Psalms 99:9

The Psalm beautifully concludes with repeating a third time the strongest of all arguments for praising Jehovah; the holiness of his nature: and what hath so highly exalted that glory to our view, and love, and praise, as the holiness of Christ Jesus? Hebrews 7:26

Psalms 99:1

REFLECTIONS

AFTER reminding both the Reader and myself of all the blessed causes which this delightful Psalm contains, to join with the sacred writer in ascribing "glory to him that sifted, upon the throne, and to the Lamb that was slain, forever and ever, " I would desire to recommend his attention, and my own, to what is said concerning those servants of the Lord, Moses, and Aaron, and Samuel. We are told that they called upon the Lord, and were answered. But though God forgave them, yet took he vengeance of their inventions. The solemn consideration of this account, suggests several very interesting and weighty reflections.

First, We learn from it, that God's choicest servants have their inventions; and the best of men, after all, are but sinners. Aaron offended, and but for the intercession of Moses, would have fallen. Here Christ, surely, in his glorious, all-prevailing intercession, was eminently represented. Moses himself neglected to sanctify the Lord in the eyes of the people, when presumptuously joining himself with the Lord, he cried out, Must WE fetch you water out of the rock? and Eli's partiality to his children made him too easy to their vices. Alas! who among the fallen sons of Adam, hath escaped the common taint of sin?

Secondly, we learn, that these sins of God's people are displeasing to the Lord, and that he takes vengeance for them. Though their persons and their offerings are accepted in Christ, yet their corruption shall bring with it chastisement. And when a child of God feels the rod of God, as a kind correcting father, and cries out under it, Thou art righteous in all that is come upon us, for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly; this is what is called in Scripture, accepting the punishment of our iniquity and this manifests the holiness of God, and prevents the abuse of his covenant-mercy in Christ.

Lastly, God hearing the prayers of his servants, and answering them, notwithstanding their inventions, of which he takes vengeance, teacheth us the whole cause wherefore it is that saints are accepted, and sinners saved; namely, on the sole account of the covenant-love and faithfulness of God our Father, in and for the sake of the blood and righteousness of his dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, Reader, what a blessed consideration it is, that God still owns his covenant relationship; and Jesus's blood and righteousness still plead for mercy. The corrections of our God and Father, are not to satisfy his justice, for that Christ hath done; but for the display of his holiness and love. And, amidst all our unworthiness, the merit of Jesus still remains the same. Blessed, forever blessed be God, for Jesus Christ! Lord, give us grace to serve with fear, and rejoice with trembling. May we ever exalt the Lord our God, and worship him in his holy hill: for the Lord our God is holy.