Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The psalmist says that when he
considers the king of kings, he is deeply moved in his very
soul to praise and extol him. He says that his tongue is as
the pen of a ready writer, or as one prepared and diligent
to magnify and exalt the Lord for all of his perfections. The
writer of Hebrews says much the same thing when he exhorts the
saints. By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise
to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving
thanks to his name. He is the object of the rejoicing
and the praise of the saints in all ages. But thou art holy,
O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted
in thee, they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. The psalmist
was a man acquainted with the praise of God, and the words
praise, praises, and praising appear there 182 times. The book of Psalms ends with
this verse, Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord. It is very unfortunate that the
term Praise the Lord has become just a catchphrase that can be
heard in common conversation with little regard given to the
true concept of praise which the psalmist sets forth. It even
became the name of a television show hosted by one of the most
skillful charlatans and fleecers of sheep in the annals of Christendom.
It is most often used in reference to any bit of good fortune which
they might experience. While there is certainly nothing
wrong with a proper praising of God for those daily mercies
which He is pleased to extend to us, yet true praise is not
primarily concerned with events of good fortune which are the
result of His kind providence. The praise of which the psalmist
speaks is primarily and chiefly concerned with the consideration
of the perfections and performance of him who is ordained as the
deliverer and redeemer of his chosen flock. This ready writer
begins his declaration by saying, Thou art fairer than the children
of men. Indeed, he was in all points
tempted, like as we are, yet without sin. Then he says, Grace
is poured into thy lips, and the word was made flesh, and
dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory. The glory is of the
only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Next
he says, Therefore God hath blessed thee forever. Wherefore, God
also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is
above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, things in heaven, things in earth, and things under the
earth, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
The Ready Writer continues, Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O Most
Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And you being dead in
your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, have he quickened
together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses, blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his
cross. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of
them openly, triumphing over them in it. Has there ever been
any greater triumph or victory? This ready rider is not done
yet. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies,
whereby the people fall under thee. Is this not that one who
comes from Edom with thine garments from Basra, who says, I have
trodden the winepress alone, and of the people there was none
with me? For I will tread them in mine anger and trample them
in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments,
and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in
mine heart, and the year of my redeeming has come. The ready
writer next declares, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.
The scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter. There is no
doubt as to this King's deity, nor the scope of his reign. Yet
if I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion, how beautiful upon
the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth. Next, this ready writer says,
Thy lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness. Therefore
God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above
thy fellows. Behold, a virgin shall conceive
and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and
honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and choose
the good. The Lord is so vitally united
to His bride that He sees her in His own righteousness, and
she rejoices in the same. His bride is His body, the fullness
of Him that filleth all in all. This ready rider glories in the
righteousness of the bride. The king's daughter is all glorious
within. Her clothing is of wrought gold.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Now unto the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and
glory for ever and ever. Amen.