They have seen Thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
The progress of Divine truth in the world
I. Some men merely witness the progress of Divine truth (Psalms 68:24). What a large class of men there is in Christendom who act thus in relation to the progress of Christianity! They see new churches erected and new adherents gained all around them. They read of the multiplication of copies of Holy Scripture, and the increase of the triumphs of missionaries in heathen lands. They see its literature extending. But in all this they feel no vital interest. Whilst many of these care for “none of these things,” some ridicule and others denounce. They laugh at what they consider fanaticism; they thunder at that which they believe is imposture. “They have seen Thy goings, O God,” etc. Yes, they have “seen,” and that is all.
II. Good men are always exultant in the progress of Divine truth (Psalms 68:25-26). Why should we rejoice in the progress of Divine truth?
1. Because, as Divine truth advances, all the evils that curse humanity will disappear.
2. Because, as Divine truth advances, all the virtues that bless humanity will multiply and grow. He is no true philanthropist who exults not in the progress of Christianity.
III. All men should be interested in the progress of Divine truth (Psalms 68:27). Here are different tribes brought together from opposite parts of the country, thus to express their common interest in the services of the day. All men should be interested in the cause of Divine truth. Why?
1. Because all men have a common relation to its Author. He is the Father of them all.
2. Because all men have a common need of its blessings. It offers liberty to the captive--and all are captives; knowledge to the ignorant--and all are ignorant; pardon to the guilty--and all are guilty; life to the dying--and all are dying; heaven to the lost--and all are lost. (Homilist.)
The royal procession
This verse may be read thus: “They have seen thy marches in procession, O God; even the marches of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.” We have brought before us the jubilant songs of praise arising from the royal procession of Jehovah before the assembled hosts of Israel. Now, there has been a royal procession in London this week, and it has suggested this subject. For to-day there is an assembled host of people crowding our sanctuaries: their main desire is to see their King.
I. The people viewing the procession. The vast majority came to see our Queen herself. And their motives were various.
1. Many of them had never seen her before. And in our sanctuaries there are many who as yet have never seen their King, and they greatly desire to.
2. Others long ago had seen the Queen, but wanted to see her again: so with us and our King.
3. Others went simply to see the pageant; as much to be seen as to see. And how many come to our sanctuaries out of mere curiosity!
4. And all grades of society were represented there.
5. Some obtained much better views than others. So is it with those in our sanctuaries. Care and distractions of all kinds hinder many souls.
II. The procession itself.
1. It passed along an appointed way. It is all marked out. Through the sanctuary a main part of its route lies. But in the abodes of sickness, sorrow, death, Christ often comes.
III. The purpose of the procession. It was to open a new thoroughfare. And so our King has come to open a new road to heaven. The old road by Innocency has been blocked ever since the fall of Adam. And the road of Jewish ceremonies, and the law, is no longer available. But Christ has opened a new and living way. (A. G. Brown.)