_And He dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman._ INDIVIDUALITY I. The great event itself does not absorb all. We can easily understand how the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem would have absorbed all minor considerations, but it does not. Israel is not generalised into simply the male he... [ Continue Reading ]
_And to record._ THE RECORDERS These recorders were to take notes of what God had done; they were to be the chroniclers of the nation, and out of their chronicles they were to compose the psalms and songs. The original of the word “record” bears another meaning--“to bring to remembrance.” We gathe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then on that day David delivered first this psalm._ A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING This, a composite psalm, represents a form of service rather than a psalm. The whole of it, with slight variations, found in Psalms 96:1; Psalms 105:1; Psalms 106:47. It celebrates redemption as unfolded in the history of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works._ GOOD CONVERSATION I. The subject here suggested for our commonplace talk: “his wondrous works.” We ought to talk more about God’s wondrous works. 1. As we find them in Holy Scripture. 2. As we find them in the history of our own country.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seek the Lord and His strength._ THE SEEKER ENCOURAGED There are three reasons for this. I. Because it is an evidence of grace. II. Because their success is sure. III. Because, when they have found, their aim and wish in seeking are fully answered. (_W. Jay._) THREEFOLD SEEKING I. The Lord f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be ye always mindful of His covenant _ THE NATIONAL COVENANT Learn: I. That God’s method of intercourse with men has ever been in the form of a covenant. Tayler Lewes says: “There is no religion without this idea of covenant with a personal God, and therefore all such views as those of Comte, Mi... [ Continue Reading ]
_He suffered no man to do them wrong._ EVIL-DOING RESTRAINED I. Here is the nearness and dearness of the saints unto God. II. Here is the great dancer to kings and states to deal with His saints otherwise than well. III. Here is the care and protection which God had over them, set and amplified.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Declare His glory among the heathen._ DECLARING GOD’S GLORY I. Declare among the heathen the glory of God’s perfections, that they may acknowledge Him as the true God. II. Declare the glory of His salvation, that they may accept Him as their only Redeemer. III. Declare the glory of His providen... [ Continue Reading ]
_He also is to be feared above all gods._ THE THEOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT in the perusal of the Old Testament few sentiments more frequently meet our eye than comparisons between the great object of worship among the Jews and those imaginary deities to which the Gentiles in general paid adoratio... [ Continue Reading ]
_Glory and honour are in His presence._ THE BEAUTIFUL PLACE Apply this to the sanctuary. I. Beautified by God’s presence. II. Beautified by attractive services. 1. Cheerful song. 2. Freewill offerings. 3. Spiritual fervour. III. Beautified by loyal attendants. 1. Regular in attendance. 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name._ THE CLAIMS OF GOD TO THE WORSHIP AND HOMAGE OF HIS CREATURES I. God is entitled to and claims the homage of His creatures. II. These claims are made upon us, his intelligent creatures. III. The worship and homage required elevates the man who pay... [ Continue Reading ]
_Glory and honour are in His presence._ THE BEAUTIFUL PLACE Apply this to the sanctuary. I. Beautified by God’s presence. II. Beautified by attractive services. 1. Cheerful song. 2. Freewill offerings. 3. Spiritual fervour. III. Beautified by loyal attendants. 1. Regular in attendance. 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And let men say among the nations, the Lord reigneth._ PESSIMISM I. Now, what is the prevalent tendency of opinion, as illustrated in our day, in science, in art, in journalism, in literature, in social speculation? It may certainly be summed up in the one word “pessimism”--that is, unbelief and h... [ Continue Reading ]
_O give thanks unto the Lord._ THANKSGIVING DUE TO GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS I. Instances of the loving-kindness and mercy of God. 1. The unfolding of a plan of salvation for sinners through His well-beloved Son. 2. The furnishing so fully of the means necessary to salvation. (1) Birth in a Christia... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all the people said, Amen._ THE PEOPLE’S AMEN I. Indicating-- 1. Attention. 2. Appreciation. 3. Interest in the service. II. A solemn sealing. III. A real duty. (_J. Wolfendale._)... [ Continue Reading ]
_As every day’s work required._ DAILY SERVICE That was the law. Not as yesterday’s work required, not as to-morrow’s work might require, but as every day’s work required within its own twelve hours or twenty-four. That was order. The men had been singing. A musical man cannot be disorderly; he woul... [ Continue Reading ]
_To give thanks to the Lord._ PRAISE IN SONG (for a Choir Service):--King David was the greatest innovator in worship of whom Scripture contains a record, for he introduced instrumental music to guide popular singing in worship, and he formed the whole tribe of Levi into a guild of various branches... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all the people departed, every man to his house _ ON FAMILY WORSHIP Public exercises of religion, when properly conducted, have a happy tendency to prepare the mind for those of a more private nature. Our text tells us that David returned to bless his house--that is, to present them to God i... [ Continue Reading ]