GOD’S RICHES AT CHRIST’S EXPENSE Meditation in the Psalms (Psalm 9)
As you read this Psalm you will see it signifies the death of the Son: the Chaldee reads “it’s concerning the death of the champion who went out between the camps (Goliath).” Mr. Spurgeon says it enables us to refer it mystically to the victory of the Son of God over the champion of evil. It ought to encourage us as we behold here the conqueror on whose vesture and thigh is the name written KING of kings, and LORD of lords. The Psalm begins with a holy resolution, “I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart.” You don’t have to be members of a PTL Club (Praise the Lord Club 1973-1987) such as go about with silly, superficial, hypocritical ejaculations every other breath “Praise the Lord”. This is not what David means. To praise Him is to know Him; to know Him is to be known by Him: “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God…” (Gal.4:9); (read Matt.7:21-23). To praise God is to know His ways, His works, to know even of His judgments (v.16). I think for a person to offer up praise to a God he knows not is the height of hypocrisy. David’s God sat on the throne, a God worthy of praise (v.4), a God that triumphs over all His enemies (vs.6-7). I have many things to rejoice in, but none so endearing as my dear LORD! God has enriched my life greatly with a good wife, children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren. But none begin to match His richness; the richness of His person, His grace, His mercy, and goodness far exceed the most blessed of human relations. Earthly relationships break down, vanish and are no more, “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (vs. 7-11). When I make Christ the pentacle of my joy and gladness my rejoicing is full; Lord give us the Spirit of praise: “But the LORD shall endure forever …” (vs.4-7). The immutable dominion of our God, in light of the past the future is settled. If we can read the history of His success why should we doubt the future of it? One day a trumpet will sound, and a voice is going to announce forecloser, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever (Rev.11:15).” There is a prayer at the end of this psalm that shall be ultimately answered (vs.19-20). Whatever the courts of earthly justice may decide and however corrupt they may be found, there is coming a day in which everyone will get a fair trial. Are you ready for it? I am (Phil.3:1-9). For those who will not be found in Christ the Psalmist has a word for them, “The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The Lord is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditate on this.” What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, and I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace. ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
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