_O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth._ A SUPREME EXISTENCE AND A SUPREME SERVICE I. A supreme existence. 1. Great in His nature--in power, intellect, heart. 2. Great in His work. “Made the heavens.” 3. Great in His character. 4. Great in His government. II. A su... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised._ GOD’S PRAISE The greatness or majesty of God is the prominent thing dwelt on in this psalm; but it may be dealt with in a larger and more comprehensive way. I. The duty of praise. The psalmist calls upon us to sing. It honours God not only that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary._ STRENGTH AND BEAUTY Christianity alone has combined the two ideals of the world. Strength and beauty are diverse, but not contradictory. Yet we seldom find them united in the national ideals of ancient or modern times. “Thy sons, O Zion!” cried one of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come into His courts._ PUBLIC WORSHIP I. Prayer. As we all have religious feelings to express, sins to acknowledge, mercies temporal and spiritual for which to give thanks, evils to feel or fear, with regard to ourselves and o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth._ THE MESSAGE TO THE HEATHEN WORLD I. Its meaning. 1. As the utterance of Jewish faith and joy. (1) The supremacy of Jehovah above all others called gods and worshipped. (2) His dominion over all the elements and agencies of nature. (3) His supreme... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord._ A SUMMER HOMILY ON THE TREES I. The lessons from the characteristics common to all trees. 1. This is the first thing we learn from the trees of the wood: life, growth, effort after perfection, suggesting to us what we are here for.... [ Continue Reading ]