Psalm 96:6 Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. I. TRUE OF NATURE AS A TEMPLE. In nature as a whole, — as one vast cathedral, — and in different scenes, it is as so many aisles and courts and chapels, in it there is strength and beauty. For example, in the forest there is the strength of the gnarled tree, with sinewy and majestic trunk, and the beauty of exquisite foliage and delicate moss and wild flower. II. TRUE OF THE HEBREW SANCTUARIES. In the tabernacle were stout poles and coverings of skin for strength, and finely spun, delicately woven embroidery for beauty. In the temple, what massive and majestic stone for strength! what gleaming of precious and wondrous tapestry for beauty! There were in those sacred structures not only richest harmonies for the ear, but beauties for the eye as well, that so all nature should be toned and tuned to good impressions. III. TRUE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. There may well be Puritan earnestness of spirit, distinctiveness of doctrine, directness of rebuke, fixedness of faith, and at the same time aesthetic refinement of demeanour and tone and thought. Does not " worship in the beauty of holiness " involve obedience to the precept, "Let all things be done decently and in order"? IV. TRUE OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. That is the most perfect sphere of Divine worship; for to Christly men it is infallibly said, "Ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost." There must be in such character "virtue," the strength of manliness. By which is surely meant honesty, truth, courage, fidelity. But what does St. Peter teach us is to be added to virtue? Clearly, all moral beauty. Our character is to be a sanctuary with solid foundations, but adorned with finely wrought gold; our work is to be a war, but with chivalry. (U. R. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.WEB: Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. |
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