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. Especially does he thus come to God in the holy ordinance of the Lord's Supper, which was called by the ancients the Eucharist or Sacrifice of Praise. Now — I. IN THIS ORDINANCE THERE ARE TO THE SINCERE CHRISTIAN MANY SOURCES OF JOY. 1. The fullest assurance and the clearest evidence of the forgiveness of sins. 2. The strongest and most illustrious proof of Divine love. 3. The fullest assurance of receiving from God all that is necessary for comfort and happiness while in this world, and that both for spiritual and temporal life. 4. A pledge and earnest of heaven. II. PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT of this subject. See — 1. How great is God's goodness in providing for us now so rich entertainment. 2. What joy and consolation there are here be the fearful and doubting Christian. 3. And, indeed, to all without exception, because here we see that God is in Christ "reconciling the world unto Himself." (J. Witherspoon.) 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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