By Henry Law
All praise is due to God, for all He is--for all that He has done. May we begin the praise which shall not end!
1, 2, 3. "Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise him. Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing new songs of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy."
When we realize the blessings of salvation, we must feel that every breath should praise the Lord; and our whole life should be thanksgiving. We should awaken every power, and enlist all art to magnify His name. This service is God's due, and should be duly rendered.
4, 5. "For the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."
His Word, His works call loudly for this tribute. They dazzle with the luster of perfection. It must be so, for they spring from a fountain which is pure holiness. Survey the earth in all its marvelous variety. Each object, seen by faith's enlightened eye, shows the impress of benevolence.
6, 7, 8, 9. "The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command."
We adore the glory of the eternal Trinity. We adore the Word, co-eternal and co-efficient with the Father. By Him were all things made, and without Him was not anything made that was made. We adore the Spirit moving upon the face of the waters. We adore triune omnipotence. Without effort or tedious process the word is spoken, and all creation bolts into life, confirmed in perfect beauty. Who will not reverence such glorious power? Throughout earth's length and breadth, man's posture should be reverence and awe.
10, 11. "The Lord brings the counsel of the heathen to nothing; He makes the devices of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations."
But man in proud madness plots against Almightiness. The result has ever been the same. God's glory shines more gloriously. Opponents perish in shame and merited confusion. So it must ever be. The glories of eternity, the hallelujahs of the ransomed, will proclaim that all His purposes have triumphed; that all His plans have prospered; that all His people are forever saved; that all His foes are brought to nothing.
12. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance."
Among the multitudes of earth, happy are those who reject all idols and all vain confidence, and choose the Lord to be their God. They are blessed beyond what word can speak, or thought conceive. They are the loved from eternity. They are the called of the Spirit. They choose Him because He first chose them. They fly to Him, because He bends their will, and gives them power.
13, 14, 15. "The Lord looks from heaven; He beholds all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts alike; He considers all their works."
An eye from heaven pervades the world. It penetrates all space and looks internally into every breast. There is no heart which His hand framed not. And every step is exposed to His omniscience.
16, 17. "The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--for all its strength, it cannot save you."
Real strength is not in earthly things. Those who seek help below the heavens seek it from a source too low. God only is real power. Much more will they find disappointment who trust to self in matters of salvation. Christ wrought it out. Christ only gives.
18, 19. "Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope in His mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine."
God's children have most beautiful lineaments (or features). They reverently fear; they confidently trust. They are well known in heaven. He who gave grace, discerns it. They may be brought into distress, but they come forth uninjured. At last they reach the haven of eternal life.
20, 21, 22. "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him; because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in You."
Faith is a happy grace. Indeed, no true joy lives except as springing from this root. Is it not joy to feel equipped against every foe? What can injure those who have God for their shield? What can effectually resist those who have God for their help?
But in all joy faith is most humble. In its most lofty song, it bows the knee. In its most happy hope it cries for mercy. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in You. Such is our prayer. Let speedy answers come!
