Job's Submission

BY PHILIP J. DE LOUTHERBOURG, R. A., A GERMAN ARTIST, WHO PAINTED IN ENGLAND, DIED 1812.

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“Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”—Job, 42, 1, 2.

N these splendid descriptions of Omnipotence, and of

I

the wonders of the created world, the Lord does not

answer Job's problem; he overwhelms the questioner. He teaches that there are problems beyond the knowledge of man, superior to his finite understanding. The logical meaning of suffering and the purpose of its existence had been left to the clouded explanations of Elihu, so far as man could explain these divine mysteries.

But Job was humbled, as God meant that he should be. Recognizing his tremendous presumption in arrogating to act as judge of God, Job cries out for mercy. “Therefore have I uttered that I understood not, things too wonderful for me, which I knew not." In deepest reverence, he expresses his amaze at the tremendousness of the Vision he has seen, the lesson he has learned. "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee."

Thus Job restored his rebellious spirit into harmony with God, and was pardoned for his rebellion.

PSALM CXXIV-ISRAEL RESCUED

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4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 124

The church blesseth God for a miraculous deliverance.

A Song of degrees of David.

F it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may

Israel say;

2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 125

1 The safety of such as trust in God. 4 A prayer for the godly, and against the wicked.

A Song of degrees.

HEY that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

Psalm 126

1 The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, 4 prayeth for, and prophesieth the good success thereof. A Song of degrees.

HEN the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall

reap

in joy.

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PSALM CXXVII- OF CHILDREN

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

1 The virtue of God's blessing.

A Song of degrees for Solomon.

Psalm 127

3 Good children are his gift.

XCEPT the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

LESSED is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. 5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and

Psalm 129

peace upon Israel.

1 An exhortation to praise God for saving Israel in their great afflictions. 5 The haters of the church are cursed. A Song of degrees.

ANY a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel

now say:

2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. 4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. 6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up: