I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. Sermons
I. INQUIRE THE MEANING OF THE WORD AND THE NAME. 1. The Name. What is the import of this? The expression is one that perpetually occurs in Scripture, and generally it has much the same meaning. In Romans 1:19, 20 it is spoken of as "that which may be known of God;" and he refers to "the things that are made" as a source of such knowledge. Thus St. Paul declares that ever since the Creation the unseen God has revealed himself by means of the works of his hands. The Name of God, therefore, means all the manifestations of God, howsoever made; but in the Old Testament it means more commonly the manifestation of God through his works, whether in creation or in providence. Then: 2. The Word. This has a threefold signification. (1) The written Scripture - the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms - and now, since Christ came, the Scriptures of the New Testament. These contain the Word of God, and hence commonly receive the title of the Word of God. But (2) the Word means also that spiritual communication from God to the heart of his servants. Hence we often read, "The Word of the Lord came," etc. God speaks to the soul by different means; but it is what God says that is his Word. (3) And chiefly, there is God's revelation of himself in Christ. He is "the Word," which was in the beginning, which became flesh, and dwelt amongst us, so that we could behold him, and, in seeing him, see the Father also. The Word of God, then, means God's revelation of himself through the Scriptures, the Spirit, and through his Son Christ our Lord. Either and all are God's Word. II. GOD'S NAME AND WORD HAVE MUCH IN COMMON. For: 1. Both reveal God. His existence, greatness, power, wisdom, unity, unchangeableness. We do not add his love, because there are those who deny that the love of God is to be seen in the natural world. They speak of "Nature, red in tooth and claw;" they see only her ruthlessness and frequent ferocity; stern law, but little love. 2. Neither ever wears out the patience or the love of those who study them. The more they search into God's works or Word, the more they find in them. Both seem to be inexhaustible mines, whose riches never fail. 3. And both have a perpetual freshness. No human works or words can be compared to them for this. III. AND GOD HAS MAGNIFIED BOTH. He has revealed himself to men by both, and drawn them nearer to himself. It is foolish and wrong, therefore, for any to disparage one at the expense of the other. Some there are who boast of the study of nature only; others have no patience with such study, but insist that the Word alone is to have our regard. But both are wrong, for God hath magnified his Word and his Name. IV. STILL, HE HAS PUT THE GREATER HONOR ON HIS WORD. 1. The revelation of nature is dependent on that of his Word for its comprehension. The Word is the key of his works: without it, men cannot interpret his works. 2. His Word declares higher truths than his works ever can. The love of God; the whole plan of salvation; life eternal; holiness; the truth of the Trinity, etc. 3. His Word accomplishes far more for man's highest interests than his works do. See this in man's knowledge of God, and whence it came; in the instruction which we derive from his works; we could not have had this but for his Word (see Psalm 19.). In the understanding of God's providence; in showing us God's will concerning us; in revealing his grace; in the subduing of our will to himself; - whatever the teachings of God's work may have done for us in these respects, his Word, we must all own, has done far more. V. THE SPREADING OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WORD IS, THEREFORE, OUR HIGHEST INTEREST AND DUTY. Men are saying today - Educate, teach art, science, philosophy; provide for men better homes, surroundings, and opportunities; and much more to like effect; and only a fool will despise what they say. But the real need of man is for some power which will touch his heart and change his nature; and this only the Word of God can do. Therefore let us prize that Word for ourselves, make it known to others, and ever maintain the truth that it and it alone can meet man's universal, greatest, and constant need. - S.C.
Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name. Homilist. I. IT IS THE HIGHEST MANIFESTATION OF THE DIVINE CHARACTER.1. The Bible is a manifestation through moral mind. This is greater than material nature; for the following reasons: — Moral mind is an uncompounded essence. It is a Divine offspring. It is a self-modifying agent. It is an original fountain of influences. You cannot predicate these things of matter. 2. It is a manifestation through the moral mind of a unique personage. Compare Christ with the greatest men. II. IT IS THE HIGHEST MANIFESTATION FOR THE HIGHEST END. 1. It is a restoration. Restoration is a greater work either than destruction or sustentation. 2. It is the restoration of immortal souls. The restoration of a wrecked vessel may be a great work, the restoration of a dead flower is a greater, that of a body is still greater, the restoration of a disorganized empire is still greater, but that of an immortal soul is the greatest of all. 3. It is the restoration of a condemned criminal to a high position in the Divine empire. "Kings and priests," etc. 4. It is the restoration of a diseased soul to immortal health and ever-increasing energy. (Homilist.) Homiletic Review. I. WHAT IS MEANT BY MAGNIFYING THIS WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME?1. It means putting special honour upon it; and this God has done — (1) (2) (3) 2. It means giving it the first and chief place in the system of truths and agencies for the enlightenment and salvation of the world. And this is what God in His providence, as well as in His Sovereign purpose, has done. (1) (2) (3) II. HOW GOD MAGNIFIES HIS WORD. 1. By making it the power of God in the conversion of the soul. The only voice that can calm and inspire hope is the voice that sounds from Calvary out of God's written Word. 2. By making it a sanctifying Word. Nothing but this will make them holy and fit for heaven. The philosophies and teachings of men never did and cannot do it. 3. By making it a comforting and a saving Word. It is the Christian's solace. It helps him over life's rough way. It is food, and drink, and shelter to him in his pilgrimage. It sweetens every cup. It kindles hope and assurance as the end draws nigh. It lights up the death chamber and puts the words of victory on the lips of the departing saint. (Homiletic Review.) 1. God's "Word" is revelation in general, especially the doctrines of salvation — those which we justly call the fundamental principles of the Gospel. 2. God's "Name" is His renown. Whether in His works or in His providence, He has fastened it upon His Word above all others (Psalm 111.). II. APPLY. God has magnified His Word above all other displays of Himself, of His eternal power and Godhead, and of the glory of His dominion — 1. As a revelation of His nature. 2. As an instructor in His works. 3. As an interpreter of His providence. 4. As a declaration of His will. 5. As a manifestation of His grace. 6. As an exhibition of His perfections. 7. As the instrument of His power. By this He subdues and renovates the obstinate and rebellious hearts of men. (W. Collyer.) People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Bow, Celebrate, Confess, Exalted, Faith, Faithfulness, Greater, Hast, Holiness, Holy, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Magnified, Mercy, Myself, Praise, Praising, Saying, Steadfast, Temple, Thanks, Towards, Truth, Unchanging, WorshipOutline 1. David praises God for the truth of his word4. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God 7. He professes his confidence in God Dictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 138:2 1690 word of God Library Faith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. The text, however, itself, is its own guard. If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 Question of the Contemplative Life Epistle Xlvii. To Dominicus, Bishop. The Coming Revival Forasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race... Prayer Out of the Deep. Wherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind... Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. Sense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. Covenant Duties. Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. 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