host presenting the wine cup to his guests, and the stern compulsion which makes the "wicked" gulp down the nauseous draught held by God to their reluctant lips. The utmost extremity of punitive inflictions, unflinchingly inflicted, is suggested by the terrible imagery. And the judgment is to be world-wide; for "all the wicked of the earth" are to drink, and that to the dregs. And how does the prospect affect the psalmist? It moves him, first, to solemn praise--not only because God has proved Himself by these terrible things in righteousness to be the God of His people, but also because He has thereby manifested His own character as righteous and hating evil. It is no selfish nor cruel joy which stirs in devout hearts, when God comes forth in history and smites oppressing insolence. It is but a spurious benevolence which affects to recoil from the conception of a God who judges and, when needful, smites. This psalmist not only praised, but in his degree vowed to imitate. The last verse is best understood as his declaration of his own purpose, though some commentators have proposed to transfer it to the earlier part of the psalm, regarding it as part of the Divine oracle. But it is in its right place where it stands. God's servants are His instruments in carrying out His judgments; and there is a very real sense in which all of them should seek to fight against dominant evil and to cripple the power of tyrannous godlessness. PSALM LXXVI. 1 Known in Judah is God, In Israel is His name great. 2 And in Salem was His tent [pitched], And His dwelling in Zion. 3 There He shivered the lightnings of the bow, Shield and sword and battle. Selah. 4 Effulgent art Thou [and] glorious From the mountains of prey [everlasting mountains?]. 5 Spoiled are the stout of heart, they slumber [into] their sleep, And none of the men of might have found their hands. 6 At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both chariot and horse are sunk in deep sleep. 7 Thou! dread art Thou, And who can stand before Thee, in the time of Thine anger? 8 From heaven didst Thou make judgment heard, Earth feared and was stilled, 9 At the rising of God for judgment To save all the afflicted of the earth. Selah. 10 For the wrath of man shall praise Thee, [With] the residue of wraths Thou girdest Thyself. 11 Vow and pay to Jehovah your God, Let all around Him bring presents to the Terrible One. 12 He cuts down the [lofty] spirit of princes, A dread to the kings of the earth.