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I. THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSONS ADDRESSED. "Ye that love the Lord." This love is —

1. The consequence of God's love to the soul (Jeremiah 31:3).

2. Genuine, or pure (Romans 12:9).

3. In its power unconquerable (Song of Solomon 8:6, 7).

4. In its duration lasting (Philippians 1:9-11).

5. In its influence constraining (2 Corinthians 5:14).

6. In its nature —

(1)  Working.

(2)  Uniting.

(3)  Confirming.

(4)  Lasting to eternity.

II. THEIR PRIVILEGE DECLARED. "He preserveth the souls of His saints," etc.

1. He secures them from the sinfulness of their hearts (Romans 6:14).

2. From the prevalency of ignorance (Psalm 73:24).

3. From all slavish fear (Isaiah 26:3).

4. From the curse of the broken law (Galatians 3:13).

5. He rescueth them from Satan (Romans 16:20).

6. From wicked and deceitful men (Psalm 27:2, 3).

7. From every other kind of opponent (1 Peter 1:5).

III. THE DUTY OR PRACTICE EXHORTED TO. "Hate evil."

1. Personal or internal evil (Romans 7:6).

2. The sin which we see in others (Psalm 139:21, 22).

3. The evil that is in the world (Psalm 119:104).

4. All national evils (Proverbs 14:34).

IV. THE STATE OF THE SOUL DESCRIBED (ver. 11).

1. Light.

(1)  The knowledge of God's purpose of grace (Ephesians 1:3, 4).

(2)  The comprehension of Scripture (Psalm 119:105).

(3)  Light was sown for the righteous (Isaiah 9:2).

(4)  Salvation is sown for the righteous (Psalm 27:1).

(5)  The teaching of the Holy Ghost is light (2 Corinthians 4:6).

2. Gladness.

(1)  Heartfelt (Psalm 4:7).

(2)  The gladness of received mercy (1 Peter 4:13).

(3)  Future and joyous gladness (Psalm 31:7, 19).

V. THE EVIDENCES AND EXPERIENCES OF THE CHRISTIAN (ver. 12).

1. "Rejoice in the Lord."

(1)  In the death of the Lord.

(2)  In the life or righteousness of the Lord.

(3)  In the majesty or power of the Lord.

(4)  In Christ the salvation of the righteous.

2. "Give thanks to Him."

(1)  For His essential holiness as a Divine person.

(2)  The holiness of His life as God-man mediator.

(3)  For our being partakers of His holiness.

(4)  And for that perfect holiness which we shall have and enjoy in heaven with Christ hereafter.

(T. B. Baker, M.A.)

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KJV: Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

WEB: You who love Yahweh, hate evil. He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.