Psalms 96:10

Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth.

The message to the heathen world

I. Its meaning.

1. As the utterance of Jewish faith and joy.

(1) The supremacy of Jehovah above all others called gods and worshipped.

(2) His dominion over all the elements and agencies of nature.

(3) His supreme authority over the moral world.

In the procedure of the Divine government there might be much dark to men, but on the principles regulating it they might calmly rely. Its reasons were often concealed; its designs appeared different to what its subjects would have chosen. Confusion and disorder not infrequently seemed to prevail, but the Lord on high was King. He sat on the throne, doing right. Over all lands, through all ages, by all agencies, in all things, He ruled absolutely, as not under the power of Fate, righteously as ever doing well.

2. In the announcement of this text by the Christian teacher there is all this and much more. God’s revelation of Himself and of His government has been gradual. The fullest is that made to us in Christ. To us who bow before Christ as Lord of all, the assertion that He reigns means “grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life”--it means that sin shall not reign in those who submit to Him--it means that He has received power to forgive sin, having suffered the just for the unjust to bring us to God--it means that He can impart a Spirit that shall root out the love of sin, and infuse strength to subdue the power of it, and gain more than victory over that death which was entailed as its curse.

II. Its proclamation. Tell it out among the heathen, the people outside the Church, all the nations beyond the covenanted people--“The Lord reigneth.” Why so?

1. The kingdom of heaven upon earth, into which men are received to be blessed, has never been proclaimed, much less established amongst them; and the people are perishing from lack of knowledge. They must know it to become partakers of its blessings. Many blessings the whole family of man partake of through the bounty of God and the mediation of Christ, though they know nothing of either of them; but the great blessings of redemption from sin, deliverance from the kingdom of darkness, life eternal, are given to those who believe (Romans 10:14).

2. We have the command, and it is important to us that we obey it. Objections--

(1) “I can do but little. I could not speak in a language the heathen understand. I cannot leave my home and duties here to teach them.” Very true. The Church must find its messengers, as the nation finds its soldiers. Every one may not go out to the battle, but all the nation take part in it.

(2) “I must think of heathen at home.” Doubtless. They are many, and they need to know all about these great things as much as the heathen abroad. They have been much more thought of, and taught Divine truth, since men have been more interested in those of other lands. Attempts to enlighten others will never excuse your neglect of these.

(3) “I do not think it is much good to preach to the heathen. They are unfit to receive it. You do no good by it.” “Civilize them first,” say some, “by education, by commerce.” Great agencies, doubtless, the one in destroying superstitions and making infidels, the other in circulating spirits and gunpowder, and showing men that many think gain is godliness. Alone they have not done much else.

(4) “You increase the responsibility of those who refuse to receive the truth.” Truly, so we do whenever we teach the truth at home; so we do in educating our children if they use not education aright; so you do in warning a criminal charged with a first offence if he should do wrong again; but what then? We are to obey, do good, and communicate, and leave the results with God.

(5) “We shall not do much till Christ come.” Will it not be well to be found doing the Master’s work when He comes? (John Trafford, M.A.)

Proclaiming Christ’s reign to the heathen

The Rev. E. P. Scott, while labouring as a missionary in India, saw in the street one of the strangest-looking heathens his eyes had ever lit upon. Upon inquiry, he found that he was a representative of the inland tribes that lived in the mountain districts, and which came down once a year to trade. Upon further investigation he found that the Gospel had never been preached to them, and that it was hazardous to venture among them because of their murderous propensities. He went to his lodging-place and pleaded for Divine direction. Arising from his knees, he packed his handbag, took his violin, with which he was accustomed to sing, and started in the direction of the tribe. As he bade his fellow-missionaries farewell, they said, “We shall never see you again; it is madness for you to go.” But he said, “I must preach Jesus to them.” For two days he travelled without scarcely meeting a human being, until at last he found himself in the mountains and suddenly surrounded by a crowd of savages. Every spear was instantly pointed at his heart. He expected that every moment would be his last. Not knowing of any other resource he tried the power of singing the name of Jesus to them. Drawing forth his violin, he began with closed eyes to sing and pray,

“All hail the power of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the royal diadem,

And crown Him Lord of all.”

On commencing the third verse he opened his eyes to see what they were going to do, when lo! the spears had dropped from their hands, and the big tears were falling from their eyes. They afterwards invited him to their homes. He spent two and a half years among them. His labours were so richly rewarded that when he was compelled to leave them because of impaired health to return home, they followed him for thirty miles. “Oh, missionary,” they said, “come back to us again!” After visiting America, he went back again to continue his labours till he sank into the grave among them.