mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 96.xml

<div2 id="Ps.xcvii" n="xcvii" next="Ps.xcviii" prev="Ps.xcvi" progress="55.23%" title="Chapter XCVI">
<h2 id="Ps.xcvii-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.xcvii-p0.2">PSALM XCVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.xcvii-p1">This psalm is part of that which was delivered
into the hand of Asaph and his brethren (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.16.7" parsed="|1Chr|16|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 16:7">1 Chron. xvi. 7</scripRef>), by which it appears both
that David was the penman of it and that it has reference to the
bringing up of the ark to the city of David; whether that long
psalm was made first, and this afterwards taken out of it, or this
made first and afterwards borrowed to make up that, is not certain.
But this is certain, that, though it was sung at the translation of
the ark, it looks further, to the kingdom of Christ, and is
designed to celebrate the glories of that kingdom, especially the
accession of the Gentiles to it. Here is, I. A call given to all
people to praise God, to worship him, and give glory to him, as a
great and glorious God, <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.1-Ps.96.9" parsed="|Ps|96|1|96|9" passage="Ps 96:1-9">ver.
1-9</scripRef>. II. Notice given to all people of God's universal
government and judgment, which ought to be the matter of universal
joy, <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.10" parsed="|Ps|10|0|13|0" passage="Ps 10-13">ver. 10-13</scripRef>. In singing
this psalm we ought to have our hearts filed with great and high
thoughts of the glory of God and the grace of the gospel, and with
an entire satisfaction in Christ's sovereign dominion and in the
expectation of the judgment to come.</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.xcvii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96" parsed="|Ps|96|0|0|0" passage="Ps 96" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.xcvii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.1-Ps.96.9" parsed="|Ps|96|1|96|9" passage="Ps 96:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.96.1-Ps.96.9">
<h4 id="Ps.xcvii-p1.6">An Invitation to Praise and Honour God; A
Call to Glorify God.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xcvii-p2">1 O sing unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.1">Lord</span> a new song: sing unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.2">Lord</span>, all the earth.   2 Sing unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.3">Lord</span>, bless his name; show forth his
salvation from day to day.   3 Declare his glory among the
heathen, his wonders among all people.   4 For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.4">Lord</span> <i>is</i> great, and greatly to be
praised: he <i>is</i> to be feared above all gods.   5 For all
the gods of the nations <i>are</i> idols: but the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.5">Lord</span> made the heavens.   6 Honour and
majesty <i>are</i> before him: strength and beauty <i>are</i> in
his sanctuary.   7 Give unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.6">Lord</span>, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.7">Lord</span> glory and strength.   8
Give unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.8">Lord</span> the glory <i>due
unto</i> his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
  9 O worship the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p2.9">Lord</span> in the
beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p3">These verses will be best expounded by
pious and devout affections working in our souls towards God, with
a high veneration for his majesty and transcendent excellency. The
call here given us to praise God is very lively, the expressions
are raised and repeated, to all which the echo of a thankful heart
should make agreeable returns.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p4">I. We are here required to honour God,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p5">1. With songs, <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.1-Ps.96.2" parsed="|Ps|96|1|96|2" passage="Ps 96:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>. Three times we are here
called to <i>sing unto the Lord;</i> sing to the Father, to the
Son, to the Holy Ghost, as it was <i>in the beginning,</i> when
<i>the morning stars sang together, is now,</i> in the church
militant, and <i>ever shall be,</i> in the church triumphant. We
have reason to do it often, and we have need to be often reminded
of it, and stirred up to it. <i>Sing unto the Lord,</i> that is,
"<i>Bless his name,</i> speak well of him, that you may bring
others to think well of him." (1.) <i>Sing a new song,</i> an
excellent song, the product of new affections, clothed with new
expressions. We speak of nothing more despicable than "an old
song," but the newness of a song recommends it; for there we expect
something surprising. A new song is a song for new favours, for
those compassions which are new every morning. A new song is
New-Testament song, a song of praise for the new covenant and the
precious privileges of that covenant. A new song is a song that
shall be ever new, and shall never wax old nor vanish away; it is
an everlasting song, that shall never be antiquated or out of date.
