- This song of praise should be considered as a prophecy, and
even used as a prayer, for the coming of that time when all
people shall know that the Lord he is God, and shall become his
worshippers, and the sheep of his pasture. Great encouragement
is given us, in worshipping God, to do it cheerfully. If, when
we strayed like wandering sheep, he has brought us again to his
fold, we have indeed abundant cause to bless his name. The
matter of praise, and the motives to it, are very important.
Know ye what God is in himself, and what he is to you. Know it;
consider and apply it, then you will be more close and constant,
more inward and serious, in his worship. The covenant of grace
set down in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, with so
many rich promises, to strengthen the faith of every weak
believer, makes the matter of God's praise and of his people's
joys so sure, that how sad soever our spirits may be when we
look to ourselves, yet we shall have reason to praise the Lord
when we look to his goodness and mercy, and to what he has said
in his word for our comfort.
n exhortation to praise God, and rejoice in him.