Bible Commentaries

DISCOURSE: 648

THE BLESSEDNESS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Psalms 89:15-16. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

EVERY man by nature desires happiness: but few know where it is to be found. The generality imagine that it will be a sure attendant on earthly prosperity — — — But the Psalmist points out to us its only true source: “There be many that say, who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us [Note: Psalms 4:6.].” In like manner he instructs us in the text; “Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound.”

In these words the character and blessedness of the Lord’s people are fully declared. Let us consider,

I. Their character—

“The joyful sound” must here import the Gospel—

[In the Gospel a Saviour is revealed, even such a Saviour as our necessities require, a Saviour who has made a full atonement for our sins, and who promises “salvation to all who come unto God by him.” When this Saviour was proclaimed to the shepherds, it was in these memorable terms; “Behold, we bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord!”

But “the joyful sound” refers to the sound of the trumpets under the law, when the people were convoked to come up to God in the solemn assembly [Note: Numbers 10:1-3; Numbers 10:10.], or when the year of Jubilee was proclaimed [Note: Leviticus 25:8-13.]. On this latter occasion, in particular, it was indeed a joyful sound: for then all persons who had sold their houses and lands, yea, and their wives and children, and their own selves too for bond-slaves, were restored to perfect liberty, and to the full possession of their former inheritance — — — Suppose a person so circumstanced, what a joyful sound would that of the trumpet be to him! — — — Such then is the Gospel to the weary and heavy-laden sinner, when he hears of a free and full salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ — — —]

This “sound” the true Believer “knows”—

[A speculative knowledge of the Gospel is possessed by many who have no personal interest in it, and no desire after its blessings: but the true Believer knows it practically: he has felt its power; he has tasted its sweetness: and he has been brought to a reliance on it for the salvation of his soul. This distinction must be carefully made by us. It is not of a head-knowledge that my text speaks; but of such a knowledge as enters into the heart, and engages all the powers of the soul — — — It is such a knowledge as God alone can impart — — — and all who possess that are truly “blessed,”]

In our text we have a rich description of,

II. Their blessedness—

They may not have much of this world: but they have much of God: they enjoy,

1. A sweet sense of his love—

[“They walk in the light of his countenance.” This is a privilege of which a worldly man can form no conception: but it is understood, and experienced, by all who enter into the spirit of the Gospel. They can go to God as a Father: they know that he is reconciled towards them in the Son of his love: and with a spirit of adoption they can draw nigh to him, and pour out their hearts before him, and hear him speaking peace unto their souls. In answer to their daily prayers he draws night to them, and “lifts up the light of his countenance upon them,” and “fills them with joy and peace in believing.” Such is their daily “walk” with God, a foretaste of their happiness in the realms of bliss.”]

2. An habitual confidence in his care—

[They are subjected to a variety of circumstances like other men: but they have a Friend to whom they can go on every occasion, and from whom they can receive all such communications as they stand in need of. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, to which they run and are safe.” His perfections are all exercised in their behalf: and, being their God, he is “a God unto them,” doing for them whatsoever their diversified necessities require. In Him “therefore, even in his name, they rejoice all the day;” spreading before him their every want, and committing to him their every desire. “They know in whom they have believed,” and cast all their care on him who careth for them.”]

3. An assured prospect of his glory—

[In the Gospel the Lord Jesus Christ reveals himself to his people as a complete Saviour, who not only obtains a pardon for them, but has provided also a righteousness, wherein they may stand before God without spot or blemish. To him therefore they look in this view: and on him they rely, as “The Lord their righteousness.” “In this righteousness they are exalted:” they are exalted in their own eyes, being no longer condemned sinners, but saints accepted and justified from all their sins. They are exalted in the eyes of God also; for he now “beholds no iniquity in them:” he views them as one with his dear Son, partakers of his nature, and joint-heirs of his glory. They are exalted also in the eyes of all the angelic hosts, who now delight to minister unto them, and will are long give them the precedence in heaven, and take their station behind them before the throne of God [Note: Revelation 7:11.].”

Say now, are not these happy? Yes: and David not only asserts it, but appeals to God himself for the truth of his assertion: “They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.”]

