Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return
Great deliverances
The return of the light of morning after the darkness of the night; of a fine summer after a cold and cheerless winter; of health and strength after a season of sickness and pain, is refreshing and delightful, and demands the gratitude of the heart.
The deliverance of a nation from temporal slavery or subjection has often kindled a fire in the breast of the patriot, the painter, the poet and the historian; but what are all earthly blessings when compared with those which are spiritual and eternal? (New Irish Pulpit.)
The present and future joy of the redeemed of the Lord
There is the greatest harmony throughout the whole Bible, and its glowing descriptions of future events have always some relation to the spiritualizing effects of the Gospel of Christ.
1. Who can with such propriety be called the redeemed of the Lord, as they whom He has delivered from the power as well as penalty of sin?
2. Who again can with such propriety be ca]led the redeemed of the Lord, as they whom He ransoms from that all-conquering foe, who puts all things under his feet?
3. But must the soul lie insensible with the body until this general redemption? Must ages pass before the redeemed of the Lord enjoy a foretaste of their redemption? No! “To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”
4. But are there not some considerations, to be taken by us into account on this subject? Is there not some blessing--a blessing beyond all other blessings, which makes these a matter of everlasting joy to the redeemed of the Lord? In bringing many sons to glory Jesus has been made perfect through sufferings; He has made reconciliation for sin. (W. M. Harte.)
The joy of the ransomed
No New Testament utterance could be more beautiful than this picturing of the return of the redeemed of the Lord to Zion.
1. It points, at the outset, to the grounds of their confidence and joy. They are ransomed travellers: they have found the “righteousness” and the “salvation” spoken of at the commencement of the chapter. They go, on their pilgrim way exulting in Him whose arm “hath wounded the dragon”--the “Man of God’s right hand,” who in His cross and passion hath“destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” They are more than conquerors through Him that loved them.
2. They are further here truthfully represented, even in the course of their journey through the wilderness, as filled “with peace and joy in believing,” “abounding in hope.” The Christian is a joyful man. Though it be a wilderness he treads, and though sorrow and mourning are also depicted as tracking his footsteps, yet he has elements of tranquil happiness within him which make the song, not the tear, the appropriate exponent of his thoughts and emotions. It were strange, indeed, were it otherwise. At peace with God; sin forgiven; the heart changed; the affections elevated; grace moulding, sustaining, quickening, sanctifying; and, rising above all, the assured hope of glory hereafter.
3. The words, too, seem to tell of an ever-augmenting joy. As the portals of glory draw nearer, the song,, deepens in melody and strength. They come to. Zion “with singing;” then “everlasting joy is on their head. Then, they obtain a new anointing of “gladness;” and finally “sorrow and mourning”--these two companions of the wilderness-rise on their sombre, gloomy wings, and speed away for ever! (J. R. Macduff, D. D.)
Journey and song
I. A REDEEMED PEOPLE.
II. THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD AS TRAVELLERS.
III. THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD AS SINGERS. (J. M. Blackie, LL.B.)