Hints to Preachers

Verse 1.—Unusual and enthusiastic expressions of joy when justifiable and even desirable.

Verses 1-4.—Joy the true spirit of worship. 1. Joy in God’s character. 2. In his reign. 3. In the triumphs of his gospel. 4. In his favour to his saints.

Verse 2.—The terrors of the Lord viewed by faith as a subject of joy.

Verse 2 (second clause).—The universal reign of Christ as it is and is to be.

Verse 3.—The hope of victory to the church. What shall be subdued? By whose instrumentality? “Us.” By whose power? “He.” When it shall be accomplished? What is the token of it? The ascension, verse 5.

Verse 3.—I. The final triumph of the saints. All enemies subdued under them in earth and hell, within and without. 1. Gradually. 2. Completely. II. The power by which it is accomplished.—“He shall,” etc. 1. Not without means. 2. Not by means only. 3. But by appointed means made potent by divine energy.—G. R.

Verse 4.—This comprehends time and eternity. It is a matter of fact, of holy acquiescence, of desire, of thankfulness.

Verse 4.—I. God is willing to choose our inheritance for us in time and eternity. II. His choice is better than ours—“the excellency of Jacob.” III. He will leave us to the consequences of our own choice. IV. He will help us in obtaining that which he chooses for us.—G. R.

Verse 5.—The ascension. Its publicity, solemnity, triumph, joy. Who went up. Where he went up. To what he went up. For what purpose. With what result.

Verse 6.—The importance of holy song. The repetition rebukes our slackness, and implies that earnestness, frequency, delight, and universality should characterise the praises offered.

Verse 7 (last clause).—The Psalmody of the instructed, and instruction by Psalmody; praise should be both the fruit and the vehicle of teaching.

Verse 8 (last clause).—Divine sovereignty always connected with holiness.

Verse 8.—I. God has a throne of holiness, for which he is to be feared by all men. II. A throne of grace, for which he is to be loved by his redeemed. III. A throne of glory, for which he is to be praised by his whole creation.

Verse 9.—I. A shield is a merciful weapon, none more so. II. A shield is a venturous weapon, a kind of surety, which bears the blows and receives the injuries which were intended for another. III. A shield is a strong weapon, to repel the darts of wickedness and break them in pieces. IV. A shield is an honourable weapon, none more: taking away of shields was a sign of victory; preserving them a sign of glory. V. Remember, a shield must ever have an eye to guide it—you the shields, the law the eye.—Bishop Reynolds.