October 29
Christ Our Song
The Christian's Daily PortionThe Lord is my strength and song.—Psalms 118:14.
God never intended that his saints should go on their way to Canaan weeping. The path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Mourning for sin precedes the enjoyment of religion, but it is invariably turned into joy, "for they that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Though sorrow may endure, while we are encompassed with the darkness of night, yet joy cometh with the light of spiritual day. It is the duty, as well as the privilege of the Lord's people to rejoice in him always, and to be glad in the God of their salvation. Now as Jesus is the strength, so also is he the song of his people. He calls upon them and inspires them to sing. Hence says the Psalmist, "He hath put a new song into my mouth." And we never sing spiritually and with holy joy, until he hath opened our lips, and inspired our hearts; then our mouths shew forth his praise. Christ is also the subject of our song, and what fullness and variety of topics are presented to our minds, in the character and work of the Redeemer. Believers sing of the dignity and glory of his person, there is none so great and dignified as our Jehovah Jesus. He possesses the fullness of all the divine perfections. Every attribute of Deity, belongs to him, his glory, is that of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth. David sang of the excellencies of the amiable Jonathan, but Jesus is the sum of excellency, and infinitely fairer than the sons of men. Believers sing the sweetness of his matchless name. Indeed, every pleasing and joyous appellation belongs to him: but his name, Jesus, has a sort of pre-eminence, on account of its appropriateness to man's state and wants.
"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds,
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear."
The devout soul feels the force of the poet's lines, and with holy ardour, sings,—
"Thou dear Redeemer, dying lamb I love to hear of thee; No music, like thy charming name, Nor half so sweet, can be,"