Psalm 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. I. HOW WE SHOULD MEDITATE ON GOD. 1. We should meditate upon the perfections of God: His immensity and eternity, to fill us with fear and reverence; His power, as our protection and defence; His wisdom, to fill us with praise and admiration; His holiness, to excite us to imitate Him, and to abhor sin; His truth, to encourage our belief in His promises; His justice, to make us dread being obnoxious to His wrath, and to magnify His judgments to ourselves and others; His goodness, which is the sweetest theme to employ our thoughts upon, it being His most amiable perfection. Well might David say (Psalm 48:9). 2. Upon His works. (1) His works of creation. Thus we read: "The works of the Lord are great," etc. (Psalm 111:2; Psalm 8:3; Job 36:24, 25). (2) His works of providence. How wisely and graciously God governs, preserves, and provides for His creatures, and upholds the world He has formed, and His special providences towards ourselves, and keep a memorial of them! (3) The work of redemption. Herein the perfections of God are wonderfully displayed. 3. Upon His Word. Christ requires it (John 5:39). In this is the godly man's delight (Psalm 119:11, 92). Moses recommended it to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 11:18; Deuteronomy 6:6, 7). The Word of God should dwell in us richly: it should be often in our hands, but oftener in our hearts. 4. Upon the future glory of God. If heaven were more in our thoughts, we should lead a more heavenly life. II. AT WHAT SPECIAL TIMES WE SHOULD MEDITATE ON GOD. He desires to be in all our thoughts, and the continual companion of our minds, and the delight of our souls. But we should meditate upon Him more especially — 1. In our seasons of private retirement: then the mind enjoys itself most, and then it may enjoy God most (Genesis 24:63). 2. In the time of trouble and affliction (Jonah 2:7; Hosea 5:15). This is a time when we can think more impartially of God, of the things that are above, and of the true interest of our souls. On a bed of sickness, it gives delight and refreshment, strengthens the weak heart, and sweetens the bitterest pains. 3. By night on our beds (Psalm 42:8; Psalm 63:6). Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25). We should endeavour to close our eyes in the love of God, and in peace with Him, that our slumbers may be sweet. III. THE HAPPINESS ARISING FROM SUCH MEDITATIONS. The soul is insensibly warmed with love to God, while it views Him, and runs over his adorable perfections. The thoughts of His power establish and strengthen him. The thoughts of His wisdom resign him to all His providences. And the thought of His eternal love and goodness fill him with triumph in hope and joy. The more we are with God, the more shall we have of God and of His image in us. Moses came down from the mount with a heavenly brightness on his countenance. Holy meditation will prepare our hearts for every duty and ordinance. Finally, it will help us to live above the world, and be a means for fitting us for death and eternity. (T. Hannam.) Parallel Verses KJV: My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.WEB: Let your meditation be sweet to him. I will rejoice in Yahweh. |
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