But bright as are the poet's visions concerning the kingdom, his last gaze is fastened on its king, and he prays that his name may last for ever, and may send forth shoots as long as the sun shines in the sky. He probably meant no more than a prayer for the continual duration of the dynasty, and his conception of the name as sending forth shoots was probably that of its being perpetuated in descendants. But, as has been already noticed, the perpetuity, which he conceived of as belonging to a family and an office, really belongs to the One King, Jesus Christ, whose Name is above every name, and will blossom anew in fresh revelations of its infinite contents, not only while the sun shines, but when its fires are cold and its light quenched. The psalmist's last desire is that the ancient promise to the fathers may be fulfilled in the King, their descendant, in whom men shall bless themselves. So full of blessedness may He seem to all men, that they shall take Him for the very type of felicity, and desire to be even as He is! In men's relation to Christ the phrase assumes a deeper meaning still; and though that is not intended by the psalmist, and is not the exposition of his words, it still is true that in Christ all blessings for humanity are stored, and that therefore if men are to be truly blessed they must plunge themselves into Him, and in Him find all that they need for blessedness and nobility of life and character. If He is our supreme type of whatsoever things are fair and of good report, and if we have bowed ourselves to Him because He has delivered us from death, then we share in His life, and all His blessings are parted among us. BOOK III. _PSALMS LXXIII.-LXXXIX._ PSALM LXXIII. 1 Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart; 2 But I--within a little of turning aside were my feet, All but slipping were my steps. 3 For I was envious of the foolish, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no bonds [dragging them] to death, And their body is lusty. 5 In the trouble belonging to frail mortals they have no part And [in common] with men they are not smitten. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; Violence covers them as a robe. 7 Out of fat their eye flashes; The imaginations of their heart overflow. 8 They mock and speak wickedly of oppression, [As] from on high they speak. 9 They set in the heavens their mouth, And their tongue stalks on the earth. 10 Therefore he turns his people thither, And waters of abundance are drunk up by them.