758. PSA 45:17. PERPETUITY OF CHRIST’S NAME AND PRAISE

Psa_45:17. Perpetuity of Christ’s Name and Praise

"I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee forever and ever."’97Psa_45:17.

Whatever original reference there may be in this psalm to David’s son and successor, it is clear to the spiritually-minded reader that a greater than Solomon is here. The psalm contains a chain of clear and beautiful predictions of the Messiah and his kingdom. The text is the climax of the passage, and contains the declaration of Jehovah, that the name of the Redeemer shall be handed down to the latest posterity. "I will make," &c. Observe,

I. The nature of the prediction.

II. The certainty of its realization. And,

III. The means of its accomplishment. I. The nature of the prediction.

The prediction consists of two parts’97the perpetuation of the Saviour’s name, and the celebration of his praise. Observe, then,

1. The perpetuation of the Redeemer’s name.

"I will make thy name," &c., The name.

(1.) It is said of Christ that he had on his head many crowns, so he is distinguished by many titles. Like the stars of the firmament they bestud the oracles of truth: Jacob spake of him as the Shiloh; Job as the Redeemer; Isaiah as the child born, Immanuel. But the especial and preeminent name of the Redeemer is Jesus’97"They shall call his name Jesus," &c. In connection with this "Christ" the anointed. The anointed Jesus. Now as the anointed Saviour he stands preeminent. His name belongs especially to his person and work. A name above every name; sweeter and more precious than any other. A name which God put upon him, and in which he delights. A name which angels adore and worship. A name full of consolation to a lost world. A name before which devils fear and tremble. A name to be identified with all the interesting events of time, and to be remembered in all generations.

(2.) The remembrance of this name. It is not to be blotted out. It is not to be lost in the vast assemblage of great and distinguished names. Not as a star in the milky way, but as the sun, the orb of day, he is to stand forth, above every other, moving in his own glorious orbit, in all things having the supremacy. But few names live through posterity. Few are the subjects of general remembrance, and among these some are remembered on account of wicked and monstrous crimes, as Nero. Some on account of warlike achievements, as Alexander and Hannibal, Napoleon, &c. Some on account of their discoveries in science or art. Some on account of their literary productions, or their philosophy, &c. Some on account of their virtues. And some few on account of their goodness and philanthropy. Christ will he remembered on account of his personal purity’97his holy doctrines’97his astonishing miracles’97his unbounded love’97his unexampled sufferings’97his mysterious passion’97his marvellous death’97his glorious triumphs over men and devils, over earth and hell. He will be remembered as the Great Teacher’97the priest of the universe’97the founder of Christianity’97and the Redeemer of the world. Observe,

(3.) This remembrance of the Redeemer’s name is to be to the latest posterity, "through all generations." See a parallel passage, Psa_72:17. The last generation of human probationers shall remember it. It shall not perish with the conflagration of the earth, for it shall be the glory of the new heavens and of the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. And it shall be the burden of the song of all the hosts of glory, through the rolling ages of eternity. But we are anticipating the prediction, for it also refers,

2. To the celebration of his praise.

"The people shall praise thee," &c. Now the idea is clearly this, that all the people shall praise him. That "all nations shall call him blessed." They shall praise him from the rising to the setting of the sun. Now although Christ has been remembered in all ages, yet the people, the majority, have not known his name. Myriads have never heard it. Myriads of Mohammedans degrade it. Myriads of Jews hate and blaspheme it. Myriads of skeptics revile it, and myriads care nothing about it. But then all people, of all climes, and colors, and tongues, shall know it, and love it, and adoring, present their incense of praise unto it. What a delightful period, when Christ’s name shall be sung in every nation, on every hill, in every vale, on the mountain-top, and on the seashore, and when those who go in ships shall bear it across the waves of the ocean, when earth, and sea, and skies will resound with Immanuel’s praise. Such, brethren, is the prediction. Let us consider,

II. The certainty of its realization.

It is not a doubtful matter. It is written in the volume of inviolable and eternal truth, of which not one jot or tittle can possibly fail. This certainty rests not only on its being a portion of the word of truth, but we may conclude as to its realization,

