11. Boundless in extent towards his chosen is the mercy of the Lord; it is
no more to be measured than the height of heaven or the heaven of heavens. “Like the height of the heaven” is the
original language, which implies other points of comparison besides extent, and
suggests sublimity, grandeur, and glory. As the lofty heavens canopy the earth,
water it with dews and rains, enlighten it with sun, moon, and stars, and look
down upon it with unceasing watchfulness, so the Lord’s mercy from above covers
all his chosen, enriches them, embraces them, and stands forever as their
dwelling-place. The idea of our version is a very noble one, for who shall tell
how exceeding great is the height of heaven? All this mercy is for them that fear him; there must be a humble, hearty reverence of his authority, or we
cannot taste of his grace. Godly fear is one of the first products of the
divine life in us; it is the beginning of wisdom, yet it fully ensures to its
possessor all the benefits of divine mercy, and is indeed here and elsewhere
employed to set forth the whole of true religion. Many a true child of God is
full of filial fear, and yet at the same time stands trembling as to his
acceptance with God; this trembling is groundless, but it is infinitely to be
preferred to that baseborn presumption which incites people to boast of their
adoption and consequent security when all the while they are in the gall of
bitterness. Those who are presuming upon the infinite extent of divine mercy
should here be led to consider that although it is wide as the horizon and high
as the stars, yet it is only meant for them that fear the Lord.
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