Psalms 138:5

Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord.

Singing in the ways of the Lord

According to the connection, this is spoken of kings (verse 4). That time has not come yet, so let us sing all the more. We may (verse 6). If we do not, surely the stones of the street will cry out against us.

I. “they shall sing in the ways of the Lord.”

1. Gracious persons take pleasure in the things of religion.

2. They do not go out of God’s ways to get their songs. They shall sing “in the ways.” Alas! I have heard of some who go here and there, as they say, “to get a little pleasure.” What? You find no pleasure in the ways of God? Then you are a hypocrite.

3. They sing as they are actively engaged in the ways of the Lord. Soldiers march to battle ,with sound of trumpet and beat of drum, listening to music while they march; so Christian men go on their pilgrimage, and keep step to the sound of joyous psalms and hymns.

4. The children of God sing in the ways of God because they are in a case for singing: in a right state of mind for singing.

(1) When we are in the ways of the Lord we are strong; “they go from strength to strength.” When we walk as God would have us walk we are made strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Well may that pilgrim sing who is made strong by the mighty God of Jacob.

(2) You have safety also; for in the ways of the Lord all His servants are protected from danger. In the king’s highway “no lion shall be there, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon.” You shall be “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation,” in the ways of the Lord. Well may that traveller sing who is perfectly safe!

(3) You have also guidance.

(4) And provision.

II. “they shall sing of the ways of the Lord.” Not only are God’s ways the place of their song, but its subject.

1. God’s ways to us. Predestination, redemption, etc. God’s ways are such gracious ways, such wise ways, such holy ways, such ways of wisdom and of lovingkindness, that in any company we may talk about them, and in every place we may sing of them. We will sing of the ways of the Lord with us.

2. Our ways to God.

(1) A good road.

(2) Good company.

(3) Good accommodation.

(4) Fine prospects.

(5) We have daylight to travel by, for we are not the children of darkness.

III. Those who sing in the ways of God also sing of the Lord of the way. “They shall sing in the ways of the Lord,” and then some read it, “That great is the glory of the Lord.” That is the subject of their song. When they sing about the Lord of the way this psalm supplies us with the points of their song.

1. God’s lovingkindness (verse 2).

2. God’s truth (verse 2).

3. Answered prayers (verse 3).

4. God’s condescension (verse 6).

5. God’s delivering mercy (verse 7).

6. Final preservation (verse 8).

IV. They shall sing to the Lord of the way, as well as of the Lord of the way. “They shall sing in the ways, for great is the glory of the Lord.”

1. Let us take care that all our songs are to the honour and praise of God, for if we ever sing to our own praise it will be idolatry. I fear much public worship, is thus marred. Our singing should be such that God hears it with pleasure--singing in which there is not so much art as heart--not so much of musical sound as of spiritual emotion. They shall sing to the glory of God.

2. If you and I sing with the Spirit and the understanding, we shall increase the manifested glory of God by bringing others to sing in His ways. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The joy of believers in the way of obedience

I. The ways of the Lord.

1. The way in which God walks in regard to us.

(1) Nature.

(2) Dispensations of providence.

(3) Dispensations of grace.

2. The way in which we walk in regard to Him.

(1) Obedience.

(2) Inclination.

II. How the people of God are to be affected in them. They not only walk in the ways of the Lord, but “sing” in them. This implies acquiescence, approbation, satisfaction, pleasure, delight. Whence springs this “singing in the ways of the Lord”? We may look after some of the near sources of it.

1. Conviction. The believer is “able to give a reason of the hope that is in him,” and he is able to give a reason of the joy that is in him.

2. Renovation. Now he is born of God, therefore he savours “the things which are freely given him of God.”

3. Experience. Oh, what delightful hours were those in which I have taken sweet counsel, and gone to the house of God in company;--in which I have seen His power and His glory there!

4. Fellowship. “I am a companion of all those that fear Thee, and of those that keep Thy precepts.”

5. His prospects and anticipations. “Eye hath not seen,” etc.

6. The accommodation. Everything is provided for these travellers that shall make them rejoice and “sing in the ways of the Lord.” Guidance, defence, strength, etc. (W. Jay.)