_Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands._ PROVIDENCE The real theme of this psalm is in the last section: it is a psalm of thanksgiving for a special mercy experienced by an individual. But the account of this special providence is prefaced by two sections descriptive of the providence of God... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the earth shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thee._ THE WORLD’S CONVERSION I. The glorious and auspicious prospect which is here opened to our view. All the earth shall worship Jehovah, and shall sing unto His name. II. All objections to the fulfilment of this declaration are triumphantl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come and see the works of God._ THE ETERNAL RULER OF THE UNIVERSE I. As an object for human study. “Come and see the works of God.” 1. The highest study of man is God. All other studies, unless they lead up to Him, are worse than useless. (1) The study of God is the most quickening. It stirs th... [ Continue Reading ]
_He ruleth by His power for ever: His eyes behold the nations._ THE NATURE AND DESIGN OF MORAL GOVERNMENT Everything around points us to a law or rule, by which creation is governed, and this implies a mind that cannot work in vain. But against this, “the rebellious exalt themselves.” And they do... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved._ THE SAFETY OF THE SAINTS Now_, _in these words we notice-- I. The life. “He holdeth our soul in life.” This is-- 1. A life of purity in opposition to sin. 2. Of plenty in opposition to a life of poverty. 3. Of godly exer... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Thou, O God, hast proved us; Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried._ THE SOUL’S PURIFICATION BY SUFFERING A most natural question--one asked by tried hearts in every age since the world began--is, Why, if there be a God, a merciful God, does He permit all these repeated and accumulated suffer... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads._ THE RAGE OF OPPRESSION God hath another intent than man hath, even in man’s work. The Chaldeans steal Job’s wealth to enrich themselves; the devil afflicts his body in his hatred to mankind; God suffers all this for the trial of his patience. Man for c... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings; I will pay Thee my vows._ RELIGIOUS INDIVIDUALISM Here is a deep conscious selfhood; the speaker is concerned with his own feelings and his own obligations to God. It is all “I.” Men can never feel too deeply their religious selfhood, feel that they... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul._ GODLINESS I. In social talk. “Come and hear,” etc. 1. The subject of a good man’s talk. What is it? The kindness of God to him. “What He hath done for my soul.” He hath enlightened me, renovated my nature, re... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me._ THE PETITIONS OF THE INSINCERE UNAVAILING I. Consider what is implied in regarding iniquity in the heart. The words do not point to open, profane and scandalous sinners. But there are many who maintain a fair character before men, who,... [ Continue Reading ]