By Henry Law
This hymn has been, and still is, the delight of Christian hearts. Its pervading note is a call to adoring praise. Praise is due to our God, because of His sovereignty, and His tender care. May praise ever fill our hearts and dwell on our lips!
1-2. "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing."
Throughout the length and breadth of the earth the praises of God should be the joyful sound. The feeling should be mighty in our hearts, and should swell in no feeble strain. It should be our chief joy to render service to the Lord. His people are called to dwell in realms of happiness. Their whole existence should give a good report of His gracious dealings. His worship should be their constant pleasure-ground; it should resound with notes of melody and thanksgiving. Eternity will be too short fully to recount His praise. Let us not shorten our joy by neglecting to begin on earth.
3. "Know that the Lord is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture."
It is good to call others to the knowledge of the Lord. This is a wondrous theme, and well demands our utmost powers. In the first place we should commend His glorious supremacy. But who can tell His essence as God! His name is opened out to us in His blessed attributes. Each calls us to proclaim Him in varied terms. We live on earth; wondrous is the thought! Where did we acquire our being? His will called us from nothingness to be living souls. The breath of life is entirely His gift. Let us never forget that we are His by creative power. But we are His forever by His covenant-engagements. He has chosen us to be His favored flock. He has selected us to be the sheep of His pasture. It is through His distinguishing grace that we are brought to revel in the rich pastures of Gospel-truth, and to draw water with joy out of the wells of salvation.
4-5. "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations."
Shall we not then throng His courts with praise, and cause His sanctuary to resound with adorations! Again and again topics of praise abound around us. With joyful lips let us speak of all His goodness. It is unsearchable, unmerited, infinite, everlasting. Let us here begin the testimony which can never end. From age to age His truth shall live; from age to age let joyful lips proclaim it! Amen.