(2.) Let all the earth sing this song, not the Jews only, to whom
hitherto the service of God had been appropriated, who could not
<i>sing the Lord's song in</i> (would not sing it to) <i>a strange
land;</i> but let <i>all the earth,</i> all that are <i>redeemed
from the earth, learn</i> and sing <i>this new song,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.14.3" parsed="|Rev|14|3|0|0" passage="Re 14:3">Rev. xiv. 3</scripRef>. This is a prophecy of the
calling of the Gentiles; all the earth shall have this <i>new song
put into their mouths,</i> shall have both cause and call to sing
it. (3.) Let the subject-matter of this song be <i>his
salvation,</i> the great salvation which was to be wrought out by
the Lord Jesus; that must be shown forth as the cause of this joy
and praise. (4.) Let this song be sung constantly, not only in the
times appointed for the solemn feasts, but from day to day; it is a
subject that can never be exhausted. Let day unto day utter this
speech, that, under the influence of gospel devotions, we may daily
exemplify a gospel conversation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p6">2. With sermons (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.3" parsed="|Ps|96|3|0|0" passage="Ps 96:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): <i>Declare his glory among the
heathen,</i> even <i>his wonders among all people.</i> (1.)
Salvation by Christ is here spoken of as a work of wonder, and that
in which the glory of God shines very brightly; in showing forth
that salvation we declare God's glory as it shines in the face of
Christ. (2.) This salvation was, in the Old-Testament times, as
heaven's happiness is now, <i>a glory to be revealed;</i> but in
the fulness of time it was declared, and a full discovery made of
that, even to babes, which prophets and kings desired and wished to
see and might not. (3.) What was then discovered was declared only
among the Jews, but it is now declared <i>among the heathen, among
all people;</i> the nations which long sat in darkness now see this
great light. The apostles' commission to preach the gospel to every
creature is copied from this: <i>Declare his glory among the
heathen.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p7">3. With religious services, <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.7-Ps.96.9" parsed="|Ps|96|7|96|9" passage="Ps 96:7-9"><i>v.</i> 7-9</scripRef>. Hitherto, though in
every nation those that feared God and wrought righteousness were
accepted of him, yet instituted ordinances were the peculiarities
of the Jewish religion; but, in gospel-times, the kindreds of the
people shall be invited and admitted into the service of God and be
as welcome as ever the Jews were. The court of the Gentiles shall
no longer be an outward court, but shall be laid in common with the
court of Israel. All the earth is here summoned to fear before the
Lord, to worship him according to his appointment. <i>In every
place incense shall be offered to his name,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Mal.1.11 Bible:Zech.14.17 Bible:Isa.66.23" parsed="|Mal|1|11|0|0;|Zech|14|17|0|0;|Isa|66|23|0|0" passage="Mal 1:11,Zec 14:17,Isa 66:23">Mal. i. 11; Zech. xiv. 17; Isa.
lxvi. 23</scripRef>. This indeed spoke mortification to the Jews,
but, withal, it gave a prospect of that which would redound very
much to the glory of God and to the happiness of mankind. Now
observe how the acts of devotion to God are here described. (1.) We
must <i>give unto the Lord;</i> not as if God needed any thing, or
could receive any thing, from us or any creature, which was not his
own before, much less be benefited by it; but we must in our best
affections, adorations, and services, return to him what we have
received from him, and do it freely, as what we give; for <i>God
loves a cheerful giver.</i> It is debt, it is rent, it is tribute,
it is what must be paid, and, if not, will be recovered, and yet,
if it come from holy love, God is pleased to accept it as a gift.
