mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 97.xml

<div2 id="Ps.xcviii" n="xcviii" next="Ps.xcix" prev="Ps.xcvii" progress="55.50%" title="Chapter XCVII">
<h2 id="Ps.xcviii-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.xcviii-p0.2">PSALM XCVII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.xcviii-p1">This psalm dwells upon the same subject, and is
set to the same tune, with the foregoing psalm. Christ is the Alpha
and the Omega of both; they are both penned, and are both to be
sung to his honour; and we make nothing of them if we do not, in
them, make melody with our hearts to the Lord Jesus. He it is that
reigns, to the joy of all mankind (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.1" parsed="|Ps|97|1|0|0" passage="Ps 97:1">ver.
1</scripRef>); and his government speaks, I. Terror to his enemies;
for he is a prince of inflexible justice and irresistible power,
<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97 Bible:Ps.2" parsed="|Ps|97|0|0|0;|Ps|2|0|7|0" passage="Ps 97 2-7">ver. 2-7</scripRef>. II. Comfort to
his friends and loyal subjects, arising from his sovereign
dominion, the care he takes of his people, and the provision he
makes for them, <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.8-Ps.97.12" parsed="|Ps|97|8|97|12" passage="Ps 97:8-12">ver.
8-12</scripRef>. In singing this psalm we must be affected with the
glory of the exalted Redeemer, must dread the lot of his enemies,
and think ourselves happy if we are of those that "kiss the
son."</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.xcviii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97" parsed="|Ps|97|0|0|0" passage="Ps 97" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.xcviii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.1-Ps.97.7" parsed="|Ps|97|1|97|7" passage="Ps 97:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.97.1-Ps.97.7">
<h4 id="Ps.xcviii-p1.6">Righteousness and Glory of the Divine
Government; Establishment of Christ's Kingdom.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xcviii-p2">1 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcviii-p2.1">Lord</span>
reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad
<i>thereof.</i>   2 Clouds and darkness <i>are</i> round about
him: righteousness and judgment <i>are</i> the habitation of his
throne.   3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his
enemies round about.   4 His lightnings enlightened the world:
the earth saw, and trembled.   5 The hills melted like wax at
the presence of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcviii-p2.2">Lord</span>, at the
presence of the Lord of the whole earth.   6 The heavens
declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.  
7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast
themselves of idols: worship him, all <i>ye</i> gods.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p3">What was to be said among the heathen in
the foregoing psalm (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.10" parsed="|Ps|96|10|0|0" passage="Ps 96:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>) is here said again (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.1" parsed="|Ps|97|1|0|0" passage="Ps 97:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>) and is made the subject of this
psalm, and of <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.99.1-Ps.99.9" parsed="|Ps|99|1|99|9" passage="Ps 99:1-9">psalm xcix</scripRef>.
<i>The Lord reigns;</i> that is the great truth here laid down. The
Lord Jehovah reigns, he that made the world governs it; he that
gave being gives motion and power, gives law and commission, gives
success and event. Every man's judgment proceeds from the Lord,
from his counsel and providence, and in all affairs, both public
and private, he performs the thing which he himself has appointed.
The Lord Jesus reigns; the providential kingdom is twisted in with
the mediatorial and the administration of both is in the hand of
Christ, who therefore is both the <i>head of the church</i> and
<i>head over all things to the church.</i> The kingdom of Christ is
so constituted that,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p4">I. It may be matter of joy to all; and it
will be so if it be not their own fault. <i>Let the earth
rejoice,</i> for hereby it is <i>established</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.10" parsed="|Ps|96|10|0|0" passage="Ps 96:10">Ps. xcvi. 10</scripRef>); it is honoured and
enriched, and, in part, rescued from the vanity which by sin it is
made subject to. Not only let the people of Israel rejoice in him
as King of the Jews, and the daughter of Zion as her King, but let
all the earth rejoice in his elevation; for the kingdoms of the
world shall, more or less, sooner or later, become his kingdoms:
<i>Let the multitude of isles,</i> the many or great isles, <i>be
glad thereof.</i> This is applicable to our country, which is a
great isle, and has many belonging to it; at least, it speaks
comfort in general to the Gentiles, whose countries are called
<i>the isles of the Gentiles,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.10.5" parsed="|Gen|10|5|0|0" passage="Ge 10:5">Gen.
x. 5</scripRef>. There is enough in Christ for the multitude of the
isles to rejoice in; for, though many have been made happy in him,
yet still there is room. All have reason to rejoice in Christ's
government. 1. In the equity of it. There is an incontestable
justice in all the acts of his government, both legislative and
judicial. Sometimes indeed <i>clouds and darkness are round about
him;</i> his dispensations are altogether unaccountable; <i>his way
is in the sea and his path in the great waters.</i> We are not
aware of what he designs, what he drives at; nor is it fit that we
should be let into the secrets of his government. There is a depth
in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom. But still
<i>righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne;</i>
a golden thread of justice runs through the whole web of his
administration. In this he resides, for it is his habitation. In
this he rules, for it is <i>the habitation of his throne. His
commandments are,</i> and will be, <i>all righteous. Righteousness
and judgment are the basis of his throne</i> (so Dr. Hammond); for
<i>therefore</i> his <i>throne is for ever and ever,</i> because
his <i>sceptre is a right sceptre,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.45.6" parsed="|Ps|45|6|0|0" passage="Ps 45:6">Ps. xlv. 6</scripRef>. <i>The throne is established in
righteousness.</i> Even <i>the heavens declare his
righteousness</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.6" parsed="|Ps|97|6|0|0" passage="Ps 97:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>); it is as conspicuous and as illustrious as the
heavens themselves. The angels of heaven will declare it, who are
employed as messengers in the administration of his government and
therefore know more of it than any of his creatures. His
righteousness is incontestable; for who can contradict or dispute
what the <i>heavens declare?</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.50.6" parsed="|Ps|50|6|0|0" passage="Ps 50:6">Ps. l.
6</scripRef>. 2. In the extent of it in the upper and lower world.
(1.) All the men on earth are under his government; either he is
served by them or he serves himself by them. <i>All the people see
his glory,</i> or may see it. The glory of God, in the face of
Christ, was made to shine in distant countries, among many people,
more or less among all people; the gospel was preached, for aught
we know, in all languages, <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.5 Bible:Acts.2.11" parsed="|Acts|2|5|0|0;|Acts|2|11|0|0" passage="Ac 2:5,11">Acts ii.
5, 11</scripRef>. Miracles were wrought in all nations, and so
<i>all the people saw his glory. Have they not heard?</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Rom.10.18" parsed="|Rom|10|18|0|0" passage="Ro 10:18">Rom. x. 18</scripRef>. (2.) All the angels in
heaven are so. Perhaps we should not have found this truth in those
words (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.7" parsed="|Ps|97|7|0|0" passage="Ps 97:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>),
<i>Worship him, all you gods,</i> if we had not been directed to it
by the inspired apostle, who, from the Septuagint version of those
words, makes the Messiah to be introduced into the upper world at
the ascension with this charge (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.9" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.6" parsed="|Heb|1|6|0|0" passage="Heb 1:6">Heb. i.
6</scripRef>), <i>Let all the angels of God worship him,</i> which
helps us to a key to this whole psalm, and shows us that it must be
applied to the exalted Redeemer, who has gone into heaven, <i>and
is on the right hand of God,</i> which intimates that all power is
given him both in heaven and earth, <i>angels, authorities, and
powers, being made subject unto him,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p4.10" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.22" parsed="|1Pet|3|22|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:22">1 Pet. iii. 22</scripRef>. This speaks the honour of
Christ, that he has such worshippers, and the honour of all good
Christians, that they have such fellow-worshippers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p5">II. Christ's government, though it may be
matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some, and it
is their own fault that it is so, <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.3-Ps.97.5 Bible:Ps.97.7" parsed="|Ps|97|3|97|5;|Ps|97|7|0|0" passage="Ps 97:3-5,7"><i>v.</i> 3-5, 7</scripRef>. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p6">1. When the kingdom of Christ was to be set
up in the world, after his ascension, it would meet with many
enemies, and much opposition would be given to it. He that reigns,
to the <i>joy of the whole earth,</i> yet, as he has his subjects,
so he has <i>his enemies</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.3" parsed="|Ps|97|3|0|0" passage="Ps 97:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), that not only will not have him to reign over them,
but would not have him to reign at all, that not only will not
<i>enter into the kingdom of heaven themselves,</i> but do all they
can to <i>hinder those that are entering,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.23.13" parsed="|Matt|23|13|0|0" passage="Mt 23:13">Matt. xxiii. 13</scripRef>. This was fulfilled in the
enmity of the unbelieving Jews to the gospel of Christ, and the
violent persecution which in all places they stirred up against the
preachers and professors of it. These enemies are here called
<i>hills</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.5" parsed="|Ps|97|5|0|0" passage="Ps 97:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>),
for their height, and strength, and immovable obstinacy. It was the
<i>princes of this world</i> that <i>crucified the Lord of
glory,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.2.8 Bible:Ps.2.2" parsed="|1Cor|2|8|0|0;|Ps|2|2|0|0" passage="1Co 2:8,Ps 2:2">1 Cor. ii. 8; Ps. ii.