Address—

1. Those who have no knowledge of this joyful sound—

[How many amongst us are altogether ignorant of the Gospel itself! and, of those who hear it and profess to receive it, how many have no taste for that joy which it is intended to impart! — — — Will you then call yourselves the people of God; or imagine that salvation belongs to you? Know, that “all are not Israel, who are of Israel;” nor are all Christians who bear that name. Whilst you are ignorant of the joyful sound, you can have no part or lot in those blessings which the Gospel is intended to convey.]

2. Those who know the Gospel, but find no blessedness in it—

[There are, I must acknowledge, many of this description. But whence does this arise? Is it owing to any insufficiency in the Gospel to make them happy? No: it proceeds in some cases from a disordered constitution: in others, from imperfect views of the Gospel: and in others, from not walking steadfastly and consistently before God. But from whatever source it arise, I would say, Remember what an injury you do to the Gospel itself, and to the souls of men: the world around you will impute your gloom to religion, and take occasion from it to condemn the Gospel itself as a source of melancholy to all who embrace it. O! brethren, do not so dishonour the Lord Jesus Christ: but view the Gospel in all its freeness and all its fulness, and all its excellency; and rest not till you have attained those rich blessings, which every true Believer is privileged to enjoy.]

3. Those who both know and enjoy the Gospel—

[Happy indeed are ye, even though ye be in all other respects the most destitute and distressed. Let then your gratitude to God evince itself in a suitable life and conversation. As for your joys, the world knows nothing about them; and will therefore impute them to enthusiasm and delusion. But they can understand a holy life: that will approve itself to them as a good and genuine fruit of the Gospel. Let them then see, that this Gospel which makes you happy, makes you holy also. Let them see that it brings into subjection every unhallowed temper, every evil desire. Let them see that in every station and relation of life it elevates you above others, rendering you more amiable, more consistent. In a word, “let your whole conversation be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ;” and, whilst you are made partakers of a felicity which the world knows not of, endeavour to make your light shine before men, that they may be constrained to acknowledge the excellence of your principles, and be led to seek a participation of your bliss.]

DISCOURSE: 649

THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST TO SAVE

Psalms 89:19. Thou spakest in vision to thy Holy One, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty.

HOW joyful must these tidings be, to whomsoever they may have respect! Suppose them to refer to an oppressed nation; the raising up to them a mighty deliverer must be a rich, inestimable blessing: and such were David and Solomon, who were raised up to govern Israel, and to put all their enemies under their feet. But a greater than David or Solomon is here. The words spoken by God to Samuel did certainly, in their primary sense, relate to David [Note: 1 Samuel 16:1.]; as those spoken afterwards to Nathan did to Solomon [Note: 2 Samuel 7:12-16.]. But their ultimate reference was to Christ [Note: Compare 2 Samuel 7:14. with Hebrews 1:5.], who is the true David [Note: Ezekiel 34:23-24 and Hosea 3:5.], and the Son of David [Note: Matthew 22:42.]. On him was laid all the help that the Israel of God required; and God the Father declared beforehand, to his holy prophets, the sufficiency of Christ to discharge the office committed to him.

Two things are here obviously presented to us for our consideration:

I. The office committed unto Christ—

What this was, may be known from the necessities of fallen man; because it was to supply them that he was sent into the world. It was then,

1. To make reconciliation for man—

[This was a work which no man could accomplish for himself; a work which all the angels in heaven were unequal to perform. Satisfaction must be made for sin; made too in the nature that had sinned. The curse due to sin must be borne, even the wrath of Almighty God. Who could afford us this help? who could sustain this weight? It would crush in an instant the highest archangel. None could endure it, but God’s co-equal Son. He cheerfully undertaking to bear it for us, the Father made him our substitute; that, divine justice being satisfied, and the law magnified by his obedience unto death, mercy might be extended unto us, and reconciliation be made between God and his offending creatures.]

2. To effect their complete salvation—

[It was not enough to die for them; they were wandering afar off, and they must be searched out; they were in rebellion, and must be subdued: when brought home to their Father’s house, they are weak, and must be upheld; tempted, and must be strengthened; beset with enemies, and must be protected: they must never be left to themselves one moment: they must have every thing done for them, and in them: the whole care of preserving them, from first to last, must be devolved on him who undertakes for them: they must be “carried in the arms,” “dandled on the knees,” fed at the breast, and be watched over exactly like new-born infants. Nothing less than this will suffice for them. Though there be millions of them spread over the face of the whole globe, they must all be attended to as much as if there were only one. What a work was this to undertake! Yet was this “the help which God laid upon” his dear Son.]

