a more sublime idea of this employment, than those by which David describes its effects upon the soulc In this view- he strongly recommends it to us, and we may also recommend it to each other, as "good, pleasant, and comely11" It is a duty which we owe to God. There is not any precept in the
Bible more plain than those which relate to this subject e
There is not any duty, the neglect of which is represented in a
more heinous light f On the other hand, there is not
any religious act of which more honourable mention is made than this g Nor any to which, if accompanied by a suit- able deportment, more exalted privileges are annexed11
Hence it is, that thirteen times in the space of six short verses, David renews his exhortations to every living creature to praise the Lord1.]
2. A much neglected duty — [Whatever blessings men enjoy, they rest in the gift, and forget the Giver. In fact, we scarcely know the value of our blessings till we are bereaved of them. The generality of men, instead of acknowledging with gratitude God's kindness towards them, and requiting him according to the benefits he has vouchsafed to them, take occasion from his mercies to sin the
more against him Not even the godly themselves abound
in this holy employment as we might expect. Many, alas ! live at so great a distance from God, that they can scarcely ever rise above a petition for mercy, or, at most, a sense of thankfulness that he has not utterly cast them off. They can- not soar to a contemplation of the divine perfections, or of the excellency of Christ, or of the blessedness of those mansions that are prepared for them. They have so much of the world in their hearts, and so little faith, that they cannot realize their principles, or glorify God in any measure as they ought. Instead of cultivating the devout spirit of David k, they rest satisfied in a lukewarm state, saying, " It is high ; I cannot attain unto it1." Yes ; though there are some who delight themselves in God ; yet, in reference to the greater part even of real Christians we must say with sorrow and regret, " O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and according to his excellent greatness111!"]
To stir up ourselves to a due performance of this duty, let us consider, II. The grounds proposed for the performance of it —
c
Ps. lxiii. 5. d Ps. cxlvii. 1. e 1 Thess. v. 18. Eph. v. 20. f It is the strongest mark of an ungodly sta'e, Rom. i. 21 ; and a certain ground of eternal condemnation, Deut. xxviii. 45, 47. s It glorifies God, Ps. 1. 23. h Ps. 1. 23. i Ps. el.
k Ps. lxiii. 3, 4. and cxix. 164. » Ps. cxxxix. 6. m Ps. cl. 2.