Psalms 118:21-24

I will praise Thee for Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

A blessed consciousness, a marvellous providence, a joyous day

I. A blessed consciousness (verse 21).

1. A grateful assurance of answered prayer. “Thou hast heard me.” To know that God has heard me is, of all knowledge, the most, transporting.

2. A grateful assurance of personal salvation. “Art become my salvation.” Not shall become, or will become, but “art” become. Salvation is a present blessing. “This is life eternal,” etc. The consciousness that I am saved is indeed a blessed consciousness.

II. A marvellous providence (verse 22, 23). What man rejects, God accepts.

1. Man rejects insignificant, means with which to accomplish his chief ends. When man has a great plan to carry out, he looks out for the most gifted, the most mighty and skilful agents. Not so with the Almighty. By whom did He deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage? By Moses, a poor Hebrew exile.

2. Man despises the very agents whom God employs. This was pre-eminently the case with Christ. “He was despised and rejected of men.” Yet He was employed in a work of transcendent greatness.

III. A joyous day (verse 24). Man has to create his own Sabbaths, and when they come to him, he feels the Lord hath made them, and he “will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Homilist.)