Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause.
Sympathy with the godly
1. It is one mark of godliness amongst many others, to befriend the cause of Christ, and to further it in the person of His saints suffering for righteousness, with their best affection, for here they are described by being “the favourers of their righteous cause.”
2. In the persecution of the godly for the cause of God’s truth and true religion, all the godly are concerned; and as they partake of the sufferings with others under Christ the Head, so shall they partake of the joy of the victory, and outgate which shall be exceeding joyful at last.
3. The troubles of the godly are not so many, but room is left for sometimes prosperity, “for God loveth the prosperity of His servants,” to wit, as it may conduce to His purpose and their good.
4. When any of the godly are delivered from their persecutors, all the rest of the godly are bound as they understand of it, to set forth the power of God, and His love and bounty manifested and forthcoming to His people.
6. Whatsoever opposition the enemies of Christ and of the godly shall make, Christ shall keep up the open profession of true Doctrine, which manifesteth the righteousness of God; leading men to eternal life, and bringing glory to God; for this is the undertaking of the type and of Christ represented by him, after the hottest contest between him and the wicked enemies. (D. Dickson.)
Let the Lord be magnified.--
Magnifying God
I. here is God’s feeling towards man’s welfare. He has pleasure in his prosperity. This proves to us--
1. God’s interest in our existence.
2. God’s goodwill towards our state.
3. God’s evident willingness to help.
II. here is man’s true well-being--“Prosperity.” The true prosperity of a soul is its spiritual vitality, and this manifests itself--
1. By an ever-growing love towards religious exercises.
2. By a deepening apprehension of Divine realities. That which was dark becomes light; that which was obscure stands out in living reality.
3. By an increasing delight in Christian work. A prosperous soul is active in the performance of acts of charity and kindness.
4. By an increasing development of a Christlike character. The prosperous Christian grows, and becomes daily more like Christ in thought, word, and action.
5. By a constant accession of peace, contentment, and joy.
III. here is man’s manifest duty--“Let the Lord be magnified.” It is a blessed privilege to have a God who is well disposed to His people. The imaginary gods of the heathen were always ill-disposed. They were gods of cruelty, malevolence, and evil, who needed to be propitiated by many a cruel rite. What a glorious idea we have of God! One who has pleasure in the prosperity of His people. He delights to see them happy and growing in grace, and all good gifts. He will not that any should be lost. Surely, then, we ought to magnify Him--in our words and songs of praise; in our lives and example; in our characters and sacrifice. We should give our whole time and energy and strength to His work. (Homilist.).