But the godly and the saints, though thus exercised and broken with afflictions, flourish, nevertheless, like palm-trees, in the house of the Lord, and will flourish for evermore! Neither time, nor age, nor sorrow of mind, nor any afflictions, nor death itself, can root them out, or hurt them! But, both living and dying, and even in death itself, they live and bring forth fruit through the word of God, as Paul saith, “_No creature_ can separate them!” But fools, that is, the wicked and epicureans of this world, regard not these things, they will not hear or endure them; and of this sort we may see thousands of atheistical men in our day. PSALM XCIII. _The majesty, power, and holiness of Christ’s kingdom._ The LORD reigneth; he is clothed with majesty: the LORD is clothed with strength, _wherewith_ he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne _is_ established of old: thou _art_ from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high _is_ mightier than the noise of many waters, _yea, than_ the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever. This is a prophecy concerning the spread of the kingdom of Christ, as far and wide as the earth is extended, and its establishment for ever. But against this kingdom, as the Psalmist saith, the “waves” and “mighty waters” will swell and lift up themselves; that is, the kingdoms and peoples of the world will roar against the Lord and against his Anointed; and will rage against the godly with sword and fire; but they shall not prevail: for, as Daniel saith, “this kingdom shall break in pieces all other kingdoms beneath it, and shall stand for ever.”—Daniel ii. 44. But thy kingdom shall be established in no other way than by the word of the gospel. It shall not stand by the force of arms, nor by external pomp, or glory, before the world; but it shall be husbanded, and shall be increased and adorned, by the ministry of the word of the gospel. This is the “holiness,” (namely the ministry of the word) that shall “become,” or “adorn,” the house of the Lord. For this true and high worship of God which is in the kingdom of Christ, takes the place of all sacrifices and of all oblations, candlesticks, and the like; and the preaching of the word, and the giving of thanks, are instead of all external representations of mercy: hence Paul saith, that the Old Testament is done away by this New Testament worship. PSALM XCIV. _The prophet, calling for justice, complaineth of tyranny and impiety.—He teacheth God’s providence.—He sheweth the blessedness of affliction.—God is the defender of the afflicted._ O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up thyself, thou Judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.