THE LORD’S GLORY SHALL ENDURE FOR EVER

The very greatness of God, v. 1, arises from the fact that “He has clothed Himself with honour and majesty” (Heb.). Light is His garment, and He sets out earth and the heavens as a patriarch would set up his tent, vv. 2, 3, and has the clouds for His chariot, and the wind for His path, v. 3.

We are totally dependant on water, but we can nevertheless be easily overcome by it, v. 9. Under God’s hand, it is locally available to all, vv. 10-13. The end result is, “the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works”. From the availability of water come “the grass … and herb (vegetables) for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man”, vv. 14, 15. He is also able to obtain “oil to make his face to shine (in the intense drying heat of Israel’s summer), and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart”, v. 15. Thus all man’s physical needs (bread and wine, water and oil) are divinely satisfied.

The great diversity, intricacy, and richness of His creation bring delight to the saint, v. 24. All aspects of man’s present peaceful scientific pursuits are here; the marine biologist for instance would acknowledge “this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts”, v. 25, and in the sea, even man himself is active, for “There go the ships”, v. 26.

Out of this great hymn of praise relating to creation comes the cry, “The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever”, v. 31, “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet”, vv. 33, 34. The sweet meditation is the same sweetness as that of the acceptable sacrifice which burned wholly away, sending up a sweet savour to God, Exod. 29. 25. The only dark blot on this fair scene “where every prospect pleases” is sin and those sinners (“and only man is vile”) who show no interest in getting right with God. When sin is eliminated, v. 35, then comes the great and final “Hallelujah”!

All man’s spiritual needs today are met in Christ, who is the Bread of life, John 6. 35, and gives the water of life freely, Rev. 22. 17. Our shining faces and glad hearts come from our sweet meditation of Him, not from anything down here.