Psalm 108:3,4
In the measure that we appreciate the good someone has done for us, we respond with the praise of thanksgiving. And who is there that has done more good for us than God? Not only has He given us life, and a wide and rich creation in which to live; but He has given us a new, spiritual life and is preparing for us a new world of blessedness and glory when Christ returns upon the clouds of heaven.
That is why David in Psalm 108:3,4 declares, "I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds."
For us today this means that we praise God for what He does for us in His Son. And nowhere will you find greater, more wonderful mercy and truth than what God showed in the cross of Christ. When David in the next two verses speaks of deliverance and salvation by God's right hand, he is speaking about Christ Who is now at God's right hand as our King and Head.
Therefore we must never doubt that God is merciful to us, or that He is true to His word. We just cannot find a higher mercy and truth than that which is in God. And David tells us that he desires to have men praise God, and in their speech exalt Him for His mercy and truth.
The idea is not that we exalt God; but in our praise we declare how high He is as the merciful and true God. David means, "Let men exalt God in their speech." We cannot make God higher than He eternally is.
Now remember that to praise someone is to make mention of that one's goodness. It is to say that this one is good to us, as we also sing in our versification (PRC Psalter):
Thy truth and tender love
Are high as heaven above;
Thy help we crave.
Be Thou exalted high
Above the lofty sky;
Lest Thy beloved die,
O hear and save.
In our aches and pains we must not complain, but instead run to God in prayers of praise. For by faith we see Christ at God's right hand for our good, and coming again to lift us up to heavenly glory.
Read: Psalm 103
Psalter versification: #298:2
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #336
Why not sing along??
****
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
2 Chronicles 11 ; 2 Chronicles 12 ; 2 Chronicles 13:1-22
Romans 8:26-39
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 19:27-29
****
Quote for Reflection:
"If we wish to be considered members of Christ, let no man be anything for himself, but let us all be whatever we are for the benefit of each other. This is accomplished by love; and where it does not reign, there is no 'edification,' but an absolute scattering of the church." ~ John Calvin
Additional Info
- Date: 24-July
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.