*H Understanding for Asaph. Attend, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
Ver. 1. Asaph. David composed this, to declare the rights of Juda to the throne, in preference to the tribe of Ephraim, (Lyran.) which had kept possession of the ark a long time; which was henceforth to be on Mount Sion. H. — It seems to relate to the times of Asa, who reunited several of the other tribes to his dominion, (2 Par. xv. 8. C.) and contains a moral instruction, delivered in the person of Christ, (v. 2. Euseb. Bert.) and submitted to the attentive consideration of the faithful. W. — Law. Given to Moses, (Bert.) and sanctioned by the divine authority. H. — The law, and the people were not David's, but God's, in whose name he speaks. S. Greg. in Job ii. W.
*H I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter propositions from the beginning.
Ver. 2. Propositions. Deep and mysterious sayings. By this it appears, that the historical facts of ancient times, commemorated in this psalm, were deep and mysterious; as being figures of great truths appertaining to the time of the New Testament. Ch. — S. Matthew, xiii. 35. has, things hidden from the foundation of the world. Heb. minni kedem, "from of old." S. Jer. "ancient riddles." H. — Mashal and chidoth, "parables and enigmas." frequently denote things very plain, but spoken in a sententious poetic style. Num. xxiii. 7. C. — The facts, &c. of the Old Testament, prefigured the mysteries of the New. W.
*H How great things have we heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
Ver. 3. Fathers. Christ might thus speak as man, and he enforces tradition in the strongest terms. Bert. — Only some things were written. W. — The most ancient and universal mode of instruction, was by word of mouth. H.
*H And he set up a testimony in Jacob: and made a law in Israel. How great things he commanded our fathers, that they should make the same known to their children:
Ver. 5. Testimony. The tabernacle, (Euseb.) or the law which notifies his will. C. M. — He also thrice required the Israelites to perpetuate the memory of what he had done for them, by instructing their children. Deut. iv. 9. and vi. 7. and xi. 19. Both the written and the unwritten word must be carefully preserved. 2 Thess. ii. 14. God had freely chosen Abraham, and given him the law of circumcision; as he directed his posterity by the mouth of Moses. W.
*H That they may put their hope in God and may not forget the works of God: and may seek his commandments.
Ver. 7. That, &c. This was the end of all the laws and monuments of religion, (C.) to increase our confidence, (W.) gratitude, and observance of our duty. H.
*H That they may not become like their fathers, a perverse and exasperating generation. A generation that set not their heart aright: and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Ver. 8. Fathers. Some were virtuous, like Moses, Josue, Samuel, &c. v. 3. and 5. Bert. — But the majority proved faithless. H. — To God. Or did not confide in him, or know that without God's grace, no good can be done. S. Aug. Bert. — Abraham instructed his house, (Gen. xviii.) and David his subjects, that they might avoid bad example. The same advice regards Christians. 1 Cor. x. W.
*H The sons of Ephraim who bend and shoot with the bow: they have turned back in the day of battle.
Ver. 9. Battle. Many of this tribe were cut off by the men of Geth, (1 Par. vii. 21. Chal. Geier.) as they fought without God's command. Num. xiv. W. — They did not defend the ark against the Philistines, though they seemed more bound to do so than the rest, since it was brought from their city, Silo, and they also set the others a pattern of infidelity; (1 K. iv. Abenezra.) whence they are singled out likewise by Osee. Bert. — The famous victory of Abia against Jeroboam may be also designated. 2 Par. xiii. C. — This had not yet taken place, no more than (H.) their captivity, under Salmanazar, which is enigmatically foretold. After this reproach, the whole body of the Israelites is condemned. v. 10. Bert.
*H Wonderful things did he do in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis.
Ver. 12. Taneos. Heb. Tsohan, (H.) which means, "spreading," either because the plagues spread from this capital, or because it was in a plain, (Bert.) or very extensive, (H.) on the eastern branch of the Nile, in the Delta. C. — Here Moses wrought his wonders. W.
*H He divided the sea and brought them through: and he made the waters to stand as in a vessel.
Ver. 13. Vessel. Lit. "bottle," like walls on either side.
