With this incident should be compared the public response of the people at the seasons for the renewal of the covenant (Joshua 24:16-24, etc.). In the united cry of the people, when David's psalm closed, we have their acceptance of all that had been said in their behalf. The word "amen" means "firm, faithful, verily;" and the proper signification of the word is when one person confirms the word of another, and expresses his wish for the success and accomplishment of the other's vows and declarations. For Scripture use of the word, see the following representative passages: - Numbers 5:22; Deuteronomy 27:15; 1 Kings 1:36; Psalm 41:13; Psalm 106:48; Jeremiah 28:6; Matthew 6:13; Revelation 22:20. The following early authorities confirm the fact that the word "Amen" was repeated aloud as a response by the Christian congregations: - Justin Martyr, A.D. 138, notices that the people present say the "Amen" after prayer and thanksgiving. Dionysius of Alexandria, A.D. 232, speaks of one who had often listened to the thanksgiving, and joined in the "Amen" which followed. Cyril of Jerusalem, A.D. 320, says that the Lord's Prayer is sealed with an "Amen." And Jerome, A.D. 331, speaks of the thundering sound of the "Amen" of the Roman congregations. It is very interesting to note that all the hymns found in the third book of 'Chaldaean Magic' close with an Accadian word Kakama, which is represented in Assyrian as amanu, and is precisely the "Amen" with which we are accustomed to close our prayers and hymns. The word was used in the services of the synagogue. "The formula of consecration in the Holy Eucharist is in most ancient liturgies ordered to be said aloud, and the people respond aloud, Amen." "In most Greek liturgies also, when the priest in administering says, 'Soma Christou,' the receivers answer, 'Amen.' We may dwell on -

I. THE COMMON WORSHIP. Whenever a congregation of people gathers together for worship in connection with religious ceremonial, only some of them can take actual part by voice or by act. All may share in sympathy, interest, and common feeling. This is illustrated in David's bringing up the ark. All shared, but only a few were actually engaged in the ceremonial.

II. THE REPRESENTATIVE VOICE or voices, of priest or of singers, of minister or of clerk. Such voices and actors should be conceived as

(1) set forth by the people to act for them;

(2) understanding the wants, conditions, and feelings of the people; and

(3) speaking for the people.

III. THE GREAT AMEN. This is to be regarded as solemnly sealing, acknowledging and accepting what has been said or done in the people's name. It is curious that it should come to be spoken by the minister, not the people. Impress the interest

(1) to God of the people's Amen;

(2) to the representative speaker; and

(3) to the people themselves.

Show the importance of regarding it as a solemn duty to attend so fully to Divine service, that, in uttering our Amen, we intelligently and solemnly take what is said, or what is done, and make it ours - our own. - R.T.

These recorders were to take notes of what God had done; they were to be the chroniclers of the nation, and out of their chronicles they were to compose the psalms and songs. The original of the word "record" bears another meaning — "to bring to remembrance." We gather —

I. THAT IF RECORDERS WERE APPOINTED, THERE IS SOME FAULT IN OUR MEMORY TOWARDS THE LORD.

1. Memory has been prejudiced by the fall.

2. Memory towards God's mercy has been very much impaired by neglect.

3. Memory touching God's mercy is often overloaded with other things. I think Aristotle used to call memory the stomach of the soul, in which it retains and digests what it gathers; but men cram it full of everything that it does not want — upon which the soul cannot feed, and thus they ruin it for remembering the best things.

4. Memory has also suffered from its connection with the other faculties.

(1)Darkened understandings.

(2)Perverted affections.

5. Our memory of God's goodness is often crushed down by a sense of present pain.

II. THAT WE OUGHT TO DO ALL WE CAN TO ASSIST OUR MEMORIES TOWARDS GOD.

1. It is a good thing to make an actual record of God's mercy.

2. Be sure to praise God thoroughly at the time you receive His goodness.

3. Set apart a little time for meditation.

4. Often rehearse His mercy in the ears of others.

5. Use everything about you as a memento.

III. WE HAVE ALL HAD MERCIES TO REMEMBER.

1. Common mercies.

2. Special providence.

3. The long-suffering of God.

IV. THAT ALL OUR MEMORIES SHOULD TEND TO MAKE US PRAISE AND BLESS GOD. Rowland Hill used to say that worldlings were like the hogs under the oak, which eat the acorns, but never think of the oak from which they fall, nor lift up their heads to grunt out a thanksgiving.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)