FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN

This compact little psalm of nine verses begins and ends with the command, “Praise ye the Lord”. Between these two edicts is to be found ample reason to justify this response. The psalmist furnishes us with answers to four questions:

1. By whom is the Lord to be praised?: “ye servants of the Lord”, v. 1.
2. When is he to be praised?: “from this time forth and for evermore”, v. 2.
3. Where is He to be praised?: “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same”, v. 3.
4. Why is He to be praised?: because of His supremacy, vv. 4, 5; His humility, v. 6; His mercy, vv. 7, 8; His pity, v. 9.

His Supremacy. “The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens … who dwelleth on high”, vv. 4, 5, statements that help us to gain exalted thoughts of God. He is the almighty and everlasting One, supreme over the universe of which He is the Maker and Upholder.

His Humility. “Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth”, v. 6. For Him to behold His universe, and us who are His fallen creatures, is evidence of His humility. The hallowed and sweet fellowship existing between the Members of the Godhead is so complete that it needs no enhancement from any external source. But we know what was hidden from the psalmist, that He who humbled Himself to behold us, would humble Himself far more to redeem us, Phil. 2. 8.

His Mercy. “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he may set him with … the princes of his people”, vv. 7, 8. The Lord who stooped to behold us, and who descended to redeem us, has been pleased to exalt us. “God … hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Christ Jesus”, Eph. 2. 4-6.

His Pity. “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children”, v. 9. This has been fulfilled spiritually for many devoted sisters in Christ who, though missing the joys of marriage and motherhood, have served the Lord faithfully at home or abroad, leading souls to the Lord and finding great joy in caring for them.

“Blessed … with all spiritual blessings”, Eph. 1. 3.