I. The text pronounces one good word joy. "The joy of the Lord is strength." The cheerful spirit is the healthful and the dutiful spirit. I do not mean the spirit of animal jollity, nor the merriment of indifference, but that subdued, cheerful spirit which fronts its duties.
II. He pronounces with greater emphasis the word "God." For God alone is exceeding joy. Sensuality cloys, but never satisfies; ambition is disturbed and dissatisfied; refined intelligence and taste leave something unknown, and cloud joy by debate and doubt. "All things are full of labour." God alone is surpassing joy. (1) Joy undisturbed by any fear of coming to an end, for that is the spectre at the feast the end. (2) If calamity and reproach blast our good name with men, and we are exposed to shame and ignominy, God is exceeding joy; He is not imposed upon by misrepresentation; we have His approbation.
III. The text leads to an important discrimination between thinking about God and enjoying Him. Some have God only in idea, in fancy, in opinion; some have God only in the perception of law; but the living God is essential life, and being essential life, is essential joy.
IV. Here breaks in the appropriating power for which the Psalms are so remarkable. There is a spreading out of the hands to the Infinite "O God." There is a closing of the hands upon the heart "my God." There is no joy unless God is appropriated.
V. Exceedingjoy. Yet once more. This is the quality of it. This can be said of no other joy; all other beauties have their boundaries; all other glories have their glooms. Watch then your best joys, that they do not leave you, treasure your joys, and strive for the "meetness of the inheritance of the saints in light;" part with all that you have for that pearl and that field.
E. Paxton Hood, Dark Sayings on a Harp,p. 101.
References: Psalms 43:4. J. P. Gledstone, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvi., p. 364; H. Scott Holland, Logic and Life,p. 99. Psalms 43:5. H. P. Liddon, Old Testament Outlines,p. 111.Psalms 43:1-3. R. D. B. Rawnsley, Sermons in Country Churches,2nd series, p. 69. Psalms 44:1. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. v., No. 263; R. W. Dale, Evangelical Revival,p. 2; H. P. Liddon, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 113, and Old Testament Outlines,p. 113; J. W. Burgon, Ninety-one Short Sermons,No. 90; Parker, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxiii., p. 216, and Fountain,June 16th, 1881.Psalms 45:1; Psalms 45:2. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. xi., p. 331.