These were the tribal marks of God's people, when this was "a new song"; they are so to-day, for, though the Name of the Lord be more fully known by Christ, the trust in it is the same. A threefold good is possessed, expected and asked as the issue of this waiting. God is "help and shield" to those who exercise it. Its sure fruit is joy in Him, since He will answer the expectance of His people, and will make His name more fully known and more sweet to those who have clung to it, in so far as they knew it. The measure of hope in God is the measure of experience of His loving-kindness, and the closing prayer does not allege hope as meriting the answer which it expects, but recognises that desire is a condition of possession of God's best gifts, and knows it to be most impossible of all impossibilities that hope fixed on God should be ashamed. Hands, lifted empty to heaven in longing trust, will never drop empty back and hang listless, without a blessing in their grasp. PSALM XXXIV. 1 (א) I will bless Jehovah at all times, Continually shall His praise be in my mouth. 2 (ב) In Jehovah my soul shall boast herself, The humble shall hear and rejoice. 3 (ג) Magnify Jehovah with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 (ד) I sought Jehovah and He answered me, And from all my terrors did He deliver me. 5 (ה) They looked to Him and were brightened, (ו) And their faces did not blush. 6 (ז) This afflicted man cried and Jehovah heard, And from all his distresses saved him. 7 (ח) The angel of Jehovah encamps round them that fear Him, And delivers them. 8 (ט) Taste and see that Jehovah is good; Happy the man that takes refuge in Him. 9 (י) Fear Jehovah, ye His holy ones; For there is no want to them that fear Him. 10 (כ) Young lions famish and starve, But they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good.