Some Additional Reading.

In studying the Penitential Psalms with a view to expository preaching, the following easily accessible literature should be carefully consulted, (1) Professor Kirkpatrick's admirable volumes on "The Book of Psalms, in "The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges." For any part of the Song-Book of Israel, these three volumes, designed for the English reader, are simply invaluable. Then (2) for spiritual insight and felicity of phrase, give us Maclaren in the Expositor,'s  Bible. His volume on Colossians may be the best thing he ever did in expounding a New Testament Epistle; but here, also, in many psalms he touches the high-water mark of pulpit exposition. The freshness of thought, no less than the grace of diction, is sometimes superb. If the preacher can add (3) the sanity and solidity of Calvin, and (4) the spiritual savour and quaintness of Matthew Henry (books that might be more read than they are), he will have all that he needs for the quickening of his own thought or the interest and instruction of his hearers, (5) Historical illustrations of the Psalms in human life are of special value to the Christian expositor, and as Prothero is now issued by Nelson & Sons in the " Library of Notable Books," it is brought within the reach of all.

For the Hebrew student, however, the main preparation for expository preaching has yet to be noted. Nothing can take the place of a first-hand acquaintance with the text Every hour spent over the Hebrew and Greek words will save many hours afterwards in wading through other courses of expository or homiletical reading. It may readily be accepted as an axiom in Biblical exposition, that the study of syntax, synonyms, and figures of speech is the great time-saver in the subsequent preaching of the Word. The present writer can only repeat the conviction expressed at pp. 10-11 of his Sermons in Accents, and illustrated in the specimen page for a Student's Note-Book at p. 192, that the motto for all those who are beginning the task of expository lecturing is, " Back to the Hebrew text"