Ps. cxlix. 2. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
IT appears somewhat strange that a religion coming from heaven, and purporting to make men happy, should almost universally be considered as a source of melancholy, and as destructive of all personal and social comfort. But it may be easily accounted for : religion calls men from the pleasures of sin, and pro- mises them sublimer pleasures in its stead. But un- regenerate men, knowing nothing of spiritual joy, have no idea that any such thing exists ; whereas the joys, which they are to sacrifice, have afforded them many a delicious feast. Hence, till, through faith in the divine records, they feel the bitterness of sin, or taste the felicity of God's chosen, they will and must suppose, that they are called to relinquish what is substantial, and to grasp a shadow. But the saints of old have invariably attested, that religion's ways are ways of pleasantness and peace : and David, who was no incompetent judge of this matter, exhorts every subject of the Redeemer's kingdom to rejoice inZion's King. We shall,
I. Explain his exhortation —
Who are the children of Zion ?
[Not every man by nature, seeing we are " children of wratha;" not any man by education, since it is beyond the power of man to convey to others such principles and disposi- tions, as are necessary to bring them into that near relation to
a Eph. ii. 3.
the Church of Godb: we must be born from above, through the influence of God's word and Spirit0 ; and till a supernatural change has been wrought on all the faculties of our souls by God himself, whatever we may profess to be, we are, beyond a doubt, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel d.]
Who is their King ?
[It is to Christ alone that this name belongs e. He is indeed the King of all the earth, and has the whole creation under his control. But, in this sense many are his subjects who despise his person and hate his government : whereas over Zion he reigns by the most cordial consent of all his people, there not being so much as one who does not know him, love him, serve him, and desire the very thoughts of his heart to be subjected to his law. On the other hand, he affords them his protection, supplies their every want, and makes them victo- rious over all their enemies.]
What is their duty towards him ?
[It is not sufficient that they yield obedience to his will, as slaves to a tyrant whom they fear : they must love his person, delight in his commands, be zealous for his glory, and rely humbly on his care. In a word, they must rejoice in him. This is essential to the Christian character f: and, if we attain not to this spirit, we are more inexcusable than the Jews, and obnoxious to a heavier doomg. We say not indeed that the children of Zion are never to mourn : for mourning is both introductory to joy, and consistent with it ; yea, it is even a very necessary ingredient of that joy, which we ought to feel in the contemplation of Christ's character and offices : and the more fervently we love him, the more deeply shall we lament, that our love and joy are so disproportioned to his worth.]
The several parts of the exhortation being ex- plained, we shall,
II. Enforce it —
Here, changing only the order, each part that has been explained, suggests a powerful argument for re- joicing in Christ. Consider,
1. The duty itself —
[What can be more pleasant ? It is not to any painful duty we are called, but to rejoice, and to have all the faculties of our souls engaged in the very employment of heaven. What can be more reasonable? If religion furnished us with no
b 1 Cor. iii. 7. John i. 13. c 1 Pet. i. 23.