^ Isai. liv. 5. "^1 Tim. ill. 16. ^ Rom. ix. 5.
e Col. ii. 14, 15. " Eph. iv. 8. ' John xvi. 11.
580.] Christ's ascension an occasion for joy. 363
came, and am set down with my Father upon his throne ''." But farther, it is a fledge that he will give us the victory also over all our enemies ; He is constituted Head over all things to the Church for this very end and purpose, even " that he might fill all things V' and perfect for his believing people all which their infinitely diversified circumstances can require™. His being " King over all the earth" abundantly shews us, that he is able to protect us from every adversary, and to supply our every want, and to make us " more than conquerors" over all the enemies of our salvation.]
Hence it is that the Psalmist so urgently renews his exhortation to us to " sing praise " unto him —
[In another psalm he says, " Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King"." The enemies of Christ have rather reason to tremble : for he will surely " break them all in pieces like a potter's vessel"." But his people have reason to rejoice, as Solomon plainly intimates ; " Arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou and the ark of thy strength : let thy priests,
0 Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in thy goodness p." In a word, " God has raised up his Son and given him glory, on purpose that our faith and hope may be in him ;"i and therefore we shall be inexcusable if w^e make not this improvement of the subject that is now brought before us.]
Mark then with all due attention, III. Our duty in the contemplation of it —
Five times does David in this short passage repeat his exhortation to us to sing praises to our ascended Lord. This therefore we should do,
1. With all possible ardour — [This is not a duty to be performed in a cold and formal manner ; but with all the powers and faculties of our souls. David's frame of mind should be ours: " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name^" And again, " I wiU extol thee, O God, my King ; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee ; and
1 will praise thy name for ever and ever^" And again, " Praise the Lord, O my soul : while I live will I praise the Lord ; I will sing praises unto my God, while I have my being*." To this efiTect St. Paul exhorts us also; " Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say. Rejoice"." " Rejoice evermore; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you^." To comply
k Rev. iii. 21. ' Eph. iv. 10. m Eph. iv. 11—13.
" Ps. cxlix. 2. o Ps. ii. 9. p 2 Chron. vi. 41.
1 1 Pet. i. 21. r Ps. ciii. 1. s Pg. cxlv. 1, 2.
t Ps. cxlvi. 1, 2. " Phil. iv. 4. >= 1 Thess. v. 16, 18.