* Footnote * Exodus 14 : 22
And the children of Israel went in through the midst of the sea dried up; for the water was as a wall on their right hand and on their left.*H And he conducted them with a cloud by day: and all the night with a light of fire.
Ver. 14. By day. Lit. "of the day." H. — But this is the real import of the Greek. The same cloud (C.) was both luminous and obscure. When the light side was turned towards Israel, the Egyptians were in darkness. H. — The eternal Son of God guided this pillar, and the Israelites tempted him, (v. 18. and 1 Cor. x. Ex. xiii. 21. Bert.) forgetting their baptism or initiation in the service of God. H.
*H He struck the rock in the wilderness: and gave them to drink, as out of the great deep.
Ver. 15. Deep. Water was so abundant, and followed them in streams. 1 Cor. x. 4. C. — The first miraculous grant of water was at Horeb, the second at Cades. v. 20. Bert.
* Footnote * Exodus 17 : 6
Behold I will stand there before thee, upon the rock Horeb, and thou shalt strike the rock, and water shall come out of it that the people may drink. Moses did so before the ancients of Israel:* Footnote * Psalms 104 : 41
He opened the rock, and waters flowed: rivers ran down in the dry land.*H And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires.
Ver. 18. Desires. Lit. "souls," as if they were dying for hunger, though they had plenty of manna. Num. xi. 4. C.
*H And they spoke ill of God: they said: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Ver. 19. Ill. Heb. "against," (Num. xi. C.) still distrusting in God's power. M.
*H Because he struck the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide a table for his people?
Ver. 20. Bread. Including all sorts of food. W. — Table. Heb. "flesh." It is true we have water and manna, but we want something more solid and agreeable. C.
*H Therefore the Lord heard, and was angry: and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and wrath came up against Israel.
Ver. 21. Angry. This is the sense of the Heb. Distulit means, "he deferred" (H.) to put his threats, (Bert.) or promises, in execution. M. — The destroyer punished those who gave way to murmuring,. 1 Cor. x. Num. xi. 1. C. — Their incredulity was punished (W.) for nearly forty years, and all the guilty who were twenty years old at the first numbering, were cut off in the desert. H.
* Footnote * Numbers 11 : 1
In the mean time there arose a murmuring of the people against the Lord, as it were repining at their fatigue. And when the Lord heard it he was angry. And the fire of the Lord being kindled against them, devoured them that were at the uttermost part of the camp.*H And he had commanded the clouds from above, and had opened the doors of heaven.
Ver. 23. And. Or "though he had." Bert. has mandavit. "He commanded," would be better rendered, this order being given before the complaints. God had supplied them abundantly with manna from the clouds, as from his granaries. C. — Therefore they ought to have trusted in his power and goodness. M.
* Footnote * Exodus 16 : 4
And the Lord said to Moses: Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you; let the people go forth, and gather what is sufficient for every day: that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law, or not.* Footnote * Numbers 11 : 7
Now the manna was like coriander seed, of the colour of bdellium.*H Man ate the bread of angels: he sent them provisions in abundance.
Ver. 25. Angels. Heb. also, "of the strong ones." Aquila. — Such is the blessed Eucharist, of which manna was only a figure. Jo. vi. The angels prepared this food. C. — It was an effect of the divine bounty, not of the power of Moses. Jo. xi. 32. How it could be inferior (Bert.) to the bread which Christ would give, was a riddle to the Jews, as it must be still to all who do not admit the real presence. If both were figures, surely manna was better than common bread. H.
* Footnote * John 6 : 31
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.* Footnote * 1_Corinthians 10 : 3
And did all eat the same spiritual food:*H He removed the south wind from heaven: and by his power brought in the southwest wind.
Ver. 26. West wind. Lit. Africum, which blows "from Africa," in this direction, with respect to Jerusalem. H. — The same wind may be styled the south wind. Heb. Kadim, "strong, eastern," &c. Bert. — These quails came from the banks of the southern ocean, or from the Red Sea, as the Israelites were still in Arabia, when they were furnished with them a second time, (Num. xi. 31.) for a whole month, (C.) though there were about three million people. Bert. — God changed the wind, so as to bring them into the camp. Ex. xvi. W. — It was before blowing from the south-east. M.
* Footnote * Numbers 11 : 31
And a wind going out from the Lord, taking quails up beyond the sea brought them, and cast them into the camp for the space of one day's journey, on every side of the camp round about, and they flew in the air two cubits high above the ground.* Footnote * Numbers 11 : 33
As yet the flesh was between their teeth, neither had that kind of meat failed: when behold the wrath of the Lord being provoked against the people, struck them with an exceeding great plague.*H And the wrath of God came upon them. And he slew the fat ones amongst them, and brought down the chosen men of Israel.
Ver. 31. Israel. S. Jerom applies this to those who receive unworthily, particularly if they be priests. 1 Cor. xi. 29. C. — God selected the most guilty (Bert.) having allowed them to feast for a whole month. W. — Then he brought down by death, or "hindered," as it were, "by shackles," (Sept.) the most valiant. H.
*H In all these things they sinned still: and they behaved not for his wondrous works.
Ver. 32. Still. Notwithstanding this instance of God's severity, they fell shortly after into greater sins, and would have stoned Moses, &c. despairing of ever taking possession of the promised land, which highly displeased God, so that he swore, that none of the rebels should enter it. Many were also slain in the sedition of Core, (Num. xiii. 17.) and the rest did not live about thirty-eight years. C. — Thus about 600,000 perished, (W.) having done nothing worthy of praise. M.
*H When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned, and came to him early in the morning.
Ver. 34. Morning. Those who were spared pretended to repent. H. — Afflictions are the source of much good. But the Israelites are blamed for their inconstancy and deceit. C. — They came with apparent earnestness (H.) to offer the morning sacrifice (W.) under affliction. M.
*H But he is merciful, and will forgive their sins: and will not destroy them. And many a time did he turn away his anger: and did not kindle all his wrath.
Ver. 38. Their and them, is supplied also by Prot. H. — Heb. "he...will forgive sin," &c. This seems more beautiful. Bert.
*H And he remembered that they are flesh: a wind that goeth and returneth not.
Ver. 39. Flesh. The inferior appetite wars against the spirit. Gal. v. 17. Matt. xxvi. 41. H. — Not, in the ordinary course. This does not contradict the faith of the resurrection, which is elsewhere clearly expressed. S. Jer. C. — Man may go astray, but cannot be converted by his own efforts. Prov. ii. 19. S. Aug. Bert. — God will never abandon the whole Church. The Jews here mark the middle of the psalter, and the 1263d verse, (W.) or the division of the book. H.
*H How often did they provoke him in the desert: and move him to wrath in the place without water?
Ver. 40. How often. It would be difficult to specify. God mentions ten times. Num. xiv. 22. W.
*H And they turned back and tempted God: and grieved the holy one of Israel.
Ver. 41. Grieved. Heb. "set bounds to," or "marked," holding up to scorn. Heb. vi. 6. Genebrard thinks we might translate, "crucified," hithvu, as this is the root of Thau, which formerly resembled a cross. C. — This would surely be one of the most striking enigmas. S. Jerom agrees with us. Bert. — "They pushed on," concitaverunt, as God's wrath must be greatly excited by setting limits to his power and goodness. H.
*H They remembered not his hand, in the day that he redeemed them from the hand of him that afflicted them:
Ver. 42. Not. How could they so soon forget these prodigies? We might ask, how came Adam to pay so little attention to God's command? How do many act contrary to their better knowledge? Upon occasion of this forgetfulness, the psalmist repeats many of the chief miracles recorded. Ex. vii. and xiii. Bert.
*H How he wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Tanis.
Ver. 43. Signs. The turning the rod into a serpent. The rest of the signs were also plagues. W.
*H And he turned their rivers into blood, and their showers that they might not drink.
Ver. 44. Showers. Heb. "floods." H. — Many have asserted that it does not rain in Egypt: but pretty heavy showers fall, even above Cairo, (Vansleb. C.) though seldom. W.
* Footnote * Exodus 7 : 20
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord had commanded: and lifting up the rod, he struck the water of the river before Pharao and his servants: and it was turned into blood.*H He sent amongst them divers sorts of flies, which devoured them: and frogs which destroyed them.
