January 30

1 The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, O LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

"This sacred hymn was probably written to be sung when the ark of the covenant was taken up from the house of Obed-edom, to remain within curtains upon the hill of Zion. The words are not unsuitable for the sacred dance of joy in which David led the way upon that joyful occasion. The eye of the psalmist looked, however, beyond the typical upgoing of the ark to the sublime ascension of the King of glory."—C. H. Spurgeon.

It consists of three parts. The first glorifies the true God, and sings of his universal dominion; the second describes the true Israel, who are able to commune with him; and the third pictures the ascent of the true Redeemer, who has opened heaven's gates for the entrance of his elect.

"Christ has gone to heaven as a victor; leading sin, Satan, death, hell, and all His enemies, in triumph at His chariot wheels. He has not only overcome His enemies for Himself, but for all His people, whom He will make conquerors, yea, 'more than conquerors.' As He has overcome, so shall they also overcome; and as He is gone to heaven a victor, they shall follow in triumph."—Henry Pendlebury.

Closet Promise.—Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.—Heb. xii. 2.

Come prosperity or sorrow, come the brightest joys or grief,

Thou' the golden grain of Pleasure may decay within its sheaf,

We may count a gain in all things, for we cannot suffer loss

While we dwell within His presence, "in the shadow of the cross."

In this shadow we are learning richest truths about our God,

Oft we find our grandest lessons 'neath the chastening of His red,

In the fiercest fires of conflict He is melting out the cross,

But He gives us final triumph "neath the shadow of the cross."

Nothing shall befall the Christian, but shall work his highest good,

Heaviest griefs would seem rich blessings if they were but understood

Thou' the storm may rage, and bellows here and there our life-bark loss,

We are safe if each day finds us "in the shadow of the cross."

Jesus, loving Saviour, keep us, for Thine own we fain would be;

Every thought and word and action consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

As of old Thou' ledd'st Thy people all the desert way across,

Gentle Saviour, lead and guide us by the shadow of Thy cross.

—Augustus Treadwell.