art. An exhortation to praise God. (1-7) A warning not to
tempt Him. (7-11)
Verses 1-7: Whenever we come into God's presence, we must come with
thanksgiving. The Lord is to be praised; we do not want matter,
it were well if we did not want a heart. How great is that God,
whose the whole earth is, and the fulness thereof; who directs
and disposes of all!, The Lord Jesus, whom we are here taught to
praise, is a great God; the mighty God is one of his titles, and
God over all, blessed for evermore. To him all power is given,
both in heaven and earth. He is our God, and we should praise
him. He is our Saviour, and the Author of our blessedness. The
gospel church is his flock, Christ is the great and good
Shepherd of believers; he sought them when lost, and brought
them to his fold.
Verses 7-11: Christ calls upon his people to hear his voice. You call
him Master, or Lord; then be his willing, obedient people. Hear
the voice of his doctrine, of his law, and in both, of his
Spirit: hear and heed; hear and yield. Christ's voice must be
heard to-day. This day of opportunity will not last always;
improve it while it is called to-day. Hearing the voice of
Christ is the same with believing. Hardness of heart is at the
bottom of all distrust of the Lord. The sins of others ought to
be warnings to us not to tread in their steps. The murmurings of
Israel were written for our admonition. God is not subject to
such passions as we are; but he is very angry at sin and
sinners. That certainly is evil, which deserves such a
recompence; and his threatenings are as sure as his promises.
Let us be aware of the evils of our hearts, which lead us to
wander from the Lord. There is a rest ordained for believers,
the rest of everlasting refreshment, begun in this life, and
perfected in the life to come. This is the rest which God calls
his rest.
art. An exhortation to praise God. (1-7) A warning not to
tempt Him. (7-11)