(2.) We must acknowledge God to be the sovereign Lord and pay
homage to him accordingly (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.7" parsed="|Ps|96|7|0|0" passage="Ps 96:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>): <i>Give unto the Lord glory and strength, glory and
empire,</i> or <i>dominion,</i> so some. As a king, he is clothed
with robes of glory and girt with the girdle of power, and we must
subscribe to both. <i>Thine is the kingdom,</i> and therefore
<i>thine is the power and the glory.</i> "Give the glory to God; do
not take it to yourselves, nor give it to any creature." (3.) We
must <i>give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name,</i> that
is, to the discovery he has been pleased to make of himself to the
children of men. In all the acts of religious worship this is that
which we must aim at, to honour God, to pay him some of that
reverence which we owe him as the best of beings and the fountain
of our being. (4.) We must <i>bring an offering in to his
courts.</i> We must bring ourselves, in the first place, the
<i>offering up of the Gentiles,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.15.16" parsed="|Rom|15|16|0|0" passage="Ro 15:16">Rom. xv. 16</scripRef>. We must offer up the
<i>sacrifices of praise continually</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.15" parsed="|Heb|13|15|0|0" passage="Heb 13:15">Heb. xiii. 15</scripRef>), must often appear before God
in public worship and never appear before him empty. (5.) We must
<i>worship him in the beauty of holiness,</i> in the solemn
assembly where divine institutions are religiously observed, the
beauty of which is their holiness, that is, their conformity to the
rule. We must worship him with holy hearts, sanctified by the grace
of God, devoted to the glory of God, and purified from the
pollutions of sin. (6.) We must <i>fear before him;</i> all the
acts of worship must be performed from a principle of the fear of
God and with a holy awe and reverence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p8">II. In the midst of these calls to praise
God and give glory to him glorious things are here said of him,
both as motives to praise and matter of praise: <i>The Lord is
great, and</i> therefore <i>greatly to be praised</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.4" parsed="|Ps|96|4|0|0" passage="Ps 96:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>) and <i>to be feared,</i>
great and honourable to his attendants, great and terrible to his
adversaries. Even the new song proclaims God great as well as good;
for his goodness is his glory; and, when the everlasting gospel is
preached, it is this, <i>Fear God, and give glory to him,</i>
<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.14.6-Rev.14.7" parsed="|Rev|14|6|14|7" passage="Re 14:6,7">Rev. xiv. 6, 7</scripRef>. 1. He is
great in his sovereignty over all that pretend to be deities; none
dare vie with him: <i>He is to be feared above all gods</i>—all
princes, who were often deified after their deaths, and even while
they lived were adored as petty gods—or rather all idols, <i>the
gods of the nations</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.5" parsed="|Ps|96|5|0|0" passage="Ps 96:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. All the earth being called to sing the new song, they
must be convinced that the Lord Jehovah, to whose honour they must
sing it, is the one only living and true God, infinitely above all
rivals and pretenders; he is great, and they are little; he is all,
and they are <i>nothing;</i> so the word used for idols signifies,
for we know that <i>an idol is nothing in the world,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.8.4" parsed="|1Cor|8|4|0|0" passage="1Co 8:4">1 Cor. viii. 4</scripRef>. 2. He is great in his
right, even to the noblest part of the creation; for it is his own
work and derives its being from him: <i>The Lord made the
heavens</i> and all their hosts; they <i>are the work of his
fingers</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.8.3" parsed="|Ps|8|3|0|0" passage="Ps 8:3">Ps. viii. 3</scripRef>), so
nicely, so curiously, are they made. The gods of the nations were
all made—gods, the creatures of men's fancies; but our God is the
Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, those lights of heaven, which
they imagined to be gods and worshipped as such. 3. He is great in
the manifestation of his glory both in the upper and lower world,
among his angels in heaven and his saints on earth (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.6" parsed="|Ps|96|6|0|0" passage="Ps 96:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): <i>Splendour and majesty
are before him,</i> in his immediate presence above, where the
angels cover their faces, as unable to bear the dazzling lustre of
his glory. <i>Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary,</i> both
that above and this below. In God there is every thing that is
awful and yet every thing that is amiable. If we attend him in his
sanctuary, we shall behold his beauty, for <i>God is love,</i> and
experience his strength, for <i>he is our rock.</i> Let us
therefore go forth in his strength, enamoured with his beauty.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.xcvii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.10-Ps.96.13" parsed="|Ps|96|10|96|13" passage="Ps 96:10-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.96.10-Ps.96.13">