But weighty as this office is, we have no reason to doubt,

II. His sufficiency to discharge it—

To be convinced of this, we need only to consider,

1. His essential perfections—

[He is said to be “mighty.” But the angels are also called mighty; yet are they not therefore able to execute such an office as this. But Jesus is almighty: he is expressly called “The mighty God [Note: Isaiah 9:6.],” even “God over all blessed for ever [Note: Romans 9:5.].” In him therefore are all the perfections of the Deity. He is omnipresent, to behold the states of men; omniscient, to discern the things that will be most expedient for their relief; and omnipotent, to effect whatever shall be most conducive to their good. Difficulties can be no difficulties with him. He who spake the universe into existence, can be at no loss to accomplish, every where, and at the same instant, whatsoever the necessities of his creatures may require.]

2. His Mediatorial endowments—

[As Mediator, he has received his qualifications from God the Father: and those qualifications are abundantly sufficient for the work assigned him. The Spirit has been given to him, not by measure, as to others, but without measure [Note: John 3:34.]: “In him, even in his human nature, dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily [Note: Colossians 2:9.].” Hence “on him may be hanged every vessel, even all the glory of his Father’s house [Note: Isaiah 22:22-24.].”

But, not to mention the infinite merit of his blood, and the all-prevailing efficacy of his intercession (“through which he is able to save men to the uttermost”), he has, as man, qualifications which he could not have as God. He has, from his own experience of temptation, a tender sympathy with his tempted people, and a peculiar fitness and readiness to afford them all needful succour [Note: Hebrews 2:18.].]

Address—

1. Those who feel not their need of Christ—

[You cannot be persuaded that you are in a guilty, helpless, and undone state. But wherefore did God lay help upon One that was so mighty? Did he exert himself thus without a cause? If not, the greatness of the remedy should shew you the extent and imminence of your danger. Be persuaded then to put away your high thoughts of yourselves. Beg of God that you may feel in what a helpless and hopeless state you are without Christ: and never imagine that your repentance is at all genuine, till your sense of your misery corresponds, in some measure at least, with the provision which God has made for your relief.]

2. Those who are discouraged on account of their extreme weakness and sinfulness—

[That you should be humbled on this account is right enough: but why should you fear? Do you suppose, that when God laid help for you upon his dear Son, he was not aware how much would be necessary for your salvation? or, has he been disappointed in his Son, finding him, after all, unequal to the task assigned him? Be ashamed of your unbelieving fears. Come not to Christ, saying, “Lord, if thou canst, or if thou wilt;” but cast your burthen wholly upon him, and see whether he be not able and willing to sustain you. He himself says to you, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thy help [Note: Hosea 13:9.].” This is your warrant to trust in him. “Trust in him therefore with all your heart, and he will bring to pass” whatsoever he sees to be needful for you. “Cast all your care upon him;” and you “shall be saved in him with an everlasting salvation.”]

DISCOURSE: 650

GOD’S COVENANT ENGAGEMENTS WITH CHRIST AND US

Psalms 89:28-35. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless, my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David.

IN seasons of deep affliction, when, through unbelief, we are ready to think that God has forsaken and forgotten us, it is well to look back to God’s covenant engagements, whereon, as on a rock, we may stand firm amidst the tempest that surrounds us. It was under such circumstances (probably about the time of the Babylonish captivity) that this psalm was penned. In it the stability of God’s covenant is fully declared. The fears and apprehensions of his people, as arising from his apparent violation of it, are next delineated: and it concludes with fervent adorations of God, who, notwithstanding all the dictates of unbelief, is worthy to be blessed for evermore.

For the just use, as well as understanding, of the passage before us, we shall,

I. Explain it—

[There can be no doubt but that the words, in their literal meaning, refer to the covenant which God made with David respecting the continuance of his posterity on his throne [Note: 2 Samuel 7:12-17.]; and which seemed to be violated, now that both king and people were carried captive to Babylon; but which, in fact, should be accomplished in all its parts; because whatever they might endure for a season, the sceptre should not depart from Judah till Shiloh should come.