1. From the claims of Christ.

In the covenant made with the Saviour, it was stipulated that he should be rewarded for his toils, and be amply recompensed for all his sufferings and shame. This is beautifully and fully expressed by the prophet Isaiah, see Isa_53:10. Christ’s prayer referred to the same subject, Joh_17:45. The apostle, too, refers to it, Php_2:6, &c. Now, shall the claims of Christ be disregarded? Assuredly not. He has entered upon his reward. He is receiving the joy. He is extending his kingdom, and assuredly "He shall reign until," &c. "His name shall," &c

2. From the ability of the Father.

It is the engagement of the Father. Jehovah says, "I will," and upon what principle shall it fail? He is not fallible. He does not change. He will not break his word. He will not disregard his son’s hard-earned claims. His power is sufficient. His resources exhaustless. His means ample. He hath said, and it must come to pass. Heaven and earth may pass away, but not one word of his can ever fail.

3. The history of the past, and the survey of the present, clearly indicate the certainty of its realization.

Before Messiah’s advent his name and work were the subject of grateful contemplation through all generations. As the seed of the woman he was received by our first parents. As the Shiloh, &c., by the patriarchs. Abraham desired to see his day, &c.; the prophets all testified of Christ, of the sufferings he should endure, and the glory which should follow. The Baptist acted as his herald. Good old Simeon clasped him to his bosom. And the apostles and disciples preached him through the then known kingdoms of the world, &c. Even one apostle, Paul, preached him from Jerusalem to Illyricum. And from that period to the present, his name has been remembered. Then remember that earth and hell have conspired to blot out his name. The kings and rulers have covenanted against him. Learning and philosophy, power and wealth, influence and arms, have all been employed, but all in vain. His name has been perpetuated, and is still celebrated in the praises of countless thousands. And who, that surveys the present influence and extent of Christianity, can doubt its being continued to the latest posterity? Who can doubt its final triumphs and universal diffusion? It has lived in all ages, and in all countries, and now the sun never sets upon the disciples of the Lamb. But let us glance,

III. At the means of its accomplishment.

The dispensation is a dispensation of means. Christ’s name is to be perpetuated by means.

1. There must be the diffusion of the scriptures.

As long as the Bible lasts, Christ’s name will endure. Wherever that book is received, Christ’s name will be prized and praised.

2. The gospel must be proclaimed.

It is the gospel of Christ. To preach the gospel is to exalt Christ. It is the express work of the ministers of the gospel.

"’Tis all their business here below,

To cry, Behold the Lamb!"

3. The ordinances of religion must be maintained.

Where Christian worship is celebrated, and the ordinances administered, Christ’s name must be remembered. Look at a Christian congregation. The place is palpably a Christian erection. The people are professed Christians. The word read is Christ’s word. The gospel is the gospel of Christ. The prayer is based upon his merit, and presented in his name. The praise is to Christ. He is the subject of our songs. The church is Christ’s. Baptism is being baptized into his death. The sacrament is the Lord’s supper. The life of the Christian is to magnify Christ; and the death of the Christian glorifies the Lord. Now these are the means, and shall I ask, by way of

Application

1. Are not we responsible for their employment?

Oh yes, it devolves on me, on you, on every Christian in the world.

2. Should we not feel intensely interested in them?

Shall we not identify ourselves? And,

3. Let our profession be embodied. Let the love of Christ constrain us.

4. Oh, that Christ might be precious to some waiting soul for the first time.

What think ye of Christ? Oh, receive him. Let his name be engraven on your hearts.

5. Christ’s name shall be remembered.

It must be. Nothing can prevent it. Think what it would require to erase it. Every Bible annihilated’97every meetinghouse thrown down’97every Christian martyred’97and all the angels must be silenced. Nay, more’97the sceptre must be wrested from Jehovah’s grasp, and his exalted throne levelled with the dust. Oh, rejoice, rejoice! "Christ’s name shall be remembered in all generations, and the people shall praise him forever and ever!"

"Let every kindred, every tribe,

On this terrestrial ball,

To him all majesty ascribe,

And crown him Lord of all."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS