Psalm 43:4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy: yes, on the harp will I praise you, O God my God. "And then I shall be happy: heaven only can make me happier. Oh, if I can but get near to God and procure a smile from Him, all the world will be as nothing to me." A happy frame of mind this, to meet trouble in. Consider — I. THE GOOD MAN'S DUTY — going to God. This implies — 1. Submission as to his Sovereign. 2. Friendship so as to commune with God as to his troubles, joys, sins, fears, hopes, needs. II. THE GOOD MAN'S BLESSEDNESS — exceeding joy in God. It exceeds all other joy. 1. In its nature. It is not earthly but spiritual and divine. 2. As to its degree. Creature joy is but little — a drop — at most, but in God's presence is fulness of joy. 3. As to duration. It is as the house on the rock compared with that on the sand. Let us ask, What is our joy? III. IMPROVEMENT. 1. How wrong not to go to God. We are either still children of wrath, or if not there has been some sad declension from God. 2. How great our obligation to Christ. 3. Let us long for heaven. (Samuel Lavington.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. |
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