David pleads before God the fact of his having promised; he reminds God of his own Word. But he does more than this. He testifies his perfect confidence that the promise will be fulfilled because of what God's. "Thou, Lord, art God" - there is his rest. It is much to have received a gracious promise, but it is much more to have, and to trust, a "faithful Promiser." The promises help and comfort us; but we want to rise above even the promises, and find the "eternal life," and deep "heart-rest" of knowing God, and being able to say to him, "Now, Lord, thou art God.

I. THE VALUE OF A PROMISE DEPENDS UPON THE PROMISE-MAKER, This may be efficiently illustrated from our ordinary life-associations. Some men's promises we never heed, never depend upon, because we know them, and know that they promise hastily or thoughtlessly; or they have formed the habit of getting out of seeming difficulties by a promise which puts off the evil day. (This tradesmen too often do.) Other men's promises we implicitly trust, because we know them, and know that they count promises to be sacred, and only fail to keep them by some unexpected disabilities, or some physical impossibilities. It may be shown that the value of a promise does not depend on its subject or on its form; it would be no surer if confirmed with the most terrible oaths. It depends on the character first, and then on the ability, of him who makes it; and we inquire concerning him both can he perform and will he perform it? Our confidence or otherwise is in him; and it may be shown that the confidence rests very much more upon his character, which is the essential thing, than upon his mere ability, which is the accidental thing. We never really trouble over promises whose fulfilment circumstances may prevent. We feel the bitterness of broken promises when the failure reveals the weak will, or the unsound character of those in whom we have trusted. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."

II. GOD'S PROMISES. GAIN THE INFINITE VALUE OF BEING FROM THE DIVINE PROMISE-MAKER. This is David's point of assurance, "Thou art God," and thou "hast promised," therefore in thy promise I put absolute and perfect confidence. And what is gathered up in this simple but most comprehensive expression, "Thou art God" I

1. "Thou art God" who hast been faithful. So the saints of all the ages testify. So David himself could both feel and say.

2. "Thou art God," and as God thou must be faithful. Show what is necessarily included in the very idea of God, and that faithfulness is absolutely essential. If we could show one broken Divine promise, we would dethrone God and make him take rank with fallible man. "Hath he spoken, and shall he not do it?"

3. We may advance to a higher region, and say, "Thou art God" who, in giving Christ, hast so kept the great promise as to assure all other promises. St. Paul forcibly argues, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall ha not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). Then we may set forth how God's promises cover and hallow all our earthly life, coming into precise adaptation to all our infinitely varying circumstances and needs. And so we may walk and work in the light and cheerful joy of this confidence - all are trustworthy; all will gain wise and gracious fulfilment, since "he is faithful that promised," and he speaks calmly over our life's tumult, saying, "Be still, and know that I am God." - R.T.

It is —

I. GROUNDED ON GOD'S PROMISE.

II. IT REGARDS GOD'S HONOUR SOLELY (ver. 24).

III. IT ASCRIBES ALL TO GOD'S FREE GRACE.

IV. IT APPEALS TO GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.

V. IT RECEIVES THE FULNESS OF GOD'S BLESSING.

(J. Wolfendale.)