2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p7">2. The opposition which the Jews gave to
the setting up of Christ's kingdom turned to their own ruin. Their
persecuting the apostles, and <i>forbidding them to speak to the
Gentiles,</i> filled up their sin, and brought <i>wrath upon them
to the uttermost,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.2.15-1Thess.2.16" parsed="|1Thess|2|15|2|16" passage="1Th 2:15,16">1 Thess. ii.
15, 16</scripRef>. That wrath is here compared, (1.) To consuming
fire, which <i>goes before him, and burns up his enemies,</i> that
have made themselves like chaff and stubble, and have <i>set the
briers and thorns before him in battle,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.27.4" parsed="|Isa|27|4|0|0" passage="Isa 27:4">Isa. xxvii. 4</scripRef>. This fire of divine wrath will
not only burn the rubbish upon the hills, but will even <i>melt the
hills</i> themselves <i>like wax,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.5" parsed="|Ps|97|5|0|0" passage="Ps 97:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. When our God appears as a
consuming fire even rocks will be wax before him. The most resolute
and daring opposition will be baffled <i>at the presence of the
Lord.</i> His very presence is enough to shame and sink it, for he
is <i>the Lord of the whole earth,</i> by whom all the children of
men are manageable and to whom they are accountable. Men hate and
persecute God's people, because they think him absent, that the
Lord has <i>forsaken the earth;</i> but, when he manifests his
presence, they melt. (2.) To amazing <i>lightnings</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.4" parsed="|Ps|97|4|0|0" passage="Ps 97:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), which strike a terror
upon many. The judgments God brought upon the enemies of Christ's
kingdom were such as all the world took notice of with terror:
<i>The earth saw and trembled,</i> and the ears of all that heard
were made to tingle. This was fulfilled in the destruction of
Jerusalem and the Jewish nation by the Romans, about forty years
after Christ's resurrection, which, like fire, wholly destroyed
that people, and, like lightning, astonished all their neighbours
(<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.29.24" parsed="|Deut|29|24|0|0" passage="De 29:24">Deut. xxix. 24</scripRef>); but the
heavens declare God's righteousness in it, and all the people, to
this day, see his glory, in those lasting monuments of his justice,
the scattered Jews.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p8">3. Idolaters also would be put to confusion
by the setting up of Christ's kingdom (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.7" parsed="|Ps|97|7|0|0" passage="Ps 97:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Confounded be all those who
serve graven images,</i> the Gentile world, who <i>did service to
those that by nature are no gods</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.4.8" parsed="|Gal|4|8|0|0" passage="Ga 4:8">Gal. iv. 8</scripRef>), who boasted themselves of idols as
their protectors and benefactors. Did those that served idols boast
of them, and shall the servants of the living God distrust him, or
be ashamed of him? <i>Let those be ashamed that serve graven
images.</i> (1.) This is a prayer for the conversion of the
Gentiles, that those who have been so long serving dumb idols may
be convinced of their error, ashamed of their folly, and may, by
the power of Christ's gospel, be brought to serve the only living
and true God, and may be as much ashamed of their idols as ever
they were proud of them. See <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.2.20-Isa.2.21" parsed="|Isa|2|20|2|21" passage="Isa 2:20,21">Isa.