But there is doubtless a reference to Christ, who is often called David [Note: Ezekiel 34:23-24. Hosea 3:5.]. Some of the words originally addressed to David, are expressly declared to refer to Christ chiefly, yea exclusively [Note: Compare 2 Samuel 7:14. with Hebrews 1:5.]. They must be understood therefore as containing God’s covenant with Christ.

In them we see, first, God’s assurances respecting Christ himself, that notwithstanding all the troubles he should experience, he should be raised from the dead [Note: Compare Isaiah 55:3. with Acts 13:34.], and have all the kingdoms of the earth for his possession [Note: Luke 1:32-33. Revelation 11:15.].

Next, Christ is assured respecting his people, who are his seed [Note: Isaiah 53:10. Psalms 22:30. 1 Peter 1:23.], that though through infirmity and temptation they may fall into sin, the Father will not utterly abandon them, or finally withdraw his love from them [Note: Isaiah 54:7-10. Jeremiah 32:40.]. He will not indeed leave them to continue in sin (for that would be incompatible with their salvation [Note: Hebrews 12:14.]) but he will chastise them, till they repent and turn from all their transgressions, and thus will he secure them to Christ as his inheritance [Note: John 17:11. 1 Peter 1:5-7.].

The grounds of these assurances are, lastly, specified. These are God’s covenant, and his oath. Having entered into covenant with his Son, he cannot disannul it. Yet, if he were to give up to final destruction any who were Christ’s spiritual seed, this covenant would be broken; seeing that some who were given to Christ would perish, and Christ, as far as relates to them, would have died in vain. Moreover, in this, the oath, which (for our consolation) he sware to his Son, would be violated: but, having sworn by his holiness, which is the glory of all his perfections, he never can, nor ever will recede. On these grounds therefore the glory of Christ, and the salvation of his people are irrevocably secured.]

Lest however this consolatory passage should be abused, let us,

II. Improve it—

It evidently teaches us,

1. To cleave unto Christ with full purpose of heart—

[The covenant, whether made with David or with Abraham, was confirmed before of God in Christ [Note: Galatians 3:17.]. Every blessing of the covenant was made over to him as our head and representative, and must be received from him by faith [Note: Colossians 1:19. John 1:16.]. To him therefore must we look for pardon, stability, and everlasting salvation. As to him the promises were made [Note: Galatians 3:16.], so in him alone are they yea, and Amen [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:20.]. Let it then be our great care to be found in him [Note: Philippians 3:9.]; and then we may rest assured that nothing shall ever separate us from him [Note: Romans 8:38-39.].]

2. To endure with patience and thankfulness whatever afflictions God may lay upon us—

[Part of God’s covenant is, to “correct us in measure [Note: Jeremiah 30:11.].” And, however afflicted any may be, have they any cause to say, that they are corrected beyond measure? Can a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins [Note: Lamentations 3:39.]? Surely it is far better to be chastened here, than to be condemned with the world hereafter [Note: 1 Corinthians 11:32.]. We may all see reason enough for chastisement, if we will but mark our daily and hourly transgressions. Let us therefore not so much as desire God to spare us, provided he see that we need correction for the welfare of our souls; but rather let us kiss the rod [Note: Micah 6:9.], and improve it [Note: Isaiah 27:9.], and adore the hand that uses it for our good [Note: Hebrews 12:10.].]

3. To dread sin as the greatest of all evils—

[Though at first sight this passage may seem to weaken our dread of sin, yet, in reality, it is calculated to impress us with a holy fear of offending God. The covenant made with Christ does indeed secure the salvation of his people: but does it provide them impunity in sin? No—on the contrary, it engages God to punish sin, yea, to punish it effectually; and never to leave his people under its dominion [Note: Romans 6:14.]. Is there then room to say, I shall be saved, though I commit sin? No: for either God will “drive it out with the rod of correction,” or leave it as an indisputable mark that we never belonged to him at all [Note: 1 John 3:9-10.]. Let us never then make Christ a minister of sin [Note: Galatians 2:17.]; but learn from the very grace that saves us, to glorify him by a holy conversation [Note: Titus 2:11-12.].]