient title calls it, which bids us now praise famous men and our fathers that begat us, and declares that the people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise. Both praises rested on the same foundation, and the one led to the other. The Hallelujah Psalms came forth after long centuries of trial and vicissitude: they are the voice of chastened and restored Israel looking back over the mighty works of Jehovah wrought through patriarchs, chieftains, kings, and prophets. It is under the inspiration of these Psalms, and others like them, that the son of Sirach lifts up the praises of famous men, the fathers of Israel. First he speaks in such words as these: “Though we say many things, we shall never attain; and the end of words is, He is the whole” (Ecclus. xliii. 27).