Praise is lovely for the upright.

Posted : 15 Feb, 2013 02:14 AM

Psalm 119:12 Blessed are You, O Lord: teach me Your statutes.





"Praise is lovely for the upright." It is at once their duty and

their privilege. But what does highest exercise amount to,

when placed on the ground of its own merit? We clothe our

ideas with magnificence of language, and deck them out with

all the richness of imagery; and perhaps we are pleased with

our forms of praise. But what are they in His sight beyond the

offering of a contemptible worm, spreading before its Maker

its own mean and low notions of Divine Majesty? If a worm

were to raise its head, and cry-'O sun! You are the source of light and heat to a widely-extended universe'-it would, in fact,

render a higher praise to the sun, than we can ever give to our

Maker. Between it and us there is some proportion-between

us and God none. Yet, unworthy as the offering confessedly

is, He will not despise it. No, more, instead of spurning it from

His presence, He has revealed Himself as "inhabiting the

praises of Israel;" thus intimating to us, that the service of

praise is "set forth in His sight as incense;" and at the same

time, that it should be the daily and unceasing exercise of one

at his own home.

The true character of praise, however, depends entirely upon

the state of the heart. In the contemplative philosopher it is

only cheerless, barren admiration: in the believer it becomes a

principle of comfort and encouragement. For, can he forget

the revelation, which his God has given of Himself in the

gospel of His dear Son; how it divests every attribute of its

terrors, and shines before us in all the glory of His faithfulness

and love? The ascription of praise-"Blessed are You, O Lord,"

frames itself therefore into the prophet's song-"Who is a God

like You, who pardons iniquity, and passes by the

transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not

His anger forever, because He delights in mercy."

Truly then He is "blessed" in Himself, and delights to

communicate His blessedness to His people. Hence we are

emboldened to ask for continual "teaching in His statutes," in

the truths which He has revealed, and the precepts which He

has enjoined; that we may "be followers of Him, as dear

children," and "walk with Him in love." The practical influence,

however, of Divine light, constitutes its peculiar privilege.

Man's teaching puffs up-God's teaching humbles. Man's

teaching may lead us into error as well as into truth-God's

teaching is "the unction from the Holy One, by which we know

all things." Man's teaching may make us more learned-God's

teaching makes us more holy. It persuades, while it enlightens. It draws the heart, inclines the will, and carries out

the soul to Christ. The tried character of God encourages us

to look for His teaching-"Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore will He teach sinners in the way." Our warrant is

especially confirmed in approaching Him as our covenant

God-"Lead me in Your truth, and teach me; for You are the

God of my salvation. Teach me to do Your will: for You are my

God."

Reader! do you desire to praise your God? Then learn to

frequent the new and living way, "by which alone you can offer

your sacrifice acceptably." And while engaged in this holy

service, inquire, surrounded as you are with the means of

instruction, what progress you are making in His statutes.

Seek to have a deeper acquaintance with the character of

God. Seek to be the vessels of honor and glory, into which He

is pouring more and more continually, "until they be filled with

all the fullness of God." Value the unspeakable blessing of

Divine teaching, by which you learn to live the life, and begin

the blessedness of God.



by

Charles Bridges

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