Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc24/v24150

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 112 lines

24155
 * God to be praised as the Creator of the world. (1-9) As
 Israel's God and Saviour. (10-22) For his blessings to all.
 (23-26)

 #1-9 Forgetful as we are, things must be often repeated to us.
 By "mercy" we understand the Lord's disposition to save those
 whom sin has rendered miserable and vile, and all the provision
 he has made for the redemption of sinners by Jesus Christ. The
 counsels of this mercy have been from everlasting, and the
 effects of it will endure for ever, to all who are interested in
 it. The Lord continues equally ready to show mercy to all who
 seek for it, and this is the source of all our hope and comfort.

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 #10-22 The great things God did for Israel, when he brought them
 out of Egypt, were mercies which endured long to them; and our
 redemption by Christ, which was typified thereby, endures for
 ever. It is good to enter into the history of God's favours, and
 in each to observe, and own, that his mercy endureth for ever.
 He put them in possession of a good land; it was a figure of the
 mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 #23-26 God's everlasting mercy is here praised for the
 redemption of his church; in all his glories, and all his gifts.
 Blessed be God, who has provided and made known to us salvation
 through his Son. May we know and feel his redeeming power, that
 we may serve him in righteousness all our days. May He who
 giveth food to all flesh, feed our souls unto eternal life, and
 enliven our affections by his grace, that we may give thanks and
 praise to his holy name, for his mercy endureth for ever. Let us
 trace up all the favours we receive to this true source, and
 offer praise continually.
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 * The Jews bewail their captivity. (1-4) Their affection for
 Jerusalem. (5-9)

 #1-4 Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own
 land. To complete their woes, they insulted over them; they
 required of them mirth and a song. This was very barbarous; also
 profane, for no songs would serve but the songs of Zion.
 Scoffers are not to be compiled with. They do not say, How shall
 we sing, when we are so much in sorrow? but, It is the Lord's
 song, therefore we dare not sing it among idolaters.

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 #5-9 What we love, we love to think of. Those that rejoice in
 God, for his sake make Jerusalem their joy. They stedfastly
 resolved to keep up this affection. When suffering, we should
 recollect with godly sorrow our forfeited mercies, and our sins
 by which we lost them. If temporal advantages ever render a
 professor satisfied at a distance from the ordinances
 of God,or ashamed of his profession, the worst calamity has
 befallen him. Far be it from us to avenge ourselves; we will
 leave it to Him who has said, Vengeance is mine. Those that are
 glad at calamities, especially at the calamities of Jerusalem,
 shall not go unpunished. We cannot pray for promised success
 to the church of God without looking to, though we do not
 utter a prayer for, the ruin of her enemies. But let us call to
 mind to whose grace and finished salvation alone it is, that
 we have any hopes of being brought home to the heavenly Jerusalem.
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 * The psalmist praises God for answering prayer. (1-5) The
 Lord's dealing with the humble and the proud. (6-8)

 #1-5 When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be
 unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy
 in him. Those who rely on his loving-kindness and truth through
 Jesus Christ, will ever find him faithful to his word. If he
 spared not his own Son, how shall he not with him freely give us
 all things? If God gives us strength in our souls, to bear the
 burdens, resist the temptations, and to do the duties of an
 afflicted state, if he strengthens us to keep hold of himself by
 faith, and to wait with patience for the event, we are bound to
 be thankful.

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 #6-8 Though the Lord is high, yet he has respect to every lowly,
 humbled sinner; but the proud and unbelieving will be banished
 far from his blissful presence. Divine consolations have enough
 in them to revive us, even when we walk in the midst of
 troubles. And God will save his own people that they may be
 revived by the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness. If
 we give to God the glory of his mercy, we may take to ourselves
 the comfort. This confidence will not do away, but quicken
 prayer. Whatever good there is in us, it is God works in us both
 to will and to do. The Lord will perfect the salvation of every
 true believer, and he will never forsake those whom he has
 created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works.
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 * God knows all things. (1-6) He is every where present. (7-16)
 The psalmist's hatred to sin, and desire to be led aright.
 (17-24)

 #1-6 God has perfect knowledge of us, and all our thoughts and
 actions are open before him. It is more profitable to meditate
 on Divine truths, applying them to our own cases, and with
 hearts lifted to God in prayer, than with a curious or disputing
 frame of mind. That God knows all things, is omniscient; that he
 is every where, is omnipresent; are truths acknowledged by all,
 yet they are seldom rightly believed in by mankind. God takes
 strict notice of every step we take, every right step and every
 by-step. He knows what rule we walk by, what end we walk toward,
 what company we walk with. When I am withdrawn from all company,
 thou knowest what I have in my heart. There is not a vain word,
 not a good word, but thou knowest from what thought it came, and
 with what design it was uttered. Wherever we are, we are under
 the eye and hand of God. We cannot by searching find how God
 searches us out; nor do we know how we are known. Such thoughts
 should restrain us from sin.