October 15

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. - Psalms 136:1.

LET us notice the repetition of the leading sentiment of this psalm:-“For his mercy endureth forever.” Here is not only information, but a remembrance, which we should reduce to practice. This repetition seems often very necessary; we are so very apt to be forgetful and negligent. Hence our Lord instituted the Supper, and said to his disciples, “This do in remembrance of me.” “Wherefore,” says Peter, “I will not be negligent to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” And again, he says, this “second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you, in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.”

The burden of this beautiful psalm is calling to remembrance the mercies of the Lord. No less than twenty-six times is this sentiment repeated. The sacred writers rejoiced in this subject; and how desirable it is that we should always keep it in mind! Let us observe the thanksgiving which it demands:-“Oh, give thanks unto the Lord.” Religion is a personal thing. So, when David, in another psalm, calls upon others to bless the Lord, he concludes with saying, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” Alas! how little disposed are we to adopt his resolution, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth!”

It is said of Hezekiah, (and it was a sad blemish in his character,) that he “rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him, for his heart was lifted up.” “How lamentable,” says Dr. South, “is it that a world so full of God’s creatures should be so empty of his praise!” David heaves a sigh five times, and says, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” But our thanksgiving, in order to be accepted, must proceed from the affections of the heart. David therefore said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

What is it that best praises a teacher but the proficiency of his pupil? What is the best commendation of a tree but the goodness and plentousness of its fruit? And “herein,” says our Saviour, “is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” Zacharias, the father of “the Baptist,” tells us that this is the grand design of God in redemption,-“ That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life.”