The Biblical Illustrator
Psalms 132:18
His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon Himself shall His crown flourish.
The Redeemer’s glory, and the confusion of His enemies
I. The confusion of His enemies. ’Tis an astonishing and melancholy fact that such a government should have enemies, but evidently it is so (Psalms 2:1.). The opposition of Jews and Gentiles only a specimen of the opposition of human nature in all ages. Describe the enemies. In individuals--pride, unbelief, self-righteousness, inconsistency. The same enmity in the world on an extended scale; carnal policy, etc., arising from inveterate hatred of religion is too humbling and too holy. Christ’s enemies are clothed with shame when their machinations are detected. Ariel, etc. (Milton), Gehazi. When their own plans defeat themselves. Haman, Esther, Mordecai. The cross as peopling heaven. The stone, watch, seal at Christ’s tomb established the fact of His resurrection. Persecution drove out the disciples to spread the Gospel.
II. The prosperity of His reign. This consists in--
1. The settled and undisturbed title to His crown.
2. When His counsels are wise, and the laws of legislation are pure, salutary, and securing to the subject his liberties and immunities.
3. When His laws are administered in prudence, firmness, and integrity. He died for the ungodly; therefore He is just and the justifier of the ungodly.
4. When His realm consists of extensive empire, when other rulers are His subjects and willingly receive His laws into their administration.
5. When His subjects are happy and united.
III. The certainty of both. (Homilist.)
A flourishing crown
Look at Melvile when standing before King James. Danger threatened the Church of Christ in that kingdom, and upon the prosperity of the Church depended the stability of James’ throne. Melvile and others obtained a private audience of the king, and, among other points, Melvile reminded James of his duty to his Saviour. There are two kings in Scotland, said the Covenanter, King James and King Jesus, but King Jesus reigned hero before King James, and His authority is supreme. That bold and uncompromising speech carries us back in thought to another scene equally momentous and interesting. Paul, that bold champion of his Master’s cause, standing in the midst of an infuriated crowd, fearlessly told them that while Caesar had his claims to sovereign power, there was another King, one Jesus, who had His claims also, but they were superior to Caesar’s claims. It is recorded of the first and the greatest of the Caesars that such were his capacious powers that he could at once keep six pens racing to his dictation on as many different subjects. That may be true; but Christ can attend to the affairs of the whole world at once! Crowns have always been highly valued. What schemes to obtain them! what bloodshed! what treachery! With what pomp and pride they have been and are still worn! No crown like this! (E. Digby.).