Psalm 147:11 The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. : — Great kings are wont to have their favourite objects, in which they delight with a peculiar pleasure. Many monarchs have gloried in "the strength of a horse." Their squadrons of cavalry have been their confidence. Others have taken more delight in "the legs of a man." The thews and sinews of their soldiery have been their boast. You must have noticed in the Assyrian sculptures the importance that was attached by the workmen and by the monarch also to "the legs of a man." They represent the warriors as brawny and strong, swift in running, and firm in holding their place in the day of battle. But our God takes no delight in cavalry or infantry, no armies of horse or foot soldiers give him any gladness; the Lord takes pleasure in very different persons from these. His delight, His joy, His solace, — if we may use such a word, — are found in other company than that which is martial, He turns His eyes quite another way. I. THE OBJECTS OF DIVINE FAVOUR AS HERE DISTINGUISHED. They are distinguished — 1. From physical strength. 2. From mental vigour. 3. From self-reliance. 4. From any mere capacity for service which exists in any of us, whoever we may be. II. THE OBJECTS OF DIVINE FAVOUR AS THEY ARE HERE DESCRIBED. 1. These are things which relate to God. God's favour is displayed to those who fear Him, and who hope in His mercy. Thou art truly what thou art towards God; and God regards thee according to what thou art in reference to Himself. 2. This description of character applies to true servants of God in their earliest and weakest form. 3. It comprises the noblest form of religion in the very highest degree of it. Let us grow as we may, we shall always fear God. Perfect love casteth out the fear that hath torment, but not that filial fear which is here meant, that child-like reverence and holy awe of the Most High; that shall grow and shall deepen, world without end. And as to hope, why, we had hope when we began our spiritual life; but we have hope still, and that hope will continue with us, — I will not say in heaven, though I think it will, for there is something to hope for in the disembodied state, we shall hope for the day of resurrection; and there will be something to hope for even in the resurrection, for, throughout the ages we shall have a good hope that still we shall be "for ever with the Lord." 4. The persons favoured of God are represented as a sort of sacred blending of different characters. These two things, fear of God and hope in His mercy, go well together, and what God hath joined, let no man put asunder. III. THE BLESSINGS IMPLIED IN THIS DIVINE FAVOUR. If you fear the Lord, and hope in His mercy, God takes as much delight in you as you do in your dear child; and far more, because God's is an infinite mind, and from it there comes infinite delight, so that He views you with infinite complacency. Can you believe it? You do not view yourself so; I hope that you do not, but God sees you in Christ. He sees that in you that is yet to be in you. He sees in you that which will make you to grow into a heavenly being, and therefore He takes delight in you. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.WEB: Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness. |
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