<h4 id="Ps.xcvii-p8.8">The Kingdom of Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xcvii-p9">10 Say among the heathen <i>that</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p9.1">Lord</span> reigneth: the world also shall be
established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people
righteously.   11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth
be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.   12 Let
the field be joyful, and all that <i>is</i> therein: then shall all
the trees of the wood rejoice   13 Before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xcvii-p9.2">Lord</span>: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the
earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people
with his truth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p10">We have here instructions given to those
who were to preach the gospel to the nations what to preach, or to
those who had themselves received the gospel what account to give
of it to their neighbours, what to <i>say among the heathen;</i>
and it is an illustrious prophecy of the setting up of the kingdom
of Christ upon the ruins of the devil's kingdom, which began
immediately after his ascension and will continue in the doing till
the mystery of God be finished.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p11">I. Let it be told <i>that the Lord
reigns,</i> the Lord Christ reigns, that King whom God determined
to set upon his holy hill of Zion. See how this was first said
<i>among the heathen</i> by Peter, <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.42" parsed="|Acts|10|42|0|0" passage="Ac 10:42">Acts x. 42</scripRef>. Some of the ancients added a
gloss to this, which by degrees crept into the text, <i>The Lord
reigneth from the tree</i> (so Justin Martyr, Austin, and others,
quote it), meaning the cross, when he had this title written over
him, <i>The King of the Jews.</i> It was because he became obedient
to death, even the death of the cross, that God exalted him, and
gave him a name above every name, a throne above every throne. Some
of the heathen came betimes to enquire after him that was <i>born
King of the Jews,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.2.2" parsed="|Matt|2|2|0|0" passage="Mt 2:2">Matt. ii.
2</scripRef>. Now let them know that he has come and his kingdom is
set up.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p12">II. Let it be told that Christ's government
will be the world's happy settlement. <i>The world also shall be
established, that it shall not be moved.</i> The natural world
shall be established. The standing of the world, and its stability,
are owing to the mediation of Christ. Sin had given it a shock, and
still threatens it; but Christ, as Redeemer, upholds all things,
and preserves the course of nature. The world of mankind shall be
established, shall be preserved, till all that belong to the
election of grace are called in, though a guilty provoking world.
The Christian religion, as far as it is embraced, shall establish
states and kingdoms, and preserve good order among men. The church
in the world shall be established (so some), that it <i>cannot be
moved; for it is built upon a rock, and the gates of hell shall
never prevail against it;</i> it is a <i>kingdom that cannot be
shaken.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p13">III. Let them be told that Christ's
government will be incontestably just and righteous: <i>He shall
judge the people righteously</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.10" parsed="|Ps|96|10|0|0" passage="Ps 96:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), <i>judge the world with
righteousness, and with his truth,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.13" parsed="|Ps|96|13|0|0" passage="Ps 96:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. Judging is here put for ruling;
and though this may be extended to the general judgment of the
world at the last day, which will be <i>in righteousness</i>
(<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.17.31" parsed="|Acts|17|31|0|0" passage="Ac 17:31">Acts xvii. 31</scripRef>), yet it
refers more immediately to Christ's first coming, and the setting
up of his kingdom in the world by the gospel. He says himself,
<i>For judgment have I come into this world</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:John.9.39 Bible:John.12.31" parsed="|John|9|39|0|0;|John|12|31|0|0" passage="Joh 9:39,12:31">John ix. 39; xii. 31</scripRef>), and declares
that <i>all judgment was committed to him,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:John.5.22 Bible:John.5.27" parsed="|John|5|22|0|0;|John|5|27|0|0" passage="Joh 5:22,27">John v. 22, 27</scripRef>. His ruling and judging
with righteousness and truth signify, 1. That all the laws and
ordinances of his kingdom shall be consonant to the rules and
principles of eternal truth and equity, that is, to the rectitude
and purity of the divine nature and will. 2. That all his
administrations of government shall be just and faithful, and
according to what he has said. 3. That he shall rule in the hearts
and consciences of men by the commanding power of truth and the
Spirit of righteousness and sanctification. When Pilate asked our
Saviour, <i>Art thou a king?</i> he answered, <i>For this cause
came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the
truth</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:John.18.37" parsed="|John|18|37|0|0" passage="Joh 18:37">John xviii.