ii. 20, 21</scripRef>. (2.) This is a prophecy of the ruin of those
that would not be reformed and reclaimed from their idolatry; they
shall be confounded by the destruction of Paganism in the Roman
empire, which was fulfilled about 300 years after Christ, so much
to the terror of idolaters that some think it was the revolution
under Constantine that made even the mighty men say to the rocks,
<i>Fall on us and hide us,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Rev.6.15-Rev.6.16" parsed="|Rev|6|15|6|16" passage="Re 6:15,16">Rev.
vi. 15, 16</scripRef>. This prayer and prophecy are still in force
against antichristian idolaters, who may here read their doom:
<i>Confounded be all those that worship graven images,</i>
<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.7" parsed="|Ps|97|7|0|0" passage="Ps 97:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. See <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Jer.48.13" parsed="|Jer|48|13|0|0" passage="Jer 48:13">Jer. xlviii. 13</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.xcviii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.8-Ps.97.12" parsed="|Ps|97|8|97|12" passage="Ps 97:8-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.97.8-Ps.97.12">
<h4 id="Ps.xcviii-p8.8">Zion Rejoicing in the Reign of
Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xcviii-p9">8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of
Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcviii-p9.1">O
Lord</span>.   9 For thou, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcviii-p9.2">Lord</span>, <i>art</i> high above all the earth: thou
art exalted far above all gods.   10 Ye that love the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcviii-p9.3">Lord</span>, hate evil: he preserveth the souls
of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
  11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the
upright in heart.   12 Rejoice in the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcviii-p9.4">Lord</span>, ye righteous; and give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p10">The kingdom of the Messiah, like the pillar
of cloud and fire, as it has a dark side towards the Egyptians, so
it has a bright side towards the Israel of God. It is set up in
spite of opposition; and then <i>the earth saw and trembled</i>
(<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.4" parsed="|Ps|97|4|0|0" passage="Ps 97:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), but <i>Zion
heard and was glad,</i> very glad, to hear of the conversion of
some and of the confusion of others, that is, the conquest of all
that stood it out against Christ. <i>Rejoice greatly, O daughter of
Zion! for behold thy king comes unto thee,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.9.9" parsed="|Zech|9|9|0|0" passage="Zec 9:9">Zech. ix. 9</scripRef>. And not Zion only, where the
temple was, but even <i>the daughters of Judah, rejoiced;</i> the
common people, the inhabitants of the villages, they shall triumph
in Christ's victories. The command (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.1" parsed="|Ps|97|1|0|0" passage="Ps 97:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>) is, <i>Let the earth rejoice;</i>
but it is only the sons of Zion and the daughters of Judah that do
rejoice. All should bid the kingdom of the Messiah welcome, but few
do. Now here observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p11">I. The reasons that are given for Zion's
joy in the government of the Redeemer. The faithful servants of God
may well <i>rejoice</i> and be <i>glad,</i> 1. Because God is
glorified, and whatever redounds to his honour is very much his
people's pleasure. They rejoice <i>because of thy judgments, O
Lord!</i> which may take in both the judgments of his mouth and the
judgments of his hand, the word of his gospel and his works wrought
for the propagating of it, miracles and marvellous providences; for
in these we must own, "<i>Thou, Lord, art high above all the
earth</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.9" parsed="|Ps|97|9|0|0" passage="Ps 97:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>);
thou hast manifested thy sovereignty in the kingdom of nature, and
thy command of all its powers, and thy dominion over all nations,
over all hearts; thou art <i>exalted far above all gods</i>"—all
deputed gods, that is, princes—all counterfeit gods, that is,
idols. The exaltation of Christ, and the advancement of God's glory
among men thereby, are the rejoicing of all the saints. 2. Because
care is taken for their safety. Those that pay allegiance to Christ
as a King shall be sure of his protection. Princes are the shields
of the earth; Christ is so to his subjects; they may put their
trust under his shadow and rejoice in it, for (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.10" parsed="|Ps|97|10|0|0" passage="Ps 97:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) <i>He preserves the souls of
the saints;</i> he preserves their lives as long as he has any work
for them to do, and wonderfully <i>delivers them</i> many a time
<i>out of the hand of the wicked,</i> their persecutors that thirst
after their blood; for <i>precious in the sight of the Lord is the
death of his saints.</i> But something more is meant than their
lives; for those that will be his disciples must be willing to lay
down their lives, and not indent for the securing of them. It is
the <i>immortal soul</i> that Christ preserves, the <i>inward
man,</i> which may be renewed more and more when the <i>outward man
decays.</i> He will <i>preserve the souls of his saints</i> from
sin, from apostasy, and despair, under their greatest trials; he
will <i>deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one</i> that
<i>seeks to devour them; he will preserve them</i> safely <i>to his
heavenly kingdom,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.4.18" parsed="|2Tim|4|18|0|0" passage="2Ti 4:18">2 Tim. iv.
