217. PSA 149:4. THE OBJECTS OF THE DIVINE DELIGHT

Psa_149:4. The Objects of the Divine Delight

"For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people."’97Psa_149:4.

What a spirit of delightful tenderness runs through all the declarations of God concerning his people! With what ardent affection he expresses his delight in all that relates to them! How many precious promises he has given them! They are the peculiar objects of his joy and complacency. His portion’97his treasure’97his own dearly beloved sons and daughters; and as a father pities his children, so doth the Lord pity them that fear him. The text is descriptive of his tender regards towards them, "For the Lord taketh pleasure," &c.

Let us,

I. Describe the People Referred to.

"They are his people."

As the Creator and Proprietor of all things, all mankind are his. He made, preserves, and upholds all creatures. Thousands, however, who are thus preserved by him acknowledge him not, and live without God in the world. This is the condition of the whole mass of mankind until changed by Divine grace. Who then are the. Lord’s people?

1. They bear the Lord’s name.

Have been called to follow the Lord as dear children. As such the name of God is upon them. They are his disciples-subjects’97servants’97soldiers; in short, in all things, they are the Lord’s. They have the white stone and new name.

2. They bear the Lord’s image.

"Created anew," &c. Bore the image: of the earthly, now of the heavenly. In regeneration they are made partakers of the divine nature, 2Pe_1:4.

3. They possess the Lord’s Spirit.

"If any man have not the Spirit of Christ," &c. "They who are joined to the Lord are of one spirit." "Habitation of the Spirit." The Spirit of the Lord directs, comforts, and sanctifies them; and, by his holy influences, they are changed into the image of God, from glory unto glory, &c., 2Co_3:18.

4. They are zealous for the Lord’s glory They desire to behold it with Moses. They seek its diffusion with David. And they are actuated to humble yet cheerful obedience with it, as was Isaiah, vi. 1, &c. Hence they pray for it. Believe and hope for it. And live and labor for it.

Observe,

II. The Lord’s delight in his People.

"The Lord taketh pleasure in his people."

1. He does so in their persons.

Their bodies are the object of his especial care and goodness. "The very hairs of their head," &c. "Bread shall be given," &c. "No evil can come near," &c. "He keepeth them so that none of their bones," &c. Their health and life are exceedingly precious in his sight. Their souls are especially the objects of his heavenly regards. His eyes are ever upon them for good. His ears ever open to their cry. He is their shield, rock of defence, and sure pavilion. He holds them in his hand, and keeps as the apple of his eye. "He giveth grace," &c.

2. In their graces.

These are the fruit of his own Spirit, and reflect his own image. He accepts and complacently delights in their faith’97hope’97love’97patience, &c. As he beheld the finished creation with delight, and pronounced all very good; so he looks with delight on the new creation in the souls of his people, and in the fight, harmony, and fruitfulness, which is displayed.

3. In their services.

In their prayers, both secret and public Mat_6:6. In their plans of mercy and goodness. Almsgiving’97hospitality, &c. Labors, self-denials, &c., for his sake. Not a cup of water will he forget. He beholds with delight all their works of patience, and labors of love.

He taketh pleasure,

4. In their dwellings and in all their concerns.

He loves the dwellings of Jacob. "No evil shall come nigh their dwellings." "All they do shall prosper." He blesses the work of their hands. The Lord blesses the habitations of the just, Pro_3:23. The just man’s children are blessed after him, Pro_20:7.

He taketh pleasure in them,

5. At all times, and under all circumstances.

When poor and needy; the Lord thinketh, &c. When in adversity and trouble; "Call upon me," &c. When assailed by foes; "No weapon," &c. "If God be for us," When in afflictions, &c. "When thou passest through waters," &c. In old age, Isa_46:4. When flesh and heart faileth, &c. When they die’97"Precious in the sight of the Lord." "His rod and staff," &c. Their sleeping dust he will watch, and raise at the last day. And he will take pleasure in them through the endless ages of eternity. "They shall be mine, saith the Lord," &c., Mal_3:17. He will array them in white robes’97crown them,’97"lead them to fountains of living water," &c.

Application

Let the subject lead,

1. To examination.

Are we the Lord’s people. Really, and in sincerity and truth. Have we his name, Spirit, image, &c.

2. It should produce holy delight and satisfaction.

"Happy is the people that is in such a case," &c. The saints enjoy in common with others the bounties of his benign Providence; and in addition, the richer blessings of his grace.

"Yes, saints are lovely in his sight,

He views his children with delight

He sees their hope and know their fear,

And looks, and loves his image there."

3. It should lead us to take pleasure in God.

"Delight thyself in the Lord," &c.

Exult, bless, and magnify him at all times "This God is our God, forever and ever." &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS