iar grandeur to that
wonderful 18th Psalm, David's song of triumph; his masterpiece, and
it may be the masterpiece of human poetry, inspired or uninspired,
only approached by the companion-Psalm, the 144th. From whence
comes that cumulative energy, by which it rushes on, even in our
translation, with a force and swiftness which are indeed divine;
thought following thought, image image, verse verse, before the
breath of the Spirit of God, as wave leaps after wave before the
gale? What is the element in that ode, which even now makes it stir
the heart like a trumpet? Surely that which it itself declares in
the very first verse:

'I will love thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my stony rock,
and my defence: my Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will
trust, my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge.'

What is it which gives life and reality to the magnificent imagery
of the seventh and following verses? 'The earth trembled and
quaked: the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were
removed, because he was wroth. There went a smoke out in his
presence: and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were
kindled at it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and it
was dark under his feet. He rode upon the cherubims, and did fly:
he came flying upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his
secret place: his pavilion round about him with dark water, and
thick clouds to cover him. At the brightness of his presence his
clouds removed: hailstones, and coals of fire. The Lord also
thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder:
hailstones, and coals of fire. He sent out his arrows, and
scattered them: he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them. The
springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world
were discovered, at thy chiding, O Lord: at the blasting of the
breath of thy displeasure. He shall send down from on high to fetch
me: and shall take me out of many waters.' What protects such
words from the imputation of mere Eastern exaggeration? The firm
conviction that God is the deliverer, not only of David, but of all
who trust in God; that the whole majesty of God, and all the powers
of nature, are arrayed on the side of the good and of the oppressed.
'The Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing: according to
the cleanness of my hands shall he recompense me. Because I have
kept the ways of the Lord: and have not forsake