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Society cannot exist without laws: these laws require to be expressed and enforced, and whoever does this is ruler. Again, whilst the millions have the instinct of obedience, and lack the faculty to rule, there are always some, on the other hand, in whom there is the tendency and the power to govern. Let us look at the reign of this ideal king as here sketched.

I. It is characterized by RIGHTEOUSNESS AND COMPASSION (vers. 1-4). This compassion, this tender, practical sympathy for the woes of the indigent and oppressed, is not something opposed to righteousness. It is but a modification of righteousness, or rather, another phase of righteousness. Justice is but love sternly opposing all that is injurious to the universe, and benevolently encouraging all that is promotive of happiness. Justice is like some Alpine hill, when the sun is descending in the West" on one side it is dark, frowning, terrific, on the other side it glows in brightness, disports in beauty. This compassion, this mercy, "becomes the throned monarch better than his crown."

II. It is characterized by the HIGHEST NATIONAL BLESSINGS (vers. 3, 7).

1. General peace. The prevalence of universal good-will is essential to universal peace. Men not seeking their own as the grand end, but seeking the good of each other.

2. Spiritual vitality.

3. The prosperity of the righteous. Men will be considered great, useful, and honourable in proportion to the amount of rectitude that lives in their hearts and comes out in their daily life.

III. It is characterized by its MORAL COMMAND OVER ALL PEOPLES (vers. 9-11). Moral worth is always mighty; like the sun, no man can ignore it, no man can disregard its influence, or deny its value. But moral worth in a king is especially mighty, it is seen, and wherever seen is felt. Moral worth is moral sovereignty.

IV. It is characterized by its EXPANSIBILITY AND DURATION (vers. 8, 16, 17). The language does not mean that the king himself is to live and reign for ever, but that his name, his moral character, will be held in everlasting remembrance and will work on the earth for good as long as the sun and moon shall last.

V. It is characterized by its DIVINE ESTABLISHMENT (vers. 18, 19). For such a king as this the mighty Sovereign of the universe deserves the devoutest praises of men. He alone can form the character of such a king.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: {A Psalm for Solomon.} Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

WEB: God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.