vision
presented before Daniel, the man clothed in linen "held up his right
hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for
ever."[39] John declares, "the angel which I saw stand upon the sea, and
upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that
liveth for ever and ever."[40] The right hand is principally used among
men in general; and accordingly, as when neither hand is specifically
mentioned in any case, the right is understood, so we may conclude that
the oath was made by the angel while he held up his right hand. The Lord
sware "by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength."[41] He
sometimes speaks of his promise to give the children of Israel the land
of Canaan, as being made by swearing, and at others, as made by the
lifting up of his hand.[42] And accordingly, like Abraham, who in
lifting up his hand in reference to the goods that had belonged to the
king of Sodom, unquestionably sware an oath, all who warrantably swear,
make oath with the right hand lifted up towards heaven.

The swearing of an oath is a devotional exercise. Every act performed in
holding intercourse with God is religious; and therefore this. The
performance of it is introduced along with that of other actions that
certainly imply the rendering of religious homage. "Thou shalt fear the
Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name." It is
included in the exercises that embody the worship of God. Parallel to
the last quoted passage is this which follows. "Him shall ye fear, and
him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice." To swear by his
name is not to do sacrifice; and is therefore to perform another part of
his worship. The oath was wont to come before the altar of the Lord,
where sacred services alone should be performed. As a form of calling on
the name of God, it was associated with the exercise of giving thanks to
him, and is regarded as a tender of devout obedience to him by him who
said, "Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."

In the oath is implied a condensed adoration. It is made to God as
distinguished from every creature, and recognises the whole revealed
glory of his character. Whatever be the warranted form of the oath, it
is made to the same all-glorious Being, and presents to him one
celebration of his infinitely transcendent excellence. Declaring to him
that the Lord liveth, it owns his wondrous self-existence. Offered to
Him that liveth fo