Psalms 33:1-3 - Homiletics

(First sermon.)

Spiritual worship.

"Rejoice," etc. Worship is worthless if it be not spiritual. "God is a Spirit," etc. ( John 4:24 ). But worship simply spiritual, with no outward expression, no material symbol, would not suffice man's nature. Man is not spirit only; he is also flesh. His eye, ear, voice, nerves, brain, are as much God's work as his spirit. The worship he owes to God is that of his whole nature—body, soul, and spirit. Spiritual life cannot live on public worship only. There are chambers in the temple of the soul which are secret from every eye but God's. "Thou, when thou prayest," etc. ( Matthew 6:6 ). But if public worship alone will not satisfy our religious need, neither will secret worship. Man's nature is social. Even in sorrow, though we may shrink from company, we like sympathy to follow us into our solitude. But joy naturally seeks partners, longs to express itself, is sociable, outspoken, and sympathetic. Hence public worship is not an artificial contrivance, such as warm, vigorous piety can afford to dispense with or despise; it is the natural and fitting outcome of spiritual life, and one of the most powerful means for its nourishment. It is indispensable, and the full, complete exercise of Christian fellowship. Let us speak of the reasons and motives which make praise alike a duty and a privilege.

I. THE GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD . ( Psalms 33:4 , Psalms 33:5 .) Characteristic of Bible to place moral attributes in the foreground, as chief reason for "rejoicing in the Lord. " A poet would have put first (what here comes second) the splendour and variety of God's works. A philosopher, the infinity, eternity, absolute existence of God. Scripture puts that first which at once concerns us most, and is God's highest glory—his character.

II. GLORY OF GOD IN CREATION . His all-wise design and all-powerful will—both included in "the word of the Lord" ( Psalms 33:6-9 ).

III. GOD 'S ALL - EMBRACING PROVIDENCE . Controlling all human affairs; baffling and making void, when he sees fit, all human counsels; creating, reading, ruling the minds of men ( Psalms 33:10-15 ).

IV. GOD 'S SPECIAL CARE AND MERCY TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE . Those who love and trust him ( Psalms 33:16-22 ). This is contrasted with the vanity of earthly power ( Psalms 33:16 , Psalms 33:17 ). Yet, in this boundless prospect, the highest, deepest, strongest reason for praise is not included. To the Old Testament saints the veil still hung before the holy of holies. The Holy Spirit gave them the hope and promise of things as yet hid in mystery ( Matthew 13:16 , Matthew 13:17 ; Ephesians 3:5 ; 1 John 4:10 ). This is the main theme of the worship of heaven ( Revelation 5:9 , Revelation 5:12 ).

Only as we have received Christ into our hearts can we "rejoice in the Lord " as our God and Father. Only thus is our worship a preparation for heaven.