Psalm 46:4-7 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.… I. THE RIVER. This I take to be the mercy of God; His kindness to the miserable. Just, He must needs be, for He would not be merciful if He were not just. But there are manifestations of His justice in which He takes no joy. "He taketh no pleasure in the death of the sinner;" but "He delighteth in mercy." And sometimes its exhibitions are very tender — "it droppeth as the gentle dew from heaven upon the place beneath." And how copious its store! it is a river, not a rill that can be turned aside by any pebble in its bed; but a river that sweeps triumphantly over and through every obstacle. II. THE STREAMS Some rivers are fed by streams; not so this one" it gives out streams but receives none, like the river of Damascus, whose branches surround the city. These streams are — 1. Pardoning mercy. 2. Purifying mercy: for it would be of little use if purity were not given as well as pardon. 3. Pacifying mercy — to keep me quiet in the midst of this unquiet world. III. THE FRUIT. The river is to make glad the city of God. That is, God's Church and people; and the great purpose of the river and all its streams is — to make them glad: to bring up a smiling landscape around them, to fill their lips and hearts with praise. IV. ITS SOURCE. It is far above out of your sight. So is it, even, with earthly rivers: they do not at once reveal their source. You must travel up and up the stream, and leave plain for hillside, and still press on ere you come to the fountain head. And for this river you must ascend to the boundless lake of Divine love. V. THE CHANNEL — the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him it flows down to man. VI. THE POWER that brings the streams close home to us, so that we may have the blessing, is the power of the Holy Spirit. See what He has already done in the Scriptures and in the Church. (F. Tucker, B. A,) Parallel Verses KJV: There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. |
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