113. PSA 103:20. THE CHARACTER AND EMPLOYMENT OF GOOD ANGELS

Psa_103:20. The Character and Employment of Good Angels

By the late Rev Josiah Smith, A. M., of Charleston, S. C.

"Bless the Lord, ye his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word."’97Psa_103:20.

Our Bible, in near a hundred places, mentions a glorious species or rank of spirits, which are not encumbered with flesh and blood, as we are, who breathe a much freer air, have a higher place of abode, stand nearer the throne of God, and are capable of doing him vastly more and better service than we mortals can pretend to. The text takes it for granted, there are such spirits, or superior beings; calls them by their name, exhibits their character or description, and insinuates their obligation to bless the Lord.

I. We have the name by which these superior spirits are called, viz., Angels.

This name signifies nothing more nor less than Messengers, and it is a very significant name for those ministering spirits, who are sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. Our text,

II. Exhibits a noble character and description of them.

They excel in strength, do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word. Angels are said, 1 To excel in strength.

They excel in strength,

(1) In a natural sense. What a prodigious idea it gives us of their strength, when in one night, a single angel destroyed so many thousands in the camp of the Assyrians!

(2) In a moral sense. They are all light, and flame, and love; all life and vigor. They excel in knowledge, in purity of will, in holiness of affection, &c.

2. They do his commandments.

And this implies,

(1) That they execute whatever God commands. Theirs is not a partial, limited, mperfect obedience, but an obedience extending to the whole of the divine mind in reference to them. It implies,

(2) That they do nothing, either in a way of mercy or judgment, without the appointment of God. They are always in readiness, but they never go before they are sent. Not an angel dare spread his wing, or stir from the threshold of heaven, till God bids him go; but then he flies with all the speed and agility of a spirit. Yes, angels obey him in a sublime and perfect manner. They obey him extensively ’97universally’97affectionately’97cheerfully’97and swiftly.

3. They hearken to the voice of his word.

By voice we understand such? way of communicating the divine will and pleasure as is proper to spirits. Let us consider,

(1) What that word is, to which the angels hearken. It may intend, those particular messages or errands, on which the angels are occasionally sent. Or it may refer to the Holy Scriptures, which, though not designed expressly for angels, yet contain truths of which the highest angel in heaven need not be ashamed; nay, may study with advantage. Or it may refer to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is expressly called the word of God; Rev_19:13; Joh_1:1, &c. And this application of the text is not improbable, when we remember that Christ is Lord of angels, and that God commands all the angels of heaven to worship him. Consider,

(2) The proper force and import of the expression "hearkening to the voice of his word." It obviously signifies fixed attention to the significations of the divine will. To hearken, is to give close and diligent attention; hence, the angels are represented as "standing before God," with their ears always open. They, as it were, watch every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God; and they do this, from the humble deference they pay to the authority of the great God, and from the natural esteem and affection these sublime spirits have for the will of God. To hearken, evidently imports ready and cheerful obedience which the angels pay to it. None of his command merits are irksome or grievous to them, but his will is always acceptable to them, and they always obey, not by constraint, but of a ready mind. Take notice, then,

III. Of the divine and sacred employment of praise that is here assigned them.

"Bless the Lord, ye his angels," &c. The Psa. ist here insinuates that the work of praise well becomes them, and that it is a divine employment to which they are not strangers. It is natural to suppose,

1. That the angels bless God for his immediate favors to themselves.

They are not like us, unthankful. They are conscious of the riches of the divine goodness towards them. They feel then own powers and capacity for happiness; their exalted work and their sublime pleasures, and they praise him day and night in his temple.

2. They cannot but bless God in the view of his adorable nature and perfections.

When they take a survey of his glory and uncreated excellencies, it is impossible but they must adore and bless him No doubt they know much more of him than we at present are capable of.

3. No doubt they sing the displays of his glories, as seen through all his works.

(1) The angels adore God in the works of creation. The act of creation itself is astonishing; an act of omnipotence. Nature affords a grand theatre on which the Almighty appears in his glory. When God laid the first foundation, the corner-stone of the earth, these "morning-stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." To see light, beauty variety and order, where confusion and darkness and chaos were before, no doubt excited their highest wonder, admiration, and praise.

(2) They find occasion of praise, in the recovery of the world by the Son of God. The contrivance of the plan, harmony of mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, incarnation of Christ, sorrows, sufferings, death resurrection, ascension, &c. In all these hey took the deepest interest, and desire to "look into them."

"The highest angel never saw

So much of God before."

(3) They magnify and extol the Lord in the application of grace to the fallen children of man. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God," &c. And they wait upon the saints, and most probably conduct them to glory: Luk_15:10; Luk_21:22; Heb_1:14.

Application

1. Let us endeavor to imitate the angels in seeking more moral strength, in an obedience like unto theirs, in attention to the voice of God, and in the holy work of adoration and praise.

2. Let us walk worthy of the honor we have in being attended by angels.

3. Long for a closer union and more abiding fellowship with them in the heavenly world.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS