573. ISA 38:19. THE PRAISES OF THE LIVING

Isa_38:19. The Praises of the Living

"The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth."’97Isa_38:19.

The text is connected with the history of Hezekiah. He was sick, and nigh unto death’97indeed the mandate had gone forth: "Set thine house," &c. In answer to humble and fervent prayer, the sentence was reversed, and his life was spared fifteen years. Hezekiah, on his recovery, composed the following pathetic and pious ode, Isa_38:10, &c. Of this holy and edifying Psalm, our text forms a part. Let us enter on the meditation of it in the spirit of the prayer of Moses, the man of God. "So teach us to number," &c. We ask,

I. For what should the living praise God?

1. For life itself. Life is God’s good gift. Life in its origin,’97in its progress’97exhibits the care and bounty of God. "He made us, and not we," &c. "He holdeth our souls in life."

2. For life in its privileges. And who can number these? Privileges of receiving good. Of receiving knowledge, and grace, and happiness. Privilege of doing good’97of imitating God,’97resembling God. Being godly,’97growing in godlikeness. Honoring God, &c. These privileges are countless. Hearing and reading the Word. Meditation and prayer. Repentance and restitution. Faith and obedience.

3. For life and its hopes. Hope is the sunshine of life’s day. The favorable breeze of life’s voyage. The flowery path of life’s journey. The balm and sweetness of life’s existence. The solace of life’s sorrows. But then hope also goes beyond life,’97it draws the curtain, and beholds in the distance the goodly land. It brings immortality and glory near. It recognizes the conquest over death and the grave. It brings near to us a brighter, happier, and an eternal world. It sings, "Though this the earthly house," &c. "In my Father’s house," &c.

II. In what manner should the living praise God?

1. With true gratefulness of heart. No service is acceptable without the heart. Praise, especially, must be heartwork. The heart must muse until the fire burns. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me," &c. From the fulness of the heart, &c. Without this, however musically correct, however sweet, &c., it is formality and hypocrisy before God.

2. Earnestness of spirit. Not languidly Not lifelessly; but with fervor of spirit. We are to exult in God. To extol. To magnify, &c. We are to make a joyful noise, &c. The praises of the redeemed are as the sound of many waters, &c. See also Rev_7:9-10, &c.

3. With cheerful constancy. We are to bless the Lord at all times. In every thing to give thanks. Praise is suitable to all places and times. In the sanctuary. "Enter into his gates," &c. At the social service,’97Christ sang a hymn at the establishment of the eucharistic supper. In family worship. What so proper as that the living family should unite, &c. In the retirements of the closet. On his bed the Psalmist praised God, &c. Hence the poet sweetly sings,

"I’ll praise my Maker," &c.

III. What advantages will arise to the living from praising God?

1. It will cheer and elevate the soul. The praising soul is like the joyous bird on the wing, rising upwards towards the skies. It gives vigor and elasticity to the mind. It tends to remove depression and despondency. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

2. It will be peculiarly acceptable to God. Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth God. It is acknowledging God. It is blessing and honoring God. God will approve and smile upon the grateful, praising Christian.

3. It will recommend religion. The idea of the world is, that religion is a gloomy system,’97necessarily melancholy. (Hume and Bishop Horne.) Sacred cheerfulness and songs of praise, should remove this false delusion. The Christian should sing,

"The sorrows of the mind," &c.

"Thy statutes shall be my songs," &c. "They shall return and come to Zion," &c.

4. It will tend to meeten the saint for glory. Heaven is one vast temple of praise,’97myriads of the redeemed sing and praise God. Eternity will be too short, &c. Now we must have the spirit of praise while wo live, so that, like Simeon, we may die praising him. Praising God when all is right and spiritual, is heaven on earth,’97blessedness on the way to glory.

Application

1. Our subject should claim the attention of all present. We are the living. On us the exercise of praise devolves. Do you bless God? Have you the true spirit of praise?

2. Let us praise God for the greatest of all his gifts. That of his dear Son. "Thanks be to God," &c. "Worthy is the Lamb," &c.

3. To those who never truly praise God. Have you no reason why his longsuffering should lead you to it? Praise God that you are living’97not dead’97not lost. Within the circle of means, and in the region of hope. Praise him for these things, &c. Seek the spirit of praise.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS