Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v23450

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 7KB | 122 lines

23452
 #4-9 Let all the children of men rejoice in the setting up the
 kingdom of Christ, for all may benefit by it. The different
 orders of rational creatures in the universe, seem to be
 described in figurative language in the reign of the great
 Messiah. The kingdom of Christ will be a blessing to the whole
 creation. We expect his second coming to begin his glorious
 reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the
 redeemed shall be full. But sin and its dreadful effects will
 not be utterly done away, till the Lord come to judge the world
 in righteousness. Seeing then that we look for such things, let
 us give diligence that we may be found of him in peace, without
 spot, and blameless.
23458
 * The happy government God's people are under. (1-5) Its happy
 administration. (6-9)

 #1-5 God governs the world by his providence, governs the church
 by his grace, and both by his Son. The inhabitants of the earth
 have cause to tremble, but the Redeemer still waits to be
 gracious. Let all who hear, take warning, and seek his mercy.
 The more we humble ourselves before God, the more we exalt him;
 and let us be thus reverent, for he is holy.

23463
 #6-9 The happiness of Israel is made out by referring to the
 most useful governors of that people. They in every thing made
 God's word and law their rule, knowing that they could not else
 expect that their prayers should be answered. They all
 wonderfully prevailed with God in prayer; miracles were wrought
 at their request. They pleaded for the people, and obtained
 answers of peace. Our Prophet and High Priest, of infinitely
 greater dignity than Moses, Aaron, or Samuel, has received and
 declared to us the will of the Father. Let us not only exalt the
 Lord with our lips, but give him the throne in our heart; and
 while we worship him upon his mercy-seat, let us never forget
 that he is holy.
23467
 * An exhortation to praise God, and rejoice in him.

 - This song of praise should be considered as a prophecy, and
 even used as a prayer, for the coming of that time when all
 people shall know that the Lord he is God, and shall become his
 worshippers, and the sheep of his pasture. Great encouragement
 is given us, in worshipping God, to do it cheerfully. If, when
 we strayed like wandering sheep, he has brought us again to his
 fold, we have indeed abundant cause to bless his name. The
 matter of praise, and the motives to it, are very important.
 Know ye what God is in himself, and what he is to you. Know it;
 consider and apply it, then you will be more close and constant,
 more inward and serious, in his worship. The covenant of grace
 set down in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, with so
 many rich promises, to strengthen the faith of every weak
 believer, makes the matter of God's praise and of his people's
 joys so sure, that how sad soever our spirits may be when we
 look to ourselves, yet we shall have reason to praise the Lord
 when we look to his goodness and mercy, and to what he has said
 in his word for our comfort.
23472
 * David's vow and profession of godliness.

 - In this psalm we have David declaring how he intended to
 regulate his household, and to govern his kingdom, that he might
 stop wickedness, and encourage godliness. It is also applicable
 to private families, and is the householder's psalm. It teaches
 all that have any power, whether more or less, to use it so as
 to be a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well.
 The chosen subject of the psalm is God's mercy and judgment. The
 Lord's providences concerning his people are commonly mixed;
 mercy and judgment. God has set the one over against the other,
 both to do good, like showers and sunshine. When, in his
 providence, he exercises us with the mixture of mercy and
 judgment, we must make suitable acknowledgments to him for both.
 Family mercies and family afflictions are both calls to family
 religion. Those who are in public stations are not thereby
 excused from care in governing their families; they are the more
 concerned to set a good example of ruling their own houses well.
 Whenever a man has a house of his own, let him seek to have God
 to dwell with him; and those may expect his presence, who walk
 with a perfect heart, in a perfect way. David resolves to
 practise no evil himself. He further resolves not to keep bad
 servants, nor to employ those about him that are wicked. He will
 not admit them into his family, lest they spread the infection
 of sin. A froward heart, one that delights to be cross and
 perverse, is not fit for society, the bond of which is Christian
 love. Nor will he countenance slanderers, those who take
 pleasure in wounding their neighbour's reputation. Also, God
 resists the proud, and false, deceitful people, who scruple not
 to tell lies, or commit frauds. Let every one be zealous and
 diligent to reform his own heart and ways, and to do this early;
 ever mindful of that future, most awful morning, when the King
 of righteousness shall cut off all wicked doers from the
 heavenly Jerusalem.
23480
 * A sorrowful complaint of great afflictions. (1-11)
 Encouragement by expecting the performances of God's promises to
 his church. (12-22) The unchangeableness of God. (23-28)

 #1-11 The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer;
 but here, as often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has put words into
 our mouths. Here is a prayer put into the hands of the
 afflicted; let them present it to God. Even good men may be
 almost overwhelmed with afflictions. It is our duty and interest
 to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted spirit to unburden
 itself, by a humble representation of its griefs. We must say,
 Blessed be the name of the Lord, who both gives and takes away.
 The psalmist looked upon himself as a dying man; My days are
 like a shadow.
23491
 #12-22 We are dying creatures, but God is an everlasting God,
 the protector of his church; we may be confident that it will
 not be neglected. When we consider our own vileness, our
 darkness and deadness, and the manifold defects in our prayers,
 we have cause to fear that they will not be received in heaven;
 but we are here assured of the contrary, for we have an Advocate
 with the Father, and are under grace, not under the law.
 Redemption is the subject of praise in the Christian church; and
 that great work is described by the temporal deliverance and
 restoration of Israel. Look down upon us, Lord Jesus; and bring
 us into the glorious liberty of thy children, that we may bless
 and praise thy name.