23. Imagine the Saviour as addressing the congregation of the saints. He
exhorts the faithful to unite with him in thanksgiving. The description of “fearing the Lord” is very
frequent and very instructive; it is the beginning of wisdom, and is an
essential sign of grace. Humble awe of God is so necessary a preparation for
praising him that none are fit to sing to his honor but such as reverence his
Word; but this fear is consistent with the highest joy, and is not to be
confounded with legal bondage, which is a fear which perfect love casteth out.
Jew and Gentile saved by sovereign grace should be eager in magnifying the God
of our salvation: all saints should unite in the song. The spiritual
Israel all fear him, and we hope the day will come when the bodily
Israel will be brought to the same mind. The more we praise God the more
reverently shall we fear him, and the sweeter will be our songs.
PREVIOUS
NEXT
No comments:
Post a Comment