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s true subjects —

I. THE KING.

1. Jesus Christ is a King.

(1) He is expressly so called by the Father (Psalm 2:6; Micah 5:2).

(2) Jesus affirms this concerning Himself (John 18:87).

(3) All true believers own and acknowledge Him to be a King, and their King in particular (Isaiah 33:22; John 1:49).

(4) He was set forth to the Church by the prophets as a King (Genesis 49:10). Also by type — David, Solomon, Melchisedec, etc.

(5) Kingly titles and epithets are given Him in Scripture. Prince of peace; blessed and only Potentate; King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:11).

(6) Kingly prerogatives and badges of royalty are ascribed to Him (Psalm 89:20; Song of Solomon 3:11; Psalm 65:1; Ephesians 3:8).

2. Jesus Christ is the King by way of eminence and excellency.

(1) He is so in respect of His person (Isaiah 9:6.

(2) He is a most ancient King (Micah 5:2).

(3):He is most singularly qualified for the management of His Kingdom (Colossians 2:3; Matthew 28:18).

(4) He is a most righteous King; He governs both His essential and mediatorial kingdoms with the strictest justice and equity (Isaiah 32:1; Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 11:5).

(5) He is a most rich and opulent King (John 1:8; Colossians 1:16; Matthew 11:27; Ephesians 3:8).

(6) He is a singularly blessed and happy King (1 Timothy 6:15; Psalm 21:6).

(7) Zion's King is immortal, and therefore eternal (1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 1:18).

(8) He is a most gracious, loving and affectionate King (Exodus 34:6, 7).

(9) He is a most glorious King, yea, "the King of glory." Heaven and eternal glory is a purchased possession (Ephesians 1:14), and He is the purchaser. He is the preparer of glory for all His true subjects (John 14:2). He is the bestower of glory upon all the heirs of promise (Luke 22:29).

II. SOME THINGS WHICH CONCERN THE KING, AND ARE GOOD MATTERS IN THE ESTEEM OF HIS PEOPLE.

1. The glory and excellency of the King's person is a matter much set by in the esteem of all His true subjects (1 Corinthians 2:2; Philippians 3:10; John 1:14; Psalm 73:25).

2. The love of Christ; the love of a three-one God in Him, is truly a good matter to believers. Their life lies in His favour, and His lovingkindness is better than life.

3. The righteousness of our Lord Jesus is a good matter to believers.

4. The fulness of Christ is a good matter to believers (Colossians 1:9; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 1:30; John 17:2; Colossians 2:10).

5. The prosperity and success of His kingdom is a good matter to all His true subjects.

6. All His commandments are good matters to His people (Psalm 119:32).

7. The very cross of Christ; all the tribulations and calamities which they are at any time called to endure for His name's sake are accounted good matters by His true followers (Acts 5:41; Hebrews 11:26).

8. What the King Himself is to His people, what He has done for them, what He has wrought in them, and what they yet expect from Him, are all good matters in their esteem. His true subjects have already received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17). And shall reign in life by Jesus Christ.

III. WHENCE IT IS THAT THE THINGS CONCERNING THE KING ARE VIEWED, AS MATTERS TRULY GOOD, BY ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIM.

1. Because of the great love and regard believers have for the King Himself.

2. Because there is a real worth and excellency in all the things which concern this glorious King. They are suited to give satisfaction to the soul (Song of Solomon 2:8; Psalm 36:7).

3. Because believers have eyes to discern the value and excellency of divine things (Matthew 13:16; Matthew 16:17).

4. Because the King Himself is theirs, and they are His (Song of Solomon 2:16).

IV. USE.

1. Of information.

(1) See from this subject the amazing condescension of the great God our Saviour, in submitting to exercise a variety of offices for the spiritual good and advantage of perishing sinners.

(2) See one special difference between the true believer and the hypocrite. Hypocrites may assent to the truth of many things taught in the Word concerning Christ; but they have no love to His person, nor can they have any heart-affection to things touching Him.

(3) See suitable exercise for the children and people of God. It is to meditate much upon Christ His person, offices, grace and fulness; particularly they should give themselves much to meditation upon His kingly office; the glory of His kingdom, with the justice and equity of His government.

(4) See when it is persons can speak suitably concerning Christ and the things of Christ. When their hearts are in some measure filled with His grace.

(5) See matter of terror to all the enemies of Zion's King. Who are Christ's enemies? All in a natural state and condition are His enemies; yea, the carnal mind is enmity against Him in the very abstract (Romans 8:7).

2. Of trial and examination.

(1) What views have you got of your natural state and condition? Have you seen it to be a state of sin, captivity and bondage?

(2) Did ever this glorious King reveal His powerful arm to you, thereby making you heartily willing to renounce your own, and submit to His righteousness? (Isaiah 45:24). And are you willing to be indebted to Him, not only for righteousness as the ground of your justification and acceptance before God, but likewise to deny yourselves, take up the cross, and follow Him?

(3) Do you love Christ? Can you say to Himself, Thou knowest that I love Thee?

(4) Do you love your fellow-subjects? (1 John 3:14).

(5) Have you a prevailing desire and concern for the success and prosperity of God's work in the Church? (Isaiah 62:6, 7).

(6) Is the opposition that still remains in your own hearts to this glorious King, with the many dis-honours done Him in the world about you, matter of grief and sorrow to you? (Psalm 139:21, 22).

3. Of exhortation.

(1) To the true subjects of Christ.

(2) Bless God for sending His Son into the world to be your King, and determining your hearts to accept of Him by faith as made of God to you wisdom, righteousness, etc. Trust in your glorious King; this is your duty at all times, and in every circumstance (Psalm 62:8).

(3) Be glad and rejoice in your King — in His love, wisdom, power, faithfulness, all-sufficiency and immutability.

(4) Be concerned to grow in acquaintance with your King (2 Peter 3:18).

(5) Seek to have the declarative glory of your King advanced in your day and generation. We exhort all the enemies of this glorious King to relinquish the camp of Satan and come over to Christ's standard. While you refuse to submit to His righteousness, you are in a state of the vilest slavery and bondage (Ephesians 2:3). Our Lord Jesus, the King, is your rightful Lord and Sovereign. There is no possible way for you to escape from the curse of the broken law and the wrath to come but your uniting with Christ by faith. However long you have slighted the offers of His grace, He is still waiting that He may be gracious to you. His sceptre of grace is stretched out, and He invites you to take hold of it.

(T. Bennet.)

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KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.} My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

WEB: My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.