Ye shall have a song
Communion memories
These Jewish wayfarers returned to their several homes to resume their usual occupations.
So it is with us. After the most sacred festal and sacramental seasons, the world’s business and cares necessarily reassert their claims. But, would these old Jewish worshippers in casting off their holiday attire, cast off also their holiday and festive spirit? In the midst of the coarse contacts of daily existence, would the recollections of the Jerusalem festival no longer linger in their memories? Nay, rather, would not these songs of Sion still haunt their ears and hang upon their lips?--would not the shepherd be heard chanting them in the midst of his fleecy charge by green pastures and still waters?--would not the fisherman warble them in his night watch on the lake? and the sailor as he bounded over the great sea, and the dim mountains of his fatherland were receding from view?--would not the cottager, as he reached his home among the hills of Kedesh or on the spurs of Hermon, evening after evening, in returning from his toil, gather his little ones by his knee, and rehearse to them the joyful remembrances of the holy season? Be it ours, while we leave the New Testament feast, and engage in our daily avocations, to carry the hallowed memories of it along with us. (J. R.Macduff, D. D.)
The song of God’s redeemed
I. A GLORIOUS ANTICIPATION. This is represented under two figures.
1. A holy service. “The night when a holy solemnity is kept.”
(1) Observe the time, the “night.” It is not until the day of life is past and the turmoil of earth is done, that the great and solemn assembly shall be convened.
(2) Observe the character, “holy.” Impurity is done away. There shall nothing enter which can pollute or mar or injure.
(3) Observe the proceedings, “a solemnity.” Our meetings with God lack proper solemnity. But how great and solemn will be the eternal service! A joyous meeting. “As when one goeth forth with a pipe to come to the mountain of the Lord.” Here are subjects going forth to meet their King, who is good and great. Here are friends going forth to meet their Brother, whom they have long desired to embrace. Here are guests going forth to the banquet of their Beloved.
II. A SUITABLE STATE OF MIND. “Ye shall have a song and gladness of heart.”
1. Ye shall have a song. There are two things, revolved “in” this.
(1) There is a subject to sing of. He hath put a new song in my mouth.”
(2) There shall be a disposition to sing. The redeemed soul will be filled with praise.
2. Ye shall have gladness of heart. It will be caused by--
(1) The presence of God.
(2) Happy surroundings.
(3) Blessed reunions.
III. A PRESENT ENCOURAGEMENT. This future promise may be now realised by faith. And what a different aspect will this give to the present life! We may not sing the full chorus of the songs of Heaven, but we can hear the echo. We cannot see our Lord, but we can feel His arms and hear His voice.
IV. A DESIRABLE CONDITION. The text affords a most urgent stimulus to our present life. It speaks of a song which the people of God will be enabled to sing with confidence when their Lord’s judgments are abroad. Let us endeavour to realise the confidence, the peace, the happiness of that future time. (Homilist.)