The Biblical Illustrator
Psalms 59:16,17
But I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning.
Meditation and praise
I. The subject of the psalmist’s meditation.
1. He meditated upon the Divine mercy. All the perfections of the Divine nature are glorious, and furnish matter for delightful meditation. But it is from His mercy that we draw our chief consolation, encouragement, and hope.
2. He contemplated God as his refuge in trouble. “Thou hast been my defence and refuge,” etc. We have every encouragement to put our trust in God. He is represented as a “rock,” a “fortress,” a “high tower,” a “shield,” and a “buckler.” God as a refuge--
(1) Is near--always at hand.
(2) Affords the greatest security.
(3) Is suitable. Our troubles differ, but He is a suitable refuge in every trouble,
(4) David proved God as his refuge. Saul had laid plots to destroy him, but the Lord had delivered him. We also have obtained support and relief by trusting in God.
3. He contemplated God as his strength and confided in His power. In what respects are we to consider God as the strength of His people?
(1) He defends them from danger by His power.
(2) He assists and strengthens them for duty by His grace.
II. The influence of the psalmist’s meditation. It led him to praise God.
1. Praising God is most reasonable.
2. Is a pleasant and delightful exercise.
3. Should be a part of every day’s employment. Divine goodness is daily manifested, and should be daily acknowledged.
4. Will tend to prepare us to meet the trials which may yet be before us.
5. Will tend to meeten us for the enjoyment of heaven.
6. Requires a suitable frame of mind. True praise springs from gratitude; and is promoted by a consideration of what God is, what He has (lone for us, and what he has promised to do for us.
Conclusion.
1. How great are the privileges of the people of God!
2. How important seriously to consider whether we are interested in these privileges.
3. Learn the importance of continuing to make God our refuge in trouble. (Anon.)
In the morning.--
Morning energy
The morning is my time fixed for my meeting the Lord. What meaning there is in the word “morning”; it is a cluster of rich grapes. Let me crush them and drink the sacred wine. “In the morning “--then God meant me to be at my best in strength and hope; I have not to climb in my weariness; in the night I have buried yesterday’s fatigue, and in the morning I take a new lease of energy. Give God thy strength--all thy strength He asks only what He first gave. In the morning--then He may mean to keep me long that He may make me rich. In the morning--then it is an endless road He bids me climb, else how could I reach it ere the sun be set? Sweet morning! there is hope in its music. (Joseph Parker.)
The God of my mercy.--
Personal appropriation of mercy
If God show mercy to thousands, labour to know that this mercy is for you. “He is the God of my mercy.” A man that was ready to drown saw a rainbow; saith he, “What am I the better, though God will not drown the world, if I drown.” So, what are we the better--God is merciful--if we perish? Let us labour to know God’s special mercy for us. (Watson.).