Ver. 45. Flies. Cænomyiam. Many copies of the Sept. have kynomiam, "the dog-fly," which S. Jerom, (C.) and S. Aug. properly correct. Bert. Ex. viii. 24.
* Footnote * Exodus 8 : 24
And the Lord did so. And there came a very grievous swarm of flies into the houses of Pharao and of his servants, and into all the land of Egypt: and the land was corrupted by this kind of flies.* Footnote ** Exodus 8 : 6
And Aaron stretched forth his hand upon the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.*H And he gave up their fruits to the blast, and their labours to the locust.
Ver. 46. Blast. Heb. also "the bruchus," (H.) a sort of locust, which does great damage in the East. C. — Chasil may signify both. Bert. — Ovid speaks of the blast:
* Footnote * Exodus 10 : 15
And they covered the whole face of the earth, wasting all things. And the grass of the earth was devoured, and what fruits soever were on the trees, which the hail had left; and there remained not any thing that was green on the trees, or in the herbs of the earth, in all Egypt.*H And he destroyed their vineyards with hail, and their mulberry trees with hoarfrost.
Ver. 47. Vineyards. Herodotus (i. 77.) says, the Egyptians use "ale, because they have no vines." But he is contradicted by Athenæus, &c. — Trees. Heb. shikmoth, is supposed to mean sycamore trees. C.
* Footnote * Exodus 9 : 25
And the hail destroyed through all the land of Egypt all things that were in the fields, both man and beast: and the hail smote every herb of the field, and it broke every tree of the country.*H And he gave up their cattle to the hail, and their stock to the fire.
Ver. 48. Fire. S. Jer. "who gave their pastures to the hail, and their cattle to the birds." Reshaphim is also rendered "coals," by Pagnin. It may denote the thunderbolts. H.
*H And he sent upon them the wrath of his indignation: indignation and wrath and trouble, which he sent by evil angels.
Ver. 49. Angels. Heb. "messengers of evil," (T.) as the Sept. may also signify the good angels. Amama. — He ordered Moses and Aaron to denounce his judgments, which he executed either by the devils, (Origen. W.) or by the blessed spirits. S. Amb. Ex. xii. 29. Wisd. xviii. 14. — Hence from the effect, (Bellar.) they may have the appellation of evil. Theod. C. — The other plagues are thus briefly mentioned. M. W.
*H And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.
Ver. 51. Labour. "The first-born," (S. Jer. Gen. xlix. 3. Prov. v. 9.) and their best effects. C. — This was the tenth plague. Cham was the father of Misraim, who peopled Egypt. W.
* Footnote * Exodus 12 : 29
And it came to pass at midnight, the Lord slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharao, who sat on his throne, unto the firstborn of the captive woman that was in the prison, and all the firstborn of cattle.*H And he brought them out in hope and they feared not: and the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Ver. 53. Not, after they saw the Egyptians destroyed, whom they had feared greatly before. In the desert they enjoyed rest, while their enemies were in the utmost confusion, (Bert.) having lost their king. H.
* Footnote * Exodus 14 : 27
And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place: and as the Egyptians were fleeing away, the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves.*H And he brought them into the mountain of his sanctuary: the mountain which his right hand had purchased. And he cast out the Gentiles before them: and by lot divided to them their land by a line of distribution.
Ver. 54. Mountain. Heb. "term." Ορος, with the soft spirit, means a mountain, (Bert.) and the Vulg. has taken it in this sense in both places, as the Greek accents and spirits are not of greater antiquity or consequence than the Heb. vowel points. H. — The land of Chanaan was very different from that of Egypt, being full of mountains. Deut. iii. 25. Ezec. xxxvi. 2. But Sion may be here meant. — Line. Thus were lands measured. Jos. xiii. 8. and xvii. 5. C. — God had made a particular choice of this hilly country for his people, (W.) and for the chief seat of religion. M.