18</scripRef>. They have therefore reason to be glad, being thus
safe. 3. Because provision is made for their comfort. Those that
rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of
joy treasured up for them, which will be opened sooner or later
(<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.11" parsed="|Ps|97|11|0|0" passage="Ps 97:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>Light is
sown for the righteous,</i> that is, <i>gladness for the upright in
heart.</i> The subjects of Christ's kingdom are told to expect
tribulation in the world. They must suffer by its malice, and must
not share in its mirth; yet let them know, to their comfort, that
<i>light is sown</i> for them; it is designed and prepared for
them. What is sown will come up again in due time; though, like a
winter seedness, it may lie long under the clods, and seem to be
lost and buried, yet it will return in a rich and plentiful
increase. God's goodness shall be sure of a <i>harvest</i> in the
<i>appointed weeks. Those that sow in tears shall,</i> without
fail, <i>reap in joy,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.126.5-Ps.126.6" parsed="|Ps|126|5|126|6" passage="Ps 126:5,6">Ps. cxxvi.
5, 6</scripRef>. Christ told his disciples, at parting (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:John.16.20" parsed="|John|16|20|0|0" passage="Joh 16:20">John xvi. 20</scripRef>), <i>You shall be
sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.</i> Gladness
is sure to the <i>upright in heart,</i> to those only that are
sincere in religion. <i>The joy of the hypocrite is but for a
moment.</i> There is no serenity without a lasting sincerity,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcviii-p12">II. The rules that are given for Zion's
joy. 1. Let it be a pure and holy joy. "You that love the Lord
Jesus, that <i>love his appearing</i> and kingdom, that love his
word and his exaltation, see that you hate evil, the evil of sin,
every thing that is offensive to him and will throw you out of his
favour." Note, A true love to God will show itself in a real hatred
of all sin, as that abominable thing which he hates. The joy of the
saints should likewise confirm their antipathy to sin and divine
comforts should put their mouths out of taste for sensual
pleasures. 2. Let the joy terminate in God (<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.97.12" parsed="|Ps|97|12|0|0" passage="Ps 97:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>): <i>Rejoice in the Lord, you
righteous.</i> Let all the streams of comfort, which flow to us in
the channel of Christ's kingdom, lead us to the fountain, and
oblige us to <i>rejoice in the Lord.</i> All the lines of joy must
meet in him as in the centre. See <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p12.2" passage="Php 3:3,4:4">Phil. iii. 3; iv. 4</scripRef>. 3. Let it express
itself in praise and thanksgiving: <i>Give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness.</i> Whatever is the matter of our
rejoicing ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving, and
particularly the holiness of God. Those that hate sin themselves
are glad that God does so, in hopes that therefore he will not
suffer it to have dominion over them. Note, (1.) We ought to be
much in the remembrance of God's holiness, the infinite purity,
rectitude, and perfection of the divine nature. We must be ever
mindful of his holy covenant, which he has confirmed with an oath
<i>by his holiness.</i> (2.) We ought to give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness, not only give him the glory of it as
it is an honour to him, but give him thanks for it as it is a
favour to us; and an unspeakable favour it will be if, through
grace, we are <i>partakers of his holiness.</i> It is God's
holiness which, above all his attributes, the angels celebrate.
<scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.6.3" parsed="|Isa|6|3|0|0" passage="Isa 6:3">Isa. vi. 3</scripRef>, <i>Holy, holy,
holy.</i> Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice, <i>at the
remembrance of God's holiness,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcviii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.30.4" parsed="|Ps|30|4|0|0" passage="Ps 30:4">Ps.
xxx. 4</scripRef>.</p>
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