21. Having entered, the champion exclaims, I will praise thee, not “I will praise the Lord,” for now he vividly realizes the divine presence, and addresses himself directly to Jehovah, whom his faith discerns. How well it is in all our songs of praise to let the heart have direct and distinct communion with God himself! The psalmist’s song was personal praise too: I will praise thee; resolute praise, spontaneous praise, and continuous praise. For thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. He praises God by mentioning his favors, weaving his song out of the divine goodness which he had experienced. In these words he gives the reason for his praise—his answered prayer, and the deliverance which he had received in consequence. How fondly he dwells upon the personal interposition of God! Thou hast heard me. How heartily he ascribes the whole of his victory over his enemies to God: Thou art become my salvation. It is well to go directly to God himself, and not to stay even in his mercy, or in the acts of his grace. Answered prayers bring God very near to us; realized salvation enables us to realize the immediate presence of God. Considering the extreme distress through which the worshiper had passed, it is not at all wonderful that he should feel full of gratitude at the great salvation God had wrought for him, and should at his first entrance into the temple lift up his voice in thankful praise for personal favors so great, so needful, so perfect.
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