* Footnote * Josue 13 : 6
Of all that dwell in the mountains from Libanus, to the waters of Maserephoth, and all the Sidonians. I am he that will cut them off from before the face of the children of Israel. So let their land come in as a part of the inheritance of Israel, as I have commanded thee.* Footnote * Josue 13 : 7
And now divide the land in possession to the nine tribes, and to the half tribe of Manasses,*H And they turned away, and kept not the covenant: even like their fathers they were turned aside as a crooked bow.
Ver. 57. The covenant, is omitted in many Greek and Latin copies, as well as in Heb. S. Jer. ad Sun. — Yet it is found in the Vatican edition, (C.) as well as in the Alex. ησυνθετησαν. H. — Bow, which hits not the mark. It alludes to the faithless Israelites, (C.) particularly to Ephraim, ver. 9. Os. vii. 6. Jer. ix. 3. The bow of Jonathan was not such, 2 K. i. 22. C. — A bad bow misses the aim, or breaking, wounds the person who uses it. M. — These people hurt themselves by their treachery. W.
*H They provoked him to anger on their hills: and moved him to jealousy with their graven things.
Ver. 58. Hills. The high places, in which they imitated the pagans, and which brought on their ruin. Lev. xxvi. 30. With so much difficulty are people taught to serve God in spirit and truth. They foolishly imagined that they would be nearer the gods. Bert. — Things. Prot. "images." They have not forgotten to insert this word as usual, to make the ignorant believe that all images are forbidden! H.
*H God heard, and despised them, and he reduced Israel exceedingly as it were to nothing.
Ver. 59. Heard. So he did the crimes of Sodom. Gen. xviii. 20. C. — Reduced. Heb. "abhorred exceedingly several in Israel." H. — The people were not exterminated; but greatly reduced in the time of the judges. W.
*H And he put away the tabernacle of Silo, his tabernacle where he dwelt among men.
Ver. 60. Silo. Where it had remained about 350 years, (Bert.) before the ark was removed, never to be replaced there. H. — The tabernacle was afterwards at Nobe, and at Gabaon; whence it was probably removed to the treasury of the temple, (C.) and was hidden by Jeremias, 2 Mac. i. Jos. xviii. 1. Bert. — God gave his oracles more particularly where the ark, (W.) or the tabernacle, was found. H.
* Footnote * 1_Kings 4 : 4
So the people sent to Silo, and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, sitting upon the cherubims: and the two sons of Heli, Ophni and Phinees, were with the ark of the covenant of God.* Footnote * Jeremias 7 : 12
Go ye to my place in Silo, where my name dwelt from the beginning: and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel:* Footnote * Jeremias 26 : 6
I will make this house like Silo: and I will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.*H And he delivered their strength into captivity: and their beauty into the hands of the enemy.
Ver. 61. Their. Heb. "his." Houb. — The ark was an earnest of God's protection, (H.) and the glory of Israel, 1 K. iv. 21.
*H And he shut up his people under the sword: and he despised his inheritance.
Ver. 62. Sword. So that they could not escape. — Despised. Heb. hithhabar,is rendered distulit by S. Jerom, (v. 21. 59. C.) or non distulit, "he did not delay" to punish, as Erasmus reads. H.
*H Fire consumed their young men: and their maidens were not lamented.
Ver. 63. Fire of God's indignation, (M. W.) or of war. — Lamented. S. Jer. "its virgins no one bewailed." H. — He seems to have read éullu, with the Sept. Others translate, (Bert.) "did not mourn," though they were now deprived of the hopes of marrying, (C.) or "the virgins were not praised" in the canticles used at the marriage-feast, (Chal. &c.) non epithalamio celebratæ sunt, (Mont.) or "married." Pagnin. H. — There was no time to bewail the death of the young men, or the captivity of the women. C. — Each one was too solicitous for his own safety. H.
*H Their priests fell by the sword: and their widows did not mourn.
Ver. 64. Priests. Ophni and Phinees, (1 K. iv. 11. C.) the origin of this calamity, (H.) and the high priest himself broke his neck. W. — Mourn, plorabantur, intimates rather that the people did not mourn for him. But the Heb. has this meaning also, fleverunt, (Mont.) sunt fletæ. S. Jer. H. — The widow of Phinees died on hearing the sad news; and Eusebius seems to think that grief killed Ophni's widow likewise. C.
*H And the Lord was awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that hath been surfeited with wine.
Ver. 65. Surfeited. S. Jerom, Chal. &c. agree in this sense. But Heb. may admit another, not quite so harsh, (C.) "like a hero who shouts for (Mont.) or sing after wine;" (H.) διαλαλων εξ οινου, "rendered talkative by wine." Sym. — God allowed the Philistines to prosper for a time; but, at last, he covered them with ignominy. H. — We must reflect that the Oriental languages are bolder in their expressions than ours, and that this is simply a comparison, not more astonishing than that used by our Saviour, when he says that he will come like a thief in the night. Bert. — If the Spirit of God had not consecrated such comparisons, no one durst have used them. S. Aug. — God rose to punish the infidels, and to preserve his Church. W. — The psalmist speaks of him as of a man invigorated by wine, and filling all with confusion. M.
*H And he smote his enemies on the hinder parts: he put them to an everlasting reproach.
Ver. 66. Parts. As they were fleeing, (Bert.) or with emerods. Chal. &c. C. 1 K. v. 10.
*H And he rejected the tabernacle of Joseph: and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
Ver. 67. Ephraim. Who had been preferred before his elder brother, and yet proved the most inclined to idolatry, v. 9. H. — This tribe was deprived first of the ark, and then of the tabernacle, which were its greatest glory, and this strongly indicated the divine displeasure. C.
*H But he chose the tribe of Juda, mount Sion which he loved.
Ver. 68. Sion. The ark was removed from Cariathiarim, in the tribe of Juda, to the house of Obededom, for three months, and afterwards to the palace or tabernacle on Sion, (H.) which God had probably chosen for its fixed abode, towards the beginning of David's reign. C.
*H And he built his sanctuary as of unicorns, in the land which he founded for ever.
Ver. 69. As of unicorns. That is, firm and strong, like the horn of the unicorn. This is one of the chief of the propositions of this psalm, fore-shewing the firm establishment of the one, true, and everlasting sanctuary of God, in his Church. Ch. M. — It was preserved before Christ, and will remain till the end of time. W. — The temple was not built by David: but the spot was consecrated for it, (2 K. xxiv.) and the ark was placed on Sion; which was the land which he had founded for ever for this purpose. Heb. ramim, means "unicorns, (Chal. S. Jer.) heights, (Mont.) palaces," (Pagn.) &c. Santificium and sanctuarium, have the same import. H. — In the land. Heb. "as the land." Sept. have read b for c, as well; (Bert.) and it is observable that Montanus translates the latter, though the former occur in the Heb. text below, edit. 1632: so easily may these letters be confounded! H. — The temple was to have the same stability as the earth, and was but one, like the horn of the unicorn, which is most solid and beautiful. C. — Yet this could not be understood of the material temple, which was the most magnificent structure in the world. It was fulfilled in the Church of Jesus Christ, who is also the true David, v. 72. H. — The crowning of David, who was his figure, was a great blessing to Israel. W.
*H And he chose his servant David, and took him from the flocks of sheep: he brought him from following the ewes great with young,
Ver. 70. Young. Heb. also, "giving milk." David was actually with his father's flocks, when he was sent for by Samuel. Saul was also engaged in the pursuits of a country life when he was chosen king: and it would indeed have been difficult to find people of another description among the Israelites, as all followed some business. Crœsus observed that he first of his race (Gyges) obtained his liberty and the throne at the same time, as he had kept the flocks of the preceding king. Xenoph. vii.
*H And he fed them in the innocence of his heart: and conducted them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Ver. 72. Skilfulness. Lit. "intelligences." Plural words are used to express the greatness of the thing. David was very upright and intelligent. H. — This enhances the ingratitude of Ephraim, &c. who divided the kingdom. C. — Yet David had fallen into some grievous mistakes, so that this can only belong strictly to Jesus Christ, who is the good shepherd, without sin. Bert. — He has here detailed what may serve to illustrate the law and the gospel, and may fill us either with confidence or with alarm. H. — We are astonished at the repeated infidelities of the Israelites. But if three millions of Christians were placed in the same circumstances, would they behave better? Bert.