_I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord._ A PIOUS PATRIOT I. Rejoicing in the opportunity for assembling for public worship (verses 1, 2). 1. One of the grandest social duties of religious men--to invite their neighbours to religious worship. 2. The delight that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem._ JERUSALEM The psalm was probably written by a pilgrim to Jerusalem at some time previous to the Babylonish Captivity. On the one hand, it is clear that “the house of the Lord,” the ancient Temple, was still standing; on the other, the reference... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whither the tribes go up._ THE CHURCH THE CENTRE OF UNION The church is still the centre of union. To this sacred place the tribes of God are ever going up, in accordance with the Divine statute, “to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.” All local peculiarities, all national distinctions, vanish... [ Continue Reading ]
_For there are set thrones of judgment._ TRUE WORSHIP AND CORRECT THINKING The words of our text are the very last we should expect to find in a psalm of praise and adoration. What had thrones of judgment, the place where disputes were settled, and deeds justified or condemned, to do with pilgrims... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pray for the peace of Jerusalem._ THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH I. Wherein the good of the Church consists. 1. Peace. Not that which results from mere inertness or indifference, but that which co-exists with the highest degree of spiritual life and energy; a peace which springs from unanimity, all bein... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peace be within thy walls._ THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY OF JERUSALEM The leading elements which constitute a prosperous Church are-- I. Purity of doctrine. It is fashionable to sneer at doctrine, to talk flippantly about “gnawing at the dry bones of doctrine,” to endorse the sentiment of the poet w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good._ CHRISTIAN PATRIOTISM I. The Christian’s patriotic vow. 1. He will honour the King. 2. He will obey the laws, not merely for wrath, but for conscience sake. 3. He will use his influence to promote obedience in others. 4. He will p... [ Continue Reading ]