37</scripRef>); for he rules by truth, commands men's wills by
informing their judgments aright.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p14">IV. Let them be told that his coming draws
nigh, that this King, this Judge, <i>standeth before the door; for
he cometh, for he cometh.</i> Enoch, the seventh from Adam, said
so. <i>Behold, the Lord cometh,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Jude.1.14" parsed="|Jude|1|14|0|0" passage="Jude 1:14">Jude 14</scripRef>. Between this and his first coming
the revolutions of many ages intervened, and yet he came at the set
time, and so sure will his second coming be; though it is now long
since it was said, <i>Behold, he comes in the clouds</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.7" parsed="|Rev|1|7|0|0" passage="Re 1:7">Rev. i. 7</scripRef>) and he has not yet come. See
<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.4" parsed="|2Pet|3|4|0|0" passage="2Pe 3:4">2 Pet. iii. 4</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xcvii-p15">V. Let them be called upon to rejoice in
this honour that is put upon the Messiah, and this great trust that
is to be lodged in his hand (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.96.11-Ps.96.12" parsed="|Ps|96|11|96|12" passage="Ps 96:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>): <i>Let heaven and earth
rejoice, the sea, the field,</i> and <i>all the trees of the
wood.</i> The dialect here is poetical; the meaning is, 1. That the
days of the Messiah will be joyful days, and, as far as his grace
and government are submitted to, will bring joy along with them. We
have reason to give that place, that soul, joy into which Christ is
admitted. See an instance of both, <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.4-Acts.8.25 Bible:Acts.8.26-Acts.8.40" parsed="|Acts|8|4|8|25;|Acts|8|26|8|40" passage="Ac 8:4-25,26-40">Acts viii.</scripRef> When Samaria received the
gospel <i>there was great joy in that city</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.8" parsed="|Acts|8|8|0|0" passage="Ac 8:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and, when the eunuch was
baptized, <i>he went on his way rejoicing,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.39" parsed="|Acts|8|39|0|0" passage="Ac 8:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. 2. That it is the duty of every
one of us to bid Christ and his kingdom welcome; for, though he
comes conquering and to conquer, yet he comes peaceably.
<i>Hosanna, Blessed is he that cometh;</i> and again, <i>Hosanna,
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.11.9-Mark.11.10" parsed="|Mark|11|9|11|10" passage="Mk 11:9,10">Mark xi. 9, 10</scripRef>); not only <i>let the
daughter of Zion rejoice that her King comes</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Zech.9.9" parsed="|Zech|9|9|0|0" passage="Zec 9:9">Zech. ix. 9</scripRef>), but let all rejoice. 3.
That the whole creation will have reason to rejoice in the setting
up of Christ's kingdom, even <i>the sea</i> and <i>the field;</i>
for, as by the sin of the first Adam the whole creation was made
<i>subject to vanity,</i> so by the grace of the second Adam it
shall, some way or other, first or last, be <i>delivered from the
bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of
God,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.20-Rom.8.21" parsed="|Rom|8|20|8|21" passage="Ro 8:20,21">Rom. viii. 20,
21</scripRef>. 4. That there will, in the first place, be <i>joy in
heaven, joy in the presence of the angels of God;</i> for, when the
First-begotten was brought into the world, they sang their anthems
to his praise, <scripRef id="Ps.xcvii-p15.8" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.14" parsed="|Luke|2|14|0|0" passage="Lu 2:14">Luke ii. 14</scripRef>.
5. That God will graciously accept the holy joy and praises of all
the hearty well-wishers to the kingdom of Christ, be their capacity
ever so mean. <i>The sea</i> can but <i>roar,</i> and how <i>the
trees of the wood</i> can show that they <i>rejoice</i> I know not;
but <i>he that searches the heart knows what is the mind of the
Spirit,</i> and understands the language, the broken language, of
the weakest.</p>
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