II. His experience in the contemplation of them —
He was filled,
1. With triumphant joy —
[It is not possible to view these wonders of Redeeming Love, and not feel the reasonableness of that command : " Re- joice in the Lord alway ; and again I say, Rejoice b." Well does the Psalmist say, " It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord." It is indeed good, at all times0, and in every pos- sible wayA. In this holy exercise should every faculty of our souls be engaged e.]
2. With adoring gratitude —
[This, after all, is the fittest expression of our joy. The wonders of God's love are so stupendous, that all attempts to
a See the title to the Psalm. b Phil. iv. 4. c ver. 2.
d ver. 3. e pSt ciii. 1.
celebrate them aright must fail ; and silence, the profoundest silence, on such a subject, if proceeding from an overwhelming sense of it, may justly be accounted the sublimest elocpience. The Psalmist's experience was of this kindf ; as were St. Paul's also, when he exclaimed, " O the depths t"]
Address —
1. Those who are strangers to this frame —
[Alas ! how little is this state of mind experienced by the generality of Christians! and in what humiliating terms is their insensibility described in the words following my text ! I would not speak offensively, or wound the feelings of any : but I would ask you, whether David speaks too strongly, when he characterizes such persons as " brutish and foolsh?" You well know that the prophets often speak the same language1; and I pray you to repent of your insensibility, that these characters may no longer attach to you.]
2. Those who aspire after it —
[Let your thoughts soar to high and heavenly things; and especially let them be occupied on the works of God, and on his perfections as displayed in the great mystery of Re- demption. Surely you shall not long meditate on these things in vain. Your God will cause you to " triumph in Christ Jesus." But never rest, till you have those overwhelming views of Christ which characterize the worship of heaven. The glorified saints and angels all fall upon their faces before the throne : seek ye the same frame of mind with them ; and soon you shall join with them in everlasting hallelujahs to God and to the Lamb.]
f ver. 5. s Rom. xi. 33. h ver. 6.
1 Isai. i. 3. and Jer. viii. 7.