Lastly, he calls upon the people of God, the Israel of Jehovah, concerning whom the Lord hath said, This people have I formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise, Isaiah 43:21. And here, Reader, I pray you not only to observe the Israel of God, but the God of his Israel. Jesus is the horn of his people. And Jesus is the praise of all his saints. And if his people are near to him, as they are indeed, most near, and most dear, yet this only is in Jesus: One with him, they are near unto the Lord: they are brought nigh in his blood: they are his treasure, his jewels, his chosen, his redeemed. And well may they be called upon to praise him: for if they should hold their peace, the very stones might cry out, Luke 19:40
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STAND still, my soul, stand still, and ponder well the weighty claims there are upon thee in this blessed Psalm. All creation, indeed, may well praise God, for God hath created, formed, and arranged them all in the beautiful and regular order in which they stand. But what can be the song of creation, compared to that of redemption, which thou art called upon to sing? God hath sent his Son to redeem thee, to save, thee, and to bring thee into everlasting fellowship, and the enjoyment of his presence and favor, in and through the blood and righteousness of his dear Son! Jesus hath died for thee, arisen for thee, answered for thee, justified thee, clothed thee, fed thee, blessed thee, and loved thee, and will love and bless thee forever. And God the Spirit hath opened to thee his precious communications of grace; quickened thee, given thee a new life in Christ, united thee to the ever blessed Jesus; and is, and will be forever, taking of the things of Jesus, to bless thee in Jesus, and to make thee a suited vessel for his glory in time, and to all eternity! Are these then the blessings of Jehovah, with which thou art distinguished? Art thou indeed among, and of the number of that people, which this Psalm records; a people near unto Him; or dwelling alone, as they are elsewhere called? Oh! think then, how thou shouldest live to his glory, to his praise, in his fear, in his love, who hath called thee out of darkness into his marvellous light! I charge it upon thee, my soul, this day, that thou live only to his praise; and that every act of thine be to his glory. Precious Lord Jesus! help me to praise thee, and to live a life of hallelujahs upon earth, until I come to shout them aloud in thy presence forever!