Psalms 150

DISCOURSE: 752
THE DUTY IS PRAISING GOD

Psalms 150:6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.

GREATLY diversified has David’s experience been, as depicted in the Book of Psalms. Sometimes we find him bowed down under a sense of sin, and sometimes sunk almost in the depths of despondency: but here we view him elevated as on Mount Tabor, and breathing, as it were, the very atmosphere of heaven. It should seem as if all the concluding psalms had been penned at the close of life, when his soul was altogether ripened for glory. In all the five last psalms he speaks the language of praise. Every one of them begins and ends with Hallelujah, that is, “Praise ye the Lord.” In the psalm before us, short as it is, he repeats his exhortation no less than thirteen times. O that he might not repeat it in vain! O that we might “drink into his spirit,” and be transported, like him, with love and gratitude, with adoration and thanksgiving!
Be it known, that,

I. God deserves all imaginable praise from his creatures—

[What perfection of the Deity is there, which, if duly contemplated, is not a fit subject for praise? His goodness, his mercy, his loving-kindness, his truth, and faithfulness, call for the loudest praises of all his creatures — — — The same we may say of his justice too: for though to ungodly men it is a formidable attribute, yet to the creation at large it has a bright and favourable aspect, inasmuch as it is adverse to nothing but what is hostile to the interests of the whole intelligent creation — — —
But contemplate God in the person of his Son: think of him as assuming our nature, and expiating our sins by his own blood upon the cross, and as becoming the living Head of all his believing people, and, finally, as engaged to “perfect that which concerneth them,” and to preserve them blameless to his heavenly kingdom: think of him, I say, in all that he has done and suffered for a ruined world, and in all that he has engaged to do for those who trust in him, and then say, whether the tongues of men and angels be sufficient to declare his goodness, or whether eternity itself will suffice to utter all his praise [Note: Psalms 106:2.]? Surely it is well and justly said, that “his name is above all blessing and praise [Note: Nehemiah 9:5.].”]

Yes,

II.

There is not “a thing that breathes” which has not abundant occasion to praise him—

We speak not of irrational beings (though they do praise him according to their ability;) but of “man, into whose nostrils God originally breathed the breath of life [Note: Genesis 2:7.].” Of all the children of Adam without exception we say, that they have reason to praise their God. This is true of,

1. Those who are yet in heathen darkness—

[Innumerable are the blessings which they enjoy. The constitution of their bodies and the faculties of their souls are fit subjects for adoration and thanksgiving — — — The various blessings provided for the maintenance and support of man, call also for the most grateful acknowledgments [Note: Acts 14:17.] — — — There is no man whose comforts do not far exceed his deserts.]

2. Those who enjoy the light of Revelation—

[Unspeakable are the blessings with which they are favoured. The revelation given to the Jews was dark and shadowy; yet that is spoken of as an inestimable benefit conferred upon them [Note: Deuteronomy 4:8; Nehemiah 9:13.]: what thanks and praise then should we render unto God for the clearer light of his Gospel! O, what wonders of love and mercy are there revealed! How plain is the instruction there given to all who desire to have their feet guided into the way of peace! Whoever perishes for lack of knowledge now, must confess, that his desert of condemnation is beyond measure aggravated [Note: John 3:19.], and that his destruction arises solely from his contempt of proffered mercy.]

3. Those who are brought to a saving knowledge of Christ—

[What thanks can you ever render to the Lord for the benefits which he has conferred on you? Think of the extent and magnitude of those blessings — — — Think how entirely you owe them to the sovereign grace of God — — — Think what a difference is hereby put between you and others, not in this world only, but also in the world to come; and not for time only, but for eternity — — — Will not the very stones cry out against you, if you hold your peace? — — — Methinks, your every thought should be adoration; your every word be praise.]

We shall need no farther inducement to praise our God, if only we reflect, that,

III.

The more we abound in this blessed exercise, the more exalted will our happiness be—

[What employment have we for our breath that can be compared with this? Doubtless there is much happiness in social converse: but this is nothing in comparison of that which is enjoyed in converse with our God — — — The language of prayer is delightful to every humble soul; but the language of praise is an anticipation and foretaste of heaven itself. In heaven there is no other employment, nor will there be to all eternity [Note: Revelation 5:13.] — — — It is not possible for a man to be otherwise than happy whilst he is blessing and praising God. This is not an occupation in which a mind discontented or disconsolate can engage: there must of necessity be peace, and love, and gratitude, and joy; yea, in proportion as the praise is ardent, there must be, as the foundation of it, an admiring, an adoring, an overwhelming sense of the Divine goodness.]

Application—

[Let not any of you say, This employment is not for me: for it is the duty of “every thing that hath breath.” There is no creature in the universe so afflicted, but he has encouragement to pray, and scope for praise — — — Some have an idea, that nothing but sighing and mourning are suited to their condition; and that the voice of praise and thanksgiving is for those only who have attained a fuller assurance of their acceptance with God. But they might as well say, that gratitude was not their duty, as, that they were not called upon to express their gratitude in the language of praise. Know, Brethren, that “whosoever offereth God praise, glorifieth him:” and, his desire is, that every mourning soul should “put off his sackcloth, and gird him with gladness.” I would not discourage humiliation: for I well know that it should ever be an associate of our sublimest joys: but this I would say to all; That Christ came to “give unto them the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;” and that, in the experience of this, they shall approve themselves “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, in whom he will be glorified.” To every creature then, without exception, whether high or low, rich or poor, old or young, I would say with David in a foregoing psalm, “Praise the name of the Lord [Note: Psalms 148:11.];” yea, begin and close your every service with “Hallelujah, Hallelujah.”]

END OF VOL. VI.