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I. THE SOUL'S DISCOVERY OF THE WORDS OF GOD. "Thy words were found."

1. In their truth. "He that believeth hath the witness" — i.e., the thing witnessed, the testimony — "in himself." He feels the reality of the words of God. They are substance, not shadow, to him.

2. In their meaning. The words of God are not designed to act upon us as an ignorant charm. They are necessarily full of the mind of God. Sympathy with the mind of God is therefore indispensable for understanding them.

3. In their immense importance.

4. In their intense applicability.

5. In their impressive power. "Demonstration of the Spirit."

II. THE SOUL'S USE OF THE WORDS OF GOD. "I did eat them." As the mouth receives food for the body, so faith for the soul.

1. The believing soul loves the words. With its regenerated taste it relishes them keenly, finds them to be bread of God, better even than angels' food.

2. The believing soul dwells on the words; meditates upon them day and night.

3. The believing soul turns the words into the nourishment of the spiritual life. For its appetite is wholesome. It desires the sincere milk of the Word, that it may grow thereby. And it does.

III. THE DELIGHTFUL EFFECT OF THE SOUL'S DISCOVERY AND USE OF THE WORDS OF GOD. "Thy word was unto me the joy," etc. This is owing to —

1. The suitableness and comprehensiveness of its provision.

2. The preciousness of its grace.

3. The grandeur of its discoveries. Of God, His attributes, providence, Church, heaven.

4. The elevated piety and purity of its tone.Conclusion — Would you be able to express yourselves thus? Remember, then, that God's words are spread before your eye, and spoken to your ear, like any other words, to be inquired into, if you would understand them; to be attended to and detained in your memory, if you would experience their intended and beneficial effects. But remember also, that they are but the textbook of the heavenly Teacher; and do not fail to implore His gracious teaching.

(H. Angus, D. D.)

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KJV: Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

WEB: Your words were found, and I ate them; and your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.