(1.) The redemption was already complete in the eternal purpose of God. Remember those words by St. Peter (1 Pet i. 19, 20): ‘Ye were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ . . . who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you;’ and remember how he is described (Rev. xiii. 8) as ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’ Although, therefore, the Son of God has not yet become incarnate, God speaking of His divine purpose could say, ‘I have redeemed thee;’ and His believing servant, referring to that same purpose, could reply, though a thousand years must pass before he witnessed it, ‘Thou hast redeemed me.’ (2.) But it was not purposed only, for it was promised. It was promised to our first parents the very day of their miserable fall, and it was kept continually before the eye of God’s people by a series of types and prophecies. Thus David’s language is an illustration of the words, ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for.’ What God had promised was as sure to him as if he held it in his hand; it was as much his own as if he had seen it. He was as sure of the power of the cross of Christ, as if he had been standing by, and had heard the centurion say, ‘Verily this was the Son of God.’ And is it not apparent from the verse itself that this is the real meaning of his words? for what is the peculiar force of those concluding words ‘O Lord God of truth?’ Do they not teach us that he was assured of that redemption, not because it had seen it accomplished, but because it was made sure by the truth of God? The truth of God was pledged to the redeeming work and therefore that work was as sure to him as if it were already finished. He did not, therefore, wait to puzzle his mind about times and seasons; he knew that God was true to His promise, and therefore being assured of His declared purpose, he said, ‘Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.’ But if this be the case, we are surely brought to the conclusion that, whatever be our position, redeeming grace must be the one foundation of believing trust. Patriarchal faith looking forward, and modern Christian faith looking backward, both meet in one point, that point being the cross of Christ. And as for ourselves it matters not what are our peculiar circumstances. We may be actively engaged in the work of life, involved in its perplexities, and compelled to take a part in its struggles; or we may be at the end of life, expecting in a day or two to depart hence, and be no more: but in either case we must rest simply on the atoning blood, and resting on it, whether it be for life or for death, we may say in calm, quiet, peaceful, trusting faith, ‘Into thy hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.’