Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v22550

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 10KB | 167 lines

22556
 * This psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to
 him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a
 King ruling in it, and for it.

 #1-5 The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as
 the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching
 the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that
 this good matter is not more the subject of our discourse. There
 is more in Christ to engage our love, than there is or can be in
 any creature. This world and its charms are ready to draw away
 our hearts from Christ; therefore we are concerned to understand
 how much more worthy he is of our love. By his word, his
 promise, his gospel, the good will of God is made known to us,
 and the good work of God is begun and carried on in us. The
 psalmist, ver. #3-5|, joyfully foretells the progress and
 success of the Messiah. The arrows of conviction are very
 terrible in the hearts of sinners, till they are humbled and
 reconciled; but the arrows of vengeance will be more so to his
 enemies who refuse to submit. All who have seen his glory and
 tasted his grace, rejoice to see him, by his word and Spirit,
 bring enemies and strangers under his dominion.

22561
 #6-9 The throne of this almighty King is established for ever.
 While the Holy Spirit leads Christ's people to look to his
 cross, he teaches them to see the evil of sin and the beauty of
 holiness; so that none of them can feel encouragement to
 continue in sin. The Mediator is God, else he had been neither
 able to do the Mediator's work, nor fit to wear the Mediator's
 crown. God the Father, as his God in respect to his human nature
 and mediatorial offices, has given to him the Holy Spirit
 without measure. Thus anointed to be a Prophet, Priest, and
 King, Christ has pre-eminence in the gladdening gifts and graces
 of the spirit, and from his fulness communicates them to his
 brethren in human nature. The Spirit is called the oil of
 gladness, because of the delight wherewith Christ was filled, in
 carrying on his undertaking. The salvation of sinners is the
 joy of angels, much more of the Son. And in proportion as we are
 conformed to his holy image, we may expect the gladdening
 influences of the Comforter. The excellences of the Messiah, the
 suitableness of his offices, and the sufficiency of his grace,
 seem to be intended by the fragrance of his garments. The church
 formed of true believers, is here compared to the queen, whom,
 by an everlasting covenant, the Lord Jesus has betrothed to
 himself. This is the bride, the Lamb's wife, whose graces are
 compared to fine linen, for their purity; to gold, for their
 costliness: for as we owe our redemption, so we owe our
 adorning, to the precious blood of the Son of God.
22565
 #10-17 If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to
 Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments
 and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all
 idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart.
 And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former
 alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on
 particular believers, is, in the sight of Christ, of great
 price, and very amiable. The work of grace is the workmanship of
 the Spirit, it is the image of Christ upon the soul, a partaking
 of the Divine nature. It is clear of all sin, there is none in
 it, nor any comes from it. There is nothing glorious in the old
 man or corrupt nature; but in the new man, or work of grace upon
 the soul, every thing is glorious. The robe of Christ's
 righteousness, which he has wrought out for his church, the
 Father imputes unto her, and bestows upon her. None are brought
 to Christ, but those whom the Father brings. This notes the
 conversion of souls to him. The robe of righteousness, and
 garments of salvation, the change of raiment Christ has put upon
 her. Such as strictly cleave to Christ, loving him in singleness
 of heart, are companions of the bride, who partake of the very
 same grace, enjoy the same privileges, and share in one common
 salvation. These, every one, shall be brought to the King; not
 one lost or left behind. Instead of the Old Testament church,
 there shall be a New Testament church, a Gentile church. In the
 believing hope of our everlasting happiness in the other world,
 let us always keep up the remembrance of Christ, as our only way
 thither; and transmit the remembrance of him to succeeding
 generations, that his name may endure for ever.
22573
 * Confidence in God. (1-5) An exhortation to behold it. (6-11)

 #1-5 This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his
 power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church
 in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and
 the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be
 conquerors over them. He is a Help, a present Help, a Help
 found, one whom we have found to be so; a Help at hand, one that
 is always near; we cannot desire a better, nor shall we ever
 find the like in any creature. Let those be troubled at the
 troubling of the waters, who build their confidence on a
 floating foundation; but let not those be alarmed who are led to
 the Rock, and there find firm footing. Here is joy to the
 church, even in sorrowful times. The river alludes to the graces
 and consolations of the Holy Spirit, which flow through every
 part of the church, and through God's sacred ordinances,
 gladdening the heart of every believer. It is promised that the
 church shall not be moved. If God be in our hearts, by his word
 dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be
 helped; let us trust and not be afraid.

22578
 #6-11 Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and
 stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the
 church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for
 the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent
 submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign.
 Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the
 God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us; and will be our
 Refuge. Mark this, take the comfort, and say, If God be for us,
 who can be against us? With this, through life and in death, let
 us answer every fear.
22584
 * The people exhorted to praise God.

 #1-4 The God with whom we have to do, is a God of awful majesty.
 The universal and absolute sovereignty of a holy God would be
 too terrible for us even to think of, were it not exercised by
 his Son from a mercy-seat; but now it is only terrible to the
 workers of iniquity. While his people express confidence and
 joy, and animate each other in serving him, let sinners submit
 to his authority, and accept his salvation. Jesus Christ shall
 subdue the Gentiles; he shall bring them as sheep into the fold,
 not for slaughter, but for preservation. He shall subdue their
 affections, and make them a willing people in the day of his
 power. Also it speaks of his giving them rest and settlement.
 Apply this spiritually; the Lord himself has undertaken to be
 the inheritance of his people. It shows the faith and submission
 of the saints. This is the language of every gracious soul, The
 Lord shall choose my inheritance for me; he knows what is good
 for me better than I do.

22588
 #5-9 Praise is a duty in which we ought to be frequent and
 abundant. But here is a needful rule; Sing ye praises with
 understanding. As those that understand why and for what reasons
 they praise God, and what is the meaning of the service. It is
 not an acceptable service, if it is not a reasonable service. We
 are never to forget the end of Messiah's exaltation, so
 continually do the prophets dwell upon the conversion of the
 nations to the gospel of Christ. Why do we vainly fancy that we
 belong to him, unless the Spirit reign in our hearts by faith?
 Lord, is it not thy glory and delight to give repentance to
 Israel and remission of sins, now that thou art exalted as a
 Prince and a Saviour? Set up thy kingdom in our hearts. Bring
 into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. And so
 sweetly constrain all the powers and faculties of the souls of
 thy redeemed, into holy love, fear, and delight in thee, that
 praise with the understanding may rise from every heart, both
 here and for ever, to Thee, our God.
22593
 * The glories of the church of Christ.

 #1-7 Jerusalem is the city of our God: none on earth render him
 due honour except the citizens of the spiritual Jerusalem. Happy
 the kingdom, the city, the family, the heart, in which God is
 great, in which he is all. There God is known. The clearer
 discoveries are made to us of the Lord and his greatness, the
 more it is expected that we should abound in his praises. The
 earth is, by sin, covered with deformity, therefore justly might
 that spot of ground, which was beautified with holiness, be
 called the joy of the whole earth; that which the whole earth
 has reason to rejoice in, that God would thus in very deed dwell
 with man upon the earth. The kings of the earth were afraid of
 it. Nothing in nature can more fitly represent the overthrow of
 heathenism by the Spirit of the gospel, than the wreck of a
 fleet in a storm. Both are by the mighty power of the Lord.