This psalm is almost an echo of Psalm 96., and, like that, tells of the triumphant issue of the Lord's great battle. No doubt the psalmist had some special event in the history of God's people in his mind - some glorious victory given to them; but his words here bring to our thoughts God's spiritual victories, far larger and wider triumphs than any that Israel ever knew. Consider, therefore -

I. THE VICTORIES OF THE LORD WHICH THIS PSALM REMINDS US OF.

1. There is that of the past - for humanity generally, for the whole world. Mankind was in sore distress; and he had no help in himself, he had become the devil's prey. But how was this to be remedied? The Incarnation, the Atonement, the gift of the Holy Ghost, were the answer. And so now forevery child of man who will avail himself of it, there is full salvation provided. The guilt of our sin, our corrupt nature, and the holy Law of God, were all against us; but in this great victory of the Lord, guilt was put away, man's evil nature subdued, and the Law honoured as it had never been or could be before. Well may we say with St. Paul, "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

2. There is that of the present - that which the individual believer rejoices in for himself. The sense of condemnation is gone, the power of sin is broken, the tyranny of the devil trampled on, the might of sorrow and care gone, the fear of death vanished, and eternal life won - that is the victory which is given now to many a believing soul, to every soul who will have it.

3. That of the future - that of the Church triumphant, when every foe is vanquished, when all that have tried and troubled us is no more, and when we are presented "faultless before the presence of the Lord's glory with exceeding joy."

II. WHAT IS HERE SAID OF THEM.

1. They are marvellous. Are they not so? Think of what stood in the way of each.

2. They are all of God. "His right hand, and his holy arm, hath," etc. How evident this is! Did ever any hear of a really saved soul saying aught else than this? And:

3. They are victories of believers. Not of mere compassion, still less of mere power, but it was "his holy arm "that triumphed. The law of righteousness and truth was maintained.

4. They demand a new song. And they have it, and will forevermore. Let us be in that choir. - S.C.

I. THE CHURCH IS GLAD, AND REJOICES IN THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD, BECAUSE IT IS ITSELF REDEEMED WITH JUDGMENT.

1. By judgment the Church is redeemed from the curse of the law — judgment on Christ.

2. By judgment the Church is delivered from the captivity of Satan — judgment oil Satan.

3. By judgment the Church is freed from the bondage and tyranny of the world — judgment on the world.

4. By judgment the Church is to be redeemed from the power of Antichrist (Revelation 18:20).

5. By judgment the Church is to be redeemed from the power of sin — judgment on the Church.

II. THE CHURCH IS GLAD, AND REJOICES IN THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE TRIUMPHS OF CHRIST.

1. The triumphs of Christ are of two kinds —

(1)The triumphs of His grace.

(2)The triumphs of His vengeance.

2. The one as well as the other is rejoiced in and celebrated by the Church.

III. THE CHURCH IS GLAD, AND REJOICES IN THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD, BECAUSE THEY DIMINISH THE AMOUNT AND PREVALENCY OF SIN.

1. The direct effect of judgments is to remove the barriers which hinder the progress of the truth.

2. Another effect of Divine judgments is to deter from the commission of sin.

3. The effect of the finally overwhelming judgments of God is to remove sin from its place in the moral universe, and shut it up in everlasting concealment, Hellazar-house.

IV. THE CHURCH IS GLAD, AND REJOICES IN THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD, BECAUSE THEY FURNISH A GLORIOUS MANIFESTATION OF HIMSELF.

1. They reveal His holiness — He cannot look upon sin.

2. They manifest His justice. He gives to each one according to his work.

3. They that prove His omnipresence as a moral governor. No sin escapes Him.

4. They demonstrate His truth — for they are for the most part predicted.

5. They exhibit His power — for they overwhelm the mightiest.

6. They reveal His love to the Church — for they are chiefly in her defence and rescue.

(